Come Follow Me: Matthew 18, Luke 10 (April 22-28)

Hello everyone I'm excited to share the next set of lesson helps for Come Follow Me. You can find the lesson here.  This week we are covering Matthew 18 and Luke 10.  I decided to focus on the topic of forgiving others (Matthew 18:21–35) and kindness (The Good Samaritan).   Most of these activities are from my primary lessons I put together last year.  They are two of my favorites and decided they fit so well why not use them.  Those posts are very long so I compile the activities I thought would work best for this weeks lesson and included them in this weeks download at the end of this post. There are a few additional activities and coloring pages in the original posts that may work for you so I included the links below.

The Good Samaritan
I thought this video was cute-its little kids telling the story in their own words.

If you want to act out the story I included some cute character cards.  Print (cardstock works best) and cut on the lines.  Hole punch the top and use as a necklace so each person knows who they are in the story.

The rest of these ideas are from last years primary lesson-you can find the full post here.
Cute story about bread and jam-There are story cards you can use as you tell the story.  It would be fun to eat some bread and jam as a treat after the lesson.

Situation cards-Print and cut apart.  Have the kids take turns drawing one or hide them around the room.  Read the situation and answer the question.

I can be kind game-cake walk.  Print and cut out the hearts (there are 8).  Place them in a circle on the floor.  Have the kids each stand on one.  Play music (there are a few suggested in the lesson-Jesus Said Love Everyone, “Kindness Begins with Me”,  “A Special Gift Is Kindness”).  As the music is playing have them reverently walk around the circle stepping on the hearts as they go.  Randomly stop the music and have them freeze on the closest heart.  Ask each child how they can be kind to the person on their heart.  Once everyone has answered start the music again and play again.

reminder bracelets-Print and cut.  You can print them on colored paper or have the kids color them.  Once you are done tape them around their wrist.  For some of the smaller kids you might want to cut a little off the ends.

One other idea I had-There is a cute story in the friend this month called A Friend Like Mark.  Share this story and then take turn tossing a ball into a basket.  Each time it goes in the basket have them share a way they can be kind this week.

Forgiveness-The following ideas were all created for my primary lesson last year. I thought these would go well with teaching Matthew 18:21–35.  The following activities are found in the download at the end of this post.  YOu can find the full post with additional activities here.

This activity was based on some of the wording in a primary lesson. This is a great way to help your little ones understand what it means to forgive someone.

idea #1-cut around the pattern hearts BUT leave a little bit on the side so it stays connected but becomes like a little door. Glue the paper with the words directly behind it so when you open the little "door hearts" you can see the words.  Have the kids take turns opening the "doors" and read what's behind it.

idea #2.  Leave the pattern heart page as is.  Cut out the hearts with words and hide them around the room.  Have the kids hunt for them and when they are found glue them to the top of the patterned hearts.  

In addition to the scripture story in this weeks come follow me lesson I thought it would be great to use the following story of Jesus on the cross to show Christ's perfect example of forgiveness.  (all images are from lds.org). Each page  has the words from the last years primary manual.  These specific words brought the spirit into my heart so strong and I felt that I needed to share them word for word.  I teach the 7 & 8 year olds and will be using these with my class.  However, decide if your class (and age) group will be okay with seeing these pictures.  

In the download there are 4 pages with words for this story.  I've included both full page for each as well as the smaller story cards size that can easily be printed and cut apart.  For the full page you can print them or save some ink and show on your computer or phone.  If there is interest I can also include the jpeg. version that you can have printed at your favorite store. Let me know :)  

Story about Kent:  Instead of my usual story cards we are going to do puppets!  Cut around each image and attach to a Popsicle stick.

Discussion and Review activity: Going with the leaf theme I have 3 ideas for this game as well. 

1st idea: Print the leaves and the rake.  (cardstock for the rake).  Cut around the leaves and the rake.  Attach a magnet on the back side of the rake.  Add paperclips only to the leaves with numbers.  Mix and dump the leaves on the table. Have the kids take turns raking up the leaves until they find one that sticks.  Ask the question that corresponds with the number on the leaf. (I'll add some pictures of this in action soon)

2nd idea: Print just the extra page of leaves.  Number them 1-9 (you will need to take off 2 of the questions from the review page).  Place them in a bag and let the kids draw a leaf and ask the question.

3rd idea: Print and cut all of the leaves (not the extra page of leaves) and the rake (2 if you want to make it a race).  Spread them out on the table or floor.  Call out a number between 1 and 11.  Have them quickly find the correct number and slap it with the rake.  Ask the question that goes with the number.  You can add magnets and paper clips for some extra fun.

