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SSTN # 71 - June 11, 2003
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
--> USA Patriotic Toy
1) Planting a seed...and a question
2) Tolerance, compassion, acceptance
3) Clicker training
4) Standing up for Jesus?
5) Heroes of the Faith?
--> SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE...50% OFF!
6) Intercessory Prayer
7) Spy Kids - On a Mission for God?
8) Christian "big books"
9) Christian "big books"
--> Praise-Amations!
10) Spy Kids VBS
11) Penpals
12) Object Lesson on Tithing?
13) Discipline Problems -- a parent's experience
14) VERY small group for Jr. Church?
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--> USA Patriotic Toy
Kids will learn the answers to eight basic USA citizenship questions such
as, "Why did the Pilgrims come to America?"; What is the US Constitution?,
and "What does the First Amendment guarantee?". A great activity for July
4th! Kids can make it and take it home! Print out as many patterns as you
need for a onetime fee of only $3.00.
Find the USA Patriotic Catcher at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
(you may need to copy and paste the address to your browser)
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1) Planting a seed...and a question
I recently planted seeds with my fifth and sixth grade sunday school
class. We talked about new life in Jesus (along with the resurrection of
Jesus). The kids really understood the parallell between the seeds as new
life and a new life through Jesus. We planted them in clear cups, they
put the potting soil in themselves, then added the seeds and watered it.
This may be messy if you have younger students, mine were old enough to do
it themselves, and wanted to do it themselves. :)
*I need to come up with ideas for a fun sunday school get-together, with
all of the classes meeting in our large gymnasium. We would like to have
fun activities for the students, does anyone have any ideas or websites
that would be useful?
Thanks so much for your help!
~Sara~
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2) Tolerance, compassion, acceptance
>I hope you take this in the spirit it is being written in....we have to
>be "for the children" after all, they are our future...all of them...not
>just the ones who are "good' and "easy to teach" Kym
It is so easy to criticize others when you have not been in the classroom
they have been in. The old Indian adage works well here -"do not criticize
another until you have walked a mile in his footsteps."
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3) Clicker training
>Thank you all for your responses to my question about rotation
discipline.
>I especially appreciate the encouragement to be a shepherd, as I have
>avoided doing that - in my mind, it seemed like a babysitter and I needed
>a new perspective :)
I'm sorry but if you started clicker training my child in Sunday
School class I would PROMPTLY remove her. I went to the site you
mentioned and read enough to make a personal decision...clicker
training is for animals and not for children. I'm pretty stunned
that you can actually get away with it. I'm the director of our
newborn - 4 yrs classes (60+ children) at my church and I would never
this to happen. I'm stunned!
Stephanie in TN
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4) Standing up for Jesus?
I am organizing a convention for children ages 3-12 and the theme is
"Standing up for Jesus." The convention will be a 4-day program where
children will be participating in several conferences, will be doing
arts & crafts, games, etc. I have never worked with children ages 3-4
and am having the hardest time trying to create a program that will keep
them involved and connected with the theme. Any suggestions?
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5) Heroes of the Faith?
Our church is writing it's own 5 day VBS again this summer. Our
focus/theme
is "Heroes of the Faith". I'm sure that there are lots of churches that
have also presented this them in the past. Could you share an idea that
you found outstanding in teaching the children? Also any decorating tips
would be appreciated.
We will be using station rotation with the ages being mixed. There should
be 8-12 in a group and probably 4-5 groups of kids. (32-60 children in
all). We will utilize 2 1/2 hours each day- including a simple snack.
Thanks - in advance - for blessing our VBS program with your experience.
Joyfully Serving HIM,
Emmalea Butler
Trafalgar, IN
--from SSTN: I'm hoping to release, "Super Heroes of the Bible" in the
next few weeks. The series is based on Hebrews Ch. 11, the Heroes of Faith
chapter. I'll keep you posted for when its released.
Your webservant, Sarah Keith <><
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--> SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE!
Get "Chrismon Snowflake Ornaments" at HALF off the regular price!
This item will not be reduced this low again this year! A great resource
for "Christmas in July" functions, as well as for the 2003 holiday season!
Sale runs from June 7 - June 30, 2003. Follow this link to learn more:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
(you may need to copy and paste the address to your browser)
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6) Intercessory Prayer
We are blessed to have about 10 acres for our church grounds. The property
still has a field that is planted and harvested each year by a local
farmer. Our property is bordered on one side by a major highway - another
side has the normal USA neighborhood. There are a trees of different
varieties with lots of open space and a children's playground - as well as
our 3 church buildings.
