"Arise & Shine Forth" Pillowcases

 “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (D&C 115:5).

Mutual Theme for 2012

Yeah, we are a little behind. :)  Finally made our pillowcases with this year's mutual theme. Yup, I know it's September.... but we made them anyway.  Turned out super cute!

Each girl brought their own pillowcase.  We used silver iron-on vinyl for the lettering.  I just ordered it from someone who cuts and sells vinyl: A Purple Princess. We used a template I made of the sun using a file folder. The girls picked out their fabric for their sun from my fabric scrap pile.  We used the Heat n Bond Lite to apply the fabric sun to the pillowcase.  You just follow the instructions on the back of the package.  Then, the girls sewed around the rays and sun to reinforce it to the pillowcase.  They had fun and loved how they turned out!

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 “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (D&C 115:5).

Mutual Theme for 2012

Yeah, we are a little behind. :)  Finally made our pillowcases with this year's mutual theme. Yup, I know it's September.... but we made them anyway.  Turned out super cute!

Each girl brought their own pillowcase.  We used silver iron-on vinyl for the lettering.  I just ordered it from someone who cuts and sells vinyl: A Purple Princess. We used a template I made of the sun using a file folder. The girls picked out their fabric for their sun from my fabric scrap pile.  We used the Heat n Bond Lite to apply the fabric sun to the pillowcase.  You just follow the instructions on the back of the package.  Then, the girls sewed around the rays and sun to reinforce it to the pillowcase.  They had fun and loved how they turned out!

Personal Progress Marathon

love. love. LOVE this activity!!

Such a fun way to get 4 personal progress experiences signed off in ONE night!!

What I did was looked at all the master personal progress sheets and the personal progress charts online to see what common experiences were not passed off by the YW in my ward.  I tried to pick one for each value.  Divine Nature is hard, because a lot of those experiences need two weeks to pass off.  I picked the experience then found a presenter that is NOT in YW to teach that class the night of the Personal Progress Marathon.  The girls would then sign up for the 4 classes, based on their personal need.  Then, I made schedules for all of them to attend their classes and get the 4 experiences passed off! 

This takes a lot of planning, but it is SO worth it!

**I linked all my word documents.  You will of course have to edit them to fit your needs.  But, figured it's better than starting from scratch!!  Just make sure you download the documents as a "doc" so you can edit it in Microsoft Word.**

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?

Look through your YW personal progress charts to see which experiences a lot of them haven't passed off yet.  Try to pick one for each value.  Divine Nature is hard, so I had an "optional experience".  After coming up with the classes, find your presenters for the classes.  Tell them about the activity and give them the class information sheet (see below each value for the sheet for each class)  If you download and use my sheets, you will have to modify them for your needs- dates, names, etc....

This is an example of what the informational sheets look like:

I've held a Personal Progress Marathon twice now. 

 Here are the ideas for the classes I've organized so far:

Faith #3- FHE make & take kit

Faith #6- Plan of Salvation- craft or drawing

Divine Nature Optional Experience- sew Personal Progress Packets

*Note: ALL my girls wanted to make these.  So we had a "Day 2" of the Personal Progress Marathon.  Where for mutual they all made these!  Worked out perfect, cuz they were ALL able to finish them in one night!*

{Inside of packet.  This is mine. :)  I've been serving in YW for quite awhile.  So, instead of getting a new pink Personal Progress Journal when the pink books came out, I just kept my purple one.  The youth have the True to the Faith book and Strength of Youth booklet in their middle section.}

There are TONS of great tutorials out there for these.  Just google "Personal Progress Packets".  Prepare to be amazed. :)

Individual Worth #2- Have the Stake Patriarch come for this one!!

Individual Worth #7- On Positive Qualities. *I had the Laurel teach this one for hours for their Honor Bee*

{They did the cutest thing with this value.  See the 2nd page of the link to see where they got the idea.}

Knowledge #7- Review First Aid. Have a nurse from the ward come to teach this!

Choice & Accountability #6- YW Theme.  

