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Lesson #44 "We Can All Help At Church

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“As you teach children, you will find that you receive special blessings. Children will bring joy to your soul and prompt you to be a good example. As you come to recognize the faithfulness, love, trust, and hope of children, you will grow closer to the Lord and better understand His commandment to ‘become as little children'” (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 108).

Materials needed: a small nativity with figures, Gospel Art pictures 1-71 and 1-8, coloring page and Coupons (if desired)

From the Attention Activity in this lesson from the Primary 1 manual, do the chair activity where one child tried to lift the chair with holding just one leg. He can’t do it himself. It’s too hard. Then others help by lifting the other legs at the same time. We can do hard things together if we all help.

Show the picture of Nephi building a ship. Tell about how Nephi couldn’t build the ship by himself. First he had to pray to Heavenly Father to see how to do it. Then he needed his family to help him build it.

Why couldn’t Nephi build the ship by himself?  How did his family help?

What happens when everyone works together?

Show picture of the sacrament. Who are these people? The deacons have the Priesthood and it is their job to help us take the sacrament. They all work together so we can all take the bread and water.  We all can do something at church to help each other.

Who are some other people that help us at church? What can we do to help others at church? (be reverent, sing the songs for the song leader, listen to our teachers and parents, help our friends, pick up trash, say “thank you” to people who help us.)

Sing “When we’re helping, We’re happy.” Children’s Songbook, p. 198. Add different verses of the people just discussed (“and we like to help teacher…” “and we like to help bishop…” etc.) On the chorus, have the children clap once at the beginning of each measure.

At Christmas time, we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. There were many people who were there when he was born in a stable. A stable is where animals are kept, like a barn. Mary and Joseph were visiting the town of Bethlehem and it was so crowded, there wasn’t any place for them to stay. So they had to stay in a stable. They were very poor and didn’t have very much. But there were a lot of people who came to help them.(Show the different people or figurines of the nativity and ask what each did to help Jesus. Then talk about how Jesus was the best helper of all. Because he came to earth as a baby, and grew up to a man, he helped many people by teaching the gospel and healing them. He is our biggest Helper because he gave us eternal life.)

Each child can color this page: https://www.lds.org/friend/2012/07/coloring-page?lang=eng

You could also have each child make a Christmas gift for their mom or dad. On pieces of paper, they fill out “Coupons” that tells what nice thing, act of service or being a big helper, they will do for their parent.  The parent can “redeem” the coupon when they want their child to do one of the things. You can put each child’s coupons in a nice Christmas wrapping or small sack to open at Christmas.

 

2013 Year in Review

Happy Holidays from the Nelsons in Utah!

Our blessings just keep multiplying each year.  We have added much to our gratitude list and want to share the math of the Nelson’s 2013 year (get out your calculators).

Danie's ipod 053We lost our beloved dog Sadie after she was run over by a car (minus one pet) but a few weeks later received the miracle of another dog (plus one pet) named Scout. The first thing our new dog did when we brought her home was to walk over to the corner of our backyard and lay down on Sadie’s grave. Statistically speaking, quite improbable.

A common denominator is two medical assistants in the Nelson family careers. Kathryn (middle, below) finished her degree and passed the national certification and loves her work in a dermatology office. Rachel (left, below) began the same program and straddles morning classes at Orem High School and afternoon classes at the medical assisting college.

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Rachel multiplied her happiness and added another country to her travels as she earned the money to serve in an Ecuadorian orphanage for two weeks in June.IMG_9405. It was an infinitely life-altering experience.

When Julie went to the Orem High Ladies’ tennis parent team meeting in August, she began adding up the number of seasons she and Roland have been attending team meetings, watching matches, and driving to tennis tournaments. Between Jared, Kathryn, Emily and Rachel, we have thoroughly enjoyed 10 consecutive years of high school tennis, and a few more beyond that if you count junior high. It’s a bittersweet farewell after Rachel finished her senior season this fall and we said goodbye to tennis (Daniel will probably go a different athletic route).

Rachel and Olivia2

Emily lived in Chelan, Washington for the first three months in 2013 for an accounting internship. She worked with the properties of arithmetic every day, and became an expert in bank reconciliations, saying no to alcohol served with meals, and sharing the gospel. Jared also works with numbers everyday at his job at Vivint, supervising 85 employees.

August 2010 LiahonaJulie added a few accolades to her professional life and has had to divide her time and attention among many demands since publishing her book, “Parenting With Spiritual Power” in March. She received the UVU Faculty Senate Teaching Excellence Award, has been featured in or written for various news sources such as Parenting.com, The Wall Street Journal, KSL.com, Family Share, and Deseret News; she is a regular guest on BYU radio and will be interviewed on KSL TV this month. If you are still looking for a great Christmas gift, her book is available and she hopes to strengthen families, relationships and especially give parents confidence in raising children through her endeavors.

