Lessons

Optical Illusions – different ways of seeing things  http://www.eyetricks.com/illusions.htm 

(I printed up a couple of these to discuss with the girls)

 Paradigm - is a pattern or an example of something. The word also connotes the ideas of a mental picture and pattern of thought.A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.Perspective and Paradigm colors everything you see. Glass Half Full/Half Empty.  Half empty people feel judged, don’t want to share, don’t care to serve.  Half Full people feel like they can accomplish any task, are willing to share, and love to serve, because they know where to get more of what they need to fill their glass!

 
I attached this poem to some happy face mugs I found at the dollar store...

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now,
But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed,
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough,
But I've got loving ones around me, and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He's bestowed,
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

O, remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin,.
But all at once the dark clouds broke, and sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I've hoed,
I'm drinking from my saucer,'cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough,
I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads,
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,'cause my cup has overflowed.

                                                                       (Author Unknown)


It seems that this year as the 4th of July approaches, we as Americans have so much to be thankful for.  We live with so much and I think the girls (and adults) take so much for granted.  I did something a little different for one of my lessons a couple of weeks ago in preparation for the 4th to get the girls to think about all they have to be grateful for.  I took them in the car (permission slips signed by parents) and went for a drive around the town we live in.  I played some YW music as we drove and asked them not to talk but to look at the beautiful surroundings and think about the things they are grateful for. We were only out a short time and then when we got back to class we spent a few minutes talking about some of the feelings they'd had and things we could be satisfied with and grateful for.
   T. Anderson - Las Vegas

We seem to have a problem with modesty with our Young Women. We determined that the Young Women must not really understand the REASONS to be modest, so determined a lesson as to WHY not just WHAT and DO IT was important.To begin the lesson I asked the girls to list some of the qualities they hope to find in the man they’ll marry. These were listed on the right hand side of the chalk board. Then I said, “We’re going to have a party and we’re sending out an invitation. On the front of it is a picture of a scantily clad young woman. Inside it states that our party will begin at about eleven pm and go until – whenever.” Then I asked them to list the qualities of the young men they thought would attend this party. These qualities were listed on the left hand side of the board.

Next I asked the girls, “If we wanted this type of guy (pointing to the right side of the board) and we got THIS type of guy (pointing to the left side of the board) what went wrong?” One YW answered that it was our invitation. CORRECT.
Throughout the lesson I kept returning to this theme by asking them what kind of invitations they were sending by the way they dressed, the way they spoke and the company they kept.

Prior to the lesson I asked one of the Young Men leaders to interview the Young Men in our ward. I gave him a list of questions like, “What do you think of a girl that wears tank tops?” or “How do you feel when a girl you’re with tells a dirty joke?” or “How do you feel when a girl leans against you . . . etc.”

The answers from the young men were very interesting, more harsh than I expected. I asked the girls if they wanted to know what young men their age thought about these topics as they were raised during the lesson. Girls this age are VERY interested in knowing what the boys are thinking. I believe they were surprised to hear the responses.

I tried to point out where a male’s mind is focused with the slightest provocation, or none at all. As women, especially young women, I don’t think we understand how easily the male mind is drawn to things sexual.

I also asked the girls how they determine what is modest. Suggested that if they covered themselves where the temple garment would be worn, they would not need to question if they were modest or not. I reminded them about short skirts going up when you sit down, tight clothing is also provocative, even if you are covered, and that a slip will help their skirts not be seen through.

This lesson was given two years ago, so I don’t remember ALL of the details. I did hold up an A line skirt that came to my knee and asked how many thought it was modest. Most thought it was. I said, “So did I when I bought it. But what happens to a tight skirt when you sit down?” They knew the answer. I told them they’d never seen me wear this skirt because I couldn’t sit down in it without my garments showing. “So, is this skirt really modest?”

To end the lesson I pointed to the right side of the board (qualities they were looking for) and stated, “If you don’t do what’s right, you’ll get what’s left.”