I love this paper airplane idea to teach the importance of forgiving others.  After decorate and make paper airplanes.  Here's a cute coloring page to go with the airplane idea

Another great visual idea: found here

Download Here

Come Follow Me: Easter (April 15-21)

This week is all about Easter. There is not a specific set of scriptures for the week and I think we go over many of the suggested scriptures later this year as well.  With that being said I am not diving deep into any particular topic but I hope with the following activities my children (and primary class) will feel the spirit as we talk about our Savior and the precious gifts he gave us.  

For our scripture study this week we will be following this awesome outline I found in the Friend.  Each day has a couple of sentences about Jesus's life and a scripture to go along with it.  There is also a song for each day but I ran out of room so I didn't include it in the printable-if you are interested in the songs you can find them in the link to the Friend.

I have two options for this activity.  The first is paper eggs and basket (included in the download at the end of this post).  Print the basket, the eggs, and the 2 pages of quotes (the ones that are vertical).  Cut out the eggs and quotes.  You will not need the numbers above the quotes but they are there as a reference so you can glue the quote to the correct egg.  You can cut out the basket or leave it as is.  Tape the eggs to the basket.  (cut along the top of the basket to tuck them inside) Starting Sunday take off egg #1.  Read the sentences and look up the scripture reference.  Repeat each day ending with egg #8 on Easter Sunday.

The Second option to do this is to use plastic eggs and the full page of quotes (the ones that are horizontal).  Cut the word strips out and place one in each egg numbered 1-8.  There are NOT numbers on this page but they are in order.  So be careful as you place them in eggs to number them correctly.  We are doing ours this way and I made a set for each one of my kids.  There is also a little candy inside the egg.  

To set up for this activity I hid all the eggs and we went on an Easter egg hunt.  I didn't worry about the numbers until after all the eggs were found.  We sorted them to make sure every one had eggs numbered 1-8.  I am actually on top of it this week because we did this for Activity Days today and only had 2 girls show up-one being my daughter haha.  So I had quite a few extra.  I originally planned to use just one for my family and have an extra bag of candy so they would all get one each day.

For our craft we are going with the same egg and basket theme.  Print the basket that says "I'm trying to be like Jesus"for each person.  Color the basket.  During the week an egg can be added to their basket as they do different things to follow Jesus this week.  An couple of examples-help mom with an extra chore or play with someone that needs a friend at recess.  They can color the egg and glue it to their paper. (you can cut along the top of the basket to tuck the eggs inside)

Variations- 

1.instead of the paper eggs use dot markers to make an egg.

2. make just one for the family instead of individual ones.  At the end of the week share some ways you tried to be like Jesus.

3.  Print the plain black and white basket-instead of adding eggs for acts you do draw a picture on the egg that corresponds with your reading that day or your favorite stories of Jesus.  There are a couple of blank eggs but the back of the decorated eggs would work for pictures.

This week I will be sharing this book I made for my family last year.  It has the words from the General Conference talk Elder Utchdorf gave last year.  I love it.  The words are so powerful.  I do have little kids and I read it to them.  They may not understand all of it but I hope they can feel the spirit as we talk about our Savior and the wonderful gifts he gave us.

Here's a few more pictures

You can find the download for this book here.  

We are also going to use these awesome puppets (not sure what to call them) to tell the story of The Atonement, Crucifixion, and Resurrection.  You can find them here.  I also included a smaller set you can use as a coloring page.

The post also contains a game to learn part of the 3rd article of faith, a coloring page, and questions for a game.  You can download all of these here.

Additional ideas:

"Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet"  a great video showing a story from one of Elder Holland's talk. It's a good one that I plan to share with my family this week. (Also referenced in the Sunday School Manual)

Gethsemane song: This is one of my favorite Primary songs and a great way to talk about the events of the atonement.  I love this sweet version or this one from lds.org

Easter story from the Friend that is perfect for little ones (found here)

Great video Clip called Because of Him (found here)

Bible Videos 

excerpts from the Living Christ

Download your Free Printables here!  

(Remember the Book and puppet links are separate and can be found above by their picture).

I have an awesome Bonus for you today!  Heather from My LDS Preschool has kindly offered her R is for Resurrection set free for my readers!  Her activities are so fun and perfect for Come Follow Me this week. 

Here's what she has to say about this set:

This week for Come Follow Me we have the special opportunity to reflect on Christ’s life and love as we celebrate His resurrection this Easter.

My LDS Preschool is excited to share part of their curriculum to enhance Come Follow Me this week. In “R is for Resurrection,” you will find free lesson plans and printables which focus on the Savior’s resurrection. While each lesson plan has many resources to combine gospel principles with a preschool curriculum, there are two sections that you will find most appropriate this week.

