Family home evenings are a powerful tool for teaching our families the gospel and I believe that being prepared is vital to making them a success. It is my hope that these lessons will be helpful for you in this quest, so I have put together the following ideas for making your lessons as usable, durable, and organized as possible!
1. Print visuals onto heavy cardstock (67 lbs. or higher for greatest durability)
2. Cut out visuals
3. Laminate for increased durability
My workhorse laminator (Only $50, 10 years old, laminated thousands upon thousands of pages and still going strong) It's Royal brand.
Laminating sheets from oregonlam.com or laminator.com. You want letter size pouches in boxes of 100. (these are much better prices when looking at a per sheet basis when compared to getting things laminated at an office supply store). Go in with a friend on your order to save money and shipping. I use 3mm thickness for most of the items and 5mm for the items that will have the most
hands-on use (or have moveable parts). I get the 9x12-inch size.
4. Cut them out of the laminate--leave a little border around the edge to keep it sealed
NO--
don't try to save time by laminating whole sheets of paper then cutting. You will not get as good of a seal on the laminate and they will not be as durable
YES--
Much better.
5. Divide your lessons into sections and store the separate sections in their own separate baggies or sheet protectors.
I like to put the story/summary/rules showing on one side and the visuals showing on the other, so everything I need for that one section are all together and visible at a glance. I recommend indicating on the outside of the baggie/sheet protector how many pieces are supposed to be there, so that you will easily know if one has been misplaced during the lesson)
Story summary on one side
laminated visuals on the other
6. Place all the of the parts of the lesson into a large manila envelope or folder
7. Label the outside of the envelope with the title of the lesson with subtitles for the individual parts. You may also want to include any extra materials that are needed.
8. File them in a box or filing cabinet in an order that makes sense to you. I keep mine in alphabetical order by title to make them easier to locate.
9. Use them and enjoy them!
1. Print visuals onto heavy cardstock (67 lbs. or higher for greatest durability)
2. Cut out visuals
3. Laminate for increased durability
My workhorse laminator (Only $50, 10 years old, laminated thousands upon thousands of pages and still going strong) It's Royal brand.
Laminating sheets from oregonlam.com or laminator.com. You want letter size pouches in boxes of 100. (these are much better prices when looking at a per sheet basis when compared to getting things laminated at an office supply store). Go in with a friend on your order to save money and shipping. I use 3mm thickness for most of the items and 5mm for the items that will have the most
hands-on use (or have moveable parts). I get the 9x12-inch size. 4. Cut them out of the laminate--leave a little border around the edge to keep it sealed
NO--
don't try to save time by laminating whole sheets of paper then cutting. You will not get as good of a seal on the laminate and they will not be as durableYES--
Much better. 5. Divide your lessons into sections and store the separate sections in their own separate baggies or sheet protectors.
I like to put the story/summary/rules showing on one side and the visuals showing on the other, so everything I need for that one section are all together and visible at a glance. I recommend indicating on the outside of the baggie/sheet protector how many pieces are supposed to be there, so that you will easily know if one has been misplaced during the lesson)
Story summary on one side
laminated visuals on the other6. Place all the of the parts of the lesson into a large manila envelope or folder
7. Label the outside of the envelope with the title of the lesson with subtitles for the individual parts. You may also want to include any extra materials that are needed.
8. File them in a box or filing cabinet in an order that makes sense to you. I keep mine in alphabetical order by title to make them easier to locate.
9. Use them and enjoy them!
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I am so happy I found your website, it is such a blessing! Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us!
ReplyDeleteooo great tips!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are seriously organized! I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteWant to come to our RS and do an Enrichment meeting on how to organize FHE lessons? You could come in the winter on one of your many snow days and enjoy our warmth.
I have a question I actually have the same laminator as you do and I was looking at buying some laminating paper but it asks for which Gauge or (thickness) what do you suggest is the best? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I love your FHE Lessons they help me out so much.
I have the same question for the laminating sheets. What size do you suggest getting? Size and thickness?
ReplyDeleteI use 3mm for most things and 5mm for the items that will have the most hands-on use (or have moveable parts). I get the 9x12-inch size.
ReplyDeleteI just found you! I am so grateful for your website with all the fhe plans! I also appreciate all these tips! I can't wait to see what kind of packets you have on the site!!! I think we will use this for a RS activity, too!
ReplyDelete