There was nothing more exciting this year than Emily’s decision to serve a mission, her mission call to the Mexico City Northwest mission, farewell talk in sacrament meeting (where Julie’s former mission president, Elder Hammond, also spoke—who had been an area authority over Mexico City among other places), and her entry into the MTC in November. She will be serving a few miles from where Jared served so we can add two missions to Mexico for the Nelson children!                                                                                      First day with new companion, Hna. Braby  We love her letters and count the multiplying blessings each day from her service.

This was the year for subtracting organs (bodily ones, not the musical instruments). As Emily received her mission physical, we were informed she was born without a left kidney. Random! Daniel underwent surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids, Rachel had an emergency appendectomy and Kathryn had her wisdom teeth removed (that’s 8 missing body parts if anyone is counting). Serious money was deducted from our bank account as well.

October was a busy month for the three Nelson men (Roland, Jared, Daniel). Daniel was ordained to the priesthood by his dad and brother and they took a fantastic, male-bonding trip together back east to all the historical sites in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, Gettysburg, and Civil War sites.  It was a trip of inestimable value.

Not to be left out of the equation, the three girls (Julie, Kathryn and Rachel) vacationed in Chicago to visit museums, the zoo, restaurants, ride the architectural riverboat tour, and shop. We’ve been there a lot,  and it has become a favorite city of ours. 100% awesome. We were even interviewed on the local TV channel for eating at a pizzeria that was voted #1 in the US. That’s two TV appearances this year if anyone is counting.

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Count up to 50 and that would be the number of years the Corvallis, Oregon stake has been organized. We traveled home for the 50th anniversary  in July and were happy to see family and friends we hadn’t seen for many years. Additionally, we enjoyed a great time at the Oregon Coast for the Nelson family reunion.

Fifty is also the prime number for Roland and Julie. It equals their ages they turned this year. They are both feeling middle-ageish, a bit nostalgic about the past, more sanguine about the future, and sorrowful seeing children leave the nest. Next year, there will likely only be one child left at home. 5-4=1. That subtraction is an equation we don’t like the sum of.

Story problem: Bishop Nelson was travelling from work to home (2.5 miles) at the rate of 45 miles per hour. A monster storm was travelling at 200 miles per hour in the opposite direction pouring a deluge of rain over Utah County. How many hours before he would make it home to find members of his ward with 2 feet of water flooding their basements? Well, who can ever figure out those dang story problems anyway? You get the idea, but in case you had to know: the basements were flooded in about 30 minutes but he was detained for 2 hours before he could return. Roland has been bishop for about one year (rounding down). He continues to serve faithfully and divides time with many competing demands between work (BYU) family and church. Due to stress, he has subtracted pounds and added some grey hair. Our family’s admiration has multiplied for his devotion to his family, faith, neighbors, and God.

At the end of this abundant year, we add our witness that God loves His children and keeps His promises: “And inasmuch as he is faithful in keeping my commandments, which I have given unto him, I will multiply blessings upon him and his seed after him, even a multiplicity of blessings” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:42).

Mission Pic

Merry Christmas and may you feel the peace of the season.

P.S. We DO have 3 males in our family although none are represented this year in photos. Sorry! It was a miscalculation on our part.

Lesson #42 "I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“Vary your teaching voice. Do you talk too slowly, too fast, too loudly? Do you use the same tone of voice, with little inflection? Is your speech clear? Are you enthusiastic about what you teach? How you use your voice can influence the attention level of those you teach” Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 71.

Materials needed: Paper puzzle pieces cut out to fit together with each child’s name on a piece, simple puzzles, Gospel Art Kit picture 1-39, a blanket (a nativity set if desired).

If you teach this lesson in December, you can start with this opening; if not, skip to the puzzle piece activity next (or do both).

Bring out each piece of the nativity set and talk about the character in the story, what they did and why they were important. Leave out baby Jesus. At the end, ask the children if someone is missing. When it is determined that Jesus is missing, bring out that piece and discuss why the story wouldn’t be right if we didn’t have Jesus. He is the whole reason for the Christmas story and he was the baby of this family. We are also important to our families and to the family of Heavenly Father. If we were missing, it wouldn’t be right. We are very important and needed!

