October Memorization

YOUR INNER DRUMMER
Listen to your inner drummer, step to its quiet beat.
The world beats another rhythm, a rhythm of defeat.
Let us become a holy people, peculiar and divine.
Living in the world but walking out of time.
--Shirley Greene

D&C 121: 45 

 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, 

and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; 

then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God;

and the doctrine of the priesthood 

shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 

October Week 1: Leadership Academy

WEEK 1: Leadership Academy

A look at VIRTUE and how it relates to our Freedom, both as individuals and as a society.

*Each week, you need to meet with your parents or a mentor and review the material for the week so you can individually tailor it to your studies: powerful and necessary :).

"Starting Point":
1. Review our Poem and Scripture for the month
2. Consider the following quote:

"Elders Maxwell, Holland, and President Hinckley remind us forcefully that constitutional freedom cannot endure without personal virtue."                                             Just and Holy Principles, pg xiii

3. Do a word study on "Virtue"--make sure to include scriptures!
4. Read this:

Many years ago I heard the story of the son of King Louis XVI of France. King Louis had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought that inasmuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.

They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. They exposed him to dishonor and distrust. He was surrounded 24 hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment—but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure. Finally, after intensive temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to these things—why had he not partaken? These things would provide pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his. The boy said, “I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be a king.”

4. Read "The Freedom Factor" by Gerald Lund.  Read at least pages 97-end after reading the synposis below to get the feeling we are looking for. Pay attention to behaviors, quotes, or feelings you notice or feel while reading.

5. Review the "Be Pro-Active" Chapter in "The 7 Habits for Highly-effective Teens."  Choose a baby step (or create your own) and practice it. Share in class how you are applying this principle in your studies. Consider the following questions: How can being pro-active help us preserve our liberty?  Does being pro-active increase our liberty?  How about our ability to live virtuous lives? 

"Bunny Trails":
Select from the following or pick your own--
-Write a paper based upon the Freedom Factor or persuasive essay.  Possible topics:

Was the book convincing that we should not have communism.  Why or why not?

Different people had different approaches to how to govern.  Compare and contrast two of them, using quotes and examples.  

-Watch this video about modesty and sexual purity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31aK2Y9yvZc 
...then ask yourself how does their choice to be pure and virtuous give them freedom, freedom to be themselves, freedom from guilt, and freedom to feel God’s love and freedom to feel the Holy Ghost?  Do some more study and research on this and tell us what you find.

-Read pages 8-9 or 19-23 of "Our Constition Rocks" and relate it to "The Freedom Factor."  You can either share with someone verbally or in writing your thoughts. Reconsider the quote about the relationship between freedom and virtue when thinking about this.  What principles are there?  What is the messages they share?  Are they true?  Can you find scriptures or words of the prophets to validate or discredit them?

-Read the whole article in "The King's Son" story quoted above and act out the story for someone.  Share your favorite quotes and any thoughts you have about it.  Find other videos or thoughts that help inspire people to remain virtuous and share them!

-Review "What would the Founding Father's Think?" after reading "The Freedom Factor" and notice any connections you may have.  Bring them to share in a presentation type of your choosing.

-What other things did the readings above make you think of?  What stood out as interesting to you?  Do a brain cloud, pick a topic that you feel interested in or inspired to do.  Research it in depth and bring it to class to share!

-Do a more in-depth study of "Be Pro-Active" complete with conference talks, scriptures, videos or examples and share them in a FHE or with us in class.

More Bunny Trail ideas!
-  Read, watch or listen to Elder Hales talk from the April 2014 conference about obedience and being obedient as a society to God's laws.  Sing, play or listen to "Do What Is Right!" and then think of any connections or ah-hahs you have.  Share the quotes, connections and thoughts you have in any way you would like: skit, powerpoing, speech, etc.  You could also learn the song "Do What Is Right!" in sign language here, perform it for us, and share why it is important to do what is right.

