How to make Flubber

• 1 1/2 c warm water
• 2 cups (16oz) white glue
• 2-3 drops food coloring
• Mix above in large bowl.
• In a separate bowl combine 11/3 c. warm water
• 3 tsp. Borax powdered laundry detergent

Stir to dissolve then combine and mix it up. Pour out excess water. Store in airtight container in fridge for two to three weeks. If you get it on clothing, the dog, carpet, walls, tub, tile, fridge, Christmas tree skit and tree– all of which my kids have done, soak it in warm water, it should come out!

How to make Shrinky Dinks

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Place a sheet of Shrinky Dinks paper rough side up.
• Design, draw, trace, or rubber stamp a design on the paper.
• Color in your design and cut in out.
• Punch a hole if you want to use it for a keychain, ID Tags, Charms, jewelry or pins.
• Line a cookie sheet with foil or brown paper.
• Place Shrinky Dinks on sheet, color side up.
• Bake for approximately 3 minutes. Watch them shrink!
• Remove from oven and let cool.

How to make Knitted Beanie Hats

Materials Needed:

• Loom
• Pick
• Yarn
• Needle

How to Make:

1. Wrap yarn around the peg that is on the bottom of the ring and secure a slip knot.
2. Start wrapping your yarn from the first peg and wrap around clockwise once. When you get to the top continue to wrap onto the next peg in the same clockwise manner. Continue around until all of the pegs are wrapped. Slide the yarn towards the bottom of the peg and do another row of wrapped yarn around the pegs again.
3. Anchor your yarn on the bottom peg.
4. Using the pick, life the bottom yarn over the top row of yarn and over the top of the peg. Continue with each peg. That is your first row of knitting.
5. Unhook your yarn and start again by looping another row around the loom. Again, you will have two rows. Anchor again and then use your pick to wrap the bottom yarn over the top yarn and the peg.
6. Continue until the desired length of the hat:
   • SMALL: 6-7 inches
   • MEDIUM: 7-8 inches
   • LARGE: 8-10 inches
7. Thread your needle with a strand of your yarn, about 16 inches in length
8. Starting with the first peg, run the needle and yarn through the loops on each peg, next lift the loops over and off the pegs. Make sure that the needle and yarn go through each peg and that the loops are all off the pegs.
9. Pull the yarn tight into a small circle to close off the top of the hat and tie a square knot.

Songs & Game IDEAS

• Five Little Speckled Frogs
• The Wheels on the Bus
• Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
• There's a hole in the bottom of the sea
• Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Hokey Pokey
• I'm a little teapot
• duck duck goose
• Ring around the Rosy
• Motor Boat Motor Boat
• Mr. Fox
• Hide and Seek
• 20 Questions
• Oink
• hand clapping games

Songs on the Patriotic CD

If you are American, these are songs your family should know.

• You’re A Grand Old Flag
• Battle Hymn of the Republic
• America the Beautiful
• Star Spangled Banner
• Yankee Doodle
• God Bless America
• This is My Country
• My Country Tis of Thee

ADVERSITY/CHALLENGES

It's What's Inside That Counts

Materials Needed:

• A Pencil

Lesson:

1. Show the pencil to the class--teach that the useful, best part of a pencil is in the middle. And in order for it to be useful, something sharp has to wear away the outer covering.
2. Let's compare that to the heart/spirit that is found inside each of us. In order to be of the most use as a servant of God, we allow God to scrape away our covering of pride and arrogance, and allow ourselves to become tools in his hands. After our pride is gone, the good part inside of us is exposed, and we are useful tools in God's work.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, with some additions by Jenny Smith

Roses - Indoor and Outdoor

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Do you sometimes wish you had no trials?

Materials Needed:

• a rose (or if possible, a hothouse rose and a rose from a garden to compare)

Lesson:

1. Roses that are grown in a hot-house are very beautiful but their scent is weak. Why is that?
2. Hothouse roses don't have to develop a heavy scent to attract bees in order to flourish. They are fed, watered, and watched over by the gardener, all in ideal conditions.
3. Outdoor roses face much harsher conditions: wind, rain, cold, heat, and bugs. Outside, roses must develop the strong rose scent in order to attract the bees. Roses raised out of doors are both beautiful to see and to smell.
4. If we lived under perfect conditions with no temptation or adversity, we would not develop our "scents" as best as we might have, had we been strengthened through adversity. It is those who are tempered in the heat of the Lord's oven of adversity who develop a beautiful "scent". They bring joy and gladness to all around them and are beautiful spiritually.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html

Rise Above

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Attention getter to begin a discussion on rising above challenges & trials

Materials Needed:

• a large glass jar
• unpopped popcorn
• a ping-pong ball

Lesson:

1. Fill up a large jar (larger than a quart, if possible) half way up with popcorn. Take a ping pong ball and push it to the bottom of the popcorn. Put the lid on and swirl the jar around. After a few seconds the ping pong ball will rise to the top of the popcorn.
2. After you show this demonstration, discuss what habits and traits a person needs to develop that would help them rise above the temptation/trials/evil in their lives.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some changes by Jenny Smith

Pebbles in the mouth

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Sometimes we focus on our trials and forget our blessings.

Materials Needed:

• several small, clean pebbles
• a small piece of candy for each member of the class /li>

Lesson:

1. Give each person a pebble and a small piece of candy. Instruct the class members to place the pebbles in their shoes and the candies in their mouths. Lead them in a short walk. (Although this walk works best outside, it can be adapted to a classroom situation if needed).
2. After the walk, ask the group about their experience. Most will dwell on the discomfort of the pebble and say little about the good taste of the candy.
3. Explain that sometimes we focus on the small hardships (pebbles) that are part of life and forget the good things (candies) that are all around us.
4. At this time, discuss the importance of a positive attitude to ourselves and to those around us.

ANGER/ANGRY WORDS

Children absorb what we teach

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Is your home colored with anger, yelling, sarcasm, and criticism? Or is your home colored with patience, cooperation, soft tones and laughter?

Materials Needed:

• glass of water
• red or blue food coloring
• stalk of celery

Steps:

• Take a stalk of celery and put it in a glass of water with some red or blue foodcoloring in it. After a few days the celery stalk will draw up the colored water and the celery will be tinted red or blue.

Lesson:

1. See how easily this stalk of celery took on the color of water in which it was sitting? Small children are just like that stalk of celery. They take on all the characteristics of the family around them. Is your home colored with anger, yelling, sarcasm, and criticizm? Or is your home colored with patience, cooperation, soft tones and laughter? Children will absorb examples they receive at home.
2. You can also use this lesson to teach regular attendance, scripture study, or as an encouragement for teachers. It took a few days of constant exposure to the food coloring for the celery to change its color. We also need constant (you fill in: scripture study, church attendance, exposure to the Spirit in our church lessons, etc) to become colored with good influences.
3. Another obvious application is sin/pornography/bad movies/bad music/immoral friends--when we constantly (or often) expose ourselves to bad influences, we take on the characteristics of that evil.
4. This lesson could also be taught with a carnation soaked in food coloring.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

Once it's out, you can't put it back

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Angry, sarcastic words, derogatory names, or mean comments are very easy to say. But it is difficult and maybe impossible to fix the damage done by idle or angry words.

Materials Needed:

• a can of squeeze cheese

Lesson:

1. Demonstrate how easy it is to squeeze out the contents from the can, then pick a volunteer and ask them to try to put the cheese back into the can. Of course it is impossible.
2. Angry, sarcastic words, derogatory names, or mean comments are very easy to say. But it is difficult and maybe impossible to fix the damage done by idle or angry words.
3. You could use any other object that squeezes out of the top like toothpaste or whipped cream or something like that. The author chose the cheese because you can spread it on crackers at the end of the lesson.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html

Permanent Damage

Brief Description/Purpose:

• When you say things in anger, they leave a permanent scars.

Materials Needed: (all optional)

• a piece of wood
• hammer
• nails

Lesson:

1. Relate the following story: There once was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. After a while, the boy discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
2. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
3. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence saying, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won't matter how many times you say 'I’m sorry,' the wound is still there."
4. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one and can leave irreparable damage.
5. You can demonstrate this object lesson by inviting a student to hammer a nail into the wood, and then removing it. Pass the damaged wood around the class to show the scars left.
6. This lesson can also be likened to gossip or name calling.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

Dirty Business

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Choose not to accept evil influences

Materials Needed:

• a cup or dish of mud

Lesson:

1. If you're brave and sure not to drip, dip your hands in the mud, offering to smear it on students in the class.
2. Otherwise, show the mud and ask "What would you do if a friend ran up with his arms full of mud? Do you move closer and hold out your arms and accept all that mud? Or do you say, 'No, thanks. I don't want that mud.' " And keep on walking?
3. The mud is like gossip or angry words or sarcasm or cutting remarks or criticism. People who dish this mud out of their mouths are wanting to give it to you. Do you have to take it? Or can you refuse? Of course, you have the choice to refuse. You don't have to take offense, or get angry. You can choose to not let the other person's angry words rub off on you.
4. This lesson also applies to pornography, bad music, bad language, taking the Lord's name in vain, dirty jokes, drug use, in fact, nearly any kind of sin.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

You can't see it, but it's there....

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Two striking object lessons show how pornography seems pleasurable but is really bitter, and how pornography or bad music lyrics can stay with you.

