Sunday, November 28, 2010

Family History

Family Home Evening Lesson
Family History

Opening Prayer: Child

Opening Song: Families can be together forever

Scripture: Malachi 4:6

Lesson: (we did this lesson over two weeks, I've combined it for ease here)

Print out some family photos. We were able to use 2 photos that had four generations of family members in each photo.  Cut photo into pieces (like a jigsaw) and hide individual pieces around the house.

Ask children to search the house for the 'missing' photo pieces.

Put photos together. Ask if they recognise any of the people in the photos.  Point out any great grandparents/family members they might not know.

Talk about the importance of 'finding our those of our family' who lived a long time ago. We try to remember all our relatives by keeping our family history.

Show a pedigree chart with everyones name on it.

***

We have little voice snippets/video segments of our children saying "Hi my name is ____ I am ____ years old. My favourite thing is ____ .  It is so fun to look back on the old ones and how they used to sound. Our 7 year old was mimicing her 4 year old voice after we did this activity. She was surprised at how 'babyish' she sounded.

Since we only have a couple of these snippets we thought it might be a nice thing to record each year. Maybe New Years day would be a good day for it? Anyway we spoke about how we can record our OWN family history about ourselves, so our children and grandchildren can never forget how we were.

We said our names, ages, where we live, what we like to do. Each segment lasted about 30secs to 1min.

We saved them as video files in our documents on the computer.

A fun way to teach family history, and to look back on in years to come.


Closing song: Love at Home


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:
A family Favourite.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Atonement

Family Home Evening
Atonement


Opening Prayer: Child

Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" Children's Songbook #78
Lesson: Dad

(this activity comes from the Nov/Dec 2007 Lds Living Magazine)

Have someone get down on their hands and knees on a towel. Place a cup of water on the person's back between their shoulder blades (ask them to make themselves flat/steady like) As the person to remove the cup without spilling it.

You can either let everyone have a go (and fail) or you can just have one demonstration.

Then ask the child if they can do it. Ask them to think of a way they can get the cup off their back.

Mine didnt - so after some gentle prodding we worked out that PERHAPS we could just ask someone to take it off our back for us.

Things you can teach from this object lesson

Sometimes we are placed in a position to help someone who cannot complete a task alone. Ask children "How do you help mummy?" How do you help Daddy, How do you help your brother or sisters/grandparents etc

For older children we can liken this to the gift of Eternal Life from Jesus. Jesus died on the cross so our sins may be forgiven that we may live in heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus again. Jesus did something for us that we CANNOT DO for ourselves.

Activity

My girls wanted to keep putting cups of water on their backs!!

Make a little flip book (in those cheap photo albums) of pictures of Jesus. Say Jesus can help us whenever we need him.


Closing Song: Tell me the stories of Jesus Children's Songbook #57

Closing Prayer: Mom

Treat:

Smoothies in your cup

Candy served in cups

Friday, September 17, 2010

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Family Home Evening Lesson

The 12 Apostles


Opening Song: 'Follow the Prophet' Children's Songbook #110



Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson: Mom


As we are starting to near General Conference Time, I thought I would spend some time with the kids getting to know those who might speak.

Print (and laminate if you want to keep) pictures of First Presidency and The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These are mine that I have had for a few years that my husband made ( I just realised we didnt have Elder Anderson!! so quickly printed him for this photo!)



See if your children know any of their names.

Stick them on the wall in order.

Play memory or type of game with the pictures.

If you print two copies you can play match.

Read out some interesting information about them.


Talk about the importance of leaders. Why these men mean so much to us. We love them for their words, work, example, love  and dedication.


I need this lesson too, as I couldn't name them all off the top of my head :)

We keep our laminated pictures in with our Gospel Art Picture Kit. As new apostles are called we (usually!)  print and laminate a new one.


Activity:

Excellent Apostle Recognition games found here at Suite 101



Closing Song: 'Latter day Prophets' Children's Songbook #134


Closing Prayer: Child



Treat: Gingerbread men or cookie people

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Voting

Family Home Evening Lesson

Voting/Government


Opening Song: "My Country" Children's Songbook #224


Opening Prayer : Child

Scripture: D&C 134: 1


We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.

Lesson: Mom

(note: Australians are about to vote for a new Prime Minister. I know this might not be applicable to US residents but thought I would share the FHE we had on this. It is also manditory to vote in australia so it is an important law to teach children to obey.)