{ You can order the YW Theme posters for FREE from the distribution center.  You can do that and have them highlight and mark different parts as you go over them.  Or just give it as a handout!  I had a member of the Stake YW Presidency teach this one.}

Good Works #4- FHE make & take kit on service

Good Works #7- Missionaries taught this one.

Integrity #2- Self-assessment of your personal integrity

Integrity #7- How to strengthen your family

Virtue #2- Holy Ghost {girls need to read the scriptures for this experience BEFORE this class}

Virtue #3- Temple Worthiness {girls need to read Alma 5 BEFORE this class}

YW SIGN UP:

First, I come up with the classes. Then, I make up a sign up sheet.

You can download my sign up sheet here.

After the girls sign up for their classes, I made and used this spreadsheet to help me figure out their schedules and when the classes needed to be available.  That way I could then tell the speakers (a) how many classes they would teach & what time (b) how many girls were in their class so they knew how many handouts to make.

Here is the link for the spreadsheet.  You, of course, will edit it.  

Then, after I've got all this dialed in, I give the presenters this sheet {see below}.  

This tells them (a) what time their classes are & how many (b) their classroom number (c) number and name of girls that will be in their class.

Download the sheets for presenters here.

You will of course edit it for your class times and girls names.  I just take the class schedule at the top of the above spreadsheet and copy and paste it to all these sheets for the presenters and highlight their class times etc...

YW SCHEDULES:

Next, you type up the YW schedules they will take with them from class to class.  I made a spot for all the presenters to sign or initial next to their class.  This way I know they actually attended the class and didn't ditch {yes... the teacher in me has come out! :)}

 Here you can download the YW schedules. 

*The "d"s that show up on the file are where the flowers are on mine.  Unless you have the font I used downloaded on your computer. :)*

Edit the schedules to look how you want!

REMINDERS FOR THE BIG NIGHT:

You can download the reminders here.  You will need to put your own time and date.  And use whatever font you want!

SET UP:

You will want to put signs up on the outside of each classroom door so the girls (and presenters) know where to go.  You can download the signs for the doors here.

In one ward I served we had a tablecloth for every value color so I put those on the tables in the room.

I set up the chairs depending on how many girls signed up for the class.  Didn't want them looking for chairs since they only have 25 minutes in each class.

In one ward I taped all their schedules to a chalkboard in the hall.  We put their name tags on the chalk tray {they wore name tags so the presenters knew who they were}.  When they came they picked up their schedule and name tag and went to their first class.

 The Girls Had FUN Passing Off Personal Progress!!

Pin It Now!

love. love. LOVE this activity!!

Such a fun way to get 4 personal progress experiences signed off in ONE night!!

What I did was looked at all the master personal progress sheets and the personal progress charts online to see what common experiences were not passed off by the YW in my ward.  I tried to pick one for each value.  Divine Nature is hard, because a lot of those experiences need two weeks to pass off.  I picked the experience then found a presenter that is NOT in YW to teach that class the night of the Personal Progress Marathon.  The girls would then sign up for the 4 classes, based on their personal need.  Then, I made schedules for all of them to attend their classes and get the 4 experiences passed off! 

This takes a lot of planning, but it is SO worth it!

**I linked all my word documents.  You will of course have to edit them to fit your needs.  But, figured it's better than starting from scratch!!  Just make sure you download the documents as a "doc" so you can edit it in Microsoft Word.**

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?

Look through your YW personal progress charts to see which experiences a lot of them haven't passed off yet.  Try to pick one for each value.  Divine Nature is hard, so I had an "optional experience".  After coming up with the classes, find your presenters for the classes.  Tell them about the activity and give them the class information sheet (see below each value for the sheet for each class)  If you download and use my sheets, you will have to modify them for your needs- dates, names, etc....

This is an example of what the informational sheets look like:

I've held a Personal Progress Marathon twice now. 

