LDS Seminary Scripture Dig & Draw

Today in seminary I gave each table of students a large sheet of packing paper with a scripture block written on it.  They had to "dig" into the scripture to see what it said.  Then every student in the group had to add something to their paper about the scripture block. 

I explained to them that when you put your foot on a shovel, it helps you to dig better.  I told them that every student who participated got a Fruit by the Foot candy.  I also explained that the harder you work the more fruit you get.

I have done this several ways.  I have found that when they work as groups, some groups do great, but some kids just do what they want.  

Groups of two:  I assign the students a scripture block.  I also put a couple of questions on the board that they are to look for or notice.  I often just put "Look for something that you find interesting.  One student reads two scriptures while the other draws or doodles.  Then they switch.  To get them started I said that everyone on the right reads the scriptures, and then the person on the left draws what they hear.  When they were done the person on the left reads the scriptures and the person on the right draws.  Doing this eliminated a lot of wasted time in decision making on the students parts. 

I have to say that this way worked really well.  Every single student was reading and working (even the ones that don't usually participate).  I am definitely doing this again! 

This time I gave the students each a Dig N' Dips for participating.  I know I don't need to, but I like to!

Here's and example of D&C 137

Large group: I give a large sheet of paper (packing paper) to each table.  Then I have them take turns reading and drawing.  They all share what they have learned.


After the students finished their pictures I had each group come up and explain what they learned and share a scripture.  As usual, some groups get into it more than other groups.  What I always find fascinating is that sometimes students who normally will not participate will participate better with an activity like this.  Today I had a girl who normally will not participate.  She took charge of her group and did most of the work, along with the presentation.  I was thrilled!

Here are some of the examples of our project:

Today was a fun day!  I loved watching some of the groups really get into it.  I had one group (of good kids) who did not seem to want to do it.  I had to coax them along.    Now it's on to tomorrow's lesson!

To see some of my other seminary ideas just click here

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President's Russell M. Nelson's Challenge to Join the Lord's Youth Battalion with gift ideas: Battalion Bites & Shield of Faith Ornament

Last summer President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy gave the most amazing talks to the youth.  This year in seminary we are studying the Doctrine and Covenants.  When the scriptures refer to Israel, gathering, or following the prophet I like to remind the youth of the prophet's challenge that he gave to them.

I played back portions of his talk.  To hear it click here.

Here are his challenges to the youth:

Then I handed out this printout and we discussed how they were doing.  I was thrilled with the answers that I got.  Most of the students had taken the challenge seriously and shared their experience.

Battalion Bites Candy

Here's a fun treat to go with your lesson or activity.  I bought these Halloween Peanut m&m's on clearance.  Lucky for me the m&m colors also worked well the camouflage colors.

This size of m&m is the 3.27 oz share size.

I made this print out and glued it over the m&m picture.  If you would like to use it right click on the picture.  Copy and paste it, or save it into your pictures.  Size it to fit a full sheet of paper.

I glued it on rubber cement.  The regular school glue stick will not hold after it dries.  The process I used was cover the print out in glue, especially the edges.  Then cover the m&m's in glue, especially the edges.  Then put another coat of glue on the print out's edges.  Center the print out on the m&m's and press around the edges.  

Cheap Armor of God Pins

If you are like me, I am always looking for a cheap, but nice gift for my 20+ seminary students.  Unfortunately Deseret Book does not offer dollar store prices.   

I found these pins on Oriental Trader for only $7.19 a dozen. The only problem I had with it was the cross.  It just made me uncomfortable to give to LDS students.  I decided to try to paint over the cross with fingernail polish.  The only black polish that I had was gel, so I gave it a try.  I put 2 coats of gel polish on each one.  Then ended with a clear coat of gel polish over the entire middle area.  

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 In between each coat I put it under the gel light.

 They came out great.  You can't even tell there was ever a cross on the pin.  A wonderful and cheap gift for my Seminary Youth Battalion!

You could probably do the same thing with regular nail polish, I just didn't have any.  Let me know if you try it.

Shield of Faith Christmas Ornament

I found these cute metal Shield of Faith crests on Oriental Trader for only $6.95 a dozen.  I thought that they would make a nice Christmas ornament for Christmas gifts.

I bought some ribbon.  I tied it in a loop and glued it to the back side of the metal crest with E6000 glue.  I didn't want to use a glue gun because I didn't think the glue would hold.  

