Okay, I realize this post will only be helpful to a handful of you guys out there.  However, if you’re like me and are responsible for managing a class full of little kids for 2 hours each Sunday…you might find this tip invaluable.

I’ve been teaching the 5 year-olds in my ward (that’s an LDS congregation) for over a year now.  As much as I love the cute little kiddos, sometimes keeping 10 kids reverent for 2 hours of Primary can be a little tricky.  I learned quickly that if I didn’t come up with a way for them to manage themselves, I’d never make it through.  I tried several ideas with only moderate success.  Then, a few months ago, I started the badge system.  It has worked like a charm ever since.

To introduce the system, I taught a simple mini lesson about ‘Choosing the Right’.  We talked about how we can choose the right during sharing time and lesson time.  I taught them that being reverent involved participating in class as well as following three basic rules about our hands:

1:  Keep Your Hands Free - when the kids come in they have to put everything they brought in under their chair (papers, scriptures, jackets, etc.)

2:  Keep Your Hands to Yourself - it can be tough for kids to keep their arms folded for the entire 2-hour block, so I encourage them to keep their hands in their laps or (if they still have trouble not bugging each other) tuck their fingers under their legs.

3:  Put Your Hand in the Air - this one is pretty self explanatory.  When the kids have something to add or need to ask a question they have to tell me with their hand, not their mouth.

We practiced a bit in class and once they had all the rules down I taped a simple CTR bracelet to their wrist (you can find the free download below).  I also showed them the CTR Class Chief Badges and told them about our new plan that would begin the following week.  Essentially, here’s how the badges work:

When the kids come into Primary I hand each of them a badge.  The goal is for the kids to keep their badges for the full 2-hour block.  They keep their badges by participating in sharing time and class and by keeping our three class rules.  When I spot them breaking a rule, I give them a quick warning.  If they continue, they have to pass me their badge.  They can earn it back as soon as they show me they can keep the rules again without reminders.  At the end of class, the kids that still have their badges can turn them in for a small treat (lately it’s been two gummy worms).  If they didn’t manage to keep their badge, I give them a challenge to do better next week and give them one gummy worm.   

Thankfully, the badges don’t just help with reverence.  The little numbered stars I added to the back of the badges help me manage volunteers as well.   As I’m sure you teachers know, little kids love to be the helper.  If I ask for a volunteer to hold a picture, answer a question, or say the prayer, I invariably get 10 little eager hands in the air.  Rather than try to pick one person and risk playing favorites, I simply call out a number.  The kids then flip over their badges and check to see if they’re my secret helper for that specific task.  They love the mystery of the number system and I love not having to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.  

We’ve used the badges in our class for over three months now and I’ve seen fabulous results.  Don’t get me wrong, my class isn’t perfect…they are still only 5 after all…but the CTR badges have made a big difference.  To make your own badges, just download, print, and laminate the free file below.  I found the badge clips in the office supply area of Kmart, but I’m sure you could find them at Office Depot or Staples as well.  Just thought I’d pass it on.

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We’ve finally made it to the end of our Scripture Sticker Tutorials.  If you missed the first two, you’ll want to read up here:  Bookmark Sticker Tutorial, Gospel Art Kit Sticker Tutuorial.  

As I mentioned previously, my Scripture Mastery memory is a little shaky.  I created these simple margin stickers to help me locate those key scriptures quickly.  The bright blue box on the top of the sticker makes it easy to flip through my quad and spot the scritpture I’m looking for.  Each tag includes the blue SM box, the approved scripture key words, and the full scripture reference.  

The directions for placing your Scripture Mastery Tags are pretty simple.  Essentially you need to print out the file on the premium transparent sticker paper.  Crop the tags and sort them into piles by book (OT, NT, BOM, D&C).  Find your desired scripture reference and place the sticker in the upper right-hand margin.   In my scriptures, I used a blue colored pencil to add a square around the corresponding verse numbers as well.  You can find the free file below.

