the 10 commandments

A few weeks ago I was inspired by a lesson that was taught in church about taking the extra time to teach our children to memorize special things that perhaps I had not thought of previously such as the 12 tribes of Israel, the 39 books of the Old Testament, and The 10 Commandments, among other things.  I thought The 10 Commandments would be a good first challenge to bring on.  We work on memorizing scriptures and songs, but I had not taken it to "this level" yet.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only were all my kids excited (ages 5-13) but they all had them memorized by the end of FHE (Family Home Evening) except for the youngest, and she was eager to follow and had them down pat by the following night.

I wanted to take the time to upload these visuals and the tricks we used to help our kids memorize the commandments:

THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME (THIS ONE'S PRETTY SELF EXPLANATORY)

THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE (2-TWO ZOO- ZOO'S HAVE STATUES, STATUES CAN BE IDOLS, DON'T WORSHIP IDOLS- THIS WORKED FOR ALL OUR KIDS).

THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN (LIPS- SPEAK THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN)

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY (4 AND THE EXTRA STICK= H FOR HOLY)

HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER: THAT THY DAYS MAY BE LONG UPON THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE (BEEHIVE=BEHAVE)

THOU SHALT NOT KILL (SIX STICKS- STICKS HURT OR KILL)

THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY (SEVEN CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IF YOU COMMIT ADULTERY)

THOU SHALT NOT STEAL (HANDCUFFS- STEAL...GET IT?)

THOU SHALT NOT BARE FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR (NINE STOP LYING-THE STOP SIGN LOOKS LIKE A 9)

THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE....(YOU CAN READ THE REST)- WHEN MY KIDS SEE THIS BEFORE THEY MEMORIZED IT, THEY SHOUTED OUT "DON'T COVET"

I hope these are helpful and fun.  I had a really good time putting these together and I think that after making full page laminates, I would now make half page flash card type things so my kids can take them with us- as I come up with other fun tricks to learn other things, I will try and remember to pass them along on the blog (good intentions always, just like the recipes, but you can always email me- I cook, I just forget to put them up here)!