After the glue dried I turned it over and used the same glue to add the ribbon.  I placed the ribbon so that it was on both the metal and the ribbon.  That way it is more secure and hangs straight.  I added the picture of Christ over the cross.  I got the picture off of google images.  I printed it out on my computer with the smallest setting that prints 35 tiny pictures per page.  Then I used a heart punch to cut out the face of Christ.  I think they turned out really cute!

Armor of God Gift Package

For Christmas I decided to give my class all the the pin, the ornament and the m&ms into a cute little gift package.  I bought some cellophane bags at Walmart.  Then I used a piece of my brown cardstock and cut it to fit inside the bag.  

My bag was 4 inches wide, so I cut the cardstock to be just a little bit under 4 inches.    I poked some holes into the cardstock and used the twist tie that came with the bags to hold the ornament.  The pin I glue gunned above it to hold it in place.  Luckily I kept the little plastic bags that the pin came in so that the pin could be removed easily.  I put the m&ms and a little plastic army man on the other side.  

Once the bag was full I printed out the printout below.  I cut them out, folded them in half and stapled them to the top of the bag.  As you can see, I have a Christmas version and a non Christmas version.  I did the math and the entire package came to about $1.60.  Not bad when you have over 20 students to buy for!

Click on the image below to make a 

Missionary Handbook Printable.

Here's another printout from my Seminary Missionary Handbook idea

For one of my lessons I had my class listen to one of President Russell M. Nelson's last conference talks Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints and write down the things that impressed them.  Here is the handout that I used:

Another fun Prophet idea is 

You-Know-A  to listen to the Prophet Granola.

Here are some of my other Doctrine and Covenants ideas:

LDS Seminary Doctrinal Mastery Ideas

This page is where I will share some of my Doctrinal Mastery ideas that I have done with my students.  

Doctrinal Mastery Classroom Sign and Journal Printout

Every year I start the year by explaining what the Doctrinal Mastery is because I usually have Freshman.  I print out the sign below an put it up on the board so that I can refer to it often.  I like to refer to it when I am teaching so that they are familiar with it.  I also print out a smaller version in color so that they can color code their scriptures.  I don't require them to use this color code.  It is just a suggestion that I got off the the Seminary Teachers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Facebook Page.  

Here is their explanation of the colors that they chose:

Here's a black and white version:

Doctrinal Mastery Posters

I make a single page printout of each Doctrinal Mastery subject.  Then I assign a couple of students to each subject.   They are to use their journals to make a sign about their subject.  I give them about 10 minutes.  When they are done I have them teach their Doctrinal Mastery subject to the class.  This way the class has an overview of each subject.  Here is an example from a couple of years ago of what my class did.  I have changed my colors since then.  

If you would like a printout to use with your class just right click on the picture and save it into your pictures or copy and paste it into your printing program.

Here are the printouts:

Here's a finished example of what my class did:

Play ZAP with Doctrinal Mastery Questions

I have the students use their journals for the answers.  I divide the class into teams.  Each team needs to follow along in their Doctrinal Mastery portion of their journals.  They only have 3 minutes to answer the question, so they have to pay attention.    Here is the link to the game.

Here is a link to the questions:
Doctrinal Mastery Zap Questions

If that link doesn't work for you here is another copy of the questions:

Here is another set of questions.  Just click on the link

Zap Doctrinal Mastery Questions - The Atonement of Jesus Christ

If that doesn't work you can print this out:

Here's the sign to go with the game:

Doctrinal Mastery Missionary Lesson

I divided the students up by passing out a slip of paper with their assigned Doctrinal Mastery topic.

I have 6 tables and each table was assigned a different topic.  Each table completed the sheet below.  After about 7 minutes I had each group come up and teach their lesson.  I had the class act like nonmembers and ask them questions about their lesson.

Doctrinal Mastery Bingo Board

Have the students fill in all the spots with the Doctrinal Mastery References. Read off the scripture and have them mark it on their BINGO board.  I have them use cereal to mark their boards so that we can play several games.

If your students are having trouble they can use their Doctrinal Mastery Cards or you can assign each student a Doctrinal Mastery scripture to be in charge of.

If you are looking for a BINGO board for each holiday click here.

Doctrinal Mastery BINGO Board

to use with General Conference

Mission Call Doctrinal Mastery

Last year while we were studying the Book of Mormon I called my students on a mission.  I printed out name tags and gave them a mission call and a Missionary handbook.  They used their Doctrinal Mastery section of their journals to prepare a lesson to teach as a missionary.  You could do this easily for any year of seminary.