The Gospel Art Kit tags serve a similar purpose.  Essentially, I created them to help me use my GAK stickers more efficiently.  Although I could find the scripture stories quickly by using my footnote GAK stickers, I wanted to be able to locate the actual passages of scripture that associated with each without skimming the entire page.  These skinny GAK title tags are designed to fit neatly in the bottom margin of any standard scriptures.  They include the title of the picture, the GAK number, and the full series of references for the story.  I used a green pencil to mark the selected verses by drawing a green line next to the center line on the page (click here to see a close up of my markings).  I created two versions of these tags.  The first was designed to be used with the full-size GAK stickers (the stickers that are centered over the main text of the page).  The text on those is centered.  The second file was designed to be used with the footnote-size GAK stickers.  The text on those is either right or left aligned depending on which side of the page your GAK sticker should be placed on.  You can find both those files below.

The last file I’ll be posting is a simple instruction file.  Many of you have mentioned that you’re making these as gifts and would like to have a small instruction guide to include with the stickers.  I designed the instructions to be small enough to fit in any size plastic zip-top bag (available in the MeckMom store).  On the file there are two instructions for the GAK stickers and two instructions for the bookplate/bookmark stickers.  You can find that file below.

Many of you have also emailed with questions concerning knowing how many sheets of transparent sticker paper to buy.  Below you’ll find a page breakdown for the various sticker sizes and styles to help you out.

GAK Full Size (over main text)
Book of Mormon - 3 sheets per set
D&C - 2 sheets per set
Old Testament - 3 sheets per set
New Testament - 4 sheets per set

GAK Footnote Standard Size (over footnote text)
Book of Mormon - 1 sheet per set
D&C - 1 sheet per set
Old Testament - 1 sheet per set
New Testament - 1 sheet per set

GAK Footnote Large Size (over footnote text)
Book of Mormon - 1 sheet per set
D&C - 1 sheet pet set
Old Testament - 2 sheets per set
New Testament - 2 sheets per set

Bookmarks
Alphabetical Table of Contents - 1 sheet
3-month Book of Mormon Reading Chart - 1 sheet
D&C Section Summaries - 1 sheet
Scripture Mastery Key Words - 1 sheet
Proclamation/Living Christ - 1 sheet

Margin Tags
GAK Title Tags - 1 sheet per set
Scripture Mastery Tags - 1 sheet per set

So there you have it.  All my current scripture sticker files up and ready for you to download, print, and enjoy.  Again, thanks for all your enthusiasm and interest over these scripture stickers.  It’s been great for me to finally see all those hours of work be put to use.  Just thought I’d pass it on. 

This post is the 4th in a series of 4 scripture sticker posts.  To view the others, click the links below:

Part 1: Help Your Family Connect with their Scriptures with Easy Scripture Stickers

Part 2: Gospel Art Kit Scripture Sticker Tutorial

Part 3: Bookmark Scripture Sticker Tutorial 

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Sorry guys, I know I promised this a few days ago…it’s been a little busy around here.  First off, let me say thanks for the overwhelming response to the Scripture Stickers.  I’ve already had to restock my paper supply to keep up with the orders.  It’s great to know that those ridiculously tedious hours of searching for page numbers and adjusting images won’t go to waste!  If you’ve haven’t ordered your sticker supplies or custom book plates yet, don’t worry you’ve got time.  Domestic orders placed in the MeckMom Store before December 18th have guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery.

I don’t know if you’re anything like me but up until last year, my scriptures were crammed with bookmarks, quotes and lesson notes.  It seemed like everytime I pulled out my scriptures at Church I’d end up dropping a few random bookmarks to the floor.  I needed a better, more permanent solution.  Since I still had a ton of sticker paper left over from my order (I had to buy it in bulk to get the price below $1 per sheet) I decided to put it to use once again.  I created several full-page reference stickers and placed them throughout the blank pages of my scriptures.  Much like the Gospel Art Kit stickers I created earlier in the year, these simple bookmark stickers proved to be an incredibly helpful and inexpensive solution to my dilemma.  A few of the stickers I created are personal to me such as special blessings, favorite quotes, family photos, etc.  However, most of them are general reference-type stickers that would be handy for just about anyone.  You can find the files for those stickers and a little description about each below.

