Great class today everyone!!!

REMEMBER: Be sure to read Chapter 2 of "Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens" and be ready for an awesome book discussion on Oct 13!

This week's Inspirements:

Apprentice:

1- In your Truth Book make two lists:

• make a list of some of the things you love to learn about
• then make a list of things you would like to learn about

Work toward having at least 10 things on each list! Share your lists with your mom or dad, or in your evening prayers with your Father in Heaven, so they can help you with your learning.

2- Watch this video "You Can Learn Anything" then tell someone about what you learned from it.

3- Write the quote from the meme at the bottom of this post from President Uchtdorf in your Truth Book, and write it in a BIG and bold way. You could even color it and draw >designs< around it if you want to. :)

Journeyman:

1- Do the Apprentice Inspirements.

2- While watching General Conference this weekend, listen for a talk that feels meaningful to you. In your Truth Book, write a few sentences about that message and what it means to you.

3- Watch this video: "Education - The Glory of God is Intelligence" and then write about the following thoughts in your Truth Book:

A. Do you feel that this man is exemplifying what it means to be a statesman? Remember, a Statesman is a man or woman of virtue, wisdom, diplomacy, and courage, who inspires greatness in others and moves the cause of liberty/righteousness.

B. Write a couple sentences describing what feelings you think this man has about education and it's importance in his life. And then, do you feel this way about your learning/education? If not, would you like to?

Master:

1- Do the Apprentice and Journeyman Inspirements.

2- Read this article and consider what it means to you. Write your thoughts in your Truth Book. "Education is a Commandment"

3- Teach someone about the Phases of Learning that we talked about in class. Really work hard to help them understand them. You should have great notes in your Truth Book. :) (Core Phase, Love of Learning Phase, Scholar Phase, Depth Phase) You can even use play-doh to illustrate it if you want to. :)

Thank you to our Awesome Scholar Society for doing excellent work at leading the book discussion on the first chapter of TJEd for Teens, as well as teaching a great lesson! You each did a terrific job!

 Read Chapter 2 of TJEd for Teens by Oct 13! That's the date we'll be having the discussion on it. Be sure to read it so you're prepared! :)

INSPIREMENTS: 

Apprentice:

1. If you haven't already, read Chapter 1 of TJEd for Teens. (Do it! You'll be glad you did. :)

2. In your truth book, copy the quote from Pres. Uchtdorf that is in the meme at the bottom of this post. Ponder this quote and let it settle down into your heart.

Journeyman:

1. Do the Apprentice Inspirements.

2. In your Truth Book, do a Word Study on the word "Genius." Strive to understand the meaning of this word in relation to how it used in this first chapter of TJEd for Teens. 

How to do a word study:

A. Look up the word in Webster 1828 dictionary. (It is also available online.) Select the definition for your focus. Write the definition in your Truth Book.

B. Underline key words in your definition that stand out to you and define them.

C. Look at how the original word is used in Scripture/Conference addresses (not in general quotes or other articles, at least for this purpose). Write any new insights or definitions.

D. Rewrite the definition in your own words and how you are going to apply it.

3. Watch this video "Homeless Boy Steals Talent Show". What does this video have to do with genius?

Master:

1. Do the Apprentice and Journeyman Inspirements.

2. After watching the video clip above, ponder on the meaning of what the lady says at 7:38, "Regardless of his hard life, he passionately runs toward what he really wants, and even talented ones rarely have that passion."

In your Truth Book, write your thoughts about this lady's comment and this young man's story. Here are some things you might want to consider as you write: 

• Why do some people with talent not work hard to develop it?
• Do I do this?
• Why do people with few resources or a seeming lack of talent work so hard for things they want?
• Do I work this hard? Do I believe in myself and in who I want to become?
• Is there anything I want so much that I'm willing to give great effort to it?
• If you have resources/ability/talent/desire, is there something inside of you telling you to work harder at it? What is one or two things that you can do to move forward in this regard?

3. In your Truth Book, write a paragraph describing the "YOU" you want to be 50 years from now. (See TJEd for Teens pg 10) Fifty years will go by no matter what you do. Will you just be old then, or will you be old and victorious?

What a great class it was today! Thank you, everyone, for being so awesome and for participating so fully! You are a terrific group of youth!

The inspirements for this week are below, but before we get into them, I just wanted to share a couple things:

1- Be sure to read chapter one, 'Your Future', in "Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens" by next Thursday, Sept 22. BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS this awesome chapter with the class. The group discussion will be lead by members of the Scholar Society and it will go super well if EVERYONE is prepared! 

