1. Don’t take a whole day doing a Scripture Mastery Game. It’s too long and you will lose half the class, and the value of the activity after 20 minutes or so. On those days, do a short lesson or review, and then do the game the last half of class. If you use the first half of the class for the game, you will never get them back.
2. Don’t make scripture chasing games a “Friday Thing”. Change it up. Perhaps use the flex-days from the pacing guide.
3. Don’t let them tell each other references or page numbers, or use their bookmarks very long. If they can’t recall the reference from the key words, then give hints from the Mnemonics. For instance, after you say, “I’ll go and do what the Lord commands”, then give hints from the mnemonics like, “How many brothers did Nephi take with him?”, “Do you remember they drank 7-up while they traveled?”
2. Don’t make scripture chasing games a “Friday Thing”. Change it up. Perhaps use the flex-days from the pacing guide.
3. Don’t let them tell each other references or page numbers, or use their bookmarks very long. If they can’t recall the reference from the key words, then give hints from the Mnemonics. For instance, after you say, “I’ll go and do what the Lord commands”, then give hints from the mnemonics like, “How many brothers did Nephi take with him?”, “Do you remember they drank 7-up while they traveled?”
"Study Buddies"
Perhaps no other thing you do as a seminary teacher will have a greater lasting impact, than getting your students in a habit of daily scripture study. Our Church S&I Administrator, Chad Webb recently expressed his concern that the greatest barrier to youth graduating from Seminary this year, might be reading the scripture text for the year. Do you know how your students are doing with this? Find out and encourage them. So many students have not gotten into a habit of daily scripture study. The following might help.
As the poster and handout suggest, “Study Buddies” is “How to Never Miss Another Day of Scripture Study” again.
How it works is simple:
As the poster and handout suggest, “Study Buddies” is “How to Never Miss Another Day of Scripture Study” again.
How it works is simple:
- Get in a group of 2 or more.
- Read in the scriptures each day.
- Then you message WHAT your FAVORITE PART was to the group.
- Feel free to kindly tease those who miss.
- Text, FB, Email, it doesn’t matter.
study_buddies_handout.pdf | |
File Size: | 131 kb |
File Type: |
study_buddies_sign.pdf | |
File Size: | 182 kb |
File Type: |
March Madness
I love March. For those who don’t know, this is the month that college basketball teams from all over the nation battle it out for #1. For me, March also seems to be the time that hope is back in the air. Help your kids feel that. I know that some of you teachers do a little competition with March Madness to decrease TARDIES, and increase READING. There are many ways to do this. One way is to break the class into two EVEN teams for the month of MARCH and let them choose a team name. Then you can set up a hoop (converted trashcan can work) in the room and then at the end of class, if they READ they can shoot for their team, and if they were there ON TIME, they can shoot. I would give them the option of choosing to take their earned shots at a 2 point or 3 point line. Over the month the teams will battle it out by being on time and reading.
The trick to all this is don’t let it take much class time. For this reason, let them simply mark being on time and reading as they come in. (Don’t take class time for that!) Then leave the last 3 minutes of class for the shooting for the entire month.
The trick to all this is don’t let it take much class time. For this reason, let them simply mark being on time and reading as they come in. (Don’t take class time for that!) Then leave the last 3 minutes of class for the shooting for the entire month.
Scripture Man
This morning I overheard a teacher and class president talking about scripture mastery games and how they can sometimes feel too contentious. I think we have all been there before. But it made me want to share one of my favorites Scripture Mastery Games that doesn’t bring contention like many games, yet students also say is one of their favorites. It’s called “Scripture Man”.
Click on the image to see the game sheet. Before class, make a copy of the Scripture Man half sheet for each student. Before hand, you will also need to cut up small pieces of paper with each having one of the coordinates written on it (A1, C3, D5...). Put those small papers in a hat or bowl to randomly draw from during the game.
In class, have your students fill out the Scripture Man board as indicated on the handout. To play the game, give a Scripture Mastery clue and then count down 15 seconds and call “Time”. Then pull out a square and ask the class what the right answer was. Those who got to the reference in time, get the points from that square. In other words, those who get to the correct page get the square that is chosen. As they get the hang of the game, go to 10 seconds or less. I also like to draw a grid on the board for myself and fill it out so I am also in the game and the kids see me getting points and losing them too. I have found this game is particularly good with classes that get too competitive because they are only competing with themselves.
This is also a fun game to help teach the story line and details of a scripture block (like in the Book of Acts). To do this, give them a chapter to study (or set of verses) in a few minutes. Then when that time it up, ask the class a question in which the answer is found in the verses. Have them write the correct answer on the back of their papers. Then ask the class what the correct answer is. Then if they wrote the correct answer on the back, they get the square you randomly chose for Scripture Man. Make sure you stop to talk about the lessons in the verses as they come up.
Click on the image to see the game sheet. Before class, make a copy of the Scripture Man half sheet for each student. Before hand, you will also need to cut up small pieces of paper with each having one of the coordinates written on it (A1, C3, D5...). Put those small papers in a hat or bowl to randomly draw from during the game.
