Chapter 3: Lehi Leaves Jerusalem
If you haven't read my initial post, read it here. It explains the scripture study plan in a little more detail and gives more information for how to teach it. 

Song: Keep the Commandments, p. 146

Keep the commandments, keep the commandments!

In this there is safety; in this there is peace.

He will send blessings; He will sending blessings.

Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.

In this there is safety and peace.

Teaching idea: Move your hands/arms to the music like the waves of the ocean, with palms down, arms rocking back and forth. As the song gets quieter/ louder the waves get smaller/higher. Watch first few seconds of this video.

Dramatization: God spoke to Lehi in a dream (pretend to be asleep). He told him to leave Jerusalem with his family (wake up). Lehi had a wife, Sariah, and four sons, Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi (hold up four fingers and point to each as you say names of sons). Lehi’s family packed up food and tents and traveled into the wilderness (pretend to pack up a bag and begin walking). Laman and Lemuel thought their dad was foolish (make grumpy face and fold arms). They did not believe Lehi (shake head, “no”). They did not want to leave their home and money. Nephi wanted to understand what Lehi saw in his dream. He prayed to God (kneel down and fold arms). Jesus came and visited Nephi. He told Nephi that what his dad said was true. Nephi believed (nod head). The Lord said he would bless Nephi because of his faith.

Art/Craft: There are free activity books here that go along with a variety of scripture stories. You just need to create a free account (super easy). For this chapter, I downloaded the “Nephi and the Brass Plates” book and used pages 7, 9 and 10.

1. Preview the chapter with a picture walk. (Explanation found here.)

2. Read through the story. Ask questions and take time to look at the pictures as you read. Take as many days as needed to read the whole chapter.  End by listening to/singing the song. (Teach how to move arms like waves.)

3.  Have child color one of the coloring pages quietly while you read sections of the story from the actual scriptures. Find the passages you feel are most important to share and highlight them beforehand for an easier read. If needed, summarize between passages to make up for any disconnect. Take as many days as needed to read through the passages. End by listening to/singing the song.

           

Passages: 1 Nephi 2

            2 – whole verse

            4 – whole verse

            5 – “…and he did travel…Laman, Lemuel and Sam.”

            6 – whole verse

            7 – whole verse

            8 – “And it came… the river Laman”

            9 – whole verse

            10 – whole verse

            11 – “Now this he spake… against their father”

            12 – “…And they did murmur… had created them.”

            13 – “Neither did they… of the prophets.”

            16 – whole verse

            17 – “And I spake unto Sam”, “And it came to pass that he believed in my words”

            18 – whole verse

            19 – whole verse

            20 – whole verse

            22 – whole verse

4. Dramatization: act out the chapter as outlined. Then, while they color another coloring page, read a few of your favorite verses from the scripture passages. 

5. Watch the scripture story video for this chapter. Then act out the chapter with your child.

6. Have child act out dramatization on his/her own while you read the outline (try having older toddler do it without any help). Ask what their favorite part of the story was. Read 1 Nephi 2:20, first sentence: “And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise.” Share your testimony about how we can be blessed when we obey and keep the commandments, like Lehi and Nephi. End by singing the song.

Fall Bucket List

Every time I put this wreath on my door I get excited. Giddy, even. It signifies that fall is here (even if it is still in the 80s) and that makes me happy. I thought I loved fall before I moved out east. Pfft. I didn't know what love was. I can now say with full confidence that fall is my favorite season. If it was fall here year-round, I would never leave. But alas, winter will come. And I shall be bitter once more.

I have a little fall-themed bucket list of things I want to do this season with the kids. I figure if I post about it, I have to do it.

FALL FOLIAGE TRAIN RIDE
PICK YOUR OWN APPLES
CORN MAZE
BIG E FAIR
HAYRIDE AND PUMPKIN PICKING
THE BERKSHIRES - SCENIC DRIVE
CIDER MILL
LOCAL HIKE TO SEE FALL COLORS

APPLE HARVEST

Am I forgetting anything?

Toddler-Friendly Scripture Study: Chapter 2

Chapters 2: Lehi Warns the People

If you haven't read my initial post, read it here. It explains the scripture study plan in a little more detail and gives more information for how to teach it. 

Song: Follow the Prophet, chorus

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; he knows the way.