Article of Faith 12
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

We discussed what the kids thought this AoF meant. We discussed the differences between king, president, magistrates etc.

Why is it important to vote for the person that leads your country?

We talked about how and where we vote (we always take our kids with, so they remember from last time)



Activity

Have a vote in the family for someone who could be incharge of the family (for a week or a day) - Make ballot sheets and teach children how to do a vote and place in a box

Vote for new rule or changes you would like at home
Have some different foods out and have children 'vote' for their favourite


Closing Song: National Anthem

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat: A national/cultural food from your country.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Pioneers

Family Home Evening Lesson

Pioneers



Opening Song: The Handcart Song  Children's Songbook # 220

Opening Prayer : Child



Lesson: Mom

Based on  July 2010 Friend magazine article
Even though it isnt pioneer day where I live, we can still remember and celebrate pioneers


What are pioneers?

A Pioneer is someone who goes somewhere or does something first and shows others the way to follow.

We can remember the pioneers from old days who settled areas first and bought our family to our country. We can remember the first person in our family who joined the church. We can remember how hard people worked in previous generations.

How can we be pioneers?



Activity

Pretend to be pioneers going on a trek.
Get children to carry or pull items they would want to take with them

Make (flat) wagons by gluing paddlepop sticks onto paper

If you have girls make bonnets, dress up



Closing Song: Pioneer Children were quick to obey Children's Songbook # 215


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

Make   Damper  (old australian bread recipe)

Eat simple foods

Trail Mix

Monday, July 5, 2010

Missionary Work

Family Home Evening Lesson

Missionary Work


Opening Song: "I hope they call me on a mission" Children's Songbook #169


Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson: Mom

Our Bishopric asked us to have a FHE on Missionary Work. This is the lesson my husband came up with

We gave one of our children a packet of lollies (candy)- the type in a roll with several inside.

She came out in front of the others and we asked:

What do you do if you have something special?

(all the other girls immediately said "SHARE!")

How would you feel if she didn't share?  (sad, upset etc)

If you didn't see the lollies, how would you know that she had something special? (we wouldn't)

We likened this to sharing the gospel. Talk about missionary work, how we can share what we know with our friends and neighbours. We want all people to know about what we think is special to us. (Share the candy)

Then we gave everyone a candle.

Daddy had the lit candle and said it was like his testimony. He wanted to 'share' it with us.

One by one we lit each others candles 'passing on our testimonies' to one another.


Activity

My husband unpacked everything from his mission :)

He showed photos (most amazing 'cause none of us have ever seen him with hair)
We played with his collection of badges
He showed us letters he wrote and his journals
We practiced some of the languages he learnt
He showed us the mission rule book and read some out
He showed Ezra Taft Bensons Signature to them (old I know!)

Closing Song:  "Called to serve"  Children's Songbook #174


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

Share Candy with one another


I found this lesson very successful and the girls stayed interested for over half an hour!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Everyone is Special

Family Home Evening Lesson

Everyone is special


Opening Song:  "Can a little Child like me?" Children's Songbook #9


Opening Prayer : Child



Lesson: Mom

Lesson Based on President Monson's Message  Canaries with Grey on their Wings from the June 2010 Ensign 

The Prophet President Monson was given a canary from a lady in his ward. She had two perfect yellow canaries and one with grey specks on it's wings. The lady said "This canary isnt the prettiest but it has the best song"

Sometimes we might not feel as pretty, or as big, or as smart as others. But each of us is important to the Lord. We must be good and use our talents. There are many people like the canary with grey wings. We might not be perfect but we can be good at other things.

Ask Children "What are you good at?"  "What are your talents?"

Activity:

CD Bird Craft  (make in yellow)
Egg Cup Bird, Pinecone Bird, Paper Bird, Paper Plate Bird crafts

Share or Show examples of  your talents


Closing Song: "I'm thankful to be me" Children's Songbook #11


Closing Prayer: Child



Treat:
 
Bird Cookies   (scroll half way 'Raven Cookies) 
 
Bird Sugar Cookies

Friday, June 11, 2010

Modesty

Family Home Evening Lesson

Modesty


Opening Song: "I will follow God's Plan" Children's SongBook # 164


Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson: Mom

This lesson based on Modesty article page 8-10 in May 2010 Friend Magazine

Have some clothes out to do the Modesty Checklist on. Page 10 has a checklist for making sure you look good and clean. Look at items and get children to say yes or no to the checklist questions below

My shoulders are covered, My shirt covers my stomach, My shorts or skirt go to my knees. My shirt is not low cut. My clothes are not too tight, I don't look sloppy, My hair is combed, My clothes are not saggy, torn or holey, Labels or words on my clothes are respectful and not rude or offensive.

