Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Welcome back to our early morning seminary teacher training series! In this video, we explore how incorporating writing exercises—such as note-taking, journal assignments, worksheets, personal reflection, and essays—can effectively deepen and clarify student thinking.
Key Concepts Covered in This Training:
An Invitation to the Holy Ghost: Discover the profound impact of writing in the classroom. As Elder David A. Bednar taught, writing down what we learn and feel is a form of pondering and serves as a "powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction".
The Pre-Discussion Strategy: Learn the benefits of inviting students to respond to a question in writing before sharing their thoughts aloud. Giving students this quiet time allows them to formulate their ideas and receive spiritual impressions, making them more inclined to participate and ensuring their contributions are more meaningful.
Best Practices for Writing Activities: To ensure students get the most out of these exercises, teachers must provide clear, written instructions that students can refer to, establish appropriate time limits, and actively support the class throughout the activity. The best prompts focus on relevant gospel truths and help students make a personal application. Always follow up by inviting students to explain, share, or testify of what they learned.
Adapting for Every Student: We cover how to adjust assignments for younger students or those with limited abilities by using fill-in-the-blank exercises, focusing on short passages, and giving them sufficient time. Furthermore, it is vital to offer alternative methods—such as having another student act as a scribe or making an audio recording—for those who have difficulty writing.
Crucial Guardrails and Privacy: A classroom must be a safe environment. Teachers must assure students that activities focusing on personal feelings or commitments will never be shared without the student's permission. We also emphasize that writing should never be overused, nor should it ever be assigned as "busy work" or as a punishment for misbehavior.
Watch now to learn how to skillfully integrate writing activities into your lesson plan to help your students receive inspiration and recognize the Lord's hand in their lives!
Welcome back to our early morning seminary teacher training series! In this video, we explore how incorporating writing exercises—such as note-taking, journal assignments, worksheets, personal reflection, and essays—can effectively deepen and clarify student thinking.
Key Concepts Covered in This Training:
An Invitation to the Holy Ghost: Discover the profound impact of writing in the classroom. As Elder David A. Bednar taught, writing down what we learn and feel is a form of pondering and serves as a "powerful invitation to the Holy Ghost for continuing instruction".
The Pre-Discussion Strategy: Learn the benefits of inviting students to respond to a question in writing before sharing their thoughts aloud. Giving students this quiet time allows them to formulate their ideas and receive spiritual impressions, making them more inclined to participate and ensuring their contributions are more meaningful.
Best Practices for Writing Activities: To ensure students get the most out of these exercises, teachers must provide clear, written instructions that students can refer to, establish appropriate time limits, and actively support the class throughout the activity. The best prompts focus on relevant gospel truths and help students make a personal application. Always follow up by inviting students to explain, share, or testify of what they learned.
Adapting for Every Student: We cover how to adjust assignments for younger students or those with limited abilities by using fill-in-the-blank exercises, focusing on short passages, and giving them sufficient time. Furthermore, it is vital to offer alternative methods—such as having another student act as a scribe or making an audio recording—for those who have difficulty writing.
Crucial Guardrails and Privacy: A classroom must be a safe environment. Teachers must assure students that activities focusing on personal feelings or commitments will never be shared without the student's permission. We also emphasize that writing should never be overused, nor should it ever be assigned as "busy work" or as a punishment for misbehavior.
Watch now to learn how to skillfully integrate writing activities into your lesson plan to help your students receive inspiration and recognize the Lord's hand in their lives!