2- Today we learned a bit about the value of answering questions with more than a Yes/No answer.  You can watch a video of a tv game show with this game. Be advised this is a youtube video, please make sure it's ok with your parents before you watch it. (Also, skip to about 1:39 to skip the intro)

This week's Inspirements

Today in class we started at the beginning - What is the Core of things? We discussed how everything we do is based off of our understanding of the Character and Nature of God. Your Inspirements this week are an invitation to dive in and learn more about the Character and Nature of your Heavenly Father. This is an invitation to get to know Him. 

Inspirements:

Apprentice:

1. In the first Article of Faith, what is the very first phrase? _____________ Do you think it is just happenstance that Joseph Smith began with that phrase to explain our beliefs?

2. Watch these short videos:

"Teachings of Joseph Smith: The Nature of God"

"God is our Father"

"Relationship with God - Hannah"
"Relationship with God - Rebecca"

3. If you haven't done so yet, read Matthew 22:36-40 and copy it into your Truth Book. Begin memorizing it.

Journeyman:

1. Do the Apprentice Inspirements.

2. Look up these scriptures and find key words that describe Heavenly Father. Write down these key words in your Truth Book and title it "Character of God."

Exodus 34:6

Psalms 103:6-8

Psalms 103:17-18

Psalms 90:2

Hebrews 1:10-12

James 1:17

Malachi 3:6
Numbers 23:19
1 John 4:8

Master:

1. Do the Apprentice and Journeyman Inspirements. 

2. Read Lectures on Faith, lecture #3, The Character of God. You might like to print it and mark things as you read.

3. Think about and then write about these questions in your Truth Book:
     A. What have I learned about the nature and character of God?
     B. From what I have learned from the scriptures, Lectures on Faith, and inspiration I have received, how does Heavenly Father feel about me? 
     C. And how do I feel about Him?

BONUS, not required: Read/watch this talk by Andrew Skinner at BYU, The Nature and Character of God. 

Welcome to Core Leadership!!!

We had a great first day and we're SO excited for all the upcoming days together!

We encourage each of you to look at the right side bar ----> and enter your email address, or your mom's email address with her permission, so you can get a heads up anytime there is a new post on this blog. This will help you stay up to date! 

There are a few important points in this post:

1- TJEd for Teens book- Each of you will need your own copy of the book Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens for this class. If you don't have it yet, be sure to get it right away. We'll be reading a chapter per month this school year (see reading schedule below). You'll each need your own copy of this book as you will be underlining things you feel are important, and there are questions that you will answer IN the book. You will be writing in your book so be sure to have your own copy.

DUE Sept 22 - Come to class this day having read Chapter 1 "Your Future" of TJEd for Teens. Be completely ready to come and participate in a great discussion! This is IMPORTANT! The quality of our progress depends on each of our preparation! This is a short chapter, and you can easily get prepared. We look forward to the awesome discussion we will have!

2- Scripture to Memorize this month: Matthew 22:36-40

Copy these verses in your truth book and memorize them.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

3- Optional Extra Opportunity: Would you like to take your studies to the next level? Sister Larsen has a terrific opportunity for each of you. There is an online class called "Leadership Education for Teens" that she is offering to ASA students, and the mentor's name is Ian Cox. The regular cost of this online class is $150 for the self-paced class and $300 for the live online class, but the self-paced class is being offered to ASA students for only $10!

If you're wanting to take your education to a new level and really become the scholar that you know is inside of you, this class can help you do that!

You can click here to view a short video introduction about this course. You can also click on 'Preview' to see the modules that are included in this class. If you are interested in taking this class, send me an email and I'll reply with the directions of how you can register.

4- TJEd for Teens Reading & Discussion Schedule:

• Sept 22 - Chpt 1 - Your Future
• Oct 13 - Chpt 2 - Classics
• Nov 3 - Chpt 3 - Mentors
• Dec 8 - Chpt 4 - Falling in Love
• Jan 19 - Chpt 5 - Scholar Phase
• Feb 23 - Chpt 6 - Finding the Real You
• Mar 23 - Chpt 7 - Success in the Next 20 Years
• Apr 20 - Chpt 8 - One More Thing

We are so excited to have you in this class! It's going to be a great year! Thank you for being the wonderful youth that you are!!!