Materials Needed:

• brownies made correctly
• brownies made with garlic and onion powder
• wet wipes soaked in invisible ink
• black light
• room that can be made totally dark

Lesson:

1. My husband and I were asked to give a fireside to the youth on the dangers of pornography. Since the fireside was on Sunday night, we arranged for a plate of wonderful looking brownies to be passed around in one of the youth classes that morning. There are two object lessons that can be used here together as we did or separately:
2. The majority of the brownies tasted as wonderful as they looked; however, 2-3 of them were not tasty at all (I added garlic and onion powder to the mix and to the icing I added extra cocoa powder and some onion powder - - all will give a bad taste but none are harmful like too much pepper or tabasco, etc. would be).
3. As the youth are eating the brownies, most comment on how good they are and ask if there are any extras while at the same time, the youth that got the "bad" brownies are looking around like the other youth are crazy! You can tell who gets the bad ones by the looks on their faces. After a minute or so, we ask the youth how the brownies are, making sure to ask the individuals with the bad brownies.
4. Then after the giggling dies down, we make the point that Satan is the master of making things that are "bad" look appealing. We point out that the other friends seemed to get great pleasure from their brownies but that doing the same things can be a "bitter" experience when we know better. Things that work for their friends who are "non-believing" or "non-knowing" won't work for them if it goes against their standards -- we know pornography is sin, and so when we "taste" it, it tastes bad; we feel guilty.
5. Now, begins the second part of the object lesson, we pass out wet wipes for them to clean off their mouths and hands of any brownie crumbs. What they don't know is that we have soaked the wipes in invisible ink.
6. Later that night at the fireside as we make the point that with the way our brains work, pornographic images and lyrics, once viewed or heard, never leave our brains. Those images and lyrics stay with us if even in our unconscious. And then at any inopportune time in our lives those images and lyrics can come to mind. That is how Satan works. And even if we don't realize that they are with us and no one around us can see that they are there, they most certainly are there.
7. We then have the youth who had brownies earlier in the day stand and face the others. We tell everyone that earlier in the day these youth accepted something from us, people they know and trust (like their friends who may try introducing them to something pornographic), and we presented it to them as something they needed (to clean their hands) and they willingly accepted it from us. We tell everyone that they had brownies in class and we offered them a wet wipe to clean their hands. We then tell everyone that what the youth did not know is that we had soaked the wipes in invisible ink. Invisible ink, much like pornography, stays with you. You can wash and wash your hands and it is there to stay (for a couple of days at the least).
8. We then turn off the lights (need to be in a room that can be darkened - - no daylight beaming through) and turn a blacklight on and hold it near the youth that are standing. To the amazement and humor of the whole group, they light up everywhere they wiped (some had rubbed their whole face and others their hair - - works better with the young men, because the girls don't typically wipe their faces). After the laughter dies down and the lights are back on, we make the strong point that just like that invisible ink (which again seems to not even be there) pornographic things stay with you and are "on you" and even when close friends and family can't see it, it is there.
9. We have done this object lesson more than once in the pornography fireside and it is such a strong visual. One bishop called to thank us because he had a steady stream of youth coming in to discuss issues they had with pornography after this fireside. Of course, there is more to the fireside than the object lesson, but for those that get nothing else, they get this.

• Source: -J. Bluth

The Web Game

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Demonstrate how petty things can ruin our web of friendship.

Materials Needed:

• skein of yarn
• scissors
• beachball

Lesson:

1. One that we played was the web game. You need a ball of yarn, a beach ball and some scissors.
2. Everyone (except one leader) stands in a circle. The game leader ties the yarn around her finger and says something nice about someone else and throws the yarn. The girl who gets the yarn wraps it around her finger or thumb and repeats the process.
3. Continue this until there is a big web of yarn - typically 5-8 fingers wrapped up. The leader on the outside can help throw the yarn when too many fingers are wrapped up.
4. The leader on the outside has everyone back up so the web is tight. Then she throws in a beach ball. The web holds up the beach ball. Talk about how when everyone works together and build on strengths, we can withstand anything
5. Now the leader talks about how little petty things can ruin the web. As she mentions things like backbiting, gossip, criticism, anger, jealousy, etc., she should cut one or two strands from the web. Have everyone back up again and you'll see the web fall apart. Throw the ball in and see how much more difficult it is to hold it up.

Speaking Negatively about others or Being Judgemental

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Talk about how when we only focus on the negative aspects of a person that is all we see, we can't see the good things about them. This is why it is dangerous to talk negatively about a person to others. This might form a wrongful negative opinion of that person in the minds of others. Also you could talk about not judging others before you know all the facts about them is a danger.

Materials Needed:

• Paper
• Pencil

Lesson:

Tell your students that you want them to pretend they are the owner of a company in the local community. Tell them that you are the person in charge of hiring new employees and that through credible sources you have found some information about 8 people who have turned in applications to be hired. The students must decide whether or not they would hire the person based on your description of the person. They cannot ask you any questions they purely must go off of what things you tell them.

Read the following descriptions (but DO NOT reveal to your students the true identity of the person being described):

1. This person could not speak until the age of three. This person has Aspergers syndrome, a type of autism. This person did not learn to read until they were nine. His teachers report that he is “mentally slow, unsociable, and a dreamer.” He found school work, especially math difficult. He was unable to express himself in written language. This person failed their college entrance exam. Answer: THIS person is : Albert Einstein Theory of Relativity and the atomic bomb.
2. This person is extremely shy. This person didn’t talk until they were four years old. This person was unable to read until twelve years old. This person has a very difficult time writing. He is also terrible at mathematics, unable to focus, and had difficulty with words and speech.His teachers in school have described this person as being “dumb and hyperactive”. As a result, their mother decided homeschool was a good option. As a young adult this person is totally deaf in his left ear, and approximately 80% deaf in his right ear. At the turn-of-the-century, Edison invented the first practical dictaphone, mimeograph, and storage battery. After creating the "kinetiscope" and the first silent film in 1904, he went on to introduce The Great Train Robbery in 1903, which was a ten minute clip that was his first attempt to blend audio with silent moving images to produce "talking pictures." When World War I began, he was asked by the U. S. Government to focus his genius upon creating defensive devices for submarines and ships. During this time, he also perfected a number of important inventions relating to the enhanced use of rubber, concrete, and ethanol. By the age of 83 he had 1,093 patents on inventions. Answer: This person is :Thomas Edison
3. This person is a terrible speller. Their grammar usage is terrible as well. This person can barely write. According to this persons brother, this person should pursue a career surveying in the backwoods. Answer This person is: George Washington: First U.S. President
4. This person is unable to read because of severe dyslexia. Because of these reading difficulties this person never graduated from high school. Famous Actor. Has an amazing memory. Memorizes all his lines by listening to them on tape. Answer: This person is: Tom Cruise
5. This person scored in the bottom 3% on their national math tests. On the SAT this person scored 159 out of 800 in math. He has Attention Deficit Disorder. Played the roll of Fonzie in TV Show “Happy Days”. Is the producer and Director of many TV shows and movie. Executive-producer of MacGyver. Answer: This person is : Henry Winkler (director, actor, The Fonzz)
6. This person talks with a stutter, they also have epilepsy. Answer: This person is : Isaac Newton:Discovered the law of gravity
7. This person was slow in school work and did not have a successful school experiences. Later this person started a business called Laugh-o-grams but obviously this person was not good at business because their company went bankrupt. Answer: This person is :Walt Disney: Creator of Walt Disney Studios, Mickey mouse, Etc.
8. This person had such a severe stutter that, for eight years, he refused to talk and was functionally mute. Answer: This person is : James Earl Jones: The Voice of Darth Vader, The lion king,
9. Now ask your class to reveal if they would hire the first person. After they answer yes or no let the students know the true identity of the person. You can go through each person 1-8.

When you say things in anger

Brief Description/Purpose:

• When you say things in anger, they leave permanent scars.

Materials Needed:

• a piece of wood
• hammer
• nail (all optional)

Lesson:

1. Relate the following story: There once was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. After a while, the boy discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
2. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
3. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence saying, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won't matter how many times you say 'I’m sorry,' the wound is still there."
4. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one and can leave irreparable damage.
5. You can demonstrate this object lesson by inviting a student to hammer a nail into the wood, and then removing it. Pass the damaged wood around the class to show the scars left.
6. This lesson can also be likened to gossip or name calling.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

BAD FRIENDS

Friends Rub off on You

Brief Description/Purpose:

• By coloring in with pencil large letters that spell FRIENDS, you will show how friends, whether they are good or bad can easily rub off on you.

Materials Needed:

• chalk
• chalkboard
• piece of paper with the word FRIENDS on it in bubble letters for each student
• pencil for each student

Lesson:

1. Before class print out the word FRIENDS in large bubble letters, about two inches high. During class, give each child a sheet of paper with FRIENDS printed on it and a pencil. Tell them to use the pencil to color in all the letters completely and very dark with the pencil. This may take a few minutes. After they are finished, you will have them rub their fingers over the letters to see that the graphite from the word friends has rubbed off on them.
2. The friends you choose in life can have a big impact on the way you act. Friends can influence what type of clothes you wear, the type of music you listen to, what you believe, the words you use when you speak, the way you treat others, and the list goes on and on. In other words, friends can rub off on you.
3. Alternate: You can also have someone write the word "Friends" on the chalkboard and then have them rub the letters instead of using a pencil and paper.
4. Discuss: Talk about positive ways that each of us can rub off on our friends.

BAD HABITS

Bad habits are hard to break

Brief Description/Purpose:

• If we let bad habits go on and on, we lose the power to easily return to something better. It requires more will power and may require help from someone else.

