There are 4 steps you can follow to adopt the learning experience. Steps 1–3 help us have a big picture view of the learning experience. This also helps us to see clear guideposts that will keep us on track during our lesson preparation. Steps 1–3 do not need to take much time. Step 4 will take more time and is an essential part of your preparation.
Step 1: Identify the lesson purpose
The lesson purpose is a statement that provides a clear target for what we hope students will know, feel, or do as a result of the learning experience. When we have a clear outcome for student learning, we can be more purposeful on what we invite students to do. All of the content students study and the activities they do should be moving students toward this learning outcome.
Begin by identifying this lesson purpose in the last sentence of the first paragraph. You may want to mark what you find. Next, notice the verb in the purpose statement and determine if it is focused on helping students know, feel, or do.
Once you have identified the lesson purpose consider what relevant needs, problems, questions it will help with. Also consider how accomplishing the lesson purpose will help students achieve the objective of Seminaries & Institutes.
Want to see an example?
Preparing and Teaching Life Preparation Lesson: Inservice with Teachers from time code 1:51 to 3:37
Step 2: Find the bolded truth and carefully study the word of God
This bolded truth anchors the learning experience to the word of God to ensure that we are teaching truth that will deepen conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This truth, as well as the scriptures and statements that are used to teach it, help students to have an experience in the word of God and accomplish the lesson purpose.
Find the bolded truth by looking for it in the curriculum. It will be in bold type. Carefully study the scripture verses and statements from Church leaders in the lesson where the truth is found. If possible, study the context of the verses. Mark phrases that you feel will help to identify the truth. Mark any other truths you see that would help support, clarify, or add emphasis to the bolded truth. Doing this will help you develop a greater appreciation for the truth and the scriptures in which it is found.
After identifying the bolded truth and studying the associated scriptures where it is found, consider how identifying and understanding the bolded truth will help students have a meaningful experience in the word of God and accomplish the lesson purpose.
Want to see an example?
Preparing and Teaching Life Preparation Lesson: Inservice with Teachers from time code 3:37–7:30
Step 3: Identify what students do to demonstrate their learning according to the lesson purpose
This activity, located near the end of the lesson gives every student an opportunity to demonstrate for themselves what they learned. Some examples of how the lesson may have students demonstrate learning include writing, explaining, sharing, making a plan, practicing a skill, or creating something.
After identifying in the curriculum the activity to allow students to demonstrate learning consider how doing the activity will help you and your students know if the lesson purpose was achieved.
Want to see an example?
Preparing and Teaching Life Preparation Lesson: Inservice with Teachers from time code 7:30 to 9:49
Step 4: Study the rest of the lesson as if you were a student
Before helping your students have a meaningful learning experience, you need to have your own. Answer the questions and do the activities as if you were a student. This includes studying the scriptures or statements from church leaders again, this time following the prompts suggested by the curriculum. Studying the lesson as if you were a student can help you have your own learning experience and imagine what it might be like for your students. It can also help you learn by the Spirit and enter the classroom having been edified, uplifted, and better prepared to provide a similar experience for your students. Students will feel your excitement and eagerness to teach and will likely be more eager to learn.
After you finish studying the lesson and designated scriptures and/or teachings of church leaders, consider how the selected scriptures students will read, bolded truths, quotes, and activities align with the lesson purpose and provide students opportunities to accomplish it. Consider which activities were meaningful to you and might be meaningful to your students.
Want additional examples and practice?
Training: Ask questions to assess your own experience and testimony with Jesus Christ and the doctrine and principles in the lesson. For a model of this skill see this video:
Training: Use the lesson purpose in the curriculum to simplify your lesson preparation and guide the selection of learning experiences for your students.