Teaching idea: clap to the beat and/or have child follow you as you both sing and march around the room

           

Art/Craft: Printable Figures – for this chapter, you will not need the picture of them leaving Jerusalem

     Summary: (compliments printable figures)

     1. This is Lehi. Lehi was a prophet. He lived in Jerusalem with people who were very wicked. (Figure: Lehi preaching.)

     2.  Lehi prayed to God. He wanted the people to repent. God told Lehi that Jerusalem would be destroyed. (Figure: Lehi      praying)

     3.    Lehi tried to tell the people, but they wouldn’t listen. (Figure: the people)

1. Preview the chapter with a picture walk. Look at each picture one at a time and talk about what you see. Ask your child what they think is going on in each one. Give names to each person in the pictures and you're your child practice saying their names. Preview the song by listening to it at least one time.

2. Read through the story. Ask questions and take time to look at the pictures as you read. Take as many days as needed to read the whole chapter.  End by listening to/singing the song.

3.  Have child color the printable figures quietly while you read sections of the story from the actual scriptures. Find the passages you feel are most important to share and highlight them beforehand for an easier read. If needed, summarize between passages to make up for any disconnect. Take as many days as needed to read through the passages. End by listening to/singing the song.

Passages I highlighted: 1 Nephi 1

4 – “For it came…Zedekiah”, “there came many…must be destroyed”

5 – whole verse

6 – “And it came… and heard much”

8 – “he was carried… concourses of angels”

9 – whole verse

10 – “and he saw twelve others following him,”

11 – “and they came down”, “and stood before…he should read”

12 – whole verse

13 – “Yea, many things… inhabitants thereof”

18 – “he went forth…seen and heard.”

19 – “the Jews… testified of them”

20 – “And when… with him”, “they also sought… power of deliverance.”

Note: Choose one verse/section and give your child the opportunity to read it by repeating after you one word at a time (or in short phrases). I am choosing 1 Nephi 1:5 – “…[Lehi] prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.”

           

4. (Cut out printable figures in advance. Optional: Tape them to straws/popsicle sticks.) Share the summary as you hold up the printable figures. Repeat a few times. After they have heard the summary several times, ask questions about each figure. (i.e. “Who is this?”, “What is Lehi doing?”, “Did the people listen?”) See if they can repeat some or parts of the summary back to you. End by singing the song.

5. Watch the scripture story video. Lay printable figures in front of child and have them hold up the one that matches the part of the video as it comes along. End the night by reading one of your favorite verses in the chapter.

6. Have child try to retell the story using the figures, helping them as needed. Ask what their favorite part of the story was. Tell your favorite part and then read another favorite verse from the scripture passages. Share your testimony about following the prophet. End by singing the song together.

Toddler-Friendly Scripture Study

Our nighttime routine isn’t hard to get through with Tate. For the most part, he is happy and willing to clean up, change his diaper, get PJs on, brush teeth and read stories. However, the minute we finish that last picture book and say, “Okay, time to read scriptures!” is the minute Tate is no longer happy and no longer willing.

To be honest, I can’t really blame him. I’m all about teaching our kids to sit quietly and listen for a period of time. I used to be a teacher and this is something that children need to learn to do in order to survive in school. But Tate is two. And sometimes I can’t even focus on what I’m reading in the scriptures and I’m a grown woman. I know he isn’t getting much out of sitting and listening while we read, but we do it every night anyway to at least establish the habit.

I have been thinking for a long time how I can make scripture study something that is actually meaningful for him. Instead of him dreading family study, I want him to be happy. Some day I want it to be a part of the evening that he actually looks forward to. Sitting and listening to us read is not going to make that happen, at least not for now while he is unable to read and understand things for himself.

I combined a variety of resources and came up with a plan that compliments Book of Mormon Stories. Basically what I want to do is study a single chapter over the course of several days. Repetition is vital in gospel learning and is essential when teaching young children. Rather than just read the chapter over and over again, I want to incorporate a variety of teaching methods that are not only fun, but also meet pre-K standards. Skill building and gospel learning all in one? Yes please.

I will explain my plan piece by piece. It’s not fancy or genius. I’m sure there are much better methods out there, but this is what I feel will engage my toddler and actually teach him the scripture stories that I know and love. I don’t want scripture study to be a battle anymore. I’m hoping this will solve that!