Materials Needed:

• Spool of Thread

Lesson:

1. Take a spool of thread and wrap the thread once or twice around the volunteer's fingers or wrists. Have them break the thread.
2. This represents bad habits. When we first begin a bad habit like smoking, or even something as simple as watching an inappropriate t.v. show or using foul language, it is easy to break. Now wrap the thread around many many times and see if the volunteer can break the thread. If we let bad habits go on and on, we lose the power to easily return to something better. It requires more will power and may require help from someone else. Don't give up your freedom and power by remaining in your bad habits.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions made by Jenny Smith

You can't change all your bad habits at once

Brief Description/Purpose:

• We develop self-mastery by working on one habit at a time, not expecting perfection from ourselves all at once.

Materials Needed:

• 5-6 small balls, beanbags, or spools of thread

Lesson:

1. Hold in your hand five or six small balls or other small items, and tell the class that these represent a handful of weaknesses (our leader wrote names of some bad habits on paper and wrapped them around spools of thread like procrastination, lying, profanity, sleeping in, eating unhealthy foods). Select a student and ask him/her to try to overcome these weaknesses by catching them. Then throw the balls to the student all at once. At least one will probably be dropped.
2. How might this demonstration apply to overcoming bad habits?
3. Throw the balls to the student one at a time so she can catch each one. Point out that we develop self-mastery by working on one habit at a time, not expecting perfection from ourselves all at once.

BAD MUSIC- Effects of

What Goes In, Doesn't Come Out

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Once they're in our heads, bad images don't come out.

Materials Needed:

• you need a doll
• some plastic wrap
• pictures of bad things (cigarettes, drugs, too much candy, words "Bad Pictures", "Bad Movies", and "Bad Music", etc)
• Wrap the doll's head in plastic wrap
• leaving a cup shaped opening in the top to allow the pictures and words to be dropped in

Lesson:

1. Teach that everything you see, hear, and eat affects how we act. Talk about how each item will affect the doll as you place the items in her head. Bad pictures teach us that bad things are acceptable. Bad music might make us angry. Cigarettes can hurt the bodies Heavenly Father gave us and enslave us, etc. Dump out the bad stuff from Raggedy Ann's head. Allow the class to throw the bad things in the trash can. Teach that the difference between you and Raggedy Ann is that when bad things enter your head, they don't come out, except through the Atonement. It's very important to make sure we don't allow bad things to enter our minds. Commit the class to making good choices.

BEING A GOOD EXAMPLE

A candle loses nothing by lighting another

Brief Description/Purpose:

• This lesson teaches that we each have something special within each of us to share with others and as we do this, a brighter light will shine within us.

Materials Needed:

• 2 thin candles
• 1 camp fire lighter
• 1 volunteer

Lesson:

1. This is a simple and easy, yet thought provoking object lesson. It can also be applied in many different ways. Start by lighting one of the candles, ask for a volunteer and give them a candle. Then light the other candle from the candle already lit. What did they observe? Did the candle lose any of it's momentum from sharing it's flame. No, in fact it shines brighter. Hence, "a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." I have used this in my lessons about service and how it is the person doing the serving who, by sharing their flame, beerns brighter and gets the most out of the experience. Also enabling the person they are serving to light the way for others.

Bad Habits are Hard to Break

Brief Description/Purpose:

• This object lesson teaches that it is much easier to break bad habits when they are small or have just started. The longer we wait to correct the problem, the tougher it becomes to overcome it.

Materials Needed:

• A ream of paper. (or at least several sheets)

Lesson:

1. This object lesson works best for senior primary aged kids through adults.
2. Choose a member to help you. I usually always choose a gentleman who looks like he is fairly strong. Hand him one sheet of paper and ask him to rip it in two. Obviously he will be able to accomplish it easily. Then hand him the ream (or several sheets of paper) and ask him to rip the ream into two. Unless he has Herculean strength he will not be able to. If time allows I will slowly add to the stack and ask him to rip. He generally has an easy go until the stack gets bigger.

Bad Habits are Hard to Break

Brief Description/Purpose:

• If we let bad habits go on and on, we lose the power to easily return to something better. It requires more will power and may require help from someone else.

Materials Needed:

• spool of thread

Lesson:

1. Take a spool of thread and wrap the thread once or twice around the volunteer's fingers or wrists. Have them break the thread.
2. This represents bad habits. When we first begin a bad habit like smoking, or even something as simple as watching an inappropriate t.v. show or using foul language, it is easy to break. Now wrap the thread around many, many times and see if the volunteer can break the thread. If we let bad habits go on and on, we lose the power to easily return to something better. It requires more will power and may require help from someone else. Don't give up your freedom and power by remaining in your bad habits.
3. The Family Home Evening manual uses this lesson to demonstrate the web we create when we tell lies. Honesty, FHE Manual, p 194.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions made by Jenny Smith

BREAKING BAD HABITS

Bad Habits are Hard to Break

Brief Description/Purpose:

• This object lesson teaches that it is much easier to break bad habits when they are small or have just started. The longer we wait to correct the problem, the tougher it becomes to overcome it.

Materials Needed:

• A ream of paper. (or at least several sheets)

Lesson:

1. This object lesson works best for senior primary aged kids through adults.
2. Choose a member to help you. I usually always choose a gentleman who looks like he is fairly strong. Hand him one sheet of paper and ask him to rip it in two. Obviously he will be able to accomplish it easily. Then hand him the ream (or several sheets of paper) and ask him to rip the ream into two. Unless he has Herculean strength he will not be able to. If time allows I will slowly add to the stack and ask him to rip. He generally has an easy go until the stack gets bigger.

Children Are Listening

Children Are Like Sponges

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Is your home colored with anger, yelling, sarcasm, and criticism? Or is your home colored with patience, cooperation, soft tones and laughter?

Materials Needed:

• Take a stalk of celery and put it in a glass of water with some red or blue food coloring in it. After a few days the celery stalk will draw up the colored water and the celery will be tinted red or blue.

Lesson:

1. See how easily this stalk of celery took on the color of water in which it was sitting? Small children are just like that stalk of celery. They take on all the characteristics of the family around them. Is your home colored with anger, yelling, sarcasm, and criticism? Or is your home colored with patience, cooperation, soft tones and laughter? Children will absorb examples they receive at home.
2. You can also use this lesson to teach regular attendance, scripture study, or as an encouragement for teachers. It took a few days of constant exposure to the food coloring for the celery to change its color. We also need constant (you fill in: scripture study, church attendance, exposure to the Spirit in our church lessons, etc) to become colored with good influences.
3. Another obvious application is sin/pornography/bad movies/bad music/immoral friends--when we constantly (or often) expose ourselves to bad influences, we take on the characteristics of that evil.
4. This lesson could also be taught with a carnation soaked in food coloring.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

CHOOSE GOOD FRIENDS

Choosing Good Friends

Brief Description/Purpose:

• We should always take care to be found with honorable people of character because our reputations are like the magnet--our associates' actions will stick to us.

Materials Needed:

• a strong magnet
• stuff that will stick to the magnet:
• paperclips
• metal shavings
• tacks
• nails etc.....

Lesson:

1. Pass the magnet over the items.
2. Point out how the magnet didn't have to physically touch the items for them to stick to it, just come close.
3. If you are around rebellious, shady people, their reputation will eventually stick to you. Even if you never actually do anything bad yourself, by hanging around dishonest or evil friends, you draw those actions to yourself like a magnet.
4. We should always take care to be found with honorable people of character because our reputations are like the magnet--our associates' actions will stick to us.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, additions by Jenny Smith.

CHOICES

Making good choices

Brief Description/Purpose:

• We are each handed blocks -- what we do with them is our choice.

Materials Needed:

• Legos or other blocks

Lesson:

1. Here are some lego’s and right on front is a picture of what you can build with these. Do I have to build exactly what is here? Can't I choose to make any design that I can imagine? In fact, there are lots of different choices of really fun things that I can make with just these few blocks.
2. If your friend makes a rude comment or does something mean to you, that is like handing you the box of Lego’s. You can choose to react in any way that you want. The most common thing would be to get mad and maybe give him a punch or yell and say two mean things back. But you don't have to. You can make a choice to react in a different way.

COMMUNICATION

Communication is key

Brief Description/Purpose:

• This will help the girls think about how they can communicate clearly.

Materials Needed:

• 2 Piece of paper cut into different shapes
• both pieces having the exact same shape

Lesson:

1. Have girls sit back to back, each having her own set of shapes. One girl will set her pieces in a design and describe to the other how to set her pieces up to match the exact way that she has set out her pieces. The girl that is trying to match CAN NOT speak. Once the girls think that they have the pieces matching each other have them look at the two and see if the first girl described how to do it clearly.

Telephone Game

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Just like the game we played as kids. This shows that we need to be an effective communicator & listener.

Materials Needed:

• 5 volunteers and a copy of each of the following parts onto an individual sheet for each to read.

Lesson:

1. Telephone Game: A Colonel Issues Orders
2. ORDERS TO HIS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: "Tomorrow evening at approximately 20-00 hours Halley's Comet will be visible in this area; an event which occurs only every 75 years. Have the men fall out in the battalion area in fatigues, and I will explain this rare phenomenon to them. In case of rain, we will not be able to see anything, so assemble the men in the theater and I will show them films of it."
3. EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO COMPANY COMMANDER: "By order of the Colonel, tomorrow at 20-00 hours, Halley's Comet will appear above the battalion area. If it rains, fall the men out in fatigues, then march to the theater where this rare phenomenon will take place, something which occurs only once every 75 years."
4. COMPANY COMMANDER TO LIEUTENANT: "By order of the Colonel be in fatigues at 20-00 hours tomorrow evening. The phenomenal Halley's Comet will appear in the theater. In case of rain in the battalion area, the Colonel will give another order, something which occurs once every 75 years."
5. LIEUTENANT TO SERGEANT: "Tomorrow at 20-00 hours, the Colonel will appear in the theater with Halley's comet, something which happens every 75 years. If it rains, the Colonel will order the comet into the battalion area."
6. SERGEANT TO SQUAD: "When it rains tomorrow at 20-00 hours, the phenomenal 75-year-old General Halley, accompanied by the Colonel, will drive his comet through the battalion area theater in fatigues."