• Alphabetical Table of Contents
  Up until last year, when the Sunday School teacher would ask the class to turn to Zephaniah I would automatically start flipping pages…not because I knew exactly where to find Zephaniah, but because I wanted to look like I knew while I secretly sung ‘The Books of the Old Testament’ song in my head.  I created these stickers to give me an even shorter…less musical…shortcut.  On it, the books are listed alphabetically rather than by page number.  Now when I need to find a book I just scan the list, find the book and the corresponding page number and then flip to the right page in a matter of seconds.  Sure beats mentally singing a 40+ word song.  I placed mine on the inside covers of my quad. 
  

  Free Download:	Bookmark_Alpha_TableofContents.pdf

• 3 Month Book of Mormon Reading Chart
  I am not the most dedicated daily scripture reader.  It’s one of those goals that has a permanent spot on my New Year’s resolutions.  That being said, I have found that if I create a deadline and a put a plan on paper I have much better success.  I created this 3 month Book of Mormon reading chart to help me track my progress.  I’ve used it several times and it has proven successful for me.  I mark the little check boxes a different way each time so I can track how many times I’ve made it through.  I placed mine opposite the title page for the Book of Mormon in my quad.
  

  Free Download:	Bookmark_3Mo_Reading_Chart.pdf

• Doctrine & Covenants Section Summaries 
  My brilliant Mom has taught the D&C at BYU for years and could probably tell you what’s in each section with her eyes closed.  I, on the other hand, need a little cheat sheet.  I converted my old notes and bookmarks from my D&C class to create these handy section summary stickers.  I placed mine on either side of the title page for the D&C. 
  

  Free Download:	Bookmark_D&C_Section_Summ.pdf

• Scripture Mastery Key Words & References
  Although I know I memorized all of these at some point, I am horrible at remembering them now.  In addition to the fabulous little margin tags I’ve got on the individual pages (now available in the MeckMom store), I also created this quick-reference guide to help jog my memory.  It makes searching for those key scriptures tons easier.  I placed mine on the first two blank pages of my quad.
  

  Free Download:	Bookmark_Scrip_Mastery.pdf

• The Family: A Proclamation to the World and The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles
  These precious proclamations put out by The First Presidency simply belong in our scriptures.  Don’t you think?  They are often referenced in General Conference addresses and during Church lessons so I love having them readily available in my quad.  They are such beautifully written documents that I couldn’t bring myself to retype them.  Instead, I opted to convert the document images to a scripture-friendly size and placed them directly in my scriptures.  Below you’ll find two files: one that includes both documents and a another that has the Proclamation to the Family twice (in case you wanted to make several for your family at once).  I placed mine on the back two blank pages of my quad. 
  

  Free Download:	Bookmark_Living_Christ_and_Proclamation.pdf

  
  

  Free Download:	Bookmark_Family_Proclamation.pdf

The instructions for placing these large stickers are similar to those used on the Gospel Art Kit tutorial.  Here’s a quick overview:

Step 1:  Choose location for sticker (stickers can be placed over existing writing).

Step 2:  Crop sticker from printed sheet.  Peel top section of sticker backing.

Step 3:  Align the top edge of the sticker on the page and press lightly across top.

Step 4:  Use hand to slowly smooth downward.  Peel remaining backing and continue to smooth down.

Remember, if you are making these full-page bookmark stickers as gifts, you should also pick-up some of the Large size (5×7) plastic zip-top baggies in the MeckMom Store.  You can also find beautiful custom bookplates for the youth.  Each custom bookplate set includes a handy reference bookmark…the Articles of Faith (Primary), the Young Women Value Scriptures (YW), and the Boy Scout Oath & Law (YM). 

Good luck, everyone.  Happy cropping.  If you have any other suggestions for bookmark ideas, I hope you’ll add them in the comments area.  I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with.  Just thought I’d pass it on.