Show a paper puzzle piece. What does this look like? This has someone’s name on it. It says, “_________.” Repeat for each puzzle piece and have each child come forward and put their piece on the floor, with assistance to fit them together. Save one middle piece and do not give it out (or keep the piece(s) of the children who are absent). What does our puzzle look like? Is it finished? Do you think something is missing? (put the last piece(s) in and let the children respond to how it looks when it is all put together). When the puzzle is put back together, tell the children you are going to read all the names in the puzzle. When their name is called, they stand up.

We all have a part in this puzzle to make complete. If it didn’t have you in it, it would have a hole and not be finished. Look around and see all our friends in our class. (Sit back down).

When we come to church, we are an important part of our class. If you don’t come, we miss you. We have a chair empty without you. We feel like there is a hole in our class. You belong here.  (If a child is absent, talk about how our class isn’t put together completely unless ________ is here).

Would your mom and dad miss you if you didn’t come home one day?  You belong to your family too. We belong and are important to our families and to Heavenly Father’s church.

 Sing this song from Lesson #40:

 I’m glad I come to church each week (hands peaked)

I love to listen (hand over ear)

And to pray (fold arms, bow head)

I learn of Jesus up above (point up)

The sacrament shows us His love (hug self)

(sing to the tune “Come with me to Primary”)

Heavenly Father and Jesus are so happy when you come to church each week and take the sacrament to remember Jesus.

Show a picture of a baby blessing (1-39).  When you were a baby, you were blessed by someone with the priesthood.  You were given a name and your name is put in the church list of members. You belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I have a song that is called, “I Belong To the Church of Jesus Christ” and I would like to sing it to you (or play it on the CD). Children’s Songbook, p. 77

I’m going to sing the song and I’d like you to pretend your chairs are a drum. Turn around and beat while I sing. Repeat. Now let’s march to it while I sing it.

What if _______didn’t come to church?  Would we miss him?  Yes. Let’s play a game where we pretend someone in our class was missing. We’ll see if we know who it is.

Have the children sit on the floor and close their eyes. Cover up one child up with the blanket. Tell everyone to open their eyes, look around and see who is “missing.” When they guess correctly, lift the blanket and say, “Oh I’m so glad to see ________.” Have the children move to a different place on the floor and repeat until each child has had a turn to be covered up.

I brought some more puzzles for you to play with. Remember that each piece is important to make the puzzle put together just like you are an important piece that belongs to Heavenly Father’s church.

 

Lesson #38 "I Can Be Reverent"

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“Encourage children to share with their family  what they are learning. In family home evenings, they can share songs, scriptures, games, and principles they learn in Primary class.” (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 109).

Materials needed: Gospel Art Pictures (listed below), a large sheet of paper for each child, markers and crayons.

We are going to play a game. It’s called Opposites. We are going to do things that are different from each other. Opposite means we do things that are different from each other. Do actions together with children to the following.

Stand up. Sit Down.

March quickly. March slowly.

Roll your hand up. Roll them down.

Turn the light off. Turn it on.

Clap your hands loudly.   Clap your hands softly.

Frown. Smile.

Wiggle your fingers up  high. Wiggle your fingers down low.

These are opposites. There is a song that talks about opposites. Let’s sing it.

“Do As I’m Doing” Children’s Songbook, p. 276

Repeat verses with new actions

When you are in church, you do things differently than when you are outside. The church is Heavenly Father’s special place for us to come and think about His Son Jesus and feel His love. 

When we are outside, we can run fast.  When we are inside the church, we walk ___________ (let children fill in the blank). Yes, that is opposite!

When we are outside, we can yell and talk loudly.  When we are inside the church,  we talk ________(let children fill in the blank). Yes, that is opposite!

When we are outside, we can run around. When we are inside the church, we sit _____________(let children fill in the blank). Yes, that is opposite!

Look at these two pictures (1-38 and 1-8). 

What do you see the children doing?  Where are they? They are doing opposite things. Which children are being reverent?

When we sit quietly and think about Jesus, we are being reverent.

Have the same discussion for pictures 1-48 and 1-41.

Listen while I sing this song and tell me how it makes you feel: “Reverently, Quietly” (or play from Primary CD Children’s Songbook, p. 36).

How did that song make you feel? Songs about Jesus help us feel reverent. We feel love and happiness for him and we are grateful for all He has done for us.  

What does our bodies look like when we are reverent?  (Discuss and have the children practice putting their hands in their laps, or folding their arms, keeping their feet and bodies quiet–praise them for their efforts).

Let me sing it again and you sing the words, “Reverently, Quietly” when I sing them. Remember how our bodies should look while we are singing.