Not using bad language

Brief Description/Purpose:

• it reminds us not to use inappropriate words

Materials Needed:

• rubber bands

Lesson:

1. have each student put a rubber band around his/her wrist and through out the week when they use inappropriate language, pop the rubber band. The pop will sting their wrist. This will be the consequence of using bad language.

Use Kind Words

Brief Description/Purpose:

• We're very careful about what goes into our mouths aren't we? But are we as careful about what comes out? The scriptures tell us that we have to be even more careful about what comes out.

Materials Needed:

• A container with some random bits you found lying in garden
• A half eaten chocolate or boiled sweet

Lesson:

1. Relevant texts: Matthew 15:11, James 3:1-10, Colossians 3:8
2. Earlier today I went into the garden to see what I could find. I collected a few things here in this margarine tub Show the tub without revealing the contents. Pull out the items from the tub one by one, saying a few words about each to make sure evrybody knows what it is, and then puting it back in the tub.

Examples of things you could use:

• A leaf
• A rusty old nail
• One or two small pieces of litter
• A stone with some dirt on it
• A weed with some soil still clinging to the roots

1. "Isn't it exciting what you can find when you really search around?"
2. (Now pull out a half eaten chocolate or boiled sweet). Look at this! What is it? I think somebody might have had a bite and then thrown it away because they didn't like it. Anyway, no use letting it go to waste - who would like to eat it? (hopefully no response!). You've been good (perhaps to an older child) you deserve a reward - look, I'll blow some of the dirt off for you - would you like the chocolate? Why not? Draw out the answer that the chocolate is dirty, and is probably contaminated with germs. Ask two or three children "Would you put this in your mouth?", hopefully getting the answer "No!" each time.
3. We're very careful about what goes into our mouths aren't we? But are we as careful about what comes out? What comes out of your mouth? Swearing? Lies? Cheek? Unkind words? It's right to be careful about what goes into our mouths. But the scriptures tell us that we have to be even more careful about what comes out.

• Source:

CONCENTRATION

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Our ability to focus our teaching power depends on the tools we use. (This could be part of a leadership training exercise on using the scriptures or manual more instead of commercial helps from non-Church sources)

Materials Needed:

• sunny day
• powerful magnifying glass
• a glass cup
• paper

Lesson:

1. Take your class or family outside and give one person the magnifying glass and another person the normal glass. See who can burn a hole in the paper. The lesson could take many directions after this:
2. In order to get quickly to the heart of a problem with a solution, you have to have concentrated effort.
3. Magnifying your calling means giving real concentration and the result is magnified power, or, look what unusual powers glass can have when it is concentrated in that one spot. That is what can happen when a group works together to solve a problem, if they are all working together, if it’s not a concentrated effort, then there is no power.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, additions by Jenny Smith

CONSEQUENCES

CONSEQUENCES

Brief Description/Purpose:

• We must work hard to weed out bad influences, just like the gardener must work hard to have a beautiful flower garden or to grow abundant vegetables.

Materials Needed:

• Ability to walk to a freshly plowed piece of ground, or some seeds

Lesson:

1. Show the class or family a new plot of ground that has just been dug up and prepared to be planted and ask: If this ground were left alone for a year just like it is right now, what would it look like? Would it have flowers and vegetables or would it have weeds and grass?
2. The new ground represents each one of us. We must actively sow seeds of service, unselfishness, forgiveness, courtesy, kindness and actively dig up and remove the ever-present weeds of contention, selfishness, and pursuit of worldly pleasures. We must work hard to weed out bad influences, just like the gardener must work hard to have a beautiful flower garden or to grow abundant vegetables.
3. A good handout for this object lesson would be a package of flower seeds or a small trowel.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

FAMILIY UNITY/COOPERATION

FAMILIY UNITY/COOPERATION

Brief Description/Purpose:

• The point is that had they worked together and cooperated to go to one candy bar at a time, taking turns (been unified) they both could have gotten their reward.

Materials Needed:

• 2 candy bars

Lesson:

1. Place a candy bar at each side of the room. Have two people come up and link arms, back to back. Tell them they have 10 seconds to get their respective candy bar. When you say go they will each begin pulling the other one in the opposite direction, one will either get their candy bar or neither will.

FORGIVE

Forgive

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Read this story from the Friend while you demonstrate that holding grudges is like filling your pockets full of rocks.

Materials Needed:

• rocks
• copy of the story Pockets full of Rocks

Lesson:

1. Read Pockets full of Rocks from the Friend.
2. In short, a boy named Malcolm collected rocks every time someone or something made him mad. I brought a bunch of rocks and made a boy stand in front of the room and as I read the story, we loaded him down with rocks, adding suspenders, a coat with many pockets and a backpack. We then discussed at the close of the story, how to unburden ourselves from bad feelings we harbor for others. We took rocks out at every suggestion, and this kept the kids completely entertained!!!!

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html

GOSSIP

Would you Say it if I were there?

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Teach your class how to determine if they are saying appropriate things.

Materials Needed:

• a chair

Lesson:

1. Place an empty chair in the middle of the room and then discuss how one good way to avoid gossiping is to imagine the person who you are talking about is sitting in that chair. Are you telling the truth? Is it kind? Is it necessary to tell? Do you have that person's permission to tell this story or news? Would you really say these things if the person were sitting in the chair? If you can't answer yes to all of these questions, then you should talk about something else.
2. This lesson can also be likened to name calling or taking the Lord's name in vain.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

GRUDGES

Grudges

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Grudges can last and do damage. Often they are unseen.

Materials Needed:

• A wedge driven into a piece of wood

Lesson:

1. The Peril of Hidden Wedges by Kelly Miller
2. A faller's wedge placed in a tree Remained where it ought not to be. The branches grew and swelled around. And then one night without a sound-An ice storm weighed the burdened trunk. And down the branches went- “kerplunk.”
3. A hidden wedge placed long ago. Has pierced my heart and now does grow. Where it can canker easily. Imagined hurts and jealousy Must be resolved, and then destroyed, For life was meant to be enjoyed.
4. A burden shared is always best. When we solve hurts, lay them to rest, The enemy becomes a friend. When we forgive there is an end. We close the gap, we sort it out. That's what life is truly about! Based on a talk by

• Source: - Thomas S. Monson

HAVE PERSONAL STANDARDS

Having Personal Standards

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Teach what happens to us when we shed our standards.

Materials Needed:

• an orange
• an orange peeler

Lesson:

1. Take an orange and ask the class what it will do if you put it in a container of water (sink or float).
2. Put in the orange and notice it floats.
3. Write different standards on the peel with permanent maker, all around the orange (so now your one orange has many standards written on it).
4. Now peel off the skin, taking the standards with it.
5. Ask the class if it will sink or float.
6. Put the peeled orange in water. It will sink.
7. You can discuss how our standards keep us afloat and help us and they do not pull us down. At times many think they prohibit us, but they really save us (like a life jacket). Once we shed our standards, we'll sink like the orange.

• Source: Vickie at LDS-YW.com

HOME

HOME

Brief Description/Purpose:

• How home is a safe place where we get filled back up when the world drains us.

Materials Needed:

• Bucket(2) cup and water.

Lesson:

1. One daughter recalls that her father demonstrated how children can fill each other’s needs within the family. “One time [dad] brought two buckets into the family room—one filled with water, one empty. Then he had each of us think of something that made us upset or frustrated or discouraged that day. For each thing we named, he took a cup of water out of the full bucket. Then he told us that we are like that bucket, and when things happen during the day that disturb us, a cup of self-esteem is taken out. Gradually we get closer and closer to … the bottom [until the bucket is completely empty]. Then he turned to the other bucket. He asked us for suggestions on how we could help a person whose bucket was empty to fill it up again. With each suggestion, he had us step up and dip a cup of water back into the empty bucket. Then dad concluded that home is the place where we come to get our buckets filled, and that we should watch for and be sensitive to others, because we are responsible for helping to fill our brothers’ and sisters’ needs”

• Source: (Eric G. Stephan and Judith Stephan Smith, What Happy Families Are Doing [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1981], pp. 57–58).

HONESTY

LITTLE WHITE LIES

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Even a little white lie is a lie which can lead to bigger deception.

Materials Needed:

• Piece of wire 16-20 inch long - like coat hanger.
• Put a flag on one end reading "honesty" and put a flag on the other end reading “integrity”.

Lesson:

1. Have a member of class or family bend the wire until it breaks in the middle. Show the flags that are now separating honesty and eternal life. Say; "It was strong in the beginning, but by starting to bend on honesty and telling little white lies, it got weaker and weaker until it broke. Justifying ourselves in committing a little sin or little lies, can weaken and ultimately break us, just like the broken wire.

INDIVIDUAL WORTH

INDIVIDUAL WORTH

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Even something as simple as a ballpoint pen needs all its parts to function properly.