This post is the 3rd in a series of 4 scripture sticker posts.  To view the others, click the links below:

Part 1: Help Your Family Connect with their Scriptures with Easy Scripture Stickers

Part 2: Gospel Art Kit Scripture Sticker Tutorial

Part 4: Scripture Mastery & GAK Margin Tags Tutorial

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As promised in my last post, here are your first set of Scripture Sticker instructions and files.  I thought I’d start with my favorites, the scripture stickers based off of the LDS Gospel Art Kit.  The files were created to be used in the LDS scripture set, but if you are not LDS and would like to enhance your Bible with the beautiful Old and New Testament images, please feel free.

The photo instructions demonstrate how to place a full-size, over-text sticker.  However, the same basic instructions would apply for the footnote stickers as well.  You can find all the files for the various size stickers as well as the placement guide embedded within this post.  Don’t forget, you can find all the supplies you need to create these stickers in the new MeckMom.com Store.

Step 1:  Download and print your stickers on MeckMom’s Transparent Sticker Paper.

There are three basic sizes to the LDS scriptures.  Choose your file based on your scripture size and where you’d like the scriptures to be placed (on the center of the page or in the footnote area).  All four books of scripture are included in the file (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Old Testament, New Testament).  The files are quite large, so expect a little delay when downloading.

• For Standard/Regular size scriptures (5.25″ x 7.25″)
  Centered on page:

  Free Download:	SS_GAK_ALL_FULL.pdf

  
  In footnote area:

  Free Download:	FF_GAK_ALL_ST.pdf

• For Large size scriptures (6.5″ x 9.5″)
  Centered on page:

  Free Download:	SS_GAK_ALL_FULL.pdf

  
  In footnote area:

  Free Download:	FF_GAK_ALL_LG.pdf

• For Compact size scriptures (4.25″ x 6″)
  Centered on page:

  Free Download:	FF_GAK_ALL_LG.pdf

  
  In footnote area:

  Free Download:	FF_GAK_ALL_ST.pdf

Step 2: Trim your stickers.

I recommend using a straight-edge cutter like the one pictured.  You won’t need anything fancy, just a nice straight edge and a very sharp blade.  Don’t stress over cropping all the white area from the picture.  Any remaining white space will disappear on the page once it is placed.

Step 3: Print the scripture sticker placement guide on regular paper.

These handy guides will tell you the titles, picture numbers, references, and page numbers for each scripture sticker.  Once you’ve printed your guide, choose a sticker from your pile and locate it on the guide.  Use the guide to find the correct page number for your sticker.

Step 4:  Peel the backing from your sticker.

The adhesive used on the sticker paper is permanent, so handle it carefully.  Don’t let it touch the paper until you’re ready to place it permanently.

Step 5:  Place the top corners of the sticker in the desired location.

A simple post-it note can be a great guide for your sticker placement.  If you don’t have one handy, just use one of the lines of text to guide your placement.  The stickers can be placed over existing writing and markings.  The markings will show through the image.

Step 6:  Slide your fingers down the sticker to adhere it to the page.

The specialty sticker paper is designed to be smudge-free and hold the ink permanently, so feel free to give it a good rub.

Step 7:  Repeat process with the rest of your stickers and enjoy!

The first sticker may be a little shaky, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly.  Remember, if you’re planning to give these as gifts, you’ll want to order a few of the plastic zip-top baggies available in the MeckMom Store.  They’re the best way I’ve found to keep my scripture stickers neat and organized.  Good luck, everyone.  More to come soon.  Just thought I’d pass it on.

This post is the 2nd in a series of 4 scripture sticker posts.  To view the others, click the links below:

Part 1: Help Your Family Connect with their Scriptures with Easy Scripture Stickers

Part 3: Bookmark Scripture Sticker Tutorial

Part 4: Scripture Mastery & GAK Margin Tags Tutorial

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After over two years of creating, testing and refining this bright idea, it’s finally time to post it.  Hopefully you’ll be as enthusiastic about it as I am.