"Project Time"
Start a project this week that you feel inspired to as you start your study of Virtue and how it relates to you and your freedom.  It can be a week-project or a month-project.  Report to us in class how it is going.

**********************************************************************
Synopsis of first 97 pages of "The Freedom Factor" by Gerald Lund:
Nathaniel Gorham, an original Founding Father, visits young Bryce Sherwood, a rising aide to a Washington senator and a key player in an attempt to pass an amendment that would eliminate the checks and balances built into the Constitution. Bryce refuses to change his position.

Meanwhile, Bryce is falling in love with Leslie Adams, a spirited young history teacher who is passionate about defending the Constitution.  While they enjoy each other greatly, their different feelings about the Constitution keep getting in their way.

Bryce is also being enticed to join Elliot Mannington, the passionate, charismatic leader of the new ammendment.  Bryce feels special and selected by Mannington's attention.  Mannington, hearing of Bryce's growing attachment to Leslie, demands that Bryce sever the relationship.

Read pages 62-65 which covers one of the key conversations between Gorham and Bryce.

Then you can start reading at page 97 to cover the key section of the book that I want read for CORE class.

There is a lot of character building during the first section, but if you are pressured on time, I would prefer you focused on finishing up the book from 97-294.  You can still come to CORE class if you only read these parts along with the synopsis.  We will be doing a simulation based upon this book, so get ready!

October Week 2: Geo-Conquest

WEEK 2: Geo-Conquest

Look at examples of Virtue and how it relates to personal freedom  in the lives of people in history & around the world--and then learn from them!

 

*Each week, you need to meet with your parents or a mentor and review the material for the week so you can individually tailor it to your studies: powerful and necessary :).

"Starting Point":
1. Review the scripture and poem for the month
2. Read Chapter "Standing Firm" in Be the Change.  Record your thoughts or favorite quotes as you read by sharing them with others or writing them down.
3. Find a family history story that has to do with virtue (or the lack thereof) and bring it to share.
4. Label these things on a map: China, Japan, India, Himalayas, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Indian Ocean, Arabian Peninsula, Irael, Phillipines, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Ural Mountains, Russia, Siberia (in Russia), Turkey, Caspian Sea. (You can cut and paste the below on a paper or cut and paste an image from here or draw your own...)

5. Festival: Prepare for our Lantern festival by being prepared with the following: 

• Bring a pint size or smaller mason jar, tape, and scissors.
• Write your own riddle and bring it with you.  If you need help on how to write a riddle, you can find many resources on the web.
• Bring an Asian dish to share.
• If you have stilts and/or drums bring them.  If you don't have them and want to make some that would work, too. 

5. World in a Minute: Find a news article in Asia (preferably) or anywhere in the world that has to do with someone being virtuous or not.

"Bunny Trails":
Select from the following or pick your own--

- celebrate Asia by enjoying some of the dances that they have!  If you are interested, please contact Angie or Abby and let us know which one you would like to do.  Here is the list:  Research and perform a version of the Yangge dance (I think this is for girls), build a long, long dragon for us all to participate in the dragon dance, research and teach us how to do the land boat dance or perform it yourself or with some of your friends in Vanguard, research the lion dance and make a costume and perform the lion dance for us (this will require 3 people--recruit your siblings in Vanguard or your other friends in Vanguard).

-memorize 30 or more places, mountains, rivers, etc on a map of Asia or draw your own detailed map of Asia

-find more stories from your family history and share them with your family, put them into a presentation, or write up summaries or graphic summaries of them...or find some other way to research more in-depth family history

-after reading the chapter in "Be the Change," do more research about the people mentioned, find related videos, quotes, and articles, and present your findings

-look at people in Asian modern times and history that exhibited virtue like Saladin and the man mentioned in this article: Tankman Hero of China's Tianamen Square.  Find someway to learn more and teach more about them: a report, powerpoint, speech, etc.  Come teach us!

