Return to [Seminary-Notes]

Student-Parent-Teacher Meetings

[Seminary-Notes]
====================================
FOR YOUR INFORMATION...
====================================      

One of the best things I've found to help the Seminary year start off right is to meet with each Seminary student and their parent(s) in their home during the 2-3 weeks before the school year begins.

(Meeting in their home is important because you can learn a lot about a family by being in their home for even a few minutes.)

Here are some of the topics we discuss during this "Student-Parent-Teacher Meeting":

• I begin by thanking the student regarding their decision to complete another great Seminary year.

• I ask students who their 'Seminary Teacher' is. They usually answer: "You are." But, then we open the scriptures and learn (from D&C 50:21-22,24 and 88:118, 122-123, etc.) that the real teacher in our class will be the Holy Ghost, and we briefly discuss how we can learn to listen to the Spirit.

• Then I ask what their personal 'Seminary goals' are for the upcoming year. (Most students haven't thought about it, so it gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better as I learn about things that are important to them.)

• I have them fill out a "Getting to Know You" worksheet (name, address, phone, birthday, favorite church history story, something that makes them unique, etc.).

• I also have them fill out a CES Seminary registration/report card (if they haven't done so previously). I give them 2 sheets with all of the scripture mastery scriptures on it. One copy is for the Seminary student, and the other copy is for their Mom and Dad. I briefly discuss the importance of scripture mastery and encourage Mom and Dad to make scripture mastery a "family project" this year.

• I also "deputize" Dad and Mom with authority to 'pass off' scripture mastery scriptures from their student. (Then I trust students, during the year, to tell me what they've passed off, and they may always pass them off to me, too. 'Deputizing' Mom and Dad helps to keep parents involved with Seminary throughout the year, and it has the fringe benefit of relieving some of the administrative burden from you as their teacher.)

• I make a final check to ensure that each student has a set of scriptures to bring and leave at Seminary, and I offer to collect them right then and put them in the Seminary closet at church.

• I explain when and where Seminary starts each school morning, and I ask them how they will physically get to Seminary each morning. (I'm often surprised by how many students and parents haven't thought through the answer to this basic question.)

• I next commit each student (and their parents) to do their very best to attend Seminary, on-time every day.

• I also ask how the student will be arriving to Seminary every morning. (I'm always amazed by how many students and families haven't thought through the logistics of getting to Seminary each morning.)

• I then ask for a commitment from the student (first) and their Dad and Mom (next) to be punctual for Seminary every morning.

• I discuss the CES requirements to complete a Seminary year.

• I talk to them about the requirements for our annual "extra mile" award. (This is an optional award many of the wards in our stake make available for students who would like to exceed the minimum CES Seminary requirements. This year it's called the Joseph Award.) I leave two copies of the requirements with them -- one for the student and one for their parents. (I will send out a separate [Seminary-Notes] newsletter on this topic later, but briefly... some of the requirements are to 'pass' all 25 scripture mastery scriptures to the best of their ability, give a Book of Mormon to a nonmember, teach one Seminary lesson, attend a baptism, perform 4 hours of service...)

• Then I briefly outline my grading policy and explain that every student can earn an A or A+ every term, if they want to (and that an unlimited amount of extra credit is always available). (There is no official CES grading policy that I am aware of; this is just one I developed over several years, and it's worked well for my students.)

• If the student is a freshman (or new to Seminary) I go into more detail about how Seminary "works" and what a typical Seminary day looks like.

• I also explain our snow policy to them (which may or may not be an issue where you live).

• I let the parents know when "Parents Day" at Seminary will be. (It's a day when one or both parents attend Seminary instead of their students -- usually the 2nd Friday of the Seminary year. I will also send out a separate [Seminary-Notes] newsletter on this topic at a later time.)

• Then I answer any questions that the student or parents may have and let them know that they may call, email, or contact me at any time.

• I leave a half-page summary of some of the important items that we have discussed above (including when the first day of class will be, where our classroom is, what time class starts, and scriptural reading suggestions before the Seminary year begins).

• I share a short scripture from the Standard Work that we will be studying in the coming year (perhaps one of the Doctrine & Covenants scripture mastery scriptures) and give a very brief overview of what we'll be studying in the coming year.

• Then I close by bearing my testimony and promise them the great blessings that can come into their lives this year (student and parents) if they will participate fully in Seminary and seek to become more like our Savior.

Each visit takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour -- but it's some of the best time that I get to spend with each student. I think there are numerous advantages to meeting with students and parents like this:

• It helps you get to know your students and their parents.

• It helps students and parents get to know you.

• It helps students (especially freshmen, recent baptisms, and move-ins) feel more comfortable, especially during the first day of class.

• Parents feel more involved in their student's Seminary experience.

• It also allows you to avoid all of the "Administrivia" during the first few days of class.

I highly recommend adapting this idea to your needs. It can pay great dividends throughout the Seminary year.

(To possibly save you some time and work, please note that a "Getting to Know You" worksheet, scripture mastery summary sheets, Seminary Award requirement sheets, term reports, and many other useful teaching resources can be found in the Seminary Scripture Mastery Resource packets.)

Best wishes,

Ken 

Scripture Mastery Resources!
www.KenAlford.com

Return to [Seminary-Notes]