The first lesson of 2017

Bamboo skewers make great "Pick up Sticks" 

Not every kid in 1815 could afford glass marbles so they
often used musket balls or small round stones

The year begins with Joseph Smith and "The First Vision" which in of itself is a wonderful topic but as the reader will come to learn, I like to incorporate "the rest of the story".  I began with the apostasy,  starting with the martyrdom of Peter and Paul (did you know that Peter was allegedly crucified upside down and that Paul was beheaded?) then moving on to Nero and Constantine. We then learned about why the ensuing period was called the Dark Ages and how it was slowly dispersed by the advent of the renaissance.  I highlighted inventions such as gunpowder and the compass as well as the blossoming of the art and science world by the likes of Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.   I explained the importance of the great invention, the printing press and how it offered the common man access to the scriptures. We read 1 Nephi 13:12 and its reference to Christopher Columbus,  I introduced Martin Luther and John Wycliffe and how their cause ultimately lead to the pilgrims settling in America setting the stage for "The Great Awakening".  

About now I am sure you are thinking "ya right you taught this to 10 year olds?" The answer is absolutely and they ate it up and wanted more!  These are things that are often left out and they found it fascinating.  Today's kids are smart and I find they want more than just watered down lesson materials.

So now we arrive at the period in which Joseph and his family lived.  Do you know why Joseph Smith SR moved his family from Vermont to New York?

I suggest you search the following topics: Mount Tambora and  "1816 The year without a summer"

Which brings us to the reason I have posted pictures of musket balls and pick up sticks.  I wanted the kids to get a glimpse of what children did for fun during the time Joseph was young, so I did a little research and learned about the games they played.  Some of the outdoor favorites were pushing hoops with a stick, Annie Over and Graces.  Other games (conducive to a classroom) were Tiddley Winks, Jacks, Pick Up Sticks and Marbles.  Incorporating these simple and inexpensive activities into the lesson and letting the kids try their hand at the games Joseph played, I believe, helped bring him to life in their minds.