In class, have your students fill out the Scripture Man board as indicated on the handout. To play the game, give a Scripture Mastery clue and then count down 15 seconds and call “Time”. Then pull out a square and ask the class what the right answer was. Those who got to the reference in time, get the points from that square. In other words, those who get to the correct page get the square that is chosen. As they get the hang of the game, go to 10 seconds or less. I also like to draw a grid on the board for myself and fill it out so I am also in the game and the kids see me getting points and losing them too. I have found this game is particularly good with classes that get too competitive because they are only competing with themselves.
This is also a fun game to help teach the story line and details of a scripture block (like in the Book of Acts). To do this, give them a chapter to study (or set of verses) in a few minutes. Then when that time it up, ask the class a question in which the answer is found in the verses. Have them write the correct answer on the back of their papers. Then ask the class what the correct answer is. Then if they wrote the correct answer on the back, they get the square you randomly chose for Scripture Man. Make sure you stop to talk about the lessons in the verses as they come up.
Scripture Mastery Pyramid
This scripture mastery game helps strengthen that memorization connection between the key words and the references. It is based off of the TV show “$10,000 Pyramid” which later became “$20,000 Pyramid”, which later became…$25k, $50K… “$100,000 Pyramid” (Boy, inflation is tough!). Even Donny Osmond was the host at one time.
Just click on the image to download the instructions. Naturally, adjust to the needs of your own class.
Just click on the image to download the instructions. Naturally, adjust to the needs of your own class.
STUDENTS vs. TEACHER
By this far into the year, you should have gone over all the scripture mastery scriptures. In this activity, your students try to stump you as the teacher. Write on the top of the board “STUDENTS vs. TEACHER”. Have your students get out their Scripture Mastery cards. Then, one at a time, have them say any 5 consecutive words from the scripture, and you have to say the reference. If you get the reference right, “TEACHER” gets a point. If they stump you, “STUDENTS” get a point.
Half way through the time you wanted to play, switch it and make it Teacher vs. Students by you saying any 5 consecutive words and they have to say the reference.
Playing so the losers have to bring a treat the next day for the other can be a fun addition. Placing a 5 second time limit can also help. You can also do 5 consecutive words, but forwards or backwards.
Half way through the time you wanted to play, switch it and make it Teacher vs. Students by you saying any 5 consecutive words and they have to say the reference.
Playing so the losers have to bring a treat the next day for the other can be a fun addition. Placing a 5 second time limit can also help. You can also do 5 consecutive words, but forwards or backwards.
Bocce Ball
Click on the picture to download the instructions. – For this scripture mastery game, the rules have been changed a bit from actual Bocce Ball. To play you will need some Bocce balls (Croquet balls work great) and a single golf ball. You will need to adjust this game depending on the size of your class. Divide your class into 3 teams . Place 3 chairs facing a wall (10-15 feet is good) with the middle chair having 2 balls on it and the other two chairs with only one ball on them. A scripture mastery clue is given and the first team to find the scripture gets to have the middle chair from where they will throw first in the round, and last. The teacher places “the Jack” (golf ball) between the chairs and the back wall. The players try to get their bocce ball as close to the Jack as they can. After all have thrown from their chairs, the team with their ball closest gets a point. It is okay if the balls hit or touch the Jack. It is also okay if the back wall is used. This game also works best on a carpeted floor. If the weather is good, it can also be played outside.
Bucket Ball
Click on the image to download the instructions for Bucket Ball (minus the cool looking kid). This far into the school year, you should not let students tell each other the references when a clue is given. Otherwise, what is the point of the game. If someone is stuck, then let the other students on their team tell them to turn pages one way or the other, but not tell the reference.
End of Year SM Breakfast
I am sending out this idea now because so many are approaching the end of the year and this will take a bit of planning. This is a nice event to help end the year. On this day you will probably want to ask some parents and/or bishopric members to help cook and/or help kids pass off scriptures. Depending on your budget, you can also assign out to parents different parts of the breakfast to bring or help make (pancakes, bacon, juice, plates, forks…).
On the given day, the kids will walk into the seminary to the smell of an incredible breakfast (remember the power of bacon!). Then they will go to their class(es) and be given the instructions and score sheet. Then they have the next 25 minutes, or so, to pass off as many scriptures as they can in order to get to the needed 320 points. They can pass it off with strait memorization or using the first letter of each word (for fewer points). Tell the kids not to worry if they have already passed off scriptures. That will just make it much easier to pass it off again. Once they have passed off enough scriptures to you or your parent helpers, then they are released to go into the place where the breakfast is there for them. The paper is there ticket to eat.
I am sending this out as a Word document so you can adjust and modify to your needs. Good luck and have fun.
On the given day, the kids will walk into the seminary to the smell of an incredible breakfast (remember the power of bacon!). Then they will go to their class(es) and be given the instructions and score sheet. Then they have the next 25 minutes, or so, to pass off as many scriptures as they can in order to get to the needed 320 points. They can pass it off with strait memorization or using the first letter of each word (for fewer points). Tell the kids not to worry if they have already passed off scriptures. That will just make it much easier to pass it off again. Once they have passed off enough scriptures to you or your parent helpers, then they are released to go into the place where the breakfast is there for them. The paper is there ticket to eat.
