tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post7666416395377641385..comments2023-03-27T04:59:07.801-06:00Comments on My Soul Delighteth: Separating Culture from Doctrine: The Lesson HandoutBeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-20377512192711424812013-01-24T17:12:30.225-07:002013-01-24T17:12:30.225-07:00Sometimes a timeline (like for the Book of Mosiah ...Sometimes a timeline (like for the Book of Mosiah or Alma) is helpful during class. I don't expect them to keep it.Katherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02274873770507852268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-62584972303300886202012-12-19T22:35:58.364-07:002012-12-19T22:35:58.364-07:00I think I just recently got rid of nearly everythi...I think I just recently got rid of nearly everything in my "binder" including the binder itself. Your post makes me think of lesson decorations, too. When I taught RS years ago, the presidency noticed I didn't bring a decoration. The offered to have someone bring one for me. Decorating is soooo not my thing, so I was glad to have someone help me in that area, if it was so important, which it really isn't.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11450808986911204788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-26631844457784857202012-12-18T12:32:27.660-07:002012-12-18T12:32:27.660-07:00I am not a hand-out maker. I do not have time for...I am not a hand-out maker. I do not have time for them, or usually like them. I can think of three times where I made a hand-out that I thought was significant. We had a lesson on eternal marriage and I put lace on white handkerchiefs for each of the girls to remind them to be worthy of attending the temple someday. Also in YW, I taught a lesson about leaving Babylon behind so I provided a 'for sale ONE BABYLONIAN COTTAGE' sign for each girl. Recently I taught a marriage class and used the words from The Family: A Proclamation on a photo recipe card. I saw it on one sister's refrigerator, but I am sure most of them ended up in the trash. So, sometimes I think they are helpful but not if they take away from the spiritual preparation it takes or the Spirit you want to invite to your lesson. Right now I just get to teach music in Primary....no hand-outs :-)Carinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04925080590220456108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-72082815720376528422012-12-17T19:02:24.740-07:002012-12-17T19:02:24.740-07:00I have always thought that the time that you take ...I have always thought that the time that you take to prepare the handout shouldn't be greather than the time it takes to prepare the lesson! I try to avoid handouts. My teens tend to get lots of them, and they like them. So I guess the key is -- know your audience.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02088167620515014300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-2279215253739729032012-12-17T15:03:39.100-07:002012-12-17T15:03:39.100-07:00This is interesting, because I've often felt a...This is interesting, because I've often felt a little bit "lame" for not being up to making elaborate handouts or treats when I taught RS lessons. I just can't handle the extra pressure, plus I don't have a stock of pretty papers or even a printer that currently works....<br /><br />I'm now a primary teacher, and next year I'll have a class full of 11 year old boys. I'm considering putting together a folder or binder of sorts that will contain pertinent information from each lesson - I'm hoping to get them into the habit of bringing it to church so we can add to it here and there. Maybe that's too much to ask....Avtar Ram Kaurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788058935893109235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-51510323857076999932012-12-17T11:28:08.246-07:002012-12-17T11:28:08.246-07:00Nice topic!
I saved the handouts from the lessons...Nice topic!<br /><br />I saved the handouts from the lessons over the years, as a youth or in Relief Society, that were meaningful to me, such as they reminded me a principle or sentiment I learned from the lesson.<br /><br />I appreciate how you pointed out that it is still important to realize that handouts can be a benefit, still, and not be judgmental to those who do like to include them in a lesson.<br /><br />I know, in my experience, there have been lessons that when the handout was passed around, or we collected it after the lesson, that it touched my heart that the sister took that time to make something for me. It often feels to me that someone cares enough to make something that they wish will be a blessing to me. They are often a gift of the heart. I receive them as such. I cannot think of a time when I felt upset about a handout. I can understand if someone else has, but it jut has not been my experience. <br /><br />There have been quotes on handouts that do not touch my heart like it may have the person who created it, but I know that, just like a particular lesson may be more meaningful for another person in the room than for me, some handouts may be as well. Part of being members of the Church is realizing that we are sharing, and sometimes it is not all about "me" or "us" but about letting others serve in ways that are meaningful to them, too. <br /><br />In my experience, in the wards I have been a member of as an adult, handouts are few and far between. An occasional handout can be nice to remember the point of a lesson when the conversation wanders, or to give to a sister who was absent or in an auxiliary,just to let her know she was missed. I believe making and using handouts can be decided upon with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, too, just as we are counseled to do when preparing our lessons.<br /><br />So, coincidentally, I was asked to teach a lesson in Relief Society this month. I also happened to feel inspired to make a little handout, a nice quote from the lesson that touched my heart, and I attached a little chocolate kiss to the paper it was printed on. A few days later, my kids got sick and I was sad to have to call and let the RS presidency know I would not be able to come as I had to tend to my family. (I really wanted to teach the lesson I had been preparing for!) BUT I had those handout to offer; I gave them to the RS presidency to have for the sisters on Sunday even though I couldn't be there and someone else was teaching the lesson.<br /><br />Certainly, the handouts are not a substitute for me teaching and it would have been better for me to teach. But in the circumstance I was in, sharing the handouts allowed me to still feel like I was contributing something, especially since I am new and trying to find my place here in this ward. Additionally, perhaps of those sisters who received them, maybe one or two felt a little bit of love and concern that day, or maybe that quote from the lessons was just the message one of them needed to be reminded of. The Lord gives gifts of the spirit to those who are humble and seek them, and even a little handout can be just what a person needs. <br /><br />Looking forward to the next topic!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />EveEve | Inchworm Chronicleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15194431691132769984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-62063505118243264832012-12-17T07:33:16.297-07:002012-12-17T07:33:16.297-07:00My first teaching calling was in the RS and substi...My first teaching calling was in the RS and substituting in Adult Sunday School. I remember one class I taught with handouts, where the handout's were so detailed,I lost focus and so did everyone else, and the class ended with everyone "expecting" something. So my current calling is in Primary, and my first year I tried using "coloring" handouts. But my class consisted of some really smart 7-8 year old's, who in observing how they learned;rejected the handouts after a few Sundays. They liked to discuss, sing and hear the lesson presented in a "story". Now I teach the 12 year old girls. They respond to handouts only if the handout is in line with the lesson, and if not, they will question the validity. The lesson I am being taught is to trust that the Holy Spirit is teaching me and the children at the same time. And the things any "student" will remember is what they have already been taught. This was a hard lesson for me to learn, but I am glad I finally got it. Ramona Gordyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-62230296485752504802012-12-16T18:39:20.783-07:002012-12-16T18:39:20.783-07:00Save a tree, use the spirit-- I love it.