Two years ago my husband and I decided to purchase scriptures for each of our kids.  Although they were pretty excited to have them at first, the scriptures quickly lost their luster for my young, non-reading kids.  I needed a way to show them that the familiar stories they’d heard about in Primary and Family Home Evening were actually in their scriptures.  I struggled to find an inexpensive solution when it suddenly hit me.  Why not put the pictures we use in Family Home Evening and Primary right onto the pages of their scriptures?   

I spent the next several weeks downloading and adapting the free Gospel Art Kit images from the LDS website.  With the help of some powerful graphic design software, fabulous specialty sticker paper, and a lot of trial and error I was finally able to create the perfect set of scripture stickers.  They were vivid, transparent, durable, and ultra-thin.  Best of all, they were inexpensive and incredibly functional!

My kids loved having them in their scriptures.  All of a sudden they were able to “chase” each other to find familiar scripture stories scattered throughout their scriptures.  In fact, most of the time, they could find them faster than I could.  Not one to be outdone by my 3 year-old, I decided to make an adult version as well.  I didn’t want large stickers in my scriptures, so I resized the images and moved them down into the footnotes area.  They worked beautifully. 

Over the course of the next two years, I created loads of other incredibly useful scripture stickers for our family.  I made custom book plates for my kids and my young women class, replaced my old flimsy bookmarks with full-page reference stickers, and made my scripture mastery scriptures more searchable with margin tags. 

Overall, I can honestly say that these simple, inexpensive scripture stickers have drastically improved the way my family enjoys and uses our scriptures.  Naturally, when I find a solution that works this well for my family, I’m more than happy to pass it on to you.  After all, it seems a shame for you to waste your time creating all these files when I’ve got them sitting on my laptop.  Starting tomorrow, I’ll be posting the files I used for my stickers as well as easy, do-it-yourself  instructions.  The custom book plates will not be available for download, but the finished stickers will be available for purchase.

I’ve created the new MeckMom Store to give you an opportunity to buy all the supplies you’ll need at big cost savings.  So why not put something special under the tree this year?  In addition to great family Christmas gifts, they’re also the perfect choice for Primary birthdays, Baptisms, Young Women/Men gifts, Seminary class awards, and Missionary milestones.  I offer all the paper and packaging materials in the store as well as bulk pricing and gift packaging for large group orders like the one shown here. 

I’ll be posting the various files and the instructions over the course of the next few days, so pay a visit to the MeckMom Store and stock up on your sticker supplies today!  Trust me, this is a MeckMom solution you don’t want to miss.  Just thought I’d pass it on.

This post is the 1st in a series of 4 scripture sticker posts.  To view the others, click the links below:

Part 2: Gospel Art Kit Sticker Tutorial

Part 3: Bookmark Scripture Sticker Tutorial

Part 4: Scripture Mastery & GAK Margin Tags Tutorial

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As a secretary in the Primary Presidency, I was constantly trying to find creative ways to make things run more smoothly. One area we managed to improve was the Talk and Scripture reminders.

Giving kids a paper reminder to show their parents seemed worthless. Most of the time I’d find their paper on the floor in the form of an airplane or fan. Although it was tempting to write it across their forehead, we came up with the next best thing. We used shipping labels. I printed out tons of white 2″x4″ shipping labels (I bought them in bulk at Costco) . I typed in the theme and date info, but you could print out a more generic version and write it in those details as well. When new assignments were made in Primary, I would stick these simple labels directly onto their shirts. The kids liked to show off their sticker and the parents liked getting the information.

I had tons of these labels, so I used them for reminders about Primary activities and Ward parties too. They really improved our attendance. Just thought I’d pass it on.  You can find the free file downloads below.

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I used the following object lesson to illustrate the point that in regards to gossip, we never know who we could hurt or how far our words will carry. 