From Lesson 1 you will find their “Scripture Lesson” which provides an object lesson and helps teach about the resurrection of Jesus with an interactive cut out printable. In lesson 2 you will find their “Storybook Lesson” which tells a delightful story to illustrate the symbol of the Easter lily and what Jesus’ resurrection means for us.

Happy Easter!

R is for Resurrection Lesson Plan 1

R is for Resurrection Lesson Plan 2

R is for Resurrection Printables

These ideas are so fun and I'm excited to share the cute Easter Lily story to my kids.  Did you also see the Resurrection Roll recipe!  Thanks again Heather :)

Also the adorable graphics used in this weeks post are from Clever Cat Creations and fonts by Kimberly Geswein Fonts

General Conference Notes (mini books)

General Conference is tomorrow!  Today I have a fun printable for you to keep track of your favorite quotes and write down some thoughts as you listen.  I am also printing a set for my older kids to help them listen a little closer.  I have a few different cover options.

 Here's what your page will look like.  There are also blank boxes included.

Leave it as is and maybe hole punch and stick in a binder.  Another option is to cut along the lines, punch a hole in the top, and add a book ring to make a mini book.  I love doing it this way to have a quick reference when I go back and study the talks.  It also makes it easier to write on the back if you need some extra space.  

Download Here

Come Follow Me:Matthew 16-17, Mark 9, and Luke 9 (Part 2) April 1-14

I'm so excited for General Conference this weekend!  I'd love to hear your favorite parts.  Leave me a comment with you favorite talks, quotes, or thoughts here or on my facebook page.  Today I'm sharing part 2 for Come Follow Me lesson covering Me:Matthew 16-17, Mark 9, and Luke 9.  You can find part 1 here.  We are on spring break this week so this is going to be a quick one.  

Priesthood Keys: Matthew 16:13–19; 17:1–9 (I found studying the Bible Dictionary very helpful)  We are going to start by watching the video “Priesthood Keys: The Restoration of Priesthood Keys”  I love the idea in the I&F manual that suggests using Elder Gary E. Stevenson talk "Where are the keys and Authority of the Priesthood?" to teach about the importance of the priesthood.  He begins with an experience of loosing his keys after skiing with his family and shares an analogy of how our car keys are like priesthood keys.  I plan to use the first part of his talk, play the game below, and finish with the first three paragraphs under conclusion.  

To play the game you will need to print the page of keys (one for each person that wants to play). Black and white option included.  You can also print the lock but its optional.  We are going to play "Where are the keys" just like the game hot and cold. One person will leave the room and 1 key will be hidden.  Invite the person back into the room and give them clues to find the key by saying hot if they are getting closer to the key and cold if they are moving further away.  Once the key is found write a blessing that comes from the priesthood (blessings, sacrament, etc.)  Glue it to the page with the lock.  Continue playing until all of the keys have been found.

Matthew 17:19–20-A mustard see of Faith

This first idea came from the primary manual. "Place a picture of a mountain on one side of the room, and write on it words like fear, doubt, or worry. Ask the children to name some things they can do to gain more faith in Jesus Christ. Let each child who suggests something move the mountain closer to the other side of the room."  We are going to use this idea but I wanted to make it a little more interactive by adding yarn.  The idea is to string yarn (string or whatever you have will work) from one side of the room to the other.  I tied one end to a door knob and taped the other end to the wall.  I included a mountain that you can cut out.  There is a front and a back side.  Just like the manual suggests write some "mountains" in our lives.  (There is a great quote from Bishop Richard C. Edgely in the I&F manual under ideas for family scripture study that can give you some ideas.) Take turns moving the mountain along the yarn.  I added clothes pins as a stopping point.  Once you reach the clothes pin share a way we can increase our faith.  Remove the clothespin and the next person can push the mountain along.

 I wasn't sure the extra work of adding the yarn was worth it until I saw my daughters reaction.  She was immediately interested and wanted to try it.

As a follow up activity we are going to create our own moving mountain coloring page.

Here's a quick tutorial.  Print the scripture page and the mountain page.  I used cardstock but regular paper will work it just won't be as sturdy.

 Hole punch the two ends and cut yarn so its longer then your paper.

 Loop the yarn though the two holes and tape to the back.

 Cut out the mountain but leave the tops connecting.  One side will be shorter then the other (this will be the back).  Fold at the top of the mountain and loop around the string.  Tape the back.  I did need to trim the back mountain after I folded it.  

 The mountain will now slide across the string.  Take some time to color or draw some ways we build faith.

 If you have mustard seeds glue one on your page.  

 That's it for this week.  I can't wait for General Conference tomorrow.  I do have some fun mini note cards that I'll be posting later.  If you didn't get to part one (testimonies and revelation) you can find it here.

Download Key activity here

Download Mountain Activities here