As a you...Save a tree, use the spirit-- I love it. <br />As a young woman I loved getting the handouts, now as a RS teacher I'm much more minimalistic. I agree that a well focused handout (or visual, which is what I use more of) can add to the lesson, but the primary focus should be on seeking out the Spirit and inviting it to lead the discussion. You can never go wrong that way. :)Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14297857709446601733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-45488403280660431502012-12-16T18:21:30.856-07:002012-12-16T18:21:30.856-07:00Ha ha - handouts for little kids (even primary kid...Ha ha - handouts for little kids (even primary kids) where they need something to color/draw is definitely a good thing, I think :D Thanks for mentioning those.<br /><br />"and that is generally for the reason that the Spirit brings all things to our remembrance." And, we would hope, most RS sisters would be able to jot down a note if they really liked a quote/scripture. ;)<br /><br />If I ever pull a quote to use in a lesson that isn't specifically in the lesson manual/talk I like to have the source available for sisters who want to make a note of it, because sometimes an additional quote from somewhere can be really significant to a class member or two. I remember times when I heard someone quote a GA and I wished they would have given us the reference. I'll have to remember to do that when I teach lessons.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-81371690258790998742012-12-16T17:42:33.558-07:002012-12-16T17:42:33.558-07:00Becca, This will be such a neat and fun series to...Becca, This will be such a neat and fun series to read! <br /><br />I know of ONE area where handouts are not only a great idea, they are already provided BY THE CHURCH: NURSERY! Have you seen the beautiful Behold You Little Ones Nursery Manual the church put out in the last 5-ish years? Every single lesson has a page to print out! They are generally activity pages where the children can color, cut, or create something that repeats the message of the lesson. <br /><br />And occasionally there are things you can print in the regular Primary age manuals, but those are very very few and far between. I think I remember a CTR shield in the CTR manual, and a few in the Old Testament manual for sure. <br /><br />I'm one of the teachers who skips the handout (I teach RS 4th Sunday lessons on Conference talks) and that is generally for the reason that the Spirit brings all things to our remembrance. Tristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14483248387092516827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-53286229128464575332012-12-16T16:27:51.893-07:002012-12-16T16:27:51.893-07:00Ha ha I loved those glue-ins when I was in YW (but...Ha ha I loved those glue-ins when I was in YW (but, like I said, I used to keep <i>every single handout</i> in a binder when I was in YW... yikes). Now I like to keep things simple. There are a lot of quotes that have made a significant difference in my life, and some came as "handouts" - and I guess I should have been sure to make a distinction between handouts that are like the ones Elder Oaks mentioned (basically supplementary material to what is in the lesson book - like a quote, or scripture, etc) and handouts that are hand stitched pot holders (like the ones Pres. Uchtdorf talked about).<br /><br />The part of Elder Oak's talk I really liked was when he said, "When highly focused, a handout can enrich." Indeed, as you have shown us :) Thanks for your comment.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74864394654073513.post-76993495485134648232012-12-16T16:16:09.604-07:002012-12-16T16:16:09.604-07:00Hmm. I had a few handouts in Young Women that did...Hmm. I had a few handouts in Young Women that did change my life. One was a quote by H. Burke Peterson (uh, I think) about how you are here to do a job, and no one else can do it as well as you. I was thinking about that just the other day. <br /><br />But then again, I hate clutter too and I hate having stuff in my scriptures (one of my seminary teachers would make "glue-ins," small pieces of paper with glue on the ends to add into our scriptures. GACK.) <br /><br />I do like handouts for Visiting Teaching though, because there are some cute/fun things out on the Internets. But I agree that it shouldn't be our focus when we teach. Krislinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07323048843568458474noreply@blogger.com