I did get some reports back from mothers that their daughters were rethinking their clothing choices. One went home and went through her closet and removed things she felt were not modest!

I’m not sure if this is the kind of thing you’re looking for, but on a web site I saw a request for a lesson on modesty, and I couldn’t find it again. I hope this will help someone.


Hi I thought I would share with you what I did for my YW class.  I started this with the lesson about heritage, I used a lot of quilts to display in my lesson, old, new, baby etc.  and for each of the girls I got them a quilt block centered around something their mom told me tied in with their heritage.  That was the first Sunday and every one since then I give the girls a quilt block that ties in with the lesson. The whole class gets the same one and if they aren't at the lesson then they don't get a square. (We have total activity now they can't wait!)  they're are only 6" squares and I can get 14 out of 1/3 yard of fabric! it saves me tons of money and stress because I already know what I am doing for a handout and I usually have a lot in advance. The girls LOVE it they are all so excited, and their quilts can be a project for them, they are learning a skill and they are FUN!

 I am currently serving as the 1st counselor in the Young Women's program, but my first love is to teach.  I gave a fun lesson a while back on the topic of scriptures.  Part of the lesson involved a treasure hunt.  We had a small group of girls so I started the girls
all at the same point, but for a larger group you may want to split them into teams.  The girls will need their scripture for this treasure hunt.  Here are the clues I used, but you can make up your own:

1.  D&C 64:23 - (As an extra clue I put this at the bottom:  "For this clue 'the envelope please.'"
    The answer, or place to get the next clue *Tithing Box*
2.  St. John 4:14 - (An extra clue:  "If you are thirsty read this")
    *Drinking Fountain*
3.  St. Luke 14:15
    *kitchen, (fridge)*
4.  Alma 46:12-13 - (An extra clue:  "Pledge your alligence and salute the red, white, and blue.
    *Flag Pole*
5.  Matthew 4:18-19 - (An extra clue:  "Look at the story on the wall.")
6.  I Peter 2:25
    *Bishops office*
7.  D&C 88:118 - (this is the last clue.  If possible have the librarian hold the treasure.)
    *Library*

For the treasure I made a treasure box out of a shoe box and pasted a large picuture of Christ in it. When the girls were done they were instructed to return to the classroom.  There we discussed how the scripture are our treasure map given to us by our Heavenly Father to return home to him, Jesus Christ, and the rest of our heavenly family.  The girls brought the treasure box back with them to the classroom as instructed.  After the closing of the lesson and the prayer I filled the box with chocolate coins, candy necklaces, pop rings, etc. Attached to each candy was the hand out.  The hand out had burnt edges was scrolled, and was a treasure map drawn up. At the "X marks the spot" was a sticker of Christ in the red robe.  The title at the top of the hand out read "The Scriptures, The Treasure Map To Eternal Life."  I added 2 scriptures to the journey on the map: John 5:39 - "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me." D&C 89:19 "...And shall find wisdom and great treasure of knowledge, even hidden treasures."

I recently gave a lesson on integrity.  I decided to center the whole lesson on the book "Charlie's Monument" by Blaine Yorgason and also on rocks.  On the table in front of the room I had a pile of rocks.  Different colors, shapes and sizes.  I organized them as Charlie might have in the story.  I began by having the girls define integrity and then I told them
Charlies story.  I then asked them to describe how Charlie showed intregity. (They really got involved in the story and gave great input.)  I then asked them to tell me how we might show integrity.  In closing I displayed a crystal, large, solitaire diamond and asked them if they knew how it was formed.  By lots of heat and pressure.  I then played the song by Michael
McLean "She Sees a Diamond."  Afterwards I described how we have the possibilities for becoming like our Heavenly Father.  We are his daughters. There may be a lot of heat and pressure at times, but if we work on our integrity one rock at a time (as in the story) then someday we will reach our potential.  I then shared my testimony and passed out the hand out.  The hand out consisted of qoute by Bishop J. Richard Clarke.  It was found in the old relief society Manual #1, pg. 74.  Bishop Clarke said:  "We often perform below our ideals, but our aim must exceed our grasp if we would rise to a higher standard of integrity.  We all have old habits to break and new ones to form.  Surely it takes a long time to perfect character, and we probably won't achieve it totally in this life.  But success must be measured by effort and small improvements until we eventually reach our goals."  Under that quote I had the words:  "Which rock will you add to your monument today?"   Then attached to the hand out I had a saran wrap bag full of candy that looked just like rocks.   (My sister sent the candy to me from the Peppermint
Factory in Alpine, Ut)  I tied it all together with raffia.  I enjoyed giving the lesson and the girls seemed to really get into it.
    J. Gillam -  Aurora, Co


