Memory Work-First Workshop
Memorization and Practice:
Break it down, set goals for yourself
Know if you are a visual learner or if you learn best by repeating after someone
Learn your work word perfect. If you are going to take the time to memorize your work, you may as well learn it word perfect. Also, once you memorize something, it is difficult to go back and re-learn it.
Memory games
Don’t speak too fast, even when you’re “just practicing”. Actually, it’s a good idea to practice speaking slower than you intend to when you perform. During the competition or initiation ceremony, you’ll speak faster because of nerves anyway.
Keep in mind-you will only be given one word if you ask for a prompt.
Go over the pronunciation list in the back of the ritual.
Go over sample score sheets from ritual competitions so you can know what the judges are looking for.
Poise While Performing:
Have good posture, but don’t stand stiffly.
Don’t fidget. You can only move your head and eyes when you are giving a messenger lecture.
Don’t lean too far forward or sway back and forth.
Make eye contact with the judges or pilgrims. Take turns looking at each of them as you speak.
Floor Work for the Messengers:
Reference diagrams in the ritual.
Square your corners-maybe hold some square corner drills.
Know where to nod to the Guide and Marshall.
Know where to stand when you’re giving a messenger lecture.
How do you return to the fifth messenger’s spot safely?J
Proficiency:
Practice demonstrating and explaining the salutation sign at the same time (for competition you will only be saying it but you can visualize it in your mind).
Changes in the Obligation
When to demonstrate (exemplify) the signs when you’re explaining them
How to give the grip correctly
Overall, always make sure you understand what you are saying when you give ritual work.
Memory Work-Second Workshop
First Messenger Lecture:
You are beginning the story and setting the scene.
Make a distinction between characters, especially since you are introducing them to the pilgrims.
Smile before you even start.
Enjoy describing the landscape and Job’s life, especially during the “over the plains and into the hills” part.
Put emphasis on God’s authority and His approval of Job-“In the heavenly council, God commended the piety of his faithful servant, Job.”
The adversary is pure evil, spite, and the most experienced trouble maker ever created. His voice should sound much different from God’s, which should be powerful but also pure and in control.
Second Messenger Lecture:
Start off this messenger with a smile as well-before “Job was happy…”
Pause before “But there came a day”. There should be a 180 degree switch in mood here.
The description of Job’s misfortunes becomes more and more terrible. Take your time with this part.
Portray Satan’s sly nature when he approaches the throne again. Of course, God is in complete control of the situation.
Portray Job’s humility in his quote at the end of the lecture.
Pause for just a moment before giving your instructions to the Guide and Marshall, but keep your momentum going.
Third Messenger Lecture:
Desolation and despair are the themes of this messenger lecture. Remember that Job is so crushed he wants to die. However, he never points a finger at God and says “You are punishing me unjustly.”
Job’s three quotes should be emphasized, and you should distinguish between them.
Remember that Job’s friends are being unjust when they insist that Job is being punished for sins he didn’t commit.
Fourth Messenger Lecture:
Show the frustration and slight challenge in God’s voice when he speaks to Job.
Build up energy during the whispering of the wind section. You can speak louder or slower as you go on-be creative.
Show Job’s humility when he answers God.
Show God’s anger towards Eliphaz.
Be joyful at the end. You may need to pause right after God gets angry at Eliphaz, because immediately afterwards you need to be happy.
Fifth Messenger Lecture:
Imagine that you are speaking to a sweet, cute little sister. You’re explaining the importance of the Story of Job to her.
The fifth messenger lecture is unique-it wraps up the story for the pilgrims, who have never heard it before.
Take your time and put emphasis on the last quote-“In all the land, where no women found so fair as the daughters of Job…” Make sure you understand what this means-this is a very inspiring quote.
Note: These agendas were for workshops that I hosted to help me earn my Girl Scout Gold Award (an 80 hour service project). If you participated in these workshops, please leave a comment so I'll know you were here. Thank you!
~Brianna :-)
Did you teach these workshops live somewhere, or does posting them here for people to read count for your badge? I found it interesting to read through your various workshops! You seem knowledgeable about your subjects.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan! Yes, I taught these workshops live with help from a team of coaches. I posted the agendas just in case the participants needed another copy and so other people could see them.
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