Classroom Management

Skill: Ask the class or someone in the class to identify a hymn to sing in a devotional in a careful versus casual way.

Introduction

“For most of us a devotional might include music, prayer, and a spiritual thought—often in that order” (Henry B. Eyring, “‘The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest’ An Evening with Elder Henry B. Eyring,” Feb. 6, 1998).

What is my initial understanding or ability? (Assessment)

What do you usually say when you invite a student to choose a hymn to sing for the devotional?

What is it and why is it important? (Define):

Asking the class or someone in the class to identify a hymn to sing is an invitation for a student to act in faith. President Henry B. Eyring said, “The hymns of Zion invite the Holy Ghost into the room. There is a casual way to do it and a careful way. The careful way is to think ahead about what the lesson will be for a particular day, to find the central idea which we wish the students to come to know is true, and then to ask a student to select a hymn which will help make that happen. Done carefully enough, our invitation may lead them to seek for help.”

Who or what provides a good illustration of this? (Model for Hymn):

“Sophia, tomorrow we will be discussing the gathering of Israel and how the Savior needs us to help Him hasten His work. For the devotional, will you think about and identify a hymn that could help us begin to understand this message as we start class tomorrow?”

How can I practice using this skill or applying this principle? (Practice):

• Using the topic of prophets, write down an invitation you can give a student in class to identify the hymn for the class that day.

• With the principle of missionary work, write down an invitation you can give the whole class to look for a hymn they could sing in class that day.

Ponder or discuss:

• What impact do you think it could have for the student choosing the hymn to be asked in a careful way?

• What difference do you think it could make for the class?

How and when will I incorporate this?

Apply what you have learned the next time you invite a student to choose a hymn.

Decide how you will continue to incorporate this skill as you ask students to choose hymns for the devotional.

Want More?

Henry B. Eyring, “’The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest’ An Evening with Elder Henry B. Eyring,” 6 February 1998.

Classroom Management Micro-Training: Asking the class or someone in class to share a scripture thought in a devotional in a careful versus casual way.

Classroom Management Micro-Training: Asking someone in class to say the opening prayer in a devotional in a careful versus casual way.