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After the resurrected Savior had spent a day teaching the Nephites, He commanded them to take time to prepare for the teachings He would share the next day. He said, "Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow" (3 Nephi 17:3). You can apply this principle in your preparation as a teacher. As you take time to prepare thoughtfully and prayerfully, you will be blessed with greater understanding. You will be more receptive to the guidance of the Spirit.

Find Joy in Preparation - What Can I Learn?
Don't just focus on what you're teaching, think about what you can learn.

Start Your Preparation Early - Don't Procrastinate
Here are four tips to help you better prepare your lesson:

1. What should happen in the lives of those I teach as a result of this lesson?

a. What should the children (or other students) feel while I'm teaching this lesson?
b. What should they feel after the lesson?
c. Note: Primary lessons provide the answers to the above two statements

2. Which specific principles should be taught?

a. Often a lesson will contain more material than you can teach. Don't feel pressured to complete the entire lesson. Select the material best suited for your class first and if there is time left do the others.
b. Remember that your lesson will not be the only time they will learn about the subject.

3. How should these principles be taught?

a. Get to know those you teach!
b. 40 different methods of teaching:

1. Activity verses - For little children, these verses are either said or sung while doing simple actions.
2. Application techniques - Ask students how they can apply to their own lives what they've learned.
3. Attention Activities - Should be brief and lead directly into the lesson.
4. Audiovisual Materials - Only Church appropriate materials should be used.
5. Brainstorming - The teacher presents a question or situation and gives the students a short amount of time to freely suggest solutions or ideas.
6. Buzz Sessions - Students are divided into small discussion groups, each assigned a topic or assignment.
7. Case Studies - True-to-life situations that prompt students to ponder or discuss what they would do in similar situations.
8. Chalk/Dry Erase Boards - Used to emphasize key facts, acknowledge students' ideas, clarify points, and make outlines or lists.
9. Choral Reading - Reading of verses or quotes as a group or class.
10. Comparison and Object Lessons - Using a physical object to represent a non-visual topic, i.e.: using soap to represent repentance or a seed for faith.
11. Demonstrations -
12. Dioramas - Miniature drawings (or other artwork) representing a story, usually done in a box (shoe box size) but can be done on a larger scale if necessary.
13. Discussions - Students can be asked ahead of time to discuss a certain topic either as a group or with the entire class.
14. Dramatizations - Acting out a scene from the scriptures, a story, or a time from our Church History.
15. Drawing Activities - Appropriate for children, this type of activity should be connected with the lesson.
16. Examples - Explaining hard-to-grasp concepts by using something the students can relate to. I.e.: A child rarely knows what one-tenth means. They understand better if there are 10 pennies in front of them and one is put into a tithing envelope.
17. Flannel Boards - Also for children, this method is a great way to help teach part of a lesson.
18. Games - Should relate to the lesson, but can be creative. Competition should not be the focus and there should not be losers, only winners.
19. Guest Speakers - Having someone to come to your class and share a personal experience or example.
20. Handouts - Perfect to help your students remember what they've learned after your lesson is over.
21. Lectures - Should be short and to the point to keep the attention of your students.
22. Likening - Directly applying to the lives of your students gospel principles, stories, and situations in the scriptures.
23. Maps - A great visual aid to help illustrate your lesson, many maps are available in both church and local libraries.
24. Memorization - Learning a scripture, quote, or verse by heart is great for more long term applications.
25. Music - Quickly brings the Spirit of the Lord into your classroom. Only Church appropriate music should be used.
26. Music With Narratives - Songs that teach about a principle can be followed by short text (read silently or aloud) or by another song.
27. Overhead Projectors - Can be used in multiple ways, including class participation and involvement in reading, answering questions, or taking quizzes.
28. Panel Discussions - Having at least two groups discuss a topic from different points of view.
29. Paper Stand-Up Figures - For children, these can be used to represent themselves or characters from the lesson.
30. Pictures - A visual aid that can be very affective if used in direct correlation with the lesson.
31. Puppets - All kinds of puppets (simple to more complex) can be made to tell a long story or part of history that might be boring if just narrated.
32. Reader's Theaters - Have students read a particular assignment and then explain the main points of what was read.
33. Recitations - Similar to Choral Readings but done on an individual level.
34. Role Playing - Scripts read with assigned characters and narrator(s) to help demonstrate part of the lesson.
35. Roller boxes - Illustrated stories on long sheets of paper which are wrapped around two sticks. The story is is wrapped around one stick and is exposed (usually through a hole in a box) when wrapped around the other stick.
36. Scriptures - Should be used often, although can be simplified for young children.
37. Stations - Students are divided into groups and are taught a different point at each station.
38. Stories - Very effective to help apply gospel principles.
39. Visual Aids - Help maintain the attention of your students.
40. Work Sheets and Activity Sheets - Quizzes, puzzles, questions, and other type of work sheets can help students think of the points on a more personal level.

4. Love Them

It is so important to get to know those you teach. That's why we ask for faithful attendance and have activities outside of the Sunday setting.

"But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another." (Mosiah 4:15.) In order to teach our students to love one another, we must love them first. Teach with love, show your love, and let them know how important they are.

"Parents and teachers should see beyond the little girl in pigtails and should not be misled by the ragged little boy with a dirty face and holes in knees of his pants. True teachers and leaders see children as they may become. They see the valiant missionary who will one day share his testimony with the world and later become a righteous father who honors his priesthood." Boyd K. Packer, "Teach the Children", Ensign, May 1991.

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