The theme for primary this year is " I know the scriptures are true" and when I did sharing time in the beginning of January I challenged the children to read their scriptures every week. If they read or were read to during the week that they write their names on slips of paper and we'd make it into a chain and see how long we could make the chain in a month. I wasn't sure how much participation we'd get but was encouraged to see a bunch of little slips filled with names the next week.
On the third week of January Derek came in to give the bishopric message and said that he'd heard of this challenge and wanted to encourage them on in this goal He said that if they got the chain the length of the hall that they'd be able to cut his tie and that he'd wear it that way the rest of the day.
The next week the amount of children reading and writing their names on slips exploded!! For weeks and months they filled out their slips looking forward to the week when Bro Tangren would come back to primary. In the halls children would see him and ask each other if they'd read. Some times they would try to write slips for every day that they read. We had to insist that they only write one slip per week and make stars for every day that they read. Can't blame them for trying.
Then July came and they announced that they would be calling a new bishop meaning that the former bishopric would be disbanded. They were a month out from completing their goal and we didn't know if they'd get to cut any ties. Derek was determined that regardless he would have a cut tie.
As "luck" would have it Derek was called back into the bishopric. I thought it would be a fun way for the kids to connect with the new bishopric to have the new councilor be involved with it as well. The day he was called I mentioned the challenge which he was aware of having three kids in primary.
Today was the day. I'd gone to church last night before and hung the chain up around the room to create a festive atmosphere. It was fun to see their faces as they entered the primary room and realized that today was the day.
You can imagine their further surprise and excitement when they found that they were cutting TWO ties.
There had been some debate on who would cut the tie and how we'd decide who would do it. We'd toyed with a raffle of names put in a jar of those who'd read during a given week but I never put out a jar. Then there was talk of having the former bishop cut the ties but he didn't seem to excited about the prospect. Instead we had the bishopric members walk along the chain with their eyes closed and pick a link. That person would cut the ties.
Here's how it went in Junior primary ( ages 3-7 )
I didn't anticipate the scissors not cutting the tie well. But we eventually got it done. (Sorry about the shakiness I was so nervous and excited.)
It went a little faster in Senior primary (ages 8-11)
After the ties were cut a new challenge was issued. To make the chain that reached the bishops office by the end of the year ( half the time and a little longer) and if they did it they could cut the BISHOP'S tie.
These men have endeared themselves to these kids. They were such good sports but I think they had a great time too though.
And true to his word Derek wore his cut tie all day long. Even to a missionary farewell and a stake priesthood meeting. He got a lot of questions and got a chance to tell everyone what the children were doing in primary. Can't wait for the next tie cutting day. I really think they will do it.
5 comments:
Brei said...
I love it! There was someone with a cut tie in our ward last week, but I'm pretty sure it was part of singing time-I like your idea better! (So would my kids) I think we may need to incorporate something like that in our family. Those looked like nice ties, too!
Kyle and Amy Brinkerhoff said...
How fun!
Pam said...
What a great motivator and great leaders to pull it off. You could hear the kid's excitement. These kids will remember the event for a long time and perhaps keep up the habit of reading scriptures daily. I am impressed.
Nikki said...
Love it!! :)
jensen said...
i love this!