-research more news articles and their backgrounds finding reports to help us understand or give evidence of the following quote:

"The most recent warnings of Church authorites regarding the now imperiled bond between rights and moral responsibility suggest the need for continued reflection on the relationship between freedom and virtue as we renew our efforts to secure the political conditions for the fullest exercise of moral agency." Just and Holy Principles, pg xiii

"Project Time"
Get ready to present what you have done this month for your project with us!  It can be either the more recent one(s) you haven't shared or a main one that you have been working on all month.

October Week 3: Eureka!

WEEK 3: Eureka! 

Seek and ask for explosions of light and truth  as we penetrate deception in order to help us maintain the Title of Liberty
 

*Each week, you need to meet with your parents or a mentor and review the material for the week so you can individually tailor it to your studies: powerful and necessary :).

"Starting Point": Do all the following--
-Read Ch. 4 in "Lead Like Jesus." Record or share your thoughts or favorite quotes.
-Read "Hansel and Gretel" and look for messages in that fairy tale.
-Read the following scripture and quote and think about what virtue and geology have to do with each other:

 Moses 6:63 And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.

"In the development of modern-day temples, careful attention is given to the design, engineering, and use of building materials. Thorough testing of the soils and geology takes place on the site where a temple will be built. Studies of wind, rain, and changes in the weather for the area are considered so that the completed temple can withstand not only storms and climate common to an area, but the temple is designed and positioned to withstand the unexpected earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other natural calamities that may occur. In many temples, concrete or steel piles are driven deep into the earth to anchor the temple foundation."

Like the designers and builders of our time, our loving and kind Father in Heaven and His Son have prepared plans, tools, and other resources for our use so that we can build and frame our lives to be sure and unshaken. The plan is the plan of salvation, the great plan of happiness. The plan lays out for us a clear picture and understanding of the beginning and the end and the essential steps, including ordinances, which are necessary for each of Father’s children to be able to return to His presence and dwell with Him forever."--"A Sure Foundation" Davies, 4/13

Questions to consider...

-The earth has different levels and each has to work together to make it a functional planet

-We can learn from the past by looking down through the layers 

-Each rock is different and has unique properties that contribute to it's strength and ability to perform.

-Read one of the following about Geology or find your own reliable resource approved by your parent or myself:

 "The Geology Book" by Dr. John D. Morris

 First 3 chapters in "Geology for Kids" at this link (please note the chapters 1-5 are listed at the bottom left of the site--just do the first three).  Each section within the chapter is very short.

"Bunny Trails":
Select from the following or pick your own to take your studies further.  You can explore a couple things in minor depth or one in more depth. Come prepared to teach us more about what you learned :)!

-Take the chapter from Lead Like Jesus, make connections, find quotes, articles and videos that go with it, and present it to us or as a family home evening or devotional in your home.  Report to your parent or us how it went.  You can also write a paper or do a powerpoint/prezi on your findings.


-Go to https://www.lds.org/search?lang=eng&query=geology and/or https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/earth?lang=eng and look for connections between Geology and the gospel.  Record them and share them in some way of presentation or display.  (This will also help with Journeyman if you are going to journeyman the next day.)

-Do a word study on Foundation and compare it to your word study on "Virtue" from earlier this month.  What connections do you find?  Write about it or create a presentation of your connections in some other way.

-Read Moses 7:48

 48 And it came to pass that Enoch looked upon the earth; and he heard a voice from the bowels thereof, saying: Wo, wo is me, the mother of men; I am pained, I am weary, because of the wickedness of my children. When shall I rest, and be cleansed from the filthiness which is gone forth out of me? When will my Creator sanctify me, that I may rest, and righteousness for a season abide upon my face?

Think about how the earth is living and what that means to you.   How would you care for it more carefully? Look into ways you can do that, research the effects of pollution, erosion, and waste control or take your research wherever you feel prompted. Come and teach us what you learned!

-Look at these scriptures about how the earth was divided:

• Let the waters be gathered together unto one place:Gen. 1:9;
• In the days of Peleg was the earth divided:Gen. 10:25;
• After the waters had receded, it became a choice land:Ether 13:2;
• The earth shall be like it was before it was divided:D&C 133:24;

Compare scriptural and secular accounts of how the world was formed and created and present or record your findings somehow.

