Seminary questions

havejoy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 06:16 PM

I've been recently told that I may be getting released as RS Pres. and called as Seminary Teacher. I'm an adult convert so I know absolutely nothing about Seminary. At all. Nada. Nothing.
Sooooooo anything you can tell me about Seminary would be good.
Thanks

Flyonthewall · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 10:20 PM

If you don't live in Utah, then it will begin around 6:00am. It's like Sunday School and regular school mixed together.
Good luck with it.

tubaloth · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 11:05 PM

The basics, you would teach High School kids from the scriptures. Most of the lessons are kind of like teaching sunday school but they get into more detail (you are teaching 5 times a week instead of just 1 lesson on sunday).
Usually you do have some open exercises. A opening song, maybe a scripture, and prayer. Usually this is all done from the members of the class, you can choose how you want to carry this out. But you probably want to 1 give everyone a chance, but also if people feel they can't pray in that type of setting to not force them.

The biggest thing is to find creative ways to help them learn the principles taught in the scriptures. Really, do as the scriptures teach us, to liken all scriptures to ourselves. I remember many times playing different games (breaking the class up, into groups) and playing some type of game. Also the teacher would try to do a lot of object lessons.

One last thing there are scripture mastery scriptures. I thinks it 25 per book (like 25 scriptures in the Book of Mormon, 25 in D&C and so forth) But they try to get the kids to memorize them, and pass them off for rewards (bribes are always good). I never was that good at memorize scriptures. But I do remember some of them (2 Nephi 2:25)!!!! (You know its in the Latter Days when You google Scripture Mastry and find this Scripture Mastery Scriptures - LDS Seminary Daily Scripture)

I'm not sure how different seminary is outside of Utah. In Utah (like the other guy said) its actually part of the High School day. We have a Seminary building built right by the High school and they take it as one of the classes during the day! I guess the only reason its a allowed is because they get enough credit in the rest of High School.
Enjoy!

havejoy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 11:13 PM

Thanks. I live in Texas so I guess the classes are held at the church?
Is there a book/manual to teach from like the ones we used in YW?
Is there a dress code for the class? Me?
Is one book of scripture covered each year? If so, what will next year's book be?

MsMagnolia · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 11:28 PM

You should receive training before the seminary year starts. Find out who the stake seminary coordinator is and contact them.
The materials that you receive at the beginning of the year usually are:
1.teacher's manual (lesson plans to give you ideas to teach the Gospel principles), 2.Student manuals for each student (more activities for the students and a great resource) I use the student manual activitiies for make up work for my students. also 3.you will receive a set of videos for the year and a video teacher's guide. There is also a teacher'e instruction manual with the teaching emphasis of the church.
There are also online resources for teachers at ldsces.org.

I am so excited for you I have taught seminary for several years and have loved it. We just finished up the old testament this year. The major emphasis of our region's seminary program was to get the students to apply the principles in the scriptures to themselves.

Our seminary program starts at 5:45am because I have students that scatter to three different schools and some of them ahave to travel 30 minutes away. You may also call a "seminary president" to organize the devotionals for your classroom. Seminary is supposed to be student driven. They start the class off with devotional. We, as teachers, make the opporotunities available to them for those leadership responsibilies.
I hope this helps.
feel free to pm me if you would like additional information.
Shannan

siempre · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 03:37 AM

As a seminary student in WA, my experience is roughly the same as previously mentioned. However, it should be mentioned that you shouldn't feel pressured to make every day a formal lecture period. Especially when it's so early in the morning, sitting and listening to a lecture Sunday-school style is almost unbearable - wonderful scripture principles or not.

That's not to say that it should be total chaos and a zoo. It shouldn't, in my humble opinion. Especially if you're teaching freshmen.... :]

I'm a senior this year, and our instructor this year does a wonderful job of making the lessons more like general discussions of principles, or telling funny anecdotes. Once a week he'll also set aside ten minutes or so for us all to talk with him and catch him up on what's going on in our lives. The tendency (at least where I live) is to make Sunday school a really stuffy and formal experience. That sort of dry atmosphere does not work AT ALL when its 6 am and you're exhausted from writing a paper until the wee hours the night before.

As far as a dress code, for students standard modesty applies. The instructors in our stake wear Sunday dress, but I don't know if that's nation-wide or just our region.

Next year will be the New Testament, if it's the same across the country.

Hope I helped!

Lolgirl · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 03:48 AM

Is there a book/manual to teach from like the ones we used in YW?
Is there a dress code for the class? Me?
Is one book of scripture covered each year? If so, what will next year's book be?

There is.Your Bishop will give it to you.

Not really.Just be modest.

We cover the four books ,this year it is the Old Testament so next year it should be the New Testament

Palerider · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 09:09 AM

My wife taught seminary here in our Home for 8yrs.....we had it here cause it was closer for all to come to our home instead of the church. It was at 5:30 in the morning. There is a CES Coordinator who will help you and you will get manuals. You will keep the manuals cause they are awesome.

MsMagnolia · #9 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 11:43 AM

The dress code for a seminary teacher is church dress. There are exceptions i.e if a person has to leave for work from the seminary classroom.
Each year focuses on a specific book of scripture. This year was Old Testament, next year will be New Testament. The year after that will be Book of Mormon and the year after that will be Doctrine and Covenants. That was each youth has the opporotunity to study all the cannonized scriptures.
It is a program that is inspired of God and can help in the building of testimonies. I love seminary!

havejoy · #10 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 04:43 PM

Thanks everyone! I love that the church will provide me with all the manuals and study guides. It helps a lot to know that.
I couldn't/can't ask anyone around my ward/stake yet because it won't happen until mid June if it happens at all. My Bishop told me to be praying about it because I'm on the short list being considered for this calling. I have to say I'm really excited about being released as RS Pres. It'll be great to have my life back.

I'm not a professional teacher by any means so my teaching style tends to be a lot of class interaction. This will be necessary at 6:00am or we'll all fall back to sleep.