Materials Needed:

• ballpoint pen with click-actionpaper

Lesson:

1. I'm sure everyone knows what this is. Yes, it is a ballpoint pen. What do you think the most important part of this pen is? Many of you said the "ink", that is a common answer. Let's see how useful this ballpoint pen is. I need someone to volunteer to write with this pen, and see if it works properly.
2. Let several kids try to use the pen. They will conclude something is broken, or perhaps some may realize the spring is missing. Take the pen back.
3. Yes, the reason this pen is not working properly is because it is missing a part. It may seem like an insignificant part, but the pen can't work without it. It is the spring! I have it here in my pocket.
4. Insert the spring back into the pen, and let a few children confirm that it is now working properly.
5. Even something as simple as a ballpoint pen needs all its parts to work properly. Some parts may seem more important, like the ink, while others may seem less important, like the spring, but they are all needed.
6. In our family/class, each of our member's best efforts and talents are needed, too. Everyone has a job to do, whether it's conducting the meeting, teaching a lesson, singing, or simply sharing in class discussions. Some jobs may seem more important than others, but without everyone, the family or class just wouldn't function.

INDIVIDUALITY

Being an Individual

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Use this hands-on lesson to teach about differences.

Materials Needed:

• Enough oranges for the entire class

Lesson:

1. Pass out a bowl filled with oranges. Ask each class member to take an orange and examine it for a minute. "Get to know" your orange.... Then put all the oranges back in a bowl. Mix them up and pass it back around and have everyone pick out their orange and tell how they knew it was their orange.
2. Liken this to how each of us are individuals and may all look similar but all have special things about us either on the inside or outside.
3. Handout was orange lotion that said, "Orange you special" that they could use each day and remember how special they are.

• Source: Megan Kenney

JUDGING

What matters is inside

Brief Description/Purpose:

• What's inside the can? How can we know? What does the label mean?

Materials Needed:

• a can of fruit or vegetables

Lesson:

1. Here's an an awesome object lesson that I use with my kids at camp - all you need is a can of fruit or vegetables, and take the label off...add a dent or two also. It's amazing what and how much the younger ones can come up with!
2. Put the can in the middle of the group and let the group examine it. Ask them to describe the can. Some may say that it's shiny, that it has dents, and that it has no label. Then ask how this relates to people. Dents of course, because we aren't perfect and we all have some sort of short falling. The reflection...we reflect what people say about us. Some may say we're really good at something, and others not good and often we'll do just that. Then the label. We don't want to label people. Only God knows whats on the inside, yet as people we know how to look on the outside. We need to train ourselves to look on the inside. On that same note, we need to get to know people and people need to open themselves up in order to really get to know what's inside. A whole different road can be taken in discussing what labels we have had, why we don't like them, etc. Some cans may have a pricetag on them, and one can touch on putting value on people needs to only be done if we really value them (because sometimes people don't get high value, when they really are). Everyone notices something different when they see the can. The outside is damaged, but the inside might taste good--we don't know because we can't see it. etc. What really matters about this can is what's inside. Is it delicious or disgusting? Who can help us to know? How are we like the can?
3. This is a really cool object lesson, something we can get from our kitchen cupboard. Great for group discussion and learning about relationships and judging.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons4.html

LABELING OTHERS

Labeling Others

Brief Description/Purpose:

• teaches children that labeling others before they know whats inside is wrong.

Materials Needed:

• one can of vegetables, beans, fruit etc. and one label.
• (make sure the label is of a different food variety than the can of food i.e. soup, applesauce etc.) a bowl with a lid and a can opener.

Lesson:

1. Tape the contrasting label directly over the canned food label. Make sure no part of the true contents are showing. I used a Green bean label and covered over a can of pears. I asked the children if they liked green beans. Most said they did not, I elaborated on this issue and afterward I proceeded to open the "Green Beans" what they found on the inside of the can was sweet and juicy and delicious and wasn't at all what they were expecting. I then told the children just because something or someone is different looking on the outside doesn't mean what's inside isn't worth getting to know and enjoy, we shouldn't "label" others wrongfully just because they seem different.

LOVE OTHERS

Love others

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Teaching children to love others despite differences

Materials Needed:

• one plant in a beautiful pot
• one plant in a damaged pot

Lesson:

1. I first displayed 2 exact plants planted in 2 different containers. One container was beautiful and the plant looked wonderful. The other container was chipped and awful looking and the plant appeared less desirable. I then had the children choose which plant they liked best. Of course, they chose the plant in the nice pot. I then read a story from the Friend called Tin Pot. It told of a boy with disabilities and how his friend Annie learned an important lesson from her Mom concerning how things can look so different on the outside, but still be the same inside.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html

LYING

Lying

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Teach that one lie leads to another. We have to spit out the lies to get rid of them.

Materials Needed:

• pack of chewing gum for each student

Lesson:

1. We made up a lie and said that it was represented by the first stick of gum and each started chewing. That lie lead to another, and so they had to put the second in their mouths right on top of the first. That one turned into a third...and so on.
2. By the time you have 3 or 4 sticks of gum in your mouth you can't even hardly talk! How do you get rid of it? If you swallow it then it is still with you. Own up. Make it right.

MAKING GOOD CHOICES

How to make good choices in LIfe

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Bad choices leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Materials Needed:

• an apple
• a lemon

Lesson:

1. Ask for two volunteers. Have one eat a slice of lemon (usually a boy is more likely to taste the lemon than a girl) and another eat a slice of apple.
2. I compared the way they reacted and felt to the way we feel when we make wrong or right choices. The lemon-eaters felt sour and had a bad taste that lingered in their mouths. The apple-eaters enjoyed their apples and wished for more.
3. A variation:
4. Show the apple and the lemon, and talk about how they smell and taste. Cut one of each in half and walk around and let a few smell them.
5. What are some words that describe the taste of an apple/lemon?
6. The decisions we make have consequences that either taste like an apple (sweet) or a lemon (bitter).

ORGANIZED

How good is your memory?

Brief Description/Purpose:

• This object lesson illustrates the importance of keeping written records and journals.

Materials Needed:

• Box large enough to display 20 small objects
• 20 small objects (include one very memorable object)
• Timer
• Paper and pencil for each student

Lesson:

1. Prepare a memory game by filling a box with 20 small objects. Include one very memorable object such as a $10 bill. Tell the class you are going to play a memory game. Take the lid off of the box and use the timer to give the class members about one minute to observe and memorize what is inside. Put the lid back on the box and then instead of allowing them to immediately write down what they remember allow some time to pass (either let them visit or proceed with the lesson) before handing out the paper and pencil. Ask them to write down as many items as they can remember from the box. They should remember some of the items - but not all. I include a $10 bill in the box and everyone remembers that. Repeat the exercise allowing the class time to write down what they see. After closing the box once again ask them what was in the box. They should be able to tell you everything that was in the box because they have written it down/recorded the contents.
2. Describe to the class how this activity shows us the importance of keeping records and journals. Although we may try to remember everything - as time passes it becomes more difficult to remember all of the details. Of course some events are very memorable and we won't forget them (just like the $10 bill), but it is impossible to remember everything. However, if we record what is happening to us in our journals, we can remember everything - not just the major events- no matter how much time passes.

RESPECT FOR OTHERS

Having Respect for Others

Brief Description/Purpose:

• The lesson teaches courtesy and politeness in action of speech to others and how we can positive or negative by our actions.

Materials Needed:

• Pen
• paper
• handouts provided

Lesson:

1. Start out by asking the following 2 questions. What positive contributions can I make to society? What are some contributions that others have made?
2. Today we will talk about having Respect for Others. Have you ever heard of the word Altruism? Do you know what it means?
3. Altruism: Concern for and motivation to act for the welfare of others. What about some of these other words?
4. Civility and cheerfulness: courtesy and politeness in action of speech.
5. Compassion, kindness and generosity: concern for suffering or distress of others and response to their feeling and needs.
6. Courtesy and cooperation: recognition of mutual interdependence with others resulting in polite treatment and respect for them.
7. Have the children complete the "Making a Difference" activity sheet. After they have completed the activity sheet, discuss their answers, emphasizing the potential worth of every person to make positive contributions to society.

Making a Difference

Lesson:

1. What is potential? Describe it and give examples.
2. Does every person everywhere possess potential for making positive and negative contributions to society? Explain your answers.
3. What are some of the positive ways people can use their potential to enrich life in their communities?
4. What are some of the ways people can use their potential to negatively influence life in their communities?
5. What are some of the positive ways youth can use their potential to improve their community?
6. What are some of the ways youth can use their potential to negatively influence their community?
7. Do all youth have the potential for being a source of encouragement for their classmates?
8. Do all youth have the potential to discourage their classmates? Give examples.

Ask the children to make a list of ways that they could better use their potential in the following areas:

• Courtesy toward each other.
• Respect for rules at home.
• Study habits at school
• Relationships with parents.

Challenge each child to select one way in which she will attempt to use her potential in a positive way for the next two weeks.

Each of us is important

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Can you name your school/church/office janitor? Each person is important and worthy of our notice and love.

Materials Needed:

• paper and pencil for each student

Lesson:

1. During my second year of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the janitor who cleans the school?"
2. Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how could I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.
3. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."
4. I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
5. You read this story or even give the pop quiz in a family night or youth class, asking them to write the name of the a new classmate, the name of the boys who lives down the street, the names of the people who spoke in Church, the name of the pianist or organist, etc. If you're using the name of a person in your class, talk to them beforehand to get permission to use their name.

• Source: Inspirational Poems, Quotes, and Stories

STRENGTH

Strength in numbers

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Together, we are stronger.

Materials Needed:

• Uncooked spaghetti noodles

Lesson:

1. Offer one or two strands of spaghetti to someone in class and have them try to break it. Obviously it is easy. Then offer them a package of spaghetti and have them try to break it. This is much more difficult, if at all possible.
2. We are stronger together! There is strength in numbers with family and friends.