I am sending this out as a Word document so you can adjust and modify to your needs. Good luck and have fun.
Gotcha!
"Gotcha" is similar to the game "Slap Jack" but with some cool changes and additions. Click on the image here to download the game instructions.
Also, Click Here to download the alternative seat changeing rules. For some classes, this is easier to follow. Thanks Bro. Moon for sharing the idea.
Also, Click Here to download the alternative seat changeing rules. For some classes, this is easier to follow. Thanks Bro. Moon for sharing the idea.
Scripture Stacko
First, set up Janga or Uno Stacko on the teaching stand in front of the class. Then divide the class into two teams (boys vs. girls is great for this game). Once you are set up, give a scripture clue and watch for the first team to get it. The wining team then gets to decide whether they will pull 2 or 3 blocks from the stack (the other team must take the other option). The winning team also chooses which team pulls first.
Each block pulled is worth one point for the team who successfully gets it out and on the top of the stack. If the stack falls, the team at fault loses 5 points. Keep in mind the other rules that come with the game too.
Thanks for sharing this idea Brother Moon!
Each block pulled is worth one point for the team who successfully gets it out and on the top of the stack. If the stack falls, the team at fault loses 5 points. Keep in mind the other rules that come with the game too.
Thanks for sharing this idea Brother Moon!
High Card
This Scripture Mastery game is to help students recall the references from key words(but just a few at a time); so don’t let students tell each other the references.
To play, divide students evenly into rows (no more than 5 in a row). Then each row is given a stack of 25 cards with a Scripture Mastery Reference written on each (you can also use a regular stack of Scripture Mastery Cards that they got at the beginning of the year). These cards are disseminated evenly among the students in that row. Give the students a minute to familiarize themselves to the key words and references of their cards. Then the teacher calls out some key words. Only one person on each row will be able to hold up that card. The first person who holds up that card wins a point for their row.
After they are very familiar with their cards, have them rotate their hand of cards to the person behind them, and the person in the back to the front. Give them another minute to get familiar and play some more. After the game, they should have become quite familiar with the key words and references (if you didn’t let them help each other).
To play, divide students evenly into rows (no more than 5 in a row). Then each row is given a stack of 25 cards with a Scripture Mastery Reference written on each (you can also use a regular stack of Scripture Mastery Cards that they got at the beginning of the year). These cards are disseminated evenly among the students in that row. Give the students a minute to familiarize themselves to the key words and references of their cards. Then the teacher calls out some key words. Only one person on each row will be able to hold up that card. The first person who holds up that card wins a point for their row.
After they are very familiar with their cards, have them rotate their hand of cards to the person behind them, and the person in the back to the front. Give them another minute to get familiar and play some more. After the game, they should have become quite familiar with the key words and references (if you didn’t let them help each other).
Marshmallow Gun Scripture Mastery Game
“Honey, what do you want for Christmas?”
“A PVC marshmallow gun. It’s for Seminary…Please!”
I know, now that seminary is out for Christmas break, you have nothing to fill all that spare time, RIGHT? But here is a fun project for a scripture mastery game you can play next month. Actually PVC marshmallow guns are very cheap and fun to make (about $3 per gun –even less if you are making more than one). These are also great for family fun. Your kids and grandkids will love making new creative gun designs. There is no need to glue. Click on the picture to download some great building instructions from www.familycapers.com
For the scripture mastery game, there can be many variations. What I would do is divide the class in half. Send up a shooter from one team while the other team will have to chase. After you give the clue and say “Chase!” then one team will try to all find the reference, while the player from the other team is trying to shoot a target as many times as he can. Thus the one team wants to go as fast as they can to give the other team very little time to shoot. Then switch. The team with the most points wins. The other team gets to pick up all the marshmallows on the floor.
To keep things sanitary, buy extra couplers so each student can have their own. That way, when it is a student’s turn, they can place their own coupler on the end and they don’t have to put their lips where other students have. Later you can just drop all those couplers in the dishwasher.
Oh yeah. Buy a lot of marshmallow! :-)
“A PVC marshmallow gun. It’s for Seminary…Please!”
I know, now that seminary is out for Christmas break, you have nothing to fill all that spare time, RIGHT? But here is a fun project for a scripture mastery game you can play next month. Actually PVC marshmallow guns are very cheap and fun to make (about $3 per gun –even less if you are making more than one). These are also great for family fun. Your kids and grandkids will love making new creative gun designs. There is no need to glue. Click on the picture to download some great building instructions from www.familycapers.com
For the scripture mastery game, there can be many variations. What I would do is divide the class in half. Send up a shooter from one team while the other team will have to chase. After you give the clue and say “Chase!” then one team will try to all find the reference, while the player from the other team is trying to shoot a target as many times as he can. Thus the one team wants to go as fast as they can to give the other team very little time to shoot. Then switch. The team with the most points wins. The other team gets to pick up all the marshmallows on the floor.
