Learning Becomes Me

We are going to Africa this month!  Africa is a huge continent - the second largest in the world and it is made up of many different countries and climates.  There is so much to discover here but let's begin by getting in the mood by listening to the steel drums .   Drums have a deep symbolic and historical meaning in Africa.  They accompany any manner of ceremony.  They are the first telephone of Africa.  These are more modern but they sound really amazing. As a family take this video tour of Africa.  Notice how each region is similar and very different.  Which part would you want to visit?  Where would you chose to live?  Why? ---Tour of Africa by National Geographic East Africa Northern Africa Southern Africa West and Central Africa Africa for a long time relied on superstition and didn't have a lot of access to religion until David Livingston traveled there in the 1840s.   ---Read about David Livingston in the Libraries of Hope book and watch this short video

Have you ever been scared to touch a spider or jumped when you feel a fly on your shoulder?  It takes a level of courage to tackle insects and other bugs, which is exactly what we are going to be studying  this week. Insects have some unique things - an exoskeleton, jointed legs, compound eyes and 6 legs and three body sections -head, abdomen, thorax, a symmetrical body and  antennae.  Some insects but not all have wings.     Watch this  collection of videos to get an overview of what makes an insect an insect and why they are amazing.  Explore some insects  this website  to explore the world of insects for older youth  check out this one Draw a picture of your favorite insect.  We'd love to see it - share in comments or bring to class. Listen to this  music and imagine your a hardworking ant who can carry 50x his weight and then l isten to this   one and imagine you are an industrious bumblebee working to help your hive collect nectar. Read or listen to one of these folkl

This month's principle is Courage.  There are a lot of misconceptions about what courage means.  It doesn't mean to be fearless.  It isn't reckless.  It is so much more.  For your inspirements this week we are going to learn about what courage REALLY is.  In class we will discuss how having the courage to act appropriately helps us to be great leaders.  Listen or Read this talk by Thomas S. Monson - listen for what he says courage is and make a notebooking page so you can remember what you learn and put it in your notebook.  Bring it to share on Wednesday. I loved this quote from  Christian author Charles Swindoll: “Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.”   President Monson added "I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even

This week we will be learning more about the 13 colonies and the foundation of freedom which led to the restoration of the Gospel.  The Lord's providential hand can be seen throughout history and we will take a look at how this period of time helped the Lord to restore the Priesthood and organize the Relief Society.  1.  Read through the Proclamation on the Family.  Make a list of those responsibilities for men and women.  2. Watch Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration  and/or Emma Smith: My Story (available free on Amazon Prime)  Which Roles did you see the Joseph and Emma fulfill in these videos?  Do you feel like you can understand them better?  3. Study the original 13 colonies.  Practice identifying them on a map until you know all 13 .  4.  Each of the colonies were founded by great men who would brought here for a special purpose.  Research one colony as a family and find the story of those who founded it.  Share what you found out in a comment.  A great book abou

Last week we talked about how as we strive to fulfill our divine roles of sister, brother, daughter, son to the best of our abilities we gain more ability to become our best selves.  We gather light into our souls that help us align ourselves with God's will for us and he helps us to become better.  The choices we make today will help us become the best mothers and fathers we can be in the future.  Throughout our lives we gather and share light.  (stories shared - The Empty Pot by Demi, Cornelia's Jewels and The Story of Cincinnatus from 50 famous stories retold by James Baldwin ) This week we will be learning more about light - it's properties, how it works, what it is and how God uses light to guide, teach and comfort us. To prepare yourselves for this weeks lesson please do the following with your families: 1.  Make a list of all the things light does for us?  How would life be if we didn't have light?  Go in a dark room .  How does it feel?  What can you do in

We are excited to see you guys again.  We hope you had a great Christmas break. This week will be be discussing our divine roles as daughter, son, sister, brother, and fathers, mothers.  These are the roles God gave us through the organization of the family- an eternal organization.  To prepare for this weeks discussion please do the following. Core 1.  Read the Proclamation of the World and become familiar with the roles and responsibilities discussed.   https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng&old=true 2.   Read the first 3 -4 chapters of Little Britches this months book.  Discuss how Ralph, mother, father and Grace fulfilled their divine rolls.  What characteristics of these characters do you see if yourself or your parents.  Could you have patience like father?  Obedience like Ralph?  Faith like mother?  Determination to do right like Grace? 3. List five things you can do to help around your home. Discuss the importance of obeying and honoring your parents