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, Jenny Smith

TALENTS

TALENTS

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Some of us never try to develop our talents, some of us use them and share them with others, and some of us hide them away so that no one knows we have them.

Materials Needed:

• 3 different treats (candy) in separate gift bags

Lesson:

1. She had 3 gift bags. She gave one to me, one to the advisor and one to the Y.W. secretary, who I had asked to come sit in on our lesson. She told us that this was a gift from her to thank us for all the hard work that we were doing. She then left. The three of us acted like we had not expected these gifts. We were very excited to open them and we each took our turn. I opened mine first. It was a bag of candy. I looked at it and said that I really didn't like that kind of candy and I threw it in the garbage. You should have seen the look on the girls faces. The advisor opened hers and she immediately opened her candy and started to share with everyone. While this was happening, the secretary opened hers and hid it behind her. When the girls realized that they hadn't seen what she got they asked where it was. She said that she didn't know what they were talking about. One of the girls asked if she could take the candy out of the garbage. We then had a lesson on how Heavenly Father gives us each talents. Some of us throw them away and don't ever even try to develop them. Some of us share them and everyone benefits, and some of us hide them so that others don't know that we have them.

More On Talents

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Plan a family meal to teach that everyone has different talents and gifts. All are valuable at one time or another and we should use and share our talents and acknowledge. They are valuable.

Materials Needed:

• A meal with food appropriate for one utensil, but not another (some ideas: spaghetti, jello, salad, steak, macaroni, peas) One utensil for each person.

Lesson:

1. Design the menu so that it would really be difficult eating with only one kind of utensil. The discussion during this meal would focus on talents. Everyone has different talents and gifts. All are valuable at one time or another and we should use and share our talents and acknowledge that them. A spoon may not seem too important but sometimes you need a spoon, and only a spoon will do. You may not know you have a talent for eating spaghetti with a spoon until you try.
2. Themes to discuss: developing talents takes practice, everyone has different talents, talents may be hidden or unknown, talents are valuable, you may see someone else's talent and wish to develop that in yourself, you can share your talents with others (give Johnny your spoon for the Jell-o), etc

• Source: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4746/lessons.html, some additions by Jenny Smith

TEAMWORK

TEAMWORK

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Teach about commitment, teamwork, service... you choose .. while making a fun treat!

Materials Needed:

• gallon-sized Ziploc bag
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1/2 cup softened margarine
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Lesson:

1. Mix ingredients together by squeezing the bag and assing it around the group. Discuss friendship, teamwork, commitment, service, etc -- the possibilities are endless.
2. When is is mixed together, roll it into a log and slice and serve. (You may need extra powdered sugar or you can eat it with spoons right out of the bag.)

TEAMWORK/FAMILY UNITY

Teamwork and Family

Brief Description/Purpose:

• This shows that when one is trying to do all the work it won't happen. They need the help of everyone to pull their weight and to help so the job can get done. Or in a family situation if everyone isn't trying then the family can't be strong, it needs everyone's help.

Materials Needed:

• a long pole or stick
• a long piece of string (a piece for each person)

Lesson:

1. Have someone tie their string to the pull and see if they can pull the stick off the ground and try to make it stand straight up.
2. Then have some one else tie their string on and see if it works with two people.
3. You can keep adding one by one, or just show how when everyone isn't working together it won't get the job done. Tie everyone's string onto the pole and at the same time everyone pull on their string to lift their weight of the pole so it will stand straight and strong.

TRIALS

Trials

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Do you sometimes wish you had no trials?

Materials Needed:

• A rose
• (or if possible, a hothouse rose and a rose from a garden to compare)

Lesson:

1. Roses that are grown in a hot-house are very beautiful but their scent is weak. Why is that?
2. Hothouse roses don't have to develop a heavy scent to attract bees in order to flourish. They are fed, watered, and watched over by the gardener, all in ideal conditions.
3. Outdoor roses face much harsher conditions: wind, rain, cold, heat, and bugs. Outside, roses must develop the strong rose scent in order to attract the bees. Roses raised out of doors are both beautiful to see and to smell.
4. If we lived under perfect conditions with no temptation or adversity, we would not develop our "scents" as best as we might have. Are we not strengthened through adversity? It is those who are tempered in the heat of adversity who develop a beautiful "scent". They bring joy and gladness to all around them and are beautiful spiritually.

VARIETY

Families are like Jelly Beans!

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Teach your class that our lives are boring with out the variety that our family members provide.

Materials Needed:

• Jelly beans in a variety of colors
• Clear containers
• Print out the Jelly bean bag label

Lesson:

1. Separate a bag of jelly beans into a separate glass or other see thru container. Begin handing out the jelly beans to the class while saying things like "these green jelly beans represent my aunt. I remember _____, but I've gotten too busy and haven't seen her in years. These jelly beans remind me of my nephew, who allows ______, but they have moved away and I never see him any more." and so on until you have given away all but the white jelly beans. When you pick up the white jar of jelly beans, talk about how this is all that's left and how plain and boring it is, kind of like your life would be without your family. Place a container large enough to hold all the jelly beans and have the girls help you fill it up. Point out how colorful and full the bowl looks and compare it to a family full of love and variety. Now that you've got the class' attention, continue on with the rest of the lesson. You could use the jelly beans as incentive for class participation.

WEB GAME

Let's Play the Web Game

Brief Description/Purpose:

• Demonstrate how petty things can ruin our web of friendship.

Materials Needed:

• skein of yarn
• scissors
• beachball

Lesson:

1. One that we played was the web game. You need a ball of yarn, a beach ball and some scissors.
2. Everyone (except one leader) stands in a circle. The game leader ties the yarn around her finger and says something nice about someone else and throws the yarn. The girl who gets the yarn wraps it around her finger or thumb and repeats the process.
3. Continue this until there is a big web of yarn - typically 5-8 fingers wrapped up. The leader on the outside can help throw the yarn when too many fingers are wrapped up.
4. The leader on the outside has everyone back up so the web is tight. Then she throws in a beach ball. The web holds up the beach ball. Talk about how when everyone works together and build on strengths, we can withstand anything.
5. Now the leader talks about how little petty things can ruin the web. As she mentions things like backbiting, gossip, criticism, anger, jealousy, etc., she should cut one or two strands from the web. Have everyone back up again and you'll see the web fall apart. Throw the ball in and see how much more difficult it is to hold it up.

5 Tips to Help Kids Enjoy Cleaning

If you are like most women, your ideal home is always sparkling, fresh, and super clean. If you are like most mothers, this is not always your reality. Kids can be very messy. When they are small, they eat with their hands and touch the table and walls. As they grow, they may eat on the run a lot because of different activities, and tend to leave "droppings" like wrappers and plates around when they are done eating. Enlist the help of your kids and try these simple steps to keep your home as clean as you dream it can be:

1. Make cleaning musical. Put on some "inspirational" music and make cleaning almost like a video production. Dance in between work areas, and do cleaning movements in time to certain cues in the music. Before long, your kids will want to try it with different songs all of the time. Hey, why not video tape it for future laughs!
2. Use funky cleaning supplies. Tidying up is much more interesting when you have a leopard print sponge or even an apron with their favorite characters on it.
3. Make it a game. How fast can you clean? This works great for younger children. Use a timer and give out a prize that everyone will want. This is definitely a winner for families.
4. Reward them with points toward ice cream or other treats. Kids will do almost anything for rewards. Plus it’s a great way to teach them how the “real world” works. They will forever be ahead if they can develop a good work ethic while young.
5. Rotate weekly jobs between kids so they don’t get bored of the same things.

Cleaning doesn't have to be a boring old chore. It can be loaded with fun!

Teaching Kids Good Etiquette

Few things are more embarrassing than a rude and grievous child. On the flip side of that, it feels great when you and your child are praised for their wonderful behavior. Most people are conscious to teach their children the very basics, but theorizing is much different from the practical application. It is not really enough to just teach them to say please and thank you at home or to just you, they should be expected to say them when out as well. So often we see children that don't exercise even the simplest of manners and proper etiquette in stores, restaurants, and even, while playing with other children. Here are a few ways to strengthen the etiquette that you are teaching your child at home:

• Teach Them to Always Ask Compel your child to reciprocate kindness when playing. It is best that they ask for the things that they would like, as opposed to grabbing or taking them. When asking, they should know that using the word "please" is an absolute necessity. If they use it in their casual, comfortable settings, they will not have problems using it in a more formal setting. Make it a norm, and not the exception.
• Teach Them to Always Consider Others. Many children, by nature, have a difficult time empathizing with others when it comes to things that they themselves want. So, it is highly likely that, unless you teach your child otherwise, that they will become physically aggressive or have an emotional outbursts at a time of sharing. At the dinner table, they get what they want and eat with reckless abandon. That, as we all know, is not good. Proper etiquette renders it necessary to offer to share, whether the person wants it or not. Help them to think about the situation and to do what is mannerly, "I like pizza. I think Jan likes pizza too. There's only one slice left. Maybe I should ask Jan if she would like to share it me?" Teach your child this and you may become less selfish and more giving as a person.
• Always Expect The Best Behavior. Never let your child go around being unruly. This type of negative behavior directly reflects on you. If your child does something by accident, explain to them the value of saying, "Excuse me." If your child does something intentionally bad or causes someone discomfort, require that they offer an adequate apology. An apology is an acknowledgement of inappropriate actions, and a request for a pardon because of a lack in judgment. It should not be rushed or filled with a cross-accusation.