To keep things sanitary, buy extra couplers so each student can have their own. That way, when it is a student’s turn, they can place their own coupler on the end and they don’t have to put their lips where other students have. Later you can just drop all those couplers in the dishwasher.
Oh yeah. Buy a lot of marshmallow! :-)
Spin the Dreidel
Click on the picture to download the instructions for the Spin the Dreidel Scripture Mastery Game.
This being December, we are approaching the Hanukkah season which has its ties to the Old and New Testament. Your class has learned how the Tabernacle, and other ancient temples, had a large candlestick Menorah which was to be constantly burning (Exodus 25:31-37). In the 400 years between the Old and New Testament, there was a battle which caused there only to be a one day supply of oil for the lamps. But a miracle occurred in which the one day’s worth of oil lasted for 8 days until more oil could be secured. In the New Testament this festival is mentioned briefly in John 10:22 and today Jews all over the world celebrate Hanukkah.
Hanukkah this year (2011) starts on sundown December 20, and ends December 28th. Traditionally during Hanukkah, after the Menorah is lit, it is customary in many homes to play the Dreidel game. This is a Scripture Mastery game based loosely off of the rules of the dreidel game. You can often find this inexpensive toy in many stores in their holiday sections. You can also call your local synagogue and they can direct you were to find a dreidel top. Have fun spinning the dreidel!
This being December, we are approaching the Hanukkah season which has its ties to the Old and New Testament. Your class has learned how the Tabernacle, and other ancient temples, had a large candlestick Menorah which was to be constantly burning (Exodus 25:31-37). In the 400 years between the Old and New Testament, there was a battle which caused there only to be a one day supply of oil for the lamps. But a miracle occurred in which the one day’s worth of oil lasted for 8 days until more oil could be secured. In the New Testament this festival is mentioned briefly in John 10:22 and today Jews all over the world celebrate Hanukkah.
Hanukkah this year (2011) starts on sundown December 20, and ends December 28th. Traditionally during Hanukkah, after the Menorah is lit, it is customary in many homes to play the Dreidel game. This is a Scripture Mastery game based loosely off of the rules of the dreidel game. You can often find this inexpensive toy in many stores in their holiday sections. You can also call your local synagogue and they can direct you were to find a dreidel top. Have fun spinning the dreidel!
Scripture Mastery Games With Word Strips
Word strip activities can help your students become very familiar with, and memorize, the scripture mastery scriptures. Usually it is best to use word strips with the longer scripture masteries scriptures that they may have gone over already.
To save you a ton of time in your preparations, I have placed the text of the Old Testament scripture masteries HERE IN THIS WORD DOCUMENT. That way you can just find the scripture you want and print that page only. Then you can just make the number of copies you need, cut them up, and place them in envelops. Since it is a Word document, you will also be able to modify it. Starting out you probably just want to have the word strips as long as the row would be when you print that page of the Word document. Later as your class becomes more proficient, you can cut the rows in half to increase the difficulty. Here are some activities and games you can do with scripture mastery word strips.
Up & At’em
A team comes up and each team member is given a word strip that they hold up in front of them as if showing the class. Then they have to run around and stand in the right order so the class can read the scripture mastery left to right. If there are more strips than team members, some will have to trade around and hold two strips out. Make your team sizes appropriate for how many strips that scripture has.
Speed
Here you would make multiple copies of the same word strips of the scripture mastery scripture. Each team is at a table and is given an envelope with that scripture mastery in it. When you say go, each team dumps the strips out of their envelop onto their table and try to put the scripture together in one long row. First team to finish correctly wins. In order to maximize participation, teams should not be much bigger than 5. Have them mix them up again and try to get faster. This can be a fast scripture mastery activity that you do for a few minute before the lesson.
STATIONS
Here you would have multiple stations set up around the room (the number or stations would depend on how many kids in your class). Between 3 and 5 is an ideal student group size. On each station table you would have an envelope containing the word strips to one of the longer scripture masteries you have already become familiar with in class. When you say go, each station will empty the word strips from their envelop and try to put it in order as fast as they can. If you want to add an element of competition, then say “go” when the second hand is at the top of the clock and start counting seconds. When a team says they have it, you call out to them how many seconds it took them and they record down their score. Then when each team has done each station, have them add up their combined score. Lowest score wins.
To save you a ton of time in your preparations, I have placed the text of the Old Testament scripture masteries HERE IN THIS WORD DOCUMENT. That way you can just find the scripture you want and print that page only. Then you can just make the number of copies you need, cut them up, and place them in envelops. Since it is a Word document, you will also be able to modify it. Starting out you probably just want to have the word strips as long as the row would be when you print that page of the Word document. Later as your class becomes more proficient, you can cut the rows in half to increase the difficulty. Here are some activities and games you can do with scripture mastery word strips.
Up & At’em
A team comes up and each team member is given a word strip that they hold up in front of them as if showing the class. Then they have to run around and stand in the right order so the class can read the scripture mastery left to right. If there are more strips than team members, some will have to trade around and hold two strips out. Make your team sizes appropriate for how many strips that scripture has.