 Here are the ideas for the classes I've organized so far:

Faith #3- FHE make & take kit

Faith #6- Plan of Salvation- craft or drawing

Divine Nature Optional Experience- sew Personal Progress Packets

*Note: ALL my girls wanted to make these.  So we had a "Day 2" of the Personal Progress Marathon.  Where for mutual they all made these!  Worked out perfect, cuz they were ALL able to finish them in one night!*

{Inside of packet.  This is mine. :)  I've been serving in YW for quite awhile.  So, instead of getting a new pink Personal Progress Journal when the pink books came out, I just kept my purple one.  The youth have the True to the Faith book and Strength of Youth booklet in their middle section.}

There are TONS of great tutorials out there for these.  Just google "Personal Progress Packets".  Prepare to be amazed. :)

Individual Worth #2- Have the Stake Patriarch come for this one!!

Individual Worth #7- On Positive Qualities. *I had the Laurel teach this one for hours for their Honor Bee*

{They did the cutest thing with this value.  See the 2nd page of the link to see where they got the idea.}

Knowledge #7- Review First Aid. Have a nurse from the ward come to teach this!

Choice & Accountability #6- YW Theme.  

{ You can order the YW Theme posters for FREE from the distribution center.  You can do that and have them highlight and mark different parts as you go over them.  Or just give it as a handout!  I had a member of the Stake YW Presidency teach this one.}

Good Works #4- FHE make & take kit on service

Good Works #7- Missionaries taught this one.

Integrity #2- Self-assessment of your personal integrity

Integrity #7- How to strengthen your family

Virtue #2- Holy Ghost {girls need to read the scriptures for this experience BEFORE this class}

Virtue #3- Temple Worthiness {girls need to read Alma 5 BEFORE this class}

YW SIGN UP:

First, I come up with the classes. Then, I make up a sign up sheet.

You can download my sign up sheet here.

After the girls sign up for their classes, I made and used this spreadsheet to help me figure out their schedules and when the classes needed to be available.  That way I could then tell the speakers (a) how many classes they would teach & what time (b) how many girls were in their class so they knew how many handouts to make.

Here is the link for the spreadsheet.  You, of course, will edit it.  

Then, after I've got all this dialed in, I give the presenters this sheet {see below}.  

This tells them (a) what time their classes are & how many (b) their classroom number (c) number and name of girls that will be in their class.

Download the sheets for presenters here.

You will of course edit it for your class times and girls names.  I just take the class schedule at the top of the above spreadsheet and copy and paste it to all these sheets for the presenters and highlight their class times etc...

YW SCHEDULES:

Next, you type up the YW schedules they will take with them from class to class.  I made a spot for all the presenters to sign or initial next to their class.  This way I know they actually attended the class and didn't ditch {yes... the teacher in me has come out! :)}

 Here you can download the YW schedules. 

*The "d"s that show up on the file are where the flowers are on mine.  Unless you have the font I used downloaded on your computer. :)*

Edit the schedules to look how you want!

REMINDERS FOR THE BIG NIGHT:

You can download the reminders here.  You will need to put your own time and date.  And use whatever font you want!

SET UP:

You will want to put signs up on the outside of each classroom door so the girls (and presenters) know where to go.  You can download the signs for the doors here.

In one ward I served we had a tablecloth for every value color so I put those on the tables in the room.

I set up the chairs depending on how many girls signed up for the class.  Didn't want them looking for chairs since they only have 25 minutes in each class.

In one ward I taped all their schedules to a chalkboard in the hall.  We put their name tags on the chalk tray {they wore name tags so the presenters knew who they were}.  When they came they picked up their schedule and name tag and went to their first class.

 The Girls Had FUN Passing Off Personal Progress!!

Flash Card Tracker Folder

Flash Card Tracker Folder!

I LOVE to use these when tutoring, preschool, or in the classroom!

You can make a set of flash cards using index cards, moon cards, etc... OR you can just use store bought ones!  Go through the set of flashcards with your student and separate them into 3 categories as they give you their answers: stop, slow down, and go.  STOP- these are the flash cards that the kids don't know.  You have to tell them the answer.  SLOW DOWN- these are the flash cards the kids kind of know.  Sometimes they know it, sometimes they don't.  GO- these are the flash cards the kids know without hesitation!  Once you go through the flash cards with the students, you put the flash cards in the appropriate pockets.  So, when you go to work on them again with the student you know which ones they really know and which ones they need a little extra help with.

