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Bountiful -> LDS Discussions -> Teaching in primary: how to stop the giggling over scripture
Post Info TOPIC: Teaching in primary: how to stop the giggling over scripture
hiccups


Future Queen in Zion

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Teaching in primary: how to stop the giggling over scripture
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Seriously. A couple weeks back we had 3 lessons in a row that I lost time and the children's attention because of words in the scriptures that made them all silent and/or giggly. I teach the 11 yr olds and we're doing the BoM this year. The troublesome words have been "dumb ass," "damn," and "hell." They were in some scripture that we really needed to cover, I felt, but it just was too much of a distraction for them.

So, I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas for deals with this when it comes up? I tried to take a moment to explain the words and their usage in the scripture, but I don't think they really heard me. Is this just a hazard of teaching this age and I should just do my best to move on afterwards?

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Cocobeem


Keeper of the Holy Grail

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Classic example of shock value. They clearly need to hear these words more at home. Maybe a note to the parents?

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hiccups


Future Queen in Zion

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rofl.gif Thanks, Coco, I knew I could count on you.

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"The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine." --Elaine S. Dalton
bokbadok


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Maybe coco meant it as a joke, but I think she's got a point. Kids need to learn at some point that the word ass is not necessarily a swear word. Coming out of coco's fingers it may be... my point still stands.

How old are these kids again? I forget. If they simply can't handle the words, then you might want to try paraphrasing the verses with the distractions in them. Tell them the story and use the word donkey instead. Is that workable or do you feel that "waters down" the gospel too much?

Another idea would be to call or write to the parents the week before, present the verses you will be reading in class, and ask them to talk with their children and educate them about context in the scriptures. If the same kids keep having trouble - invite that child's parent to sit in on the lesson to help keep control.

I'm just rambling now....

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Valhalla


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I have to admit that this one from Mos. 12 came up in family scripture reading I started chuckling as my wife read it, of course my oldest then started laughing:

5 Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass. (this just doesn't work)

I thought this was funny from the same chapter, I just picture King Noah, saying, "Yes, yes, I got it the first time you morons.:

10 And he also prophesieth evil concerning thy life, and saith that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire.
11 And again, he saith that thou shalt be as a stalk, even as a dry stalk of the field, which is run over by the beasts and trodden under foot.
12 And again, he saith thou shalt be as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land.

Or: 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb aass speaking with mans voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Or:
 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; (I wonder who the guy was that Abraham singled out?)

Jacob must not have liked his son: 14 ¶ aIssachar is a strong ass

Hey, when it starts talking to you: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/num/22/23#23

We couldn't find them with both hands! 16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found.

-- Edited by Valhalla at 10:13, 2008-05-13

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beefche


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Well, now we know that Val wouldn't be much help to stop the giggling....he'd be great at starting it!  rofl.gif

I would try yelling, screaming, threats of beatings, threats of death. 

If that doesn't work for you, then I would try bok's suggestions.  You could also try taking the gigglers beforehand off to the side and ask them for help.  Ask them to read the scriptures and help the others understand what they really mean since some kids only think damn, hell, ass, etc are "bad" words--they may not know the real meaning.

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beefche


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Or just confront them in class (in a nice way) and ask what the problem is.  Sometimes tackling it head on is a good defense.

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mirkwood


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I'm probably going to hell...I've been known to emphasize that scripture when my wife and I are reading...

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coolcucumbers


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A reason I don't last very long in sunday school or primary callings...I must have a little bit of 11 yr old girl left in me. I would be giggling right along with them.

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Jen


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I still giggle at the "driven forth like a dumb ass" scripture. Every time.

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Cocobeem


Keeper of the Holy Grail

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I liked that song, "The ox and ass kept time, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum..."

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nitasmile


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A recent time when I subbed in primary, (10 year olds), one boy said "dumb donkey".

I do understand the kids, in the above example there wasn't too much laughing. It is a hard situation.

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