Speed
Here you would make multiple copies of the same word strips of the scripture mastery scripture. Each team is at a table and is given an envelope with that scripture mastery in it. When you say go, each team dumps the strips out of their envelop onto their table and try to put the scripture together in one long row. First team to finish correctly wins. In order to maximize participation, teams should not be much bigger than 5. Have them mix them up again and try to get faster. This can be a fast scripture mastery activity that you do for a few minute before the lesson.
STATIONS
Here you would have multiple stations set up around the room (the number or stations would depend on how many kids in your class). Between 3 and 5 is an ideal student group size. On each station table you would have an envelope containing the word strips to one of the longer scripture masteries you have already become familiar with in class. When you say go, each station will empty the word strips from their envelop and try to put it in order as fast as they can. If you want to add an element of competition, then say “go” when the second hand is at the top of the clock and start counting seconds. When a team says they have it, you call out to them how many seconds it took them and they record down their score. Then when each team has done each station, have them add up their combined score. Lowest score wins.
"Huck'in Lucky!"
Here is a fun Scripture Mastery Game. Click on the picture to download the instructions and diagram. You can look at past posted games by clicking HERE.
Slap Jack!
Before you can have effective scripture chasing, your students first need to learn the references to the key words or clues. This game sharpens that skill. It will also help you see who is your fastest. Click on the picture to download the full instructions and also the game board for all 4 years of seminary.
Human Tic-Tac-Toe
Human Tic-Tac-Toe is a super fun Scripture Mastery game I saw at one stake’s Scripture Mastery Bowl last year. Click on the picture to download a paper that has the instructions and a diagram you can print.
Now that your class is getting familiar with the Scripture Masteries, you can start to play games. It's the beginning of the year so they may need their bookmarks to help, but try to wean them off of the bookmark as soon as possible. Perhaps instead of working with all 25, you could work with the first 8 or 12 mastery verses.
Now that your class is getting familiar with the Scripture Masteries, you can start to play games. It's the beginning of the year so they may need their bookmarks to help, but try to wean them off of the bookmark as soon as possible. Perhaps instead of working with all 25, you could work with the first 8 or 12 mastery verses.
Blowout!
With masking tape, make a 2 foot by 2 foot square on the carpet. Place a ping pong ball in the center of the square. Divide the class into 4 teams (each team sitting behind their side of the square). Each team is responsible to defend one side of the square. The teacher gives a clue and as soon as each member of that team has turned to the scripture, then they can send their representative (rotate them) to run up and, by blowing only (no hands): 1. prevent another team from blowing the ball past their line, and 2. try to blow the ping pong ball past another team’s line. No hands can go within the square, only heads and blowing. If the ball crosses a team’s line of defense, they get a point against them and that round ends. The team with the fewest points against them wins.
Modifications: If you have a smaller class, you may want to make a 2 foot triangle instead of square and break into only 3 teams. If you have a really small class, you may want to just divide into 2 teams and have a square with the other two sides being out of bounds. You can also make it interesting by surprising them and tossing in an extra ping pong ball.
Tip: make sure they spit out their gum before the game starts.
Modifications: If you have a smaller class, you may want to make a 2 foot triangle instead of square and break into only 3 teams. If you have a really small class, you may want to just divide into 2 teams and have a square with the other two sides being out of bounds. You can also make it interesting by surprising them and tossing in an extra ping pong ball.
Tip: make sure they spit out their gum before the game starts.
The Last Straw
For this game you will need some plastic drinking straws (one per student please) and two sets of scripture Mastery cards. The cards should be scattered on a table at the front of the class. Divide into two teams. The teacher gives the clue and a designated student from each team runs up and finds a card matching the clue. Then the student, using the straw only, sucks up the card and brings it to a table in front of his team. Once the team has the correct card on their table, then the whole team chases to find the Scripture Mastery in their scriptures. First team to all find it wins that round.
Scripture Mastery Scavenger Hunt
Divide the class into two teams. Give a clue and then each team works together to find it in their scriptures. The first team to all get there gets a point. That winning team then gets to call out a number from 1-50 (once a number is called, it can’t be called again). The teacher reads the item from the list and both teams race to see which can first place that item on the table that is between the teams. Some like to use a tapped off square on the floor instead of a table. It’s up to you. The first team to PLACE (not throw) the correct item on the table (not falling off), gets another point.
Once an item is placed on the table, it is out of play and has to stay there until the end of the game. For instance, if a “#2 Pencil” is called, and a young lady puts a purse that has a #2 pencil in it, then it counts but the purse and everything in it cannot be used again during the game. Students may not leave the room to get things. The team with the most points wins. Here is a list of items.
Once an item is placed on the table, it is out of play and has to stay there until the end of the game. For instance, if a “#2 Pencil” is called, and a young lady puts a purse that has a #2 pencil in it, then it counts but the purse and everything in it cannot be used again during the game. Students may not leave the room to get things. The team with the most points wins. Here is a list of items.
