Laura Keeley

We were offering in person Children's Worship. It is a lot of work.  But maybe you could adapt some of this to Sunday School.  
The separated by 6 feet is difficult for kids.  So for three and four year olds I pulled in all the short tables and set each two tables in the room like an upside down "V"  The point of the "V" shape is toward the teacher.  The kids sit at the beginning and end of the "V".  THe teacher can still build relationships with the kids but is also 6 feet away.  Note:  I have three "v" shaped sets of tables. 

For Kindergarten, First and Second grade. I purchased Hula Hoops to keep the kids away from each other and the teacher.  They actually kind of like having their space defined.  The kids also moved into a larger room that adults usually use and that is a treat. 

For 3rd and 4th grade,  we use towels to keep the kids apart.  The  kids lay their towel on the floor and work of that space.  At the end of their time together, the towels are rolled up.

In all classrooms we have a plastic box for each child with their name on it. It contains the art tools they can use... colors or markers. scissors, pen, a tea light, glue stick, and anything else they will need that day. For 3rd and 4th grade the box includes their towel.  

I think Dwell Flex would work well with this set up as well.  I hope that helps. 

Laura

 Churches that I work with have selected a particular discipline to emphasize such as prayer- the daily examin or Bible reading using the Immerse Bible series.  One of my favorite books on this topic is Practicing Faith by Dorothy Bass.  

Hi Ron,

Friendship Ministries has great materials and including their newest curriculum called Together.  Together is an inclusive Bible study that may work well for your group. 

Laura  

There is a church, I don't know which one, but they give each child  a wooden lamb just like the ones used in children's worship.  The director was wondering how effective that was until she found the sheep her middle school son had received in his dresser with other awards and precious items.  

There is a church, I don't know which one, but they give each child  a wooden lamb just like the ones used in children's worship.  The director was wondering how effective that was until she found the sheep her middle school son had received in his dresser with other awards and precious items.  

A celebration is a great way to start of a new Sunday School year.  Here are a few ideas that you could do with your breakfast: 

• Chose some of the many Minute to Win It games available online.  Play with teams mixing children, teens and adults so everyone gets to know each other better.
• Set out strips of paper for making a paper chain.  As people enters they write their names on 5 of the strips.  Include some strips with your Sunday school class name on it (like first grade.) Mix up the strips and each person makes a paper chain with seven of the strips.  Each day during the next week individuals tear one strip off the chain and pray for that person or class.
• Contact a local discovery center, college or zoo and ask them to bring in animals for a petting zoo.  Encourage pictures to be taken and texted to you.  Print the pictures and hand then out after worship with the words “Remember our Sunday School program in your prayers.”
• During the celebration, hand out drawstring bags or wrist bands with your church log.  Encourage everyone to wear them during the week and tell others to come join the fun at Sunday School next Sunday.

Randy,

Thanks for this questions.  Please look at the Code of Ethics for volunteers from Community Reformed Church.  I wrote about it for the Network here.  Maybe you can find it useful.

Laura

The second idea of offering a video Bible study is wonderful.  What a great way for the church to stay connected with the kids but also for the kids to stay connected to each other.  

What a great summary of how we the church, the community of believers, can support youth by building relationships and walking together in life.  Thanks.

HI Caryn,

During our addition we added lines to represent water to a cement block wall that would be covered with brick.  Everyone added their fingerprint to remember that we are baptized people.  Our youth also traced their handprint and wrote a favorite Bible verse on the floor before the carpet was laid. 

This post on Belonging leads directly to another toolkit from Faith Formation Ministries:  Building Blocks of Faith! Belonging is one of the Building Blocks and one of our needs for faith to grow.  Connections like this and the interweaving of faith topics are energizing.  Thanks, Karen!

 This week I had the same reaction from a church educator when I described how many people looked at a lesson after it was written before it was published -- She had no idea!  Thanks for the article.