Talk about how do we respect our bodies? (healthy food, exercise, modest clothes, dont put anything harmful into our bodies)


For greater enforcement  if needed share The Strength of Youth Pamphlet
This page teaches why dress standards must be followed, and also offers guidelines for appropriate dress. These guidelines include:



•No short shorts or skirts
•No tight clothing
•No bare midriff
• No revealing attire
•No clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back.
•No extremes



Activity:

Read the story Modesty at Any Age  on page 8 of May 2010 Friend.

Modest Body Collage - Trace around childrens body, use scraps of fabric, paper to create modest clothes for the body outline.  The same could be done  in a smaller size on paper dolls too.

Sing/speak this modesty song/poem found at Sugar Doodle

It's sung to the tune of “I love to see the temple” (page #95):



My body is a temple;
I treat it with respect.
I live the Word of Wisdom.
I’m modest in my dress.

For my body is a gift from God,
He wants me to protect it.
My mouth speaks clean* words,
My thoughts are pure.
This keeps my temple holy.

*or “kind”



Closing Song: "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" Children's SongBook #78



Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Choose the Right

Family Home Evening Lesson

Freedom To Choose


Opening Song: "Choose the Right Way" Children's Songbook #160


Opening Prayer : Child

Scripture:  2 Nephi 2:27

Lesson: Mom

This lesson based on 'Freedom to Choose' chapt 4, Gospel Principles, pg 17


God tells us through his prophets that we are free to choose between GOOD and EVIL.  We may choose eternal life by following Jesus Christ. We can also choose captivity by following Satan.

When we choose to do right things it makes Heavenly Father and our parents happy. When you do some Right things it makes it easier to do MORE right things. When we live according to God's plan for us we grow in faith, power, knowledge, and all other good things.

If we keep the commandments and make right choices we will become like Him.


Activity:

Have a bowl with different choices in it (eg stickers, small toys, chocolate etc) Let each child choose something from the bowl. Talk about how in life we make choices EVERY DAY. We hope that they will make good or right choices.

Play Tic Tac Toe/Naughts and Crosses  - demonstrating how we can choose when our turn

Show pictures from gospel art kit or elsewhere of GOOD Choices - Going to church, children helping others, saying prayers, Cleaning their room, drawing/playing nicely etc

Make or colour CTR rings/shields


Closing Song: "Dare to do Right" Children's Songbook #158



Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:
 
A bowl of treats to choose from!
 
 
 
The activity ideas and others can be found here at  the Choose the Right Lesson Primary 2 Lesson Manual

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Holy Ghost

Family Home Evening Lesson

The Holy Ghost


Opening Song: "I know my Father lives'  Children's Songbook #5

Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson: Mom

This lesson based on 'The Holy Ghost' chapt 7, Gospel Principles

As God's children left their home in heaven with him to come to earth to our families, the memory of living with Heavenly Father is taken from us. Heavenly Father did not want us to completely forget or have his influence so he sent The Holy Ghost to comfort and guide us.

What is The Holy Ghost Like? How is He different to God and Jesus?

What does The Holy Ghost do? How does he 'talk/reveal' things to us?


Activity:

Memorise the 1st Article of Faith

Show pictures of activites and ask which ones invite The Holy Ghost (eg Gospel Art Picture Kit of praying, blessings, sacrament, temple, FHE, families together as opposed to other activities)

Holy Ghost Booklet - From Mormon Share

Closing Song: "Listen Listen" Children's SongBook #107



Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

White foods. Marshmallows, white iced cookies, milk

Friday, April 16, 2010

Feed My Lambs

Family Home Evening Lesson

Feed His Lambs


Opening Song:"I'm trying to be like Jesus"  Children's Songbook # 78

Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson: Mom
This lesson is taken from the April 2010 Ensign page 2 see it for more details.