Chapter 1: How We Got the Book of Mormon

This beginning chunk lays out a few activities that will be incorporated in the mini study sessions. I love the primary songs and can never find the time to teach them, so I figured this would be a perfect opportunity. Feel free to teach the songs in whatever fun ways you can think of – incorporate instruments, movement, rhythm and beat, etc. For this song, I chose to teach through hand actions.

Also, one of my goals with Tate’s pre-K learning is to give him the chance to practice writing skills every day. Coloring, painting, play-doh, etc. will help him work on his fine motor skills, which is why I will be including them.

Song: This Is My Beloved Son, p. 76, verse 3

Joseph saw two glorious beings (hold up two fingers)

Shining brighter than the sun (close hands and open quickly, like a light turning on)

God again presented Jesus: (sign “Jesus” by touching middle finger of one hand to opposite palm, repeat with other finger/palm)

“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (hold hand out like presenting something, then hold hand to ear)

Activity Verse:

Joseph knelt among the trees, (hold arms up like trees)

And said a special prayer. (fold arms)

He saw the Father and the Son (look up, shading eyes with hand)

And listened to Them there. (cup hand around ear)

Art/Craft: Finger puppets and coloring page

Number one represents day one. I would write “day” in front of each number, but depending on how your study time goes, one day could actually stretch out to be two or three days. My plan is for each day to consist of 5-10 minutes of scripture study, but take as long as you need to study the chapter with whatever works for your child.

1. Preview the chapter with a picture walk. Look at each picture one at a time and talk about what you see. Ask child what they think is going on in each one. Name each person in the pictures and help child practice saying their names. Preview the song by listening to it at least one time. Ask the child to listen for words, phrases, names, etc. that they saw in the pictures. Point to the pictures as you hear them in the song.

2. Read through the chapter from the Book of Mormon Stories manual. Ask your child questions about what you read and take time to look at the pictures. Take as many days as needed to read the whole chapter.  End each day by listening to/singing the song.

3.  Have your child color the coloring page quietly while you read sections of the story from the actual scriptures. (Prep: Find the passages you feel are most important to share and highlight them beforehand for an easier read.) If needed, summarize between passages to make up for any disconnect. Take as many days as needed to read through the passages. (For older toddlers, give them the opportunity to read a verse or two by repeating after you in small phrases.) End each day by listening to/singing the song.

Passages/Sections I highlighted:

JSH 1:10 – “I often said…I know it?”

11 – “I was one day reading…be given him.”

13 – “I came to the… ‘ask of God,’”

14 – “I retired to… hundred and twenty.”

15 – “finding myself…sudden destruction.”

16 – “But exerting…myself to destruction.”; “I saw a pillar… fell upon me.”

17 – whole verse

18 – “I asked the… sects was right”

19 – “I was answered… all wrong”

25 – “I had actually… could not deny it.”

29 – “on the evening… Almighty God.”

30 – whole verse

32 – “Not only… like lightning.”

33 – “He called me… Moroni”

34 – whole verse

44 – whole verse

45 – “He commenced…lease variation.”; “Having related…done before.”

46 – “But what was my surprise…would try to tempt me”

47 – “After this third… just experienced”

48 – “I shortly after… go home.”; “my strength… on the ground.”

49 – “I looked up…I had received.”

50 – “I obeyed… were deposited;”

52 – “Having removed… by the messenger.”

53 – whole verse

54 – whole verse

59 – “On the twenty-second… them up to me”

4. Teach the activity verse and do it a couple times. Try to see if your child can do it on his/her own. Then, while they color the finger puppets, read a few of your favorite verses from the scripture passages. Cut/tape finger puppets to prepare for following day.

5. Watch the scripture story video for this chapter. Have your child put finger puppets on fingers during the appropriate parts of the story.

6. Have children retell the story by singing the song, using the finger puppets, or doing the activity verse. (Celebrate their efforts, especially if they are able to do it all on their own!) Ask what their favorite part of the story was. Tell your favorite part and then read another favorite verse from scripture passages. Bear your testimony about what this chapter means to you (personal application). End by singing the song together.

I have only done the first chapter but plan on doing all 54 chapters in the book. If other moms are interested, I will make sure to include as much detail as possible, like I did in this post. But it would helpful for me to know beforehand if I'm writing for others or just for myself (much less detail if it's just for me!). 

Please comment or Facebook me to let me know if this is something you feel will benefit your family. Even if I can help just one other mom, it would be worth it!