Kids are good, but they can be better if we take the time to guide them with regard to socially acceptable behavior. With any of these tips, remember to acknowledge your child when they are mannerly. Praise them and treat them with respect. The pride that they will have will be a springboard to greater etiquette success.

Teaching Kids Respect

Limits are a key part of life. Knowing what is and is not acceptable is extremely important, and can be a gauge as to how far you can go in general. With that comes respect and its place in our society. Without respect, we would live in a world of utter confusion and chaos. When it comes to educating our children about respect, we must first be...respectable.

That being said, your children should learn respect at home first. You will need to teach them to respect things that belong to other people. That means that they cannot just go around touching and taking everything. This teaches them to respect laws. You will teach them how to speak with calmness in their voice, speaking up as appropriate without being too aggressive. This teaches them to speak respectfully. As time goes on, and your child grows, they will question your role and position. You will work to help them to understand that most things that you do are for their good and the good of your family. Your role as a parent is a leadership position and that, as such, you are directly responsible for making some decisions for those that you are charged with raising. They will learn that it is in their best interest to follow your lead and to do as they are asked, as many requests will result in either a reward or a penalty. This will help them to understand and respect authority.

Your child should learn to appreciate differences. Everyone doesn't have the exact same upbringing and cultural diversity is a reality of our evolution as humans. We are all different and accepting a person's unique, or non-traditional, ways could open up the doors to many new learning opportunities and friendships.

As parents, we have to much to each our children. But, teaching them to appreciate, to taking instruction, and to be upright citizens will help them throughout the rest of their lives. Knowing that you have raised a respectful and positive citizen will make your decision to teach them about respect invaluable.

Teaching Kids to Embrace Multiethnic Backgrounds

It is believed by some that in the years to come, people won't be black or white...everyone will be beige. Whether that holds true or not, the reality is that with more and more cultural diversity in the US, will come more and more ethnically diverse marriages. A marriage between people of different ethnic backgrounds is really a celebration of the beauty of the human spirit. Love crosses the lines that distance and ignorance created. So, when a multiracial family decides to have children, people sometimes make demands on the family that are unfounded and, to be honest, very unnecessary.

Many things have changed in our society with regard to how we treat those of multiethnic backgrounds. But, as a parent of multiracial children it can be hard. Inevitably, the day will come when someone will require your child to "pick a side" so to speak. That day may be traumatic, or it may be a day of epiphany as your child comes into their own as an individual. Either way, there will need to be some discussion around the issues that they may face coming from a multiracial family.

One thing that is important for you or any other parent is to teach your child to appreciate himself. Treat their diverse background as a gift or special privilege. Help them to understand that it is a wonderful opportunity to live in a family that respects other cultures, and embraces people's differences. As a parent, you will need to make them know that they are special regardless of what society or anyone says about them. Your child is special and may have several different features that are non-traditional. They may have your husband's peach complexion and your thick curly hair, or maybe they have your dark Nubian complexion and your mother-in-law's baby blue eyes. Your child has wonderful opportunity to learn more about all of the parts that make up who they are. Truth is, your child may actually identify with one race more so than the other, and may make a personal decision to "classify" themselves. But, however, they decide to handle it, show them love and support, patience and understanding. Like all children, they will need it.

The Importance of Getting to Know Your Child’s Teachers

There are few things more important to a child than school. It is where they spend a large portion of their lives, coming and going. There friends are most likely at school. If they have been in the same school for years, it is possibly the center of their universe. Therefore, it is extremely important that parents make being active in their child’s school a key priority, as well as developing a positive relationship with your child’s teacher.

Whether or not you would have selected this person as an ally outside of the classroom, the reality is that the two of you are very important for each other’s success. This also holds true with regard to your child’s success. To forge an ongoing, open relationship with your child’s teacher, you need to make yourself available for communication. The two of you will need to speak, often, to ensure that you are aligned with regard to your child’s education. Parent-Teacher conferences present a perfect opportunity for opening up the lines of communication.

Additionally, having a good relationship with the teacher will help should any problems arise. Any sudden or saddening changes in your child’s life need to be shared with the teacher so that she can anticipate possible behavior changes and be prepared to address them.

Your child will greatly benefit from the relationship in that he or she will understand that his parents and teacher are there for him. The effect that this relationship will have on your child will be profound. So, make friends with your child’s teacher, it will help strengthen your home team.

Help! My Toddler Is Destroying My House

Children are not babies long enough. Right in the throws of the daily chores of diapering and bottle feeding, they start to become more independent. With independence comes the desire to exercise their free will. The toddler phase can be fun, sweet, and frantic at times, especially when your toddler's exploration starts to turn your home into a disaster area. Many times, they are not actually "trying" to make a major mess. They are just touching, learning, and experimenting.

Try these few tactics to minimize the mess:

1. Keep them busy. Your child may get into things that you don't want them in because they are bored and looking for something to do.
2. Let them make a mess...on your terms. Provide a time and place where they can mix things together, finger paint, even write on the bathtub walls with special soap. They need this outlet and they will learn that there it is not good to make a mess all of the time, but when it is done in a constructive setting there won't get a time out for making it.
3. Teach them not to touch everything. Self-discipline is a very valuable skill, especially for young children. As a parent, you will need to set limits so that they understand what is acceptable and what is totally inappropriate. This will become increasingly important when they enter school. So, start them early by helping them to learn to keep their hands off, show them how to touch things gently, and teach them that their actions can cause things to be destroyed. Play a self control game with them where they can practice sitting still and controlling their hands.
4. Don't accept graffiti in your home. Create an art center or space where your child can flex their creative muscle. The art center will have art supplies that are to be used only in that designated place, and maybe even a blackboard wall for using chalk. This will help your child to start to understand organization and that everything has a proper place. Often they will write on the walls because they don't have paper or because they are roaming with pencils and pens (very dangerous), or crayons. Reinforce the importance of creating only in that space and encourage them to do more works of art in their special art center.
5. Clean up can be fun. Sing a song while you clean and as you teach your child to clean. Show them how to identify trash and where it goes. Praise and reward them when they do a great job.
6. Don't allow your child to eat or drink all over the house, where spills are bound to happen. Teach them proper etiquette, such as sitting as you eat, using napkins, and utensils. Give them a special treat such as their own set of utensils featuring their favorite characters. This, too, will help them to understand the value of being neat and orderly as they take their meals.

You may be pleasantly surprised at how well your toddler responds as you set limits and guide them with more appropriate activities. Applaud your toddler when they do something well and they will want to continue to do well. There are many benefits to establishing and maintaining an orderly home. So, teach your children this and prepare to enjoy your clean, peaceful home.

6 Tips to Help Kids Want to Take a Bath

I don’t know about your kids, but all too often my kids don’t want to bathe...for days...Yuck! Bath time does not have to be blah time. It can be a load of fun. They would rather do almost anything else except…bathe. To offset their avoidance tricks, you will need to add a little spice to the bath time regime.

Here are a few basic ways to make bath time one of the most wacky parts of the day:

• Add roll on soap.Roll on soap can be found in a number of places. You can even order online or through an Avon representative. It is a perfect addition to revive the run-of-the-mill bath time agenda. Your children will be able to roll the soap on themselves, on the walls (which, of course, is the ultimate kid play place), and even on you. Putting a big purple dab of soap on a dad’s nose will make the kids want to bath all day, every day.
• Use funky washcloths. You can buy crazy washcloths that feature either favorite characters and themes, or you can make your own washcloth work of art. Simply add fabric or patchwork embellishments to a regular washcloth, tie dye it or dye it a bright, attention grabbing color. Who could resist a bath with a googly eyed washcloth? It would be very, very hard to pass that by.
• Let them splash! You would be surprised how liberating splashing is for a kid. Knowing that they can make a mess will make the kids want to jump in for their bath.
• Play zany music. You can turn using the music into a game if you have more than one child in the tub. Many children are very competitive, and as such, anything that implies that the “winner” will receive a prize, will make any event fun.
• Make funny hair dos. Just by adding a few drops of shampoo, you can get a great lather that will lead to some of the most wild and ridiculous hair do’s. Treat your child like they are at a spa or fancy resort. Put on your best “upscale” attitude and treat your child like the star that they are.
• Turn off the phones, televisions, and video games. Give the kids your full attention when they are in the bath tub. Do your best NOT to try to “find” stuff to do to avoid the woes of the normal bathtime regimen.

Children NEED to wash up or take a bath daily. Why not make the process a little less process oriented? Bath time fun can encourage your children to seek to be clean everyday. Now, isn’t that worth a few strokes of roll on soap?!?

The Power of Kind Words

Children are people. They have their own thoughts, their own feelings, and their own ideals. They also have their own likes and dislikes, which includes, but is not limited to friends, foods, games, and etc. The list can go on and on. The question arises as to how we can teach these individuals to cooperate, compromise, and show compassion. In others, how can we get them to get along?

Here are three ways to help your children to be better, more amiable, and considerate young people:

1. Teach your children the age old adage to treat others the way that they would like to be treated. Helping children to redirect their anger or frustration, as well as teaching them to be practical about their expectations could make them less likely to have unrealistic ideals for people. If they know that no one wants to be treated mean, including themselves, or that others have their own feelings that will help them to see things from another person's perspective. This is a very important skill that will benefit them throughout life.
2. Be a model of good works. As a parent, you have a perfect opportunity to show your child how they should behave in handling difficult situations. Be they will a family member or through everyday transactions, the way that your child observes you behaving could be a great or poor example of how they should conduct themselves. So, you will have to be very mindful to do the right thing, especially in front of the kids.
3. Express to your children the power of a kind word. Siblings will probably have more fights than just about anybody. Teach your children to love and respect each other, and each other's opinions. They will not always agree, but they can learn to handle their disagreements better. By encouraging your children to speak positively to each other, before, after, and even during a disagreement, they will learn to harness the power of a kind word. It's very hard to argue with someone when they are telling you how smart, funny, or wonderful you are! It's a perfect way to diffuse the tension.