If we learn how to be reverent in church, one day we will be able to go to the temple. The temple is God’s house and is the most beautiful, reverent, happy place on earth. (show picture 1-54). This is one of Heavenly Father’s temples. Inside temples, everyone whispers to keep it quiet inside so everyone can think about Jesus. (Use a “whisper” voice as you talk about your feelings if you have been inside a temple and the temple nearby where they live. During the brief discussion, have the children practice their “whisper” voice too).

Let’s practice walking down the hall with our reverent bodies. It will help us to feel reverent if we look at the pictures on the wall. (If you have gospel art hanging on the church walls, stop and talk about a few of them. Discuss how these help us think of Christ and to be reverent while we are in church).

If we walk very quietly and think about Jesus, we will go outside and run afterward. (Go outside if possible. Be sure when it is time to come back in that you transition them by having them stop at the door, discuss how they need to be “opposite” now: quiet feel, closed mouths, quiet hands, before going inside).

Inside: Have each child stand on a large piece of paper and trace around their feet. Let them color their two feet and write this poem on each:

These are my two feet, they walk so sweet.

When I pray they’re quiet, I like to try it!

How are we reverent when we get ready for a prayer? Listen to this song and tell me what our bodies are supposed to do. “We Bow our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, p. 25).

Ask a child to say the closing prayer. Praise all those who are reverent during the prayer. Challenge them to be reverent by thinking about Jesus when they say their prayers at home.  Tell them to put their two little feet paper on the floor near their bed to remember to kneel quietly each night to say their personal prayers.

 

 

 

Sunbeam Lesson #16 "I Have a Body"

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“The Lord taught that those who have desires to assist in His work must ‘be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity’ (D&C 12:8). Only those who are motivated by love will have a positive, powerful influence on those they teach. Pray to be filled with Christlike love toward every person you teach, especially those who sometimes behave inappropriately.” (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 85).

Materials needed: picture 1-37 (Daniel Refusing the King’s Meat and Wine), pictures of foods from a magazine or book, pictures of foods cut into half,  magazines with pictures of food (such as in advertisements) for each child, child-sized scissors, paper plates, glue sticks, a healthy food item like an orange.

On your way to class, stop by the bathroom sink and have each child wash their hands with soap and water. Discuss why we use soap and water and how to properly clean their hands.

Show the picture 1-37 and tell the story of Daniel in King’s court.  Briefly discuss how we also eat good foods and follow the commandment about being healthy called “The Word of Wisdom.”  Have the children repeat that phrase a few time.

Our bodies are very special and we want to take good care of them.

Show healthy foods from the pictures. What is your favorite food? Let each child discuss.

Sit the children in a circle on the floor.

I’ve brought a healthy food that I love to eat. What is it? (an orange). Discuss where the food came from, what parts we eat or don’t eat and how it makes our bodies strong (it’s full of vitamin C that is good for us). We will sing the favorite food song and when I roll the orange to you, catch it, and tell us your favorite healthy food.

(Sing to the tune “The Muffin Man”)

“Oh tell me what’s your favorite food

your favorite food, your favorite food,

Oh tell me what’s your favorite food,

A healthy food today.”

When you are done with this activity, open up the orange and share a section with each child.  Have them show you their clean hands they washed earlier. Tell them they should always wash before eating food. What does the orange taste like? How does your body feel inside when you are eating something healthy?

While they are still on the floor, place the food picture halved pieces in front of them. See if they can guess what they are. Give the other half to the children, one by one, and have the match the food puzzle pieces.

Heavenly Father wants us to keep our bodies healthy and strong by eating food foods and also by exercising.  How can you exercise? 

If you have good weather, go outside and show all the wonderful things their bodies can do. Line up the children on one end of the yard and have them get to the other side by:

running fast

walking slow

jumping like a kangaroo

flapping their arms and flying like a bird

hopping like a frog

 

If you have bad weather, do the Path Game:

Make a path game by laying down the pictures of foods on the floor from one end of the room to the other (clear chairs away if needed). Put a piece of paper next to each food starting with “1” and on up to the last picture. On the backside of the numbered papers, write an exercise to do (jump up and down 10 times, hop on one foot 3 times, do a somersault, twirling for 3 seconds, kick one leg in the air, etc.). Have each child draw a number (written on papers in a sack, or spin a spinner or roll a die from a game) and walk that many steps to a picture. Name the food. On the other side, do the exercise it tells you to do. Keep going until they get to the end of the path. Continue with each child. Repeat if appropriate.

Make the “Healthy Plate.” Have the children look through the magazines and find pictures of healthy foods they like. Have them cut them out (or do it for them if they have difficulty with this) and glue the foods on their paper plate. Write the word down next to the food picture.

Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father gave us only one body and it is very special. We need to obey His commandments to be happy and healthy by taking care of our bodies.