EEK.... What have I done? and Help

[AngelLynn]

Long story, a sister in our ward works at the Salvation Army Adult Day Care center where my brother goes in each day, as he has Downs Syndrome and this is where he spends most of his time. Anyway one of the sisters phoned and said that a peice of tupperware that was left behind. Anyway I was there when she answered the door. She asked me if I would teach a class for her in the next week as she would be out of town. I agreed thinking in my mind that it would be for primary. I've taught primary classes before, but to my horror and my revelation from my mom I found out that it isn't Primary I am teaching, it's Relief Society and I have to teach from the Manuel. Chapter 28 of the Teachings of Presidents of the Church.: Joseph Smith. I've never taught adults before and I am slightly unhinged at the fact that I so willingly volunteered without realizing what I got into.

So now I am asking is there any advice on how to teach a lesson, and how to make sure I don't run over on time. And how I can manage to get enough group participation in the lesson as well? I am horrible on time management.

[applepansy]

Angel, preparation is key. Start with prayer. Find the concepts or principles within the lesson. As you read through the lesson with the sisters, ask questions that prompt thought and discussion. Then once you get them talking its usually just a matter of directing the discussion. Don't read it all word for word in your lesson but pick out parts that stick out to you. The women who teach in our ward ask people before class to help in the reading. (type up slips of paper with what you want read, number them so you can say "who has #1, can you read that please)

I'm sure you'll do fine.

applepansy

P.S. I taught my first RS lessons when I was 18 and RS was held mid week. I lived in a ward where I couldn't get anyone to talk. I survived and you will too. It will be a good experience. . . all the really good experiences come with some struggle.

[Maxel]

I echo applepansy's advice, and add a little bit of my own.

Don't just start with prayer: inject heartfelt prayer throughout the course of preparation. You don't have to stop every other minute and fold your arms and pray, but keep a running prayer through your heart while researching and preparing. Doing so will help keep your conduit to the Holy Ghost open and keep your heart receptive to inspiration.

Good luck! I'm rooting for you.

[Madriglace]

These lessons are so long that you will never ever get through everything in them ... start your preparation with prayer and then read the entire lesson ... then I found that if you leave it for awhile and then come back and reread it certain parts will sort of jump out at you, use those sections to build your lesson. Get the sisters talking (don't ask yes and no questions) and the lesson will take care of itself as long as you keep them on track. Sometimes you have to gently lead them back to where they need to be. One caution ... use only the lesson manual and the scriptures as the brethern have instructed. I taught in RS for 6 years ... I miss it but I do love my rowdy teens in Sunday School so much! You'll do great ... just listen to the spirit.

[AngelLynn]

Actually I just called the sister and found out that I don't have to teach this week. She just asked me to teach incase she couldn't teach. I guess this means I am her backup/substitute. I am greatly relieved but thanks for all the advice. And I know it will be helpfull later on.

[Elgama]

treat it like a primary lesson lol if that is your strength, however shift the attention activity to midway through, have yet to meet a RS that hasn't enjoyed a quiz or some sort of activity in the middle of the lesson. Like yourself my experience is mostly nursery/primary. so when handed a lesson in RS I go with prayer and use the strengths

-Charley

[Berean]

Actually Egalma's right. It can be fun to...well, have fun. And yes, prayer, preparation, and asking for lots of input are great ideas. Relief Society teacher was my favorite calling and although I love teaching in Primary I do miss the "grown-up" classes.