I am the Laurel advisor in our ward.  Our Laurels are always very attentive and ready to learn so I always want to have a really good lesson prepared for them.  I had them go through the book and mark the lessons that looked particularly interesting to them.  A recent one was "Sustaining Missionaries Through Letters".  They have several friends going out into the field soon.  I took the survey in the manual and had about ten different return missionaries from the ward answer the questions.  I video taped them and showed the tape in class.  It took a little time and effort but the girls loved it.  I think it meant more coming from people they knew.
    L. Weston - Greenwood, Indiana

On Fast Sunday we have a combined lesson with a different member of the Presidency teaching. This helps the girls to know all the members of the Presidency. We also leave a little bit of time for a testimony meeting with the Young Women. Some are not able to bear their testimonies in Sacrement Meeting yet and this helps those. Also each month we have a different value we work on. On Sunday, for the opening we have a lace table cloth with a solid colored table cloth underneath which represents the value of the month.
    J. Kay 
While teaching a lesson on Family Unit, we read from the Book of Mormon the story of Nephi, who broke his bow, and had the YW in the class share their coments on the different reactions of Nephi and his bothers Laman and Lemuel ... Who among them helped in keeping the family united through hard times? At the end of the lesson I gave each of the girl a small frame showing a picture of Nephi on one side and his murmuring brothers on the other and challenged the YW of the class to think about their behavior for the next month, each evening, and turn the frame on the kind of person they had been during the day and keep it in sight for the next day. It helped them to concentrate on the big difference they can make in Family matters, even with small actions.
    - Italy 
For each lesson, I always make the girls a 3x5 card (I use the computer and add graphics) with a thought or quote about the lesson topic.  I ask them to put it somewhere they will se it each day that week, then they can throw it away when they get the next one.  However, all the girls have been saving them and now have quite a collection to use for the thought in Seminary.  They expressed a desire to have an activity to make a file box to hold them in. 
Lately we have been letting about two or three girls teach a lesson. We give them a copy of the lesson and let them do most of the work.  It helps them learn teaching skills that will be useful later on in life.  The girls also know how to reach each other and better understand the point you are trying to get across.
    Ami Wiles - Madisonville, Kentucky 
Each year there is a lesson on temple marriage, so one year I made a temple recommend holder for each of the girls out of plastic canvas and yarn that I learned how to make in Relief Society. Another year I made each of them a temple bag out of lace to hold their temple clothes when they go to the temple.  The object is to have that goal in front of their eyes so they can look forward to using them someday.
    Sharon Wilson - LaVerkin, Utah 
In the summer, when our numbers wane because of vacations and such, we combine the YW on Sundays and the teachers take turns teaching. The teachers get a break, and we get to enjoy hearing other leaders teach! 
Flannel board stories still work great even at this age! Often the lessons have stories from the scriptures, and it helps the girls pay attention and understand as they read from their scriptures. 
Always have something to brighten up the room, like a bouquet of flowers or some balloons. It makes the lesson seem more fun and makes the girls want to learn and have fun.
  Anonymous - Heber City, Utah 
Each month one of the presidency is in charge of doing a lesson to kick off that months value. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
  Jody Stones - Orem, Utah