Hebrew Origins and Original Learning: Intro- Attention Activity

Here is a lesson plan I wrote out for those interested in really delving into original patterns of learning and the origins of ancient Hebrew
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Begin by singing: “For the Beauty of the Earth” (hymn # 92) or “How Great Thou Art” (hymn #86)

Ponder: Look at a picture of "Adam and Even the Garden"

Why did God place Adam and Eve in a garden? What learning opportunities were available to them in nature? Could nature teach them symbolically?

Experience: Take your family for a walk out in nature--what do you notice? 
Use your senses: ears, eyes, nose, taste, feel.
Now feel with your heart. Open your mind and heart to revelation. Let your curious nature guide you to ask questions and explore more. What else can God be trying to teach you? Do you see patterns in nature that remind you of God’s nature and His principles?

Go Deeper: How could learning from nature connect with everyday learning--say the development of an alphabet? Is it possible that each letter of the alphabet could even have something to teach us? Let’s explore that thought...take a look at this photo:

What do you notice?
Where did the letter "A" come from?
Can you see how time literally turned it around?

Optional Further Exploration: You can watch this video to get a better perspective into origins of Hebrew language as the original source of the English language, or use the resources section ideas/links. "The Hebrew Origin of the English Alphabet" by Jeff Benner, www.ancient-hebrew.org

Reflect & Ponder
- How do you think Eve taught her children?
- Christ taught through stories and symbols, why? How is that different than other methods of teaching and learning?
- How does a deeper understanding of the letter "A" influence your understanding of Alpha and Omega in the scriptures? Could learning symbolically help me strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ and better have eyes to see that  “all things denote there is a God”? (Alma 30:44

Let's Dance: Good Morning Song - HOPE

Hello all you lovely ladies that watch this. This is a great wake up song and dance to get your body moving and your mind tuned in to Hope. It is not the best quality, video, or leading. But I've been wanting to share it for a few years now so I just quickly recorded me doing it to capture it. I'll eventually get a recording where it's actually done in a class with people--cues and all. But this is better than nothing, hopefully! 

The goal with this song and any others I have made is to get people enjoying moving to hopeful and empowering songs. The moves are supposed to help reinforce the feeling and words of the music. Only positive, uplifting, empowering songs here for that reason.

When I make up moves, I have to feel the music. Sometimes I have friends help finesse the moves, or borrow ideas from other people who I feel have done a great job capturing the feeling and beat of the song. The goal is for it to be somewhat simple and enjoyable (though it maybe easier for those who are use to moving their bodies through dance. Ideally all can pick it up after just a few go-throughs.

So enjoy this wake-up song about HOPE and feeling it rise within you as you "wake up to a brand new day" full of opportunities and new chances. God is with you and "Gives [you] strength. He gives [you] just what [you] need."

"Good Morning" - Mandisa

-section 1-

Wave away my yesterday (A=walk foward: large arm waves R,L,R,L)
Cause I'm leaving it behind me. (B=walk backward: shoulder roll back R,L,R,L)
Hello sunshine, come what may. (repeat A)
I feel something new inside me. (Repeat B)

I hear the birds singing (v-step: L hand up, R hand up; L down, right down)
Now my alarm's ringing (repeat v-step)
Get up, get up, hey! (pause to stretch)

-section 2-
It's a good morning! (stop; grapevine R two steps on "morning")
Wake up to a brand new day (continue grapevine step 3, tap L on "to", tap R/L-strong arms during taps) 
This morning, (revers grapevine L: step 1-2 on "morning)
I'm stepping, stepping on my way (step 3 on "stepping"; tap R,L,R-strong arms during taps)
Good morning (reverse; grapevine R two steps on "morning")
You give me strength, (continue grapevine steps 2-3) 
You give me just what I need (tap L,R,L-strong arms)
And I can feel the hope that's rising in me. (stop: R hand on heart "I", L hand on heart "feel"; R arm down by side on "hope," L arm down on "that's"; lift/pump both arms up "Rising up in me")
It's a good morning (stop; reset for section 1)

--repeat section 1 movements--
Slow down, breathe in, Don't move ahead
I'm just living in this moment
I've got my arms raised, un-phased, Jump out of bed
Gotta get this party going

I went to bed dreaming,
You woke me up singing
Get up, get up, hey!

--repeat section 2--
It's a good morning!
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
you give me just what I need
And I can feel the hope that's rising up in me.
It's a good morning

--section 3: stop: squat, legs wide--

(punch down L/R, lift both hands to chest--hold two beats; repeat this whole section each measure)
Now I'm smiling, and I'm kissing all my worries goodbye 

Got the feeling, if I spread my wings I might even fly
You are my truth, my way
Give me the strength to say
Get up, get up, get up
Cause it's a good morning, hey (pause; clap and bounce until next part)

Mr. Mac to the mic

[Chorus-Toby Mac]
Hey, top of the morning to you 'disa (C: R knee up, Left knee up; R punch, L punch)
You smoothie, me ice cold pizza (D:Dbl R shoulder bump, Dbl L shoulder bump)
Cafe au lait, latte dah (repeat C)
You do the zumba, but I do not (repeat D)
Give me like half a marathon, (repeat C)
I'll give you the gospel of St. John. (repeat D)
Hits me like a wake-up bomb (repeat C)
Cuz' we both know that His mercy flows, (repeat D)

--repeat section 2--

In the morning.
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength,
you give me just what I need
I can feel the hope that's rising up in me.
It's a good morning
Wake up to a brand new day
This morning,
I'm stepping, stepping on my way
Good morning,
You give me strength you give me just what I need
I can feel the hope that's rising up in me.

It's a good morning (stop for chorus)

[Repeat Chorus - Toby Mac]
Top of the morning to you 'disa (repeat C/D)

Hey, top of the morning to you girl (repeat C/D)

To-to-top of the morning to you 'disa (repeat C/D)

Morning little Miss Sunshine. (repeat C/D)
[Spoken]
Man, you morning people. (stop; relax)
No, I'm serious.