First Impressions:
I just taught seminary for the first time, and I feel like a deflated balloon. All my praying, planning, and preparing just wasn't enough to knock the socks off my students. I still remember the first day of my seminary experience. My teacher did a tremendous job of getting us fired up about the scriptures. He was funny and dynamic. I knew that it would be a great year and that I would learn so much. I'm afraid I didn't evoke the same feelings in my class.
What didn't go well:
My nervousness was a little too obvious.
I forgot my camera.
I called one of the students by the wrong name (dang it)!
I pretty much sang a solo for the opening song.
I was BORING despite all my planning.
I didn't give the students time to interact with each other much.
We only scratched the surface of the plan of salvation.
I forgot about the closing prayer and the students had to remind me (duh).
What did go well:
My classroom room was ready with bulletin boards decorated.
I actually slept okay the night before (thank you, Benadryl).
I started and ended on time, give or take a minute.
An additional student joined our class.
Every student that enrolled showed up.
Students participated when asked.
My plan of salvation puzzle came together, and I was able to transfer it to my unfinished bulletin board.
The students seemed to like my chocolate analogy for the three degrees of glory.
What's Next:
Tomorrow I will try, try again! We'll be jumping into the title page and introduction to the Book of Mormon. I also want to spend time doing some relationship building activities with the students, including a group picture. My 2nd day goal is to bring more energy into the class. I want to see that they are excited!!!
Don't beat yourself up! Your pro list outweighed your con by a mile. The singing will come; that's pretty hard at that hour of the morning. They're still sleepy and adjusting to this new routine. POS is often hard to teach because the basics of it are so familiar to them and they think they know it. But it's crucial that they know their place in it -- it will help keep them out of trouble! Shake it off and move on. Did you decide to go with the CDs or do you have a piano? Choose easy hymns and only sing 1-2 verses only. I'll call you mas tarde to talk. Love the blog idea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your mom. Sounds like you had more going for you than you give yourself credit for. :) One of the great things about seminary is that if the first day didn't go the way you wanted there are still more than 265 days until the end of the year for you to get it "right" ... ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me like you did much better than you believe. I have had very similar experiences with my Teacher's Quorum. What I want them to show is excited, happy faces reflecting my work and concern. What I often get is blank stares from some, and luke warm interest from others. However, then I get some wonderful nugget from one of the parents who tells me how much their son likes what we are doing. Maybe they have even talked at home about one of the lessons. Wow! Maybe what you see IS NOT what you get.
ReplyDeleteHang in there baby. You do the teaching, the Spirit will do the rest.
That was Mom, not Dad. I was using Dad's computer.
ReplyDelete