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Seminary "Film Festival"

The last week of the Seminary year can be an especially challenging time for both students and teachers. 

Students are naturally looking forward to completing another school year, and teachers often feel pressured to teach "everything" they were not able to teach during the rest of the school year.

I usually do not give "regular" lessons during the last week of the Seminary year. Instead, I try to have something new each day during the last week.

One of the fun things I like to do during the last week is to have a Seminary "Film Festival."

We take one Seminary class and watch again favorite CES-produced videos from the current Seminary year.

The CES Seminary videos are wonderfully produced and can have a great impact on the lives of our students. This is an additional method to help students learn the principles and doctrines taught through these videos.

There are several ways that you can select which CES videos to watch. For example:

• Give students a list and let them vote.

• Let your Seminary class officers decide which videos you will watch.

• Or, you can select which videos based on the needs of your students.

Here are a few ideas that may help you to have a successful Seminary "Film Festival:"

• If possible, avoid having to rewind or fast forward a videotape during class.

• Show consecutive videos (from one or both tapes).

• Borrow an extra set of CES videotapes from your CES Coordinator or another Seminary teacher in your stake.

• Ensure that the correct videos are correctly cued prior to the beginning of class.

• Check the total time of the videos you will show during your "film festival" (so you won't run out of time).

You can take the "film festival" theme and do as little or as much with it as you desire. 

Here are a few thoughts for you and your Seminary class officers to consider:

• Ask students to watch for--and write down--gospel doctrines and principles that are found in each of the videos you watch. You can then have a short discussion after each video (or at the end of class).

• Ask students to look for scripture mastery or other Doctrine & Covenants scriptures that relate to the videos that you view.

• Invite students to select "awards" for the videos you watch ("Best Video," "Favorite Video," "Best Presentation of a Scriptural Theme," etc.).

• Bring popcorn or another treat for your students.

• Watch the videos a few days before class, ask an important question or two before the video begins--so students will watch for the answer(s) while the video is playing.

• Reserve a few minutes before class ends to ask students to share the portions of the videos they enjoyed the most and how them made them feel.

You can also ask your Seminary class officers for additional ideas to make your "film festival" more beneficial and enjoyable for your Seminary class.

Best wishes,

Ken

www.KenAlford.com

(845) 446-4927

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