We have developed a Prayer Path on the church grounds. We provide a map
that pinpoints different clumps of trees - a meditation rock, and other
various "stopping points". Scripture focus is provided and changed
periodically in a Prayer Path Map. This not only gives scripture
meditation but also points of reference for prayer for specific concerns.
As we walk by the US highway - we pray for those traveling. The
neigborhood
side of the property reminds us to specifically pray for our community.
The
playground - evokes prayer for children. As we climb the small hill - we
are reminded to pray and thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on
Calvary. One young child suggested we add 3 small crosses at the top of
the hill to remind us to pray for others to come to faith in Christ by our
example - like Jesus did. Praying at the flag pole for our country as well
as singing a patriotic song and saying the Pledge of Alligence in the open
air is incredibly moving. Stranding near the entrance of an almost empty
parking lot, and praying for the visitors that will come, and for the
families that serve Christ together, is one more way to bless our church.
SS classes, ladies or mens groups, as well as our incividual church
families are encouraged to walk the property any time - any day and take a
Prayer Path Map and Prayer Suggestions with them. Making the prayer maps
available to those that stop by, makes it possible to add personal prayer
requests for one another to include in the special prayer time.
Although we have a large area to incorporate this idea - there is no
reason
that even small properties (including your own home property) can't create
the same atmosphere. It has been a wonderful experience to take the time -
to surround our church - our members - and our community with prayer. It
has a way of truly dedicating the ministry of the entire church grounds to
the Lord, on an ongoing basis.
Only good things can come from praying for others and ministries that
serves Jesus Christ.
Joyfully Serving HIM,
Emmalea Butler
Trafalgar, IN
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7) Spy Kids - On a Mission for God?
>This year our Christian Education is doing our own Summer Bible School.
>The theme the kids came up with is "Spy Kids - On a Mission for God'. Now
Hi, Wendy, we are also doing a spy theme for VBS. This is the first time
that we have tried to write our own VBS and any help will be GREATLY
appreciated. If you or anyone else has any materials that you would be
willing to share, please e-mail at thebartleys@hotmail.com or post here.
Thanks so much!
Pam
GFAC
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8) Christian "big books"
I found this web site to tell and show you how to MAKE a big book:
http://www.nhusd.k12.ca.us/Searles/BigBookPage/bigbook
It looked easy
Enjoy
Jan Rowan
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9) Christian Big Books
I received many similar responses to this request. To save space in SSTN
I'll post the info one time.
Group and Concordia Publishing produce these books. You can find many of
them in our bookstore at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html
Find the Concordia books by typing the following titles into the search
box:
Drip Drop Big Book (Story of Noah) ISBN: 0570050553
Follow that Star Big Book (Wise Men) ISBN: 0570050766
Send a Baby Big Book (Birth of John the Baptist) ISBN: 057005074X
Sit Down Big Book (Mary and Martha) ISBN: 0570050545
What Next? Big Book (Creation) ISBN: 0570050774
Where is Jesus? Big Book (Easter) ISBN: 0570050561
Who Will Help? (Good Samaritan) ISBN: 0570050537
And the Group titles:
3 & 4 year olds Abraham: ISBN: 1559454377
3 & 4 year olds God Made our World ISBN: 1559454369
3 & 4 year olds Jesus Appears to His Followers ISBN: 155945430X
3 & 4 year olds Jesus Birth ISBN: 1559454288
3 & 4 year olds Jonah ISBN: 1559454350
3 & 4 year olds Paul and Silas Go to Jail ISBN: 1559455772
3 & 4 year olds Samuel ISBN: 1559454342
3 & 4 year olds The Little Lost Sheep ISBN: 1559454296
3 & 4 year olds The Miracle Of Easter ISBN: 1559455764
3 & 4 year olds Zaccaeus ISBN: 1559455756
3 & 4 year olds Daniel and His Friends ISBN: 1559452455
3 & 4 year olds David and Goliath ISBN: 1559452420
3 & 4 year olds Moses ISBN: 1559455780
5 & 6 year olds Jesus is With Us ISBN: 1559455802
5 & 6 year olds Jesus Miracles ISBN: 1559454253
5 & 6 year olds Joseph, the Favorite Son ISBN: 1559452439
5 & 6 year olds Noah ISBN: 1559454334
5 & 6 year olds Ruth ISBN: 1559454318
5 & 6 year olds Saul's Surprise: On The Road to Damascus ISBN: 1559455837
5 & 6 year olds David and Prince Jonathon ISBN: 1559452447
5 & 6 year olds Elijah ISBN: 1559454326
5 & 6 year olds Esther ISBN: 1559455799
5 & 6 year olds How Peter Served Jesus ISBN: 155945427X
5 & 6 year olds Peter Tells the Easter Story ISBN: 1559454261
You can also find a good selection of Bible board books by typing:
"My Bible Friends Board Books Series" into the bookstore search box.
Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
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Praise-Amations!
Remember those cartoon flip cards you roll between your hands to make them
animate? With Praise-Amations, children will be excited to see their
cartoon "mini-movies" come to life as they roll them between their hands.
27 Reproducible patterns to make and do with your entire class!
In the Curriculum section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
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10) Spy Kids VBS
Dear Wendy,
In response to your request for skit for "Spy Kids" VBS, I wanted to let
you know about a church that used that curriculum last summer. My
daughter, who was entering 1st grade at the time loved it. Unfortunately,
I was out-of-town and not able to directly observe the set-up, but I got a
little bit of information.
If you would like to know the Church, the Children's Ministry
Coordinator's name, phone number, etc., please e-mail
me........kmamag@pcisys.net.
Good luck with your VBS!
~Kristi
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11) Penpals
This is for Sam who wanted to do Penpals.
Sam-
I teach kindergarten and first graders so my kids are aged 5-7. I would
love to do a penpal project with them. In fact, I tried to last year but
find anyone interested in corresponding with us. The only problem I
forsee is that our Sunday school just finished for the year and won't
begin again until the fall. If you can wait a few months, we'd be
thrilled to be your penpals. My e-mail is edalynne@hotmail.com in case
you want to contact me directly. I teach in a small town in
Massachusetts, USA.
Christine Beauchaine
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12) Object Lesson on Tithing?
Members,
My name is Kesa Yaya and am I Sunday school teacher for grades 5 and 6
here
in Fiji. I would appreciate if someone has ideas or has already taught a
lesson on tithing that would be able to share with me. We are a small
church and do not have a lot of resources.
Have a blessed day.
Thanks.
Kesa.
--from SSTN: Check out the "Tithing Bank" idea from the Crafts section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/page6.html
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13) Discipline Problems -- a parent's experience
In response to simply removing children who disrupt the class (without
endangering others), or concidering "extra helping duties" as a "reward
for bad behavior", I would like to give my personal experience.
My son was asked not to return to VBS after 2 nights while he was 5 -- for
being "too busy". I was shocked, and my husband outraged, since neither
of us had never heard of a child being thrown out of church. (Noone even
asked me to stay and help keep him "on task" or help in any way, which I
would have done). Ends up that the following school year he was
classified as intellectually gifted with an IQ if 141, and he had simply
been bored to tears. No attention deficiency or hyperactivity was
involved. (He could comprehend fifth grade reading material by then, for
goodness sake.)
Being his mom, I know the challenges of keeping his mind intrigued -- but
adults can't punish by throwing these children out or glueing their little
bottoms to a chair. Each one is beautifully and wonderfully made, and
uneducated choices such as these might ruin any chance the children are
allowed by their parents to come back to church at all. My son is lucky
-- I am a Christian and kept searching for a place where he'd fit in --
he's thriving in Royal Rangers and has completed 3 years of Cub Scouts.
I'd love to hug all those teachers who look into each child's situation
and make wise attempts to resolve these difficult situations -- the end
result is their souls.
~~Vicki, Reynolds Indiana
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14) VERY small group for Jr. Church?
Greetings!
I teach Jr. Church on the 1st & 3rd Sundays only and the group
usually
numbers 3 to 4 children at the 3rd - 5th grade level. I want to start a
series of learning activities that will teach them more about the Bible.
I
can remember when I was this age our youth leader held a contest that
consisted of a list of questions that we had to look up in the Bible in
order to answer them. The person who had the most correct at the end of
the contest (it's been a long time but I think it lasted about 6 - 8
weeks) won a very nice Bible trivia book or something similar. My kids
are extremely open to something like this & are excited each week to see
what I've come up with!
I wanted to know if there was something out there I could use to get
me
started. I also have in mind a series of studies on the 10 commandments.
Any suggestions or ideas? I'm considering consulting with the other
teacher (2nd & 4th Sundays) to maybe work as a team but at this time not
sure if she would "go" for it or not. Thanks and God's richest blessings
to you all!
Kay
--from SSTN: Kay: check out God's Top 10. There's a free lesson to try out
too: http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
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