-Read "The Core and Crust of Leadership" by Clark (2 pages) and make any connections you can between geology, virtue and leadership...powerful!!!  Bring and share your ah-has or thoughts, write them down, or share them with a parent.

-Make a collection of rocks and use this article (or one of your own sources) to test how they are different.


"Project Time"
Time to report back on the progress of your month long project, your weekly one, or your currently adapted one!  Look at your life: how can applying virtue in some way improve your studies, your relationships with others, family, or God?  How can virtue change your life?  Prayerfully find a way and apply it.  Inspire us by sharing with us what and how you are doing!

We will be going on a field trip for the last part, after lunch, so please be prepared for that!

October Week 4: Imaginative Arts

WEEK 4: Imaginative Arts 

The week when we get to CREATE and EXPRESS OURSELVES using the arts of the beautiful lens, making what we learned a part of our lives forever….

 

*Each week, you need to meet with your parents or a mentor and review the material for the week so you can individually tailor it to your studies: powerful and necessary :).

MONTHLY FOCUS:  

 A look at Virtue through the Imaginative Arts Lens

"Starting Point":
1. Come ready to pass off our poem and scripture for the month!

2. Read "Red Scarf Girl" or "Wild Swans" or "Mao's Last Dancer."  Try to record your thoughts or favorite quotes as you read by sharing them with others or writing them down.

3. This week, pay attention to the different types of music you and those around you listen to.  How does it make you feel?  Who tends to listen to what kinds of music?  Ask them why and how it makes them feel.  Come to class and share what you found!

4. Read Chapter 2 in "Aspire" and record your thoughts in your journal.

Some questions you could answer in your journal are: What is a pathfinder?  Do I agree with the statement "Life isn't practice?"  Why or why not?  Who are the leaders in my life?  Why should I go the extra mile? Instead of writing, you could draw a picture or take a picture of something that reminds you of this chapter and what it means to be a pathfinder. Bring to class  to share during our discussion.

"Bunny Trails":
Select from the following or pick your own--
-Relating to the "Aspire" chapter do one or more of the following:

• Identify and honor a pathfinder that you know whose behavior best reflects a true Pathfinder by selecting a person and then reaching out to this person to explain to them what a pathfinder is and why they personafiy this word.  You could do this in person, with a letter or email.
• Identify one interest or talent in your life and choose 1 thing you can do each day to develop that talent.  Write it down and try doing it for 7 days in a row.  Share with us how it went.
• Do you have someone who is showing you the way?  Write about this person, how you met them and how they have or are helping you.  Share in class.
• Look for clues each day that will help you on "your journey".  Record them in your journal and act  upon promptings you receive.
• Think of one project, job, or service that you are currently doing.  Identify how you can go the extra mile and do it.

-Draw a picture of Ji-Li Jiang (or one of the other main characters in another of the approved books) and incorporate oriental aspects and images that evoke the need for virtue.  Use a different medium of art that you haven't used before.  Listen to oriental music while you are doing it.  Pay attention to how it makes you feel.

-Do a Character T-chart of two characters in the book or a graphic summary about the book.  Find some videos, music or articles that help you understand the characters or the book better.

-Gather videos, songs, poems, art or stories and combine them into a FHE lesson or devotional for your family, seminary or Vanguard.  If you do not share it with us, tell us how it went and share some highlights.

-Just like body language and art communicates, music does as well.  Do a research project studying the effect of music on people or research other studies that have been done. (Maybe, with your research, you can help your parents find something good about the music you like, if they don't already like it :).)

-Consider the article by Oliver DeMille "Government Secrecy Kills Freedom" and compare the ideas in it to what you found in Red Scarf Girl in a paper, speech, or some other presentation.


"Project Time"
Get ready to present what you have done this month for your project with us!  It can be either the more recent one(s) you haven't shared yet or a main one that you have been working on all month.