1. 2 Shoelaces
2. Wallet 3. Hair scrunchy 4. Marker 5. A Key 6. Sock with a hole 7. School picture of yourself 8. Left shoe 9. Stick of gum (un-chewed) 10.Red marking pencil 11.Library card 12.Learners permit 13.Chocolate 14.Belt 15.Sticker 16.Lip balm 17.Anything BSA 18.CTR ring 19.Cough drop 20.Anything Velcro 21.Cell phone 22.For Strength of Youth Pamphlet 23.Calculator 24.Hat 25.Paperback book |
26. Something that was alive
27. Note from a friend 28. Guitar pick 29. Picture of your family 30. Pass along card 31. Band-Aid 32. Kleenex 33. Three left shoes 34. Student ID card 35. Piece of hair over 6 inches long 36. Button 37. Digital Watch 38. Blush 39. Candy 40. Mariner’s anything 41. Brown shoe 42. Breath mint 43. Envelope 44. Eye drops 45. Young Women’s jewelry 46. Bookmark 47. Penny from 1980s 48. Perfume 49. Seahawks anything 50. Washington State quarter |
SURVIVOR
There are a lot of ways to play Scripture Mastery “Survivor”. Here is one way. Make two even “tribes”. The tribe which finds the scripture first gets to roll a dice and do the following:
· Role a 1. Vote a player off of the other tribe.
· Role a 2. Vote an original player back on to their tribe.
· Role a 3. Challenge a 1 on 1 with any member of their tribe, and any member of the other tribe. Whoever loses is off of their tribe.
· Roll a 4. Same challenge as rolling a 3 except the loser becomes a member of the other tribe.
· Roll a 5. Losing tribe can only use their left hands for the next round.
· Roll a 6. The tribe that just lost, just won. and instead of rolling the dice, they get to pick 1-5.
Tribe with the most survivors wins.
· Role a 1. Vote a player off of the other tribe.
· Role a 2. Vote an original player back on to their tribe.
· Role a 3. Challenge a 1 on 1 with any member of their tribe, and any member of the other tribe. Whoever loses is off of their tribe.
· Roll a 4. Same challenge as rolling a 3 except the loser becomes a member of the other tribe.
· Roll a 5. Losing tribe can only use their left hands for the next round.
· Roll a 6. The tribe that just lost, just won. and instead of rolling the dice, they get to pick 1-5.
Tribe with the most survivors wins.
Scripture Samurai
Scripture Samurai is one of my favorite Scripture Mastery Games ever. It is especially good for students to learn the key words associated with each scripture mastery. To play you need to get a pool noodle and cut it in half. That will be your Samurai sword. Arrange the tables to face each other in whatever shape, according to how many students you have. If you have a small class, two tables facing each other, and if you have a large class, you could have 5 tables in a pentagon shape with 5 students at each table. The samurai will be in the middle of the tables. The desks should be cleared of everything (including scriptures) unless they still need their book marks to know the references. In front of each student needs to be a paper hanging from his spot with a reference like, D&C 25:15. The teacher starts it by calling out someone’s key words. The person with that reference written in front of their desk needs to call out another person’s key words before the samurai hits their DESK (not student) with the noodle. Then the student with the scripture associated with those key words needs to call another’s key words… If the student’s desk is hit before another’s key words are said, then the samurai sits in their spot and that person becomes the new samurai. There will be one more student than spots to sit and you can only do as many spots (and scripture references) as you have students (maximum 25).
You can change things up a little bit by having students all move one chair to the right.
You can change things up a little bit by having students all move one chair to the right.
Scripture Chariot Races
This activity will only work if you have a gym with polished wood floors and some old blankets you don’t mind wearing out a bit more (a few gunny sacks could also work). The game is simple. Divide your class into 2 or 3 teams. Give a clue to the teams and as soon as everyone has it on the team (teacher has to give the go ahead), then they can begin to race. That works by having one student be the rider (sitting down on the blanket) and one student being the horse (pulling the rider by holding an end of the blanket, or by pulling a rope that the rider is holding the other end of). At the far end of the gym (not too close to the wall) have cones or chairs set up that the chariots need to round before coming back. First team to return wins the points for that round.
Musical Chairs
The idea is pretty simple. Have one less chair than students in a circle. When you give the clue, they walk around the chairs while chasing to the place in their scriptures. When they have found it, they can sit down. The student who is last to find it and sit down won’t have a chair so they are out. Then you take out another chair after each round. Fun.
Another variation is to get the Sons of Ammon CD that we made for you and randomly pick SM songs. They can chase as they recognize the verse. So the faster they become familiar with all 25, the faster they can chase. For this reason, this variation of the game might work better for later in the year. Let me know if this is confusing and you need some clarification.
Another variation is to get the Sons of Ammon CD that we made for you and randomly pick SM songs. They can chase as they recognize the verse. So the faster they become familiar with all 25, the faster they can chase. For this reason, this variation of the game might work better for later in the year. Let me know if this is confusing and you need some clarification.
Balloon Blast
Here is a game called Balloon Blast that a teacher shared.
Assign a particular color of balloons to each team. Type up clues to the 25 scripture mastery verses on paper, then cut, roll, and insert one clue into each balloon.