Following on from the last lesson: After Jesus had dined with the disciples Jesus asked Simon Peter if he loved him. He said Yes Jesus I lovest thou. Jesus said. "Feed my lambs" (John 21:15)
As followers of Jesus we must help eachother in the gospel. Be kind and help new members, answer questions in primary. Share the gospel. Be kind to others.

How do you care for a real lamb?
Protect from wolves and danger
A safe place to sleep
Food
Water

Who are the Saviour's Lambs? Those who are new or not strong in the gospel.

Activity:

Lamb Egg Carton from DLTK
Lamb Handprint Craft  from DLTK
Paper Plate Lamb from About Family Crafts


Closing Song: "Little Lambs so white and fair"  Children's Songbook #58


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

Marshmallows arranged in the shape of a lamb

Lamb Cakes

Saturday, April 3, 2010

He is Risen

Family Home Evening Lesson
He is Risen



Opening Song 'Did Jesus really live again?' Childrens Songbook # 64


Opening Prayer : Child

Lesson: Mom

And Jesus rose again after being Cruxified. This is the important message from Easter. Jesus was resurrected as we will also be one day. Jesus died for us and our sins so that we may live with him again.

When he appeared to the apostles they were afraid. But Jesus said Peace be unto you. He showed them his hands and feet.

They gave him a fish and some honeycomb and he did eat it before them (Luke 24:36-42)


Activity:

Eat foods from Jesus Time

Check out 12 days of Easter countdown (I know it's too late) but use day 12 idea for tonight - Have an empty egg demonstration for Christ being risen

Christ Centred Ideas from the Ensign
I like the ideas of
holding a family Testimony meeting
Placing Cut out pictures from the Ensign or Friend inside plastic eggs
An egg hunt where the special egg is the empty one


Closing Song: Jesus has risen Childrens song book# 70


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

Eat Honeycomb - I got some real organic honeycomb from a farmers market - YUM!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Palm Sunday

Family Home Evening Lesson
Palm Sunday

Opening Song "Easter Hosanna" Children's Songbook # 68

Opening Prayer : Child

Lesson: Mom

Palm Sunday always falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. The feast commemorates (an event mentioned by all four Gospels Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19) the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his Cruxifiction.


According to the Gospels, before entering Jerusalem, Jesus was staying at Bethany and Bethphage, and the Gospel of John adds that he had dinner with Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha. While there, Jesus sent two disciples to the village over against them, in order to retrieve a donkey that had been tied up but never been ridden, and to say, if questioned, that the donkey was needed by the Lord but would be returned. Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem. Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and the people there lay down their cloaks in front of him, and also lay down small branches of trees.

(info found via wikipedia :)


Activity:

If you have access to palm fronds Have the children act out the triumphal entry. (My girls love to do this)

Go Here to see how we reenact with a cardboard donkey and palm leaves

Use these directions to make a Paper Plate Colt

Palm Leaf Fold and Cut Craft

Disciples untying the colt Coloring In Page

Triumphal Entry Coloring In Page

Make a Paper Plate Palm Leaf Wreath with drawings of coats on it (scroll down half way)


Closing Song: "Hosanna" Children's Songbook #66

Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:

Any foods grown on a palm - coconut, date etc
Cupcakes with tinted green coconut
Eat food served on a palm leaf

Monday, March 1, 2010

Easter

Family Home Evening Lesson
Preparing for Easter

Opening Prayer: Dad

Opening Song: "Did Jesus Really Live Again?" Children's Songbook #64

Lesson:
Have a paper easter egg hunt. I purchased a similar thing from a store, but you could easily make yourself. It had paper eggs, basket to put eggs in and arrow signs to point the directions to go.

On the back of the eggs I wrote about something that happened in the lead up to Easter Sunday. You can have the children collect the eggs in order, or you can put them in order once they have all been found around the house.

Just draw an easy picture or write a few words on the back of each egg about the following things:
Palm Sunday
Washing of Disciples Feet
The First Sacrament
Garden of Gethsemene
Cruxifiction
Easter Sunday- He is Risen

Briefly talk about what happened the week leading up to Easter. Not too much, as I plan to use the other two mondays to go over some of the things in closer detail.