At the beginning of class, I asked one girl to come to the front of the room, turned her back to the class, and handed her a softball.  I then asked the rest of the class if there were any that felt comfortable catching the ball.  When one volunteered, I handed her a mitt and instructed her to sit in the middle of the group.  Next, I asked the first volunteer if she felt comfortable tossing the ball to the other.  She said yes because the distance was fairly short and she knew the other girl had great ball handling skills.  At that point, I asked the rest class (including the girl with the mitt) to close their eyes and instructed my first volunteer to toss the ball. over her head to the girl with the mitt.  Naturally, she refused.  When I asked her why she hesitated, she said she couldn’t guarantee her accuracy and was worried someone else might get hurt. 

I then pointed out that when we gossip, we are essentially taking that gamble.  Although are intentions may be to direct our comments specifically to one person…even a person that we trust can “handle” the gossip carefully…we cannot guarantee our own accuracy and with our words, endanger those around us.

In the next example, I asked for a volunteer and then proceeded to fill her hand with glitter.  I asked her to try to pass the glitter down the row without losing a single piece.  I offered $20 to the volunteer if she could accomplish this feat.  Although she was terribly careful to pass her handful of glitter to the next person, the others down the line didn’t have the same incentive and were sloppy in their passing.  Glitter was sticking to hands and scattering to the floor.  She decided it would be impossible to retrieve it all, so consequently, she didn’t earn her reward.

I pointed out to the class that gossip is often like the glitter.  We believe we can control it, but once it leaves our mouths we can no longer choose how the information is handled.  Similar to glitter, once gossip is released, it spreads and is virtually impossible to retrieve.

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I used this object lesson to illustrate that the Sabbath Day commandment was created to help our bodies, minds, and Spirits.

To begin, I asked one of my laurels (who is an art lover) to name one of her favorite artists.  I then asked her, if I removed the name from one of his works, would she still be able to identify it as his?  She said yes, and I had her explain why.  She mentioned that he uses similar and very distinct brush strokes.  I pointed out that our Father in Heaven created our mind, body and Spirit and if we pay attention to the details, we can see the similar patterns or  ”brush strokes” of his craftsmanship.

I began with the body element.  I asked for two volunteers and handed each of them a post-it note.  I asked them to stand close to the wall and jump as high as they could to stick the post-it to the wall.  I then had each of them put their backs on the wall and slide down until their legs formed a right angle.  They were instructed to hold that position for 3 minutes.  The first volunteer was allowed to stop and 2 and one half minutes to stretch and relax.  When the timer beeped they were both given another post-it and asked to immediately jump and stick their post-it on the wall.  The girl that was allowed to rest beat her first mark just slightly.  The other girl’s mark was well below her first.  I pointed out that our muscles thrive on physical challenge only when they are allowed a rest period to recoup.  Otherwise, the tissue can get damaged and we lose strength.

Next we moved on to the mind element.  I again asked for two volunteers.  I had them each go to the chalkboard and told them I would be reading a series of 9 nine numbers.  They were instructed to write down as many as they could remember.  On the first round I read the numbers in groups like this   4-7-8   9-7-9   4-2-0.  Both girls were able to copy the numbers.  I read the next set of numbers fairly quickly without any pauses.  9-5-7-3-1-4-3-8-9.  Although they were fairly close, neither girl was able to get the numbers correctly.  I pointed out that our mind, like our body, thrives when we challenge it.  However, those challenges are most effective when we intersperse them with breaks.  If we push our mind non-stop, we overload and begin to make mistakes.

Finally, we talked about the Spiritual element.  I asked the girls what Spiritual challenges we might face in a given week.  They responded with various temptations and struggles.  I then asked them if they thought the same pattern we’ve seen in the previous two elements would still apply here.  In other words, if our goal is to succeed spiritually, then we must be in the world and face temptations, however, in order to have the greatest chance for success, we must allow our Spirits time to rest and regenerate.  Hence the Sabbath Day commandment.

I also pointed out to the girls that our Heavenly Father created us and wants us to be successful in mind, body and Spirit.  He himself used the 7th day to rest.  If we are made in his image, it would stand to reason that we should follow his example.

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