Scatter the uninflated balloons all over the floor in one area by the teacher. The teacher calls out “GO”. One member of each team runs to select a balloon in their color and takes it back to their team, where another student has to blow up, tie, and pop the balloon by sitting on it. The the balloon pops, the student reaches for the scripture clue inside the popped balloon. The student begins searching for the scripture. After the student finds the scripture, he or she writes the reference down on a piece of paper. Then and only ten, can another member go get another balloon and begin the process again.
Make sure that no one is going for more balloons before they have the correct answer on their paper. The team with the most correct SM verse on their paper at the end of the allotted time wins.
Assign a particular color of balloons to each team. Type up clues to the 25 scripture mastery verses on paper, then cut, roll, and insert one clue into each balloon.
Scatter the uninflated balloons all over the floor in one area by the teacher. The teacher calls out “GO”. One member of each team runs to select a balloon in their color and takes it back to their team, where another student has to blow up, tie, and pop the balloon by sitting on it. The the balloon pops, the student reaches for the scripture clue inside the popped balloon. The student begins searching for the scripture. After the student finds the scripture, he or she writes the reference down on a piece of paper. Then and only ten, can another member go get another balloon and begin the process again.
Make sure that no one is going for more balloons before they have the correct answer on their paper. The team with the most correct SM verse on their paper at the end of the allotted time wins.
Scripture Mastery Basketball
Since you might already have a hoop set up for “March Madness” you might be interested in playing Scripture Mastery Basketball. Divide the class into two teams. One team will send up someone to shoot (with a rebounder) while the other team chases. The faster the other team can all get to the scripture mastery in their scriptures, the less time the other team has to shoot. Then they switch. I like to give the shooter the option of shooting from a 2 point line or a three point line. The team with the most points wins. Make sure to give everyone the chance to shoot.
M&Ms and Straws
Preparations: Straws (one per student), Cups, Bowl with large bag of M&Ms.
Place M&Ms in a large bowl in the center of a table that has been placed in the front of the classroom. One student from each team comes up to the front of the class where the bowl of M&M’s is located. The teacher gives the SM clue and says, “Chase.” Both students start sucking on their straws in order to pick ups M&M’s and transfer them to their team’s cup.
When all of the members of the opposite team have found the correct scripture, then the student sucking M&M’s on the opposing team must stop. In other words, the team for which you are not a member, is trying to stop you from getting more M&M’s in your cup than their team, so they are trying to find the scripture mastery verse first to limit the number of M&M’s you can acquire in your team’s cup.
No one is allowed to eat their M&M’s until the end of the game when the team’s cup is shared with in the team. If you want a winner and looser, then count the M&M’s at the end.
Place M&Ms in a large bowl in the center of a table that has been placed in the front of the classroom. One student from each team comes up to the front of the class where the bowl of M&M’s is located. The teacher gives the SM clue and says, “Chase.” Both students start sucking on their straws in order to pick ups M&M’s and transfer them to their team’s cup.
When all of the members of the opposite team have found the correct scripture, then the student sucking M&M’s on the opposing team must stop. In other words, the team for which you are not a member, is trying to stop you from getting more M&M’s in your cup than their team, so they are trying to find the scripture mastery verse first to limit the number of M&M’s you can acquire in your team’s cup.
No one is allowed to eat their M&M’s until the end of the game when the team’s cup is shared with in the team. If you want a winner and looser, then count the M&M’s at the end.
Scripture S.W.A.T. Team
You’ll need two clean fly swatters [Brethren, the key word here is “clean.”]. Type up the scripture mastery verse references in an easy to read font size. Tape the references (with blue tape) all over the room (some up high, some down low).
Place two fly swatters at the front of the room on a table. Divide the class into two S.W.A.T. teams. The teacher calls out the clue. When the first two people (one from each S.W.A.T. team) find the scripture, the teacher calls out “S.W.A.T.” and the contestants then run to the front of the room to get a swatter and then race to slap the appropriate reference on the wall. Whoever swatted the correct answer first, wins a point for their team.
Sometimes you may wish to require the whole team to find it and then designate one person to represent the team as the swatter.
Place two fly swatters at the front of the room on a table. Divide the class into two S.W.A.T. teams. The teacher calls out the clue. When the first two people (one from each S.W.A.T. team) find the scripture, the teacher calls out “S.W.A.T.” and the contestants then run to the front of the room to get a swatter and then race to slap the appropriate reference on the wall. Whoever swatted the correct answer first, wins a point for their team.
Sometimes you may wish to require the whole team to find it and then designate one person to represent the team as the swatter.
White Elephant Grab Bag
Put “Stuff” in small brown paper bags—1 item per bag, one bag per student plus 1 extra bag. Items can be small things like a pencil, chap stick, a pkg. of Kool-aid or hot chocolate, a scented candle, a comb, a bookmark, a piece of candy, a highlighter, anything from good to ridiculous. I always just used stuff from around my house. Like a roll of TP, a granola bar…
At Seminary: Put one bag per student in attendance, plus one extra bag, in the middle of he floor. Have all students sit on the floor in a circle or place their chairs in a circle.