Activity:
Make this paper fan palm branch

Road to Easter Cut and Paste Work sheet

Closing Song: "Jesus Has Risen" Children's Songbook #70

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:
Easter Eggs
Make Egg shaped sugar cookies
Boiled Eggs
Fill some plastic Eggs with small candy

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Living Christ

Family Home Evening Lesson
The Living Christ

Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" Childrens SongBook #78

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:
I read to the children "The Living Christ" I picked out some of the phrases that I thought would interest them. They particulary like Joseph Smiths "His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah" They liked that he was shinier than the sun :)

After discussing the attributes and realities of Christ, I got the children to write their testimony, or a sentence about what they know about Jesus to be real. We wrote them on the back of "The Living Christ" that I printed out. Our 3 year old drew a picture of Daddy holding Jesus hand. It was very cute.

*I received February's Friend Magazine after this lesson. In the middle page is a poster of excerpts from The Living Christ. The pictures are good and would be suitable to use aswell.


Activity:
Make a The Living Christ collage picture frame.
Here is an example of a very cute one at Crystals Craft Spot
or printable one at The Idea Door

Write out/draw testimonies to be kept

Cut out pictures from old Ensigns/Friend Magazines and make collages

Watch a short video of Prophet or Aspostles speaking about Christ.


Closing Song:"Tell me the Stories of Jesus" Childrens Song Book #57

Closing Prayer: Mom

Treat:
Print out a tiny "Living Christ" and attach some Chocolates to be given out

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Love


Family Home Evening Lesson
Love

Opening Song: Jesus said Love Everyone Children's Songbook #61

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:
Who loves you? (mom, dad,sisters, brothers, grandparents etc)
How do you know they love you?

There is someone else who loves you to, can you guess?
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you.
How do you know that Jesus loves you?

Jesus loves little children. When other men tried to turn the children away, Jesus said to let the little children come unto him.



Activity:

we dried our hearts on a skewer


Make Salt Dough hearts. Either make then let dry, or make earlier and paint them for the activity. Use a straw to cut a hole in the heart and you can string it into a necklace or ornament to hang.
Make a Paper Heart Leis
Make Valentines Cards for your family

Closing Song: Love One Another Children's Songbook #136

Treat:
Heart shaped chocolate
Cookie cutter heart shape toast with strawberry topping

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Our Heavenly Father

Note: As I was looking through the Gospel Principles book during RS, I thought the chapters might be good to make FHE lessons from. Most chapters in Gospel Principles are only 2 pages. I thought it might be good idea to have the kids learning some of the same things we are.

Family Home Evening Lesson
Our Heavenly Father

Opening Song: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" Childrens SongBook #228

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Daddy

How do you know there is a God? (nature, warm feeling, miracles, life etc)

Show picture of space/stars (or use the one on page 4 of Gospel Principles)

Read Alma 30:44 "All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all the things
that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a supreme creator."

We can see the work of God by looking in the sky and on earth. These things didn't come by chance. The plants, animals, mountains, rivers, clouds, rain, stars - all testify there is a God.

What does God look like?
Because we are made in his image we know our bodies are like His.

God is perfect. He is righteous. He is love, mercy, truth, charity. All good things come from God.

How Can we Know God?
pray, study scriptures, Obey Commandments.

Activity:

I have a body like Heavenly Father coloring in page

Easy Paper folding Star

Make Starlights using a torch and foil

Go outside and look at the stars, look for constellations.

Closing Song: "A child's Prayer" Children's Songbook #12


Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:

Star shaped cookies

Use star cookie cutter, to cut shapes out of bread. Spread with butter and cover in sprinkles.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Remember Jesus

Family Home Evening Lesson
Remember

Opening Song: "I feel my Saviours Love Children's Songbook #74

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Daddy

Show a picture of Jesus. Ask how we remember him.
Read yourself or have an older child read the Sacrament Prayers from the scriptures (D&C 20:77, 79 - Our 8 year old did for us) Ask the children to guess what it is you are reading. (some of kids did, some knew it was familiar, but not sure)

Activity:

Now say you are going to play a memory game. Children have one minute to look at 10 items on a tray. Cover it up and have children write or draw or dictate to you what they remember on the tray. We made sure one of the items was a small picture of Jesus.

Our older girls wanted a go at being the person in charge of the tray, so we played 3 different versions of the game (allowing them to choose the items, but the ONLY Item that had to stay the same each time was the picture of Jesus)

We said that it is important to remember Jesus in our lives, even when it can be difficult. We must make room for and love Jesus.


Closing Song: "Tell me the Stories of Jesus" Children's Songbook #57


Closing Prayer: Child

Treat: