Our Stake has moved toward minimizing awards and making the ones we have really matter. We now have what we call “The Generation of Excellence Award.”

Last year our stake started a program that I think has been used in Utah. It’s called “lettering”, as in a getting an High School letter when participating in sports, etc.

Ideas for a Seminary Graduation

I did a Seminary Olympics with my class. I tried not to get too complicated, but to capitalize on the idea of setting goals and working toward them.

Here are some graduation ideas that have gone over well in our stake.

I teach Freshman and for the last few years I’ve given awards at the end of the year. I adapt the award to the course of study, here’s my list for this year.

Parents can be a great help to teachers of children with special needs.

Our seminary just graduated a young man with severe autism this last year. I had him his senior year which may have been an advantage over the teachers who had him in the younger years, not because of his maturity so much as the maturity of the class. But I know that all of the teachers loved him. He was a wonderful addition to the class, mostly in spirit. He was a physical testimony before us each morning, of the gospel of Christ on so many levels.

Ideas for teaching students with Autism

I had an inspired idea as I talked with my co-teacher about the talking in our Seminary class. We decided to take our 3 most disruptive students aside individually and ask them to be a hero in the BoM. We asked them if they would like to help us and all three said yes.

To help my students understand how a little participation on their part can greatly increase their understanding of the gospel, and make seminary more than just a "place to be instead of bed", I used this object lesson.

Sometimes we all build invisible walls around ourselves for protection, or perhaps because of feelings of insecurity, distrust, fear, and misunderstanding. How can we most effectively penetrate such barriers? How do we talk to people who don’t particularly want to talk to us? How do we make ourselves into the kind of people others will open up to?

This incredible activity captured on video taught a group of youth just how important their words are to those around them - 

An idea that "serves" to create caring within a group

Six crazy ideas - They are growing up, but there is still a kid in each of them - try some fun alternatives for choosing helpers

A great list of assignments for students to be in charge of for Seminary

By preparing devotionals several times a year, students learn great leadership skills and confidence

Give everyone a chance to lead and the guidance to do well

How one teacher handles sharing leadership opportunities for students

Here is a cute chart you can use for daily assignments

Try a small whiteboard for your daily agenda/assignments

Consider having an extra adult in the classroom

As a parent of a disabled child, I would appreciate a teacher contacting me to find out how best to meet my child's needs.  Read my daughter's story of how her disability brought our family into the church.

Here are some of the things one parent worries about - what would you do to help her son have a seminary experience?

A mix of early morning and home study Seminary worked for one special student

Extra help goes a long way to helping someone keep up with classmates

Veteran teacher shares her grading system

Some ideas for dealing with students with an apathetic attitude

Top 10 Reasons for Keeping Students Awake at 6 AM

Norm setting is a method of setting teacher & student expectations, as well as consequences. It can make a real difference in how next year turns out for you.

Great Object Lesson and Story

This is an excellent talk by Elder Eyring about having a foundation in the gospel, and how obedience plays a roll in that.

Semelles technique for quieting down talkative students

Quick way to draw out a quiet group

Recognizing their need to chat can earn their respect

Meeting with each student

A recommended website for teachers

Clever ways to improve respect in Seminary

Using zones to control seating and talking problems.

Ideas for teachers to reduce tardies by ACCENTUATING the POSITIVE

An alternative to policing, have students be responsible for keeping track of their own behavior.

Students who arrive on-time get a chance for a revered and unique reward

List of ways students can make up for absences

Ready to use Excel Spreadsheet with a column for student names, class dates divided by month

Chart for students to fill in their daily attendance (arrival time) and scripture reading.

An alternative to awarding Seminary Bucks, great for NT year!

Q & A about an important topic between several teachers

Everyone has a role to play

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS CAN ADD TO CLASS SPIRITUALITY & GROWTH

Consider giving this survey at the beginning of the year, and again at the end of the year. Keep it in their journal.

Shake them from their stupor or acting out with an unexpected change

Keep track of class assignments, officers, attendance routine by month

Student handout for freshmen just starting Seminary

Fire up your class to read their scriptures