The chase begins! Give a clue. The first student to find the correct verse gets to choose a bag and opens it so all can see what is inside. Once a student gets a bag, they sit out until each student gets one right and therefore gets a bag. Once everyone gets a bag (which they have opened and showed everyone else), the real fun begins. The next person who gets the scripture can “Steal” a bag from anyone else or take the “extra” bag from the middle. If they steal a bag, the one whose bag has been stolen takes from the middle either the extra bag, or the bag that has been left from the one who stole. You can only have one bag at a time. The trick it to not have anything in a bag of great value.
At Seminary: Put one bag per student in attendance, plus one extra bag, in the middle of he floor. Have all students sit on the floor in a circle or place their chairs in a circle.
The chase begins! Give a clue. The first student to find the correct verse gets to choose a bag and opens it so all can see what is inside. Once a student gets a bag, they sit out until each student gets one right and therefore gets a bag. Once everyone gets a bag (which they have opened and showed everyone else), the real fun begins. The next person who gets the scripture can “Steal” a bag from anyone else or take the “extra” bag from the middle. If they steal a bag, the one whose bag has been stolen takes from the middle either the extra bag, or the bag that has been left from the one who stole. You can only have one bag at a time. The trick it to not have anything in a bag of great value.
Scripture Ball
A teacher shared the following, “I found an idea that has worked REALLY well in my class and thought I would share. I was finding several of my students were lacking in their SM knowledge, even though we had been working on it every week. So I got a soccer ball. On the ball I have written the 25 key words. Every morning we have been tossing the ball around. When you catch the ball, whatever key words your right thumb lands on, the student says the keywords and then needs to say the reference. I have noticed the response time is quickened with the repetition!”
Go Fish or Concentration
GO FISH
Make up one set of 3 by 5 cards for each group. Cards are best made from poster board or colored 3 by 5 cards. Half of the cards should have a scripture mastery reference written on them and the other half, the key words. You may want to make each set from cards from a different color of poster board or colored 3 by 5 cards.
Divide the class into zones or small groups. Deal seven cards to each small group. Students take turns asking each other for cards that will match those in their hand by matching the scriptures verse to the key words. If the student being asked has the match, that card is given to the student who requested it. The student puts his match in a separate pile, and he gets another turn. If the student does not have the card being requested, the first student draws a card from the fish pile. The next student then takes a turn. The student with the most matches at the end of the game wins.
CONSENTRATION
Use the same set of cards you prepared for Fish. Spread out all the cards face down singly. Students take turns turning over two cards, attempting to match a reference with the correct annotation. The winner is the student with the most matches.
Make up one set of 3 by 5 cards for each group. Cards are best made from poster board or colored 3 by 5 cards. Half of the cards should have a scripture mastery reference written on them and the other half, the key words. You may want to make each set from cards from a different color of poster board or colored 3 by 5 cards.
Divide the class into zones or small groups. Deal seven cards to each small group. Students take turns asking each other for cards that will match those in their hand by matching the scriptures verse to the key words. If the student being asked has the match, that card is given to the student who requested it. The student puts his match in a separate pile, and he gets another turn. If the student does not have the card being requested, the first student draws a card from the fish pile. The next student then takes a turn. The student with the most matches at the end of the game wins.
CONSENTRATION
Use the same set of cards you prepared for Fish. Spread out all the cards face down singly. Students take turns turning over two cards, attempting to match a reference with the correct annotation. The winner is the student with the most matches.
Scripture Pictures
Divide the chalkboard into as many sections as you have zones/groups competing (2 to 4 groups works well). If you have a small chalkboard, have one zone representative at a time go to the board. Have a representative from the first one draw a picture of the scripture mastery selected by the zone without using any numbers, letters, or words. The first person in the class to identify and locate the scripture gets a point, or you may choose to give group points. You might also rotate into the artist’s place in each zone and compete with the students.
Stump the Teacher
In this activity, your students try to stump you as a teacher. Shuffle a deck of scripture mastery cares and then pass out one scripture card to each student. The first student can give you five consecutive words from his scripture or read the historical, doctrinal, missionary, or personal application. They you give the reference. If you do so correctly, you get a point. If you do not get the reference correct, the class gets a point. You could keep a running total for the year. You can also turn it around and play "Stump the Student."
Hangman
Here is an easy one. Each student should draw hangman gallows on a blank piece of paper. Give a clue and let the students chase against the clock for ten to fifteen seconds. If they fail to find the scripture, they add a part of the body to the gallows. Be sure that the parts of the body they add before a student is “hung” are predetermined, such as head, body, arms, and legs.
Bloody Fingers
Put 4-5 students at a table with a deck of the 25 Scripture Mastery cards facing up (the verses showing). Give a clue and the first person to grab the card gets to keep the card. At the end, of each round, the person with the most cards wins. Also try putting the cards with the other information showing and give clues. I like to do only 8 or 9 cards at a time so you can review them a bit before hand. Also, give a variety of types of clues like the historical background or a situation (i.e. “What would be a good scripture to help a friend who…”). Round or square tables often work best for this rather than the long rectangle ones. Mix up the groups every now and then. If you have a problem of students mauling the cards, then you can make the rule that the first card they touch is their card. You can also say that if they are wrong, they forfeit one of their won cards.