You can use this with math facts, sight words, phonics, abc's, etc...  Such a great tool!

How to make your own Flash Card Tracker Folder:

Materials Needed;

File Folder

Printout of Stoplights (links to download below)

Scissors

Red, Yellow, & Green Construction Paper

Red, Yellow, & Green Markers or Colored Pencils

Glue Stick or Rubber Cement

Razor Blade

Lamination

Stoplight Printable - On Scribd
Stoplight Printable- On 4shared
Stoplight Printable- On Dropbox

 Step 1: Color the Stoplights!

 Step 2: Cut them out

 Step 3: Cut out the red, yellow, & green construction paper.

I cut my green one- 7.5" x 6"

I cut my red & yellow- 7" x 4.5"

Glue the white stoplight printables onto the green, yellow, and red papers

 Step 4: Put glue on the back of the red, yellow, and green "pockets".  MAKE SURE YOU DON'T PUT GLUE ON THE TOP!  That way you make a pocket! Glue pocket to the file folder.

Step 5: Laminate.

Step 6: Using the razor blade cut a slit at the opening of your pocket!

 Step 7: Enjoy!

 If you are making them for your classroom, I would put the students name on the tab and then file it.

I would have files for math facts, reading, etc... Then, when I go to work with that student I could pull their file.  Also, with the older kiddos, they could get a partner and pull out their math facts files then quiz each other!!

Pin It Now!

Flash Card Tracker Folder!

I LOVE to use these when tutoring, preschool, or in the classroom!

You can make a set of flash cards using index cards, moon cards, etc... OR you can just use store bought ones!  Go through the set of flashcards with your student and separate them into 3 categories as they give you their answers: stop, slow down, and go.  STOP- these are the flash cards that the kids don't know.  You have to tell them the answer.  SLOW DOWN- these are the flash cards the kids kind of know.  Sometimes they know it, sometimes they don't.  GO- these are the flash cards the kids know without hesitation!  Once you go through the flash cards with the students, you put the flash cards in the appropriate pockets.  So, when you go to work on them again with the student you know which ones they really know and which ones they need a little extra help with.

You can use this with math facts, sight words, phonics, abc's, etc...  Such a great tool!

How to make your own Flash Card Tracker Folder:

Materials Needed;

File Folder

Printout of Stoplights (links to download below)

Scissors

Red, Yellow, & Green Construction Paper

Red, Yellow, & Green Markers or Colored Pencils

Glue Stick or Rubber Cement

Razor Blade

Lamination

Stoplight Printable - On Scribd
Stoplight Printable- On 4shared
Stoplight Printable- On Dropbox

 Step 1: Color the Stoplights!

 Step 2: Cut them out

 Step 3: Cut out the red, yellow, & green construction paper.

I cut my green one- 7.5" x 6"

I cut my red & yellow- 7" x 4.5"

Glue the white stoplight printables onto the green, yellow, and red papers

 Step 4: Put glue on the back of the red, yellow, and green "pockets".  MAKE SURE YOU DON'T PUT GLUE ON THE TOP!  That way you make a pocket! Glue pocket to the file folder.

Step 5: Laminate.

Step 6: Using the razor blade cut a slit at the opening of your pocket!

 Step 7: Enjoy!

 If you are making them for your classroom, I would put the students name on the tab and then file it.

I would have files for math facts, reading, etc... Then, when I go to work with that student I could pull their file.  Also, with the older kiddos, they could get a partner and pull out their math facts files then quiz each other!!

"Follow The Prophet" Clothes

These are so much FUN!!  You can use these for FHE or singing time in Primary.  I served as a Primary Chorister for 2 years and LOVED it!  One of the BEST callings!  The song "Follow the Prophet" was one of the songs for the program the year I was chorister.  So, I tried to come up with a fun way to teach the song.  I would pick kids to come up to be Adam, Noah, Jonah, etc...  They would hold the "prophet clothes" up so it looked like they were wearing them.  So cute, especially with the little Jr. Primary kiddos!