All of these are great techniques for bridging communication. By teaching your children empathy, love, and compassion, you may see that they will argue a lot less.

5 Fun Things to Do With A Bed Sheet!

The majority of the population uses bed sheets to cover their beds. It seems like such a simple concept. But, bed sheets can be so much more than just a plain old covering. Here are five cool things that you can do with bed sheets:

1. Play tug of war. That is a super exciting way to enjoy your bed sheets. Your family will love playing this age old game, with each team pulling to be the winner.
2. Turn it into a cape. Every home needs a superhero. Just put the sheet around your neck, bringing the two corners together in front. Then tie and voila...you are the next great hero.
3. Picnic anyone? Fold the sheet to make a fun indoor picnic area. Your family will really enjoy eating your way happy at an indoor picnic. The crazier the place, the better.
4. Make a tent! Bed sheets make the best tents for an indoor camping adventure.
5. Play dress up by making the sheet a toga or a bridal "gown" with a long train.

Bed sheets can be used for great fun. So, uncover the many cool uses of your favorite bed sheets for a great time!

Five Reasons To Volunteer At Your Child’s School

Schools are at the heart of our society. They are a safe haven for life’s most precious commodities, our children. They are also a training ground for the tomorrow’s leaders. We pay for our schools with our hard earned tax dollars, but they still have needs that sometimes go unsatisfied. That’s where the parent volunteer comes in.

Consider these five reasons for why you should volunteer at your child’s school:

1. Teachers need help. Teachers have tons to do and sometimes the work load is more than one person can handle. Not so much the actual teaching, it’s the lesson preparation that can be time consuming and take away from the actual instructional time.
2. Your child needs to know that you are interested in their lives. When you volunteer, you send a very powerful message to your child that you care about who they are even when they are not in your presence.
3. The school needs help. Often there are events that need to be organized and worked for the betterment of the school. You may have the extra skills or, even, just an extra pair of hands that they need to make the event go well.
4. The PTA needs your expertise. The Parent Teacher Association or Organization, whatever it’s called at your child’s school, needs all of the help that they can get. You can work along with the rest of the PTA to raise funds for the school, to develop school improvement strategies, and to facilitate a positive social and educational experience for your child.
5. It will make you feel good. You will be very proud as you see your volunteer efforts making an impact in the lives of the families that are a part of your child’s school.

There is an African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child. Be an active part of the “village”, not just for you, but for the community at large, that way, everybody benefits.

5 Tips to Choosing a Summer Camp

Before you know it, summer will be here. Summer can feel like an eternity if it there is "nothing" to do during those long, hot days. With it comes what will seem like a countless number of days that need to be filled with some type of activity for the kids. As a parent, we have to realize what summer actually means for a child. These same children were used to getting up, for some, at the crack of dawn, and spending whole days in a very social and active environment. Now, with summer comes lots of alone time or less structured activities. That is good also, but for some children they need the buzz of knowing that there is a lot for them to accomplish. Hence, the reality that some parents will need to seriously consider...SUMMER CAMP.

Here are a few things to mill over before making a choice on the summer camp that best suits your family’s needs:

1. Think about summer early. You should know that you will need to start very early when deciding on summer camps. The best ones will fill up very quickly, sometimes as early as late April. So, by May or June, there is little selection.
2. Expect to pay. There is definitely an expense that accompanies summer camp. Very, very few are free. Even your local recreation commission may charge a fee, and depending on the number of children that you have, that cost could quickly mount. Weekly prices can range from $20 per child to upwards of $1000. Sibling discounts are sometimes available, but most reduce the fee by only about 10-20 percent. So, start saving your pennies.
3. Overnight, Half day, full day, or hourly sessions. Most camps are offered in one of these four formats. So, you will have to decide how long each day that you want your kids participate. Note that the weekly pricing may be for a half day of activity, so, you may end up with deciding to send them to two half-day programs, which could mean twice the expense. Overnight camp is usually the most expensive option and your child's age, as well as their ability to adapt to new environments should be key factors in your decision regarding their readiness for an overnight camping experience.
4. Pick a type of camp. You will have an abundance of camp choices, ranging from the arts to sports and everything in between. Take your child's interest into consideration first and try not to get too stuck on them doing what you want them to do. You want them to have fun!
5. Decide when they will go. While summer may seem like its forever, it isn't. There are only about 10-12 weeks of actual free summer time. So, you will need to plan accordingly. If your child has to attend summer school, they may need a little break before starting another program. So, the timing of their participation is something that you will need to work out.

Overall, choosing a summer camp can be a lot of fun for you and your family. At the end of the day, no matter what they end up doing, your primary goal should be for them to be enriched. Even a fun, crazy circus camp can be a great learning experience for your kids. Hey, you may learn a trick or two yourself before it's all over!

Kids Bread Dough

• 1 Tbs. Yeast
• 1/2 c. warm water
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/3 c. flour

This is the best dough for kids to shape and design into pretzels– sharks flowers– etc.… my kids love this! Remind them not to eat the dough! Prepare yeast in warm water. Set aside for 10 minutes. Mix all other ingredients then add the yeast. Mix until dough forms. Dough will be sticky. Knead by hand for a minute or two then let the kids have at it. You can add anything you want into the dough like chocolate chips, cheese, mnm’s etc.. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 425 for 10 minutes. ( Bake a little longer if their creations are fatter!)

Bread in A Baggie

Take 1 large zip lock bag and let your child add:

• 1TBS. Yeast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 c. whole wheat flour

Seal the bag and let the kids shake it to mix

Open the bag and add:

• 2 TBS. oil
• 3 tsp. honey
• 1 c. luke warm water

Get out all of the air bubbles, reseal the bag and let the kids mush it and mix it until it is smooth.

Open the bag and add:

• 1 c. white flour
• 1/2 c. wheat flour

Reseal the bag and have the kids knead the bag for 10 minutes. Place the bag in a warm place and let rise until double in size. Then have the kids open the bag and punch it down.. Place the dough in a greased bread pan , cover and let it rise on more time until bread reaches the top of the pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Let each child do their own baggie and you will a lot of bread!

Chocolate Turtles

• 2 squares (1oz each) unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 c. butter
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1c. flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate and butter in microwave 30 seconds at a time. Set aside to cool. Mix in the sugar and then the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour and vanilla. Heat waffle iron to medium low. Drop by tablespoons onto waffle iron. Bake 1-2 minutes. Cool. Spread with chocolate frosting or powdered sugar.

4 Easy Cold Treats for Hot Summer Days

Summer can be extremely warm. Whether you think that the heat is cool or whether you dread it, the reality is that summer is usually very hot. On these long, lazy days kids will crave something refreshing to help them stay cool. Here are a few easy and fun cold treats to beat the summer heat:

• Pudding pops Using store bought pudding cups, pour the prepared pudding into a popsicle mold or simply stick 2 clean popsicle sticks in each pudding cup. Freeze. Then, remove from the freezer and eat. Kids will love the creamy pudding taste.
• Yogurt sticks Yogurt tubes are perfect for this treat. Just pop them in the freezer and on a hot day, pull them out and enjoy.
• Simple Slushy Make a homemade slushy, similar to an ICEE that you get at convenience stores. Just pour your favorite soda in an ice cube tray or other freezer ready mold. Once frozen, remove and place in blender. Blend it until it is the desired consistency. You can even mix in a little ice cream to create a deliciously creamy slushy treat.
• Frozen Fruit Berries, grapes, bananas, and kiwi make great frozen fruits to enjoy on a hot summer day. Just wash the fruit, cut it if you want, and place in a plastic bag or container. Freeze. Frozen fruit can be added to other foods or in frozen drink treats. They are great when dipped in chocolate syrup or whipped topping.

While these are wonderful, summertime treats, you should monitor young children, as the frozen pieces may be too thick for them and possibly could pose a hazard. So, be careful with the little ones. For those old enough to indulge in these sweet and cool treats, enjoy!

Fun Food for After School Snacks

Your kids have had a long day. Between tests, recess, and facing the demands of homework, your children often feel drained by the end of the day. Sometimes they may need an extra boost, both nutritionally and emotionally, to help them to stay focused and keep moving to accomplish all that they have before them.

Here are some great, fun after school snack ideas that are sure to get a giggle from them and perk them up:

• You’re A Star Sandwiches Make a sandwich with low fat peanut butter and sliced bananas on whole wheat bread. Using a star shaped cookie cutter, press down on the completed sandwich to make 1 or 2 stars. This also works well with heart shaped or flower shaped cookie cutters.
• Flower Crackers Overlap crackers on a plate to form a circle, with each cracker meeting in the middle. Add a dollop of hummus in the center of the circle of crackers. Place a string cheese stick under it to make the “stalk”. You can even cut off diagonal bits of the string cheese to create the “leaves” and place them where the cheese stick and crackers meet.
• Graham Cracker Card Use a stalk of celery for the spine. Fill it with peanut butter or cheese spread. Place a stack of two graham crackers next to it and push them into the spread or peanut butter to appear almost open. On the top graham cracker, make a happy face or write a special message with the spread, icing, or peanut butter.

These cool after school snacks will help you and your child to end the day on a happy note. Their eyes will light up and the hugs that will follow will put a smile on your face. Happy snacking!