Pin It Now!

These are so much FUN!!  You can use these for FHE or singing time in Primary.  I served as a Primary Chorister for 2 years and LOVED it!  One of the BEST callings!  The song "Follow the Prophet" was one of the songs for the program the year I was chorister.  So, I tried to come up with a fun way to teach the song.  I would pick kids to come up to be Adam, Noah, Jonah, etc...  They would hold the "prophet clothes" up so it looked like they were wearing them.  So cute, especially with the little Jr. Primary kiddos!

Cup Puppet: Frog

Back in 2004 {wow!  That was a loooong time ago!} I took a "Puppetry for Children" class at ASU.  LOVED IT!  Had an awesome professor!  Well, one of the assignments was to come up with a cup puppet.  She gave us a great example of a dragon cup puppet (hoping I can share that idea soon).  So, I came up with this puppet: The Frog Cup Puppet!!  Since creating this puppet I have made it with hundreds of students and they LOVE them!  These would also be great for birthday parties!!  

Warning you now... don't have the best camera. :)  

When using this frog cup puppet in the classroom I like to use these 2 books with the puppet:

"The Frog Prince Continued" and "A Frog in the Bog".

I use "The Frog Prince Continued" with more intermediate age kids.  I have a Reader's Theater to this.... just got to find it. :)  I'll post it here once I find the file. Reader's Theater helps with fluency.  Also the puppets are interactive to use during the reading of this story.

I like to use "A Frog in the Bog" with more primary age kids.  After making our frog puppets, we read this book.  We were studying the -og family.  So, while I read aloud this book, anytime the kids heard an "-og" word they would blow their frog's tongue out.  SO FUN!

How to make my Frog Cup Puppet:

 Materials Needed:

• Green Felt
• Google Eyes
• White Pom Poms
• Green Paper Cups (I find mine at a discount party store.  Come in packages of 24)
• Blowouts
• Scissors
• Packing Tape
• Tacky Glue or Hot Glue Gun (I use Tacky Glue if the kiddos are primarily making the puppet)

PREP:

{I'm thinking of selling prepared kits of these frogs in my etsy shop.  So, keep checking back!  That way you don't have to do the prep work and the craft kits are all ready to go for your classroom or bday party!}

 First, cut off the little fringe around your blowouts (if needed).  I know some come with paper decor on them that will need to be removed.

 Second, cut out the frog legs out of your green felt.  For each frog cup puppet you will need 2 feet and 2 legs.  Depending how high you want the legs to come up on your puppet, that determines how tall you make them.

 Third, push out the bottoms of the green paper cups.

 It will look like this.  Throw away the bottom and just push back the paper lining left on the bottom of the cup.

Like this! :)

ASSEMBLY:

You choose based on your kiddos abilities how much they can do.  You know them and what they can handle.  When I was teaching first graders and made these with my class, I put tacky glue on a plate and gave them toothpicks to use to glue the legs and google eyes together.  Then, they could come back to the "mushroom table" and I (or a parent helper) would hot glue the legs and eyes to the green paper cup.  Installing the blowout is a little tricky for the younger kiddos too.

I used hot glue in the pic just cuz I'm an adult and it's easier. :)  When the kiddos do this with tacky glue, I tell them to hold it until they count to 20.

Make sure the feet are glued facing different directions.  One facing left and another facing right.

 The kids can decide how close they want their frog eyes glued together on the top of the frog.  Then, put glue on the sides to glue on the frog legs.

 The favorite feature of the frog puppet: his/her tongue!

I cut about a 3 inch strip of packing tape (I use packing tape because it hold the best).  

Put the piece of tape on top of the blow out.  Hold the edges up in like a "U" shape.  Tape it to the inside of the cup.  See below pic.

 I then write the kiddos names on the inside of the cup so we don't spread any germs on the blowouts. :)

 YAY!!  All done!

FROG PRINCESS:

So, these puppets would be such a cute/fun craft at any "Princess Frog" birthday party!!  

All you need to do is add a crown!

 You can buy little foam crown kits at a craft store or you can make your own.  I just have these foam sheets from the Dollar Store and these Jewels that I bought from Michaels.  

The girls will love gluing the bling on the crowns!

 Just glue the princess crown behind the eyes.

**These frogs are for personal use only!!  Please link back to my site if you share them on your blog!**

Pin It Now!

Back in 2004 {wow!  That was a loooong time ago!} I took a "Puppetry for Children" class at ASU.  LOVED IT!  Had an awesome professor!  Well, one of the assignments was to come up with a cup puppet.  She gave us a great example of a dragon cup puppet (hoping I can share that idea soon).  So, I came up with this puppet: The Frog Cup Puppet!!  Since creating this puppet I have made it with hundreds of students and they LOVE them!  These would also be great for birthday parties!!  

Warning you now... don't have the best camera. :)  

When using this frog cup puppet in the classroom I like to use these 2 books with the puppet:

"The Frog Prince Continued" and "A Frog in the Bog".

I use "The Frog Prince Continued" with more intermediate age kids.  I have a Reader's Theater to this.... just got to find it. :)  I'll post it here once I find the file. Reader's Theater helps with fluency.  Also the puppets are interactive to use during the reading of this story.

I like to use "A Frog in the Bog" with more primary age kids.  After making our frog puppets, we read this book.  We were studying the -og family.  So, while I read aloud this book, anytime the kids heard an "-og" word they would blow their frog's tongue out.  SO FUN!

How to make my Frog Cup Puppet:

 Materials Needed:

• Green Felt
• Google Eyes
• White Pom Poms
• Green Paper Cups (I find mine at a discount party store.  Come in packages of 24)
• Blowouts
• Scissors
• Packing Tape
• Tacky Glue or Hot Glue Gun (I use Tacky Glue if the kiddos are primarily making the puppet)

PREP:

{I'm thinking of selling prepared kits of these frogs in my etsy shop.  So, keep checking back!  That way you don't have to do the prep work and the craft kits are all ready to go for your classroom or bday party!}

 First, cut off the little fringe around your blowouts (if needed).  I know some come with paper decor on them that will need to be removed.

 Second, cut out the frog legs out of your green felt.  For each frog cup puppet you will need 2 feet and 2 legs.  Depending how high you want the legs to come up on your puppet, that determines how tall you make them.

 Third, push out the bottoms of the green paper cups.

 It will look like this.  Throw away the bottom and just push back the paper lining left on the bottom of the cup.

Like this! :)

ASSEMBLY:

You choose based on your kiddos abilities how much they can do.  You know them and what they can handle.  When I was teaching first graders and made these with my class, I put tacky glue on a plate and gave them toothpicks to use to glue the legs and google eyes together.  Then, they could come back to the "mushroom table" and I (or a parent helper) would hot glue the legs and eyes to the green paper cup.  Installing the blowout is a little tricky for the younger kiddos too.

I used hot glue in the pic just cuz I'm an adult and it's easier. :)  When the kiddos do this with tacky glue, I tell them to hold it until they count to 20.

Make sure the feet are glued facing different directions.  One facing left and another facing right.

 The kids can decide how close they want their frog eyes glued together on the top of the frog.  Then, put glue on the sides to glue on the frog legs.

 The favorite feature of the frog puppet: his/her tongue!

I cut about a 3 inch strip of packing tape (I use packing tape because it hold the best).  

Put the piece of tape on top of the blow out.  Hold the edges up in like a "U" shape.  Tape it to the inside of the cup.  See below pic.

 I then write the kiddos names on the inside of the cup so we don't spread any germs on the blowouts. :)

 YAY!!  All done!

FROG PRINCESS:

So, these puppets would be such a cute/fun craft at any "Princess Frog" birthday party!!  

All you need to do is add a crown!

 You can buy little foam crown kits at a craft store or you can make your own.  I just have these foam sheets from the Dollar Store and these Jewels that I bought from Michaels.  

The girls will love gluing the bling on the crowns!

 Just glue the princess crown behind the eyes.

**These frogs are for personal use only!!  Please link back to my site if you share them on your blog!**