The New Class

We got a new crop of kindergartners this week. Every year we experience the "readjustment" from end-of-the-year kindergartners to beginning-of-the-year kindergartners. A whole year does make a difference in the lives of kids. However, I did notice some things that are the same.

These younger kids like to draw.

These younger kids like to build with blocks.

These younger kids like stickers.

These younger kids like puzzles.

These younger kids like painting at the easel.

These younger kids like fishing...and magnets.

These younger kids like patterns.

We had a great first day - and I think we're going to get along together just fine.

Receiving My "Payment"

I love volunteering and teaching in my kindergarten class. I'd do it if they didn't pay me. Well, they don't pay me. But I do it because that's what God has called me to do. And I learn as much from the kids as I teach.

But, recently, I feel that God has been "paying" me as a teacher. As mentioned in an earlier post, I've watched several older children profess faith in Christ and be baptized, children that I taught when they were kindergartners. God has helped me see how others have built on the truths that I helped these children discover. That is payment for me.

The mother of one of those boys told us: "He chose John 3:16 as his favorite verse. He said that he knew what it meant because he first learned it in Mr. Scott and Mrs. Cindy's class." That's payment for me.

The mother of one of our new children said she was talking about the new class with her child. Her two older children (both had been in our class) said: "That is THE kindergarten class! You'll love it!" That's payment for me.

Last week, toward the end of our time with the brand-new group of kindergartners, I overheard two boys talking. "Our little class was boring," one said. "This class is fun." That's payment for me.

I love teaching preschoolers and kindergartners. I will always be involved with young children in some way. But, sometimes I must admit, things get difficult or discouraging. I'm glad that God knows what we need to feel "paid" for our work. He is good to help us see the impact we can make through Him.

I'm not foolish enough to believe that Cindy and I are the reason that the kids respond in these ways. God's love and power covers a great deal of mistakes and missteps. He is the reason that children are excited to learn and grow. I'm glad I can be a part of His work in these young lives.

How has God "paid" you? How has He affirmed His call to teaching in your life? Thank Him for that.

Words by Lillian
Photo by R. Scott Wiley

Saying Good-bye

This past Sunday was the last week I had with my current class. Now those children are off to their new first grade class...and I will get some brand-new, baby kindergartners. 

We had a great year. I learned a lot and I hope the children did, too. Sunday was a day of saying good-bye. Cindy and I received some nice notes, gift cards, and cookies. We had a party--muffins and fruit. We also had teaching, including a few of our favorite activities.

In group time, after the Bible story and other regular activities, each child received a new Bible. We talked about going to the first grade class and using the new Bibles. Then Cindy and I helped each child find the Bible story (Acts 16) in his (or her) new Bible. A new bookmark went in that place. Many of the children were very excited to find it, and all were happy to have a bookmark in the location of the Bible story.

One new thing this year. I made photo CDs for the children. Each CD had a copy of a book we made as a class (Our Book About Sunday School) with photos and the children's captions. I added 4-5 photos of each child to his CD. (I took lots of photos this year!)

Overall, it was a great day. I was tired after the session was over, and felt slightly sad. I'll miss this class. I learned a lot about teaching, especially teaching a large group of boys. Each child has a unique personality and a unique place in my memory. I see some strong leaders, some inventors, some thinkers, and some daredevils. Quite a group - a group of individuals that God loves and that I hope discovered more about that love this year.

Printing by Garrison

Photo by R. Scott Wiley

One of Those Days

Did you ever have one of those days in your class? Things just seem to get out of hand or just not go the right way? Well, I had a day like that this past Sunday.

First, a little set up. Mrs. Cindy was out of town; we had a substitute, a mother of kids in my class. Almost all the kids were there so we had a room full. One of the boys decided to play "escape" and tried to leave the room whenever the door opened or whenever it was unguarded. (He thought it was great fun!)

I had planned a couple of activities that we had not done before, so there was interest in those materials. Except for the escape attempts, things went pretty well during activity time. Children moved around the room and enjoyed what was happening. I was able to move around and talk about the Bible story and maintain the peace. Then came group time.

A group of 11 kids (mostly boys) can be a challenge in the best of times. But this week, things just broke down entirely. We had difficulty getting the chairs in the group...and some decided to try and sit outside the group. Once we were all in the group, everyone wanted to talk at the same time. I began a game, and someone thought that gibberish was the way to respond. And EVERYTHING was hilarious (at least to the boys).

I kept trying to pull everyone back to what we were doing. I told the story. I asked questions. I kept working to maintain order. But I felt inhibited. I didn't want to lose it in front of a parent. We finally worked through group time and moved back to a few activities before parents arrived. As calm (or close to it) moved back and children began to leave, I felt wiped out.

So, why share this "tragic" tale. Because of the lessons I learned. Why did things seem to go so wrong? Here are some ideas I came up with:

1. I was different - I was a little more guarded in the way I talked with kids. I had to take care of some things (like attendance) that Cindy usually handles. I felt a little pressure to make sure the session went well since a parent was in the room. So I'm sure the kids picked up on my different attitude.

2. Unfamiliar teacher - Kids like consistency. The familiar teacher was absent and an unfamiliar adult was in the room. That can make kids feel uneasy and change their behavior. The sub was unfamiliar with how things normally worked, so she couldn't jump in a cover for me like Cindy does on a regular basis. (Gotta love that Mrs. Cindy!)

3. Summer - The kids now have a different routine (or a more relaxed routine) at home. They don't have school--which reinforced what we did in Sunday School (at least in structure). So now they interact differently at church. (As I drove home, I remember a similar Sunday experience last summer with my previous class.)

4. ??? - Sometimes you just have days like that. Things just happen sometimes.

To avoid (or minimize) days like this, I decided that I should try to maintain as consistent an environment as possible. I also need to provide consistent reactions and guidance as possible as well. 

And I'm glad I can have days like this so that I can enjoy the other times even more. 

Photo posted on Flickr.com

Photographer: BotheredByBees

Do They Apply?

In group time, we were praying. One of my girls prayed: "God, be with Mrs. Cindy on her trip. Help her when she goes on the airplane." 

In Sunday School, my kids hear about the truths of the Bible. Cindy and I tell them Bible stories and Bible verses. I strive to help them know and understand what the Bible teaches. They tell me facts and recall Bible verses. More than that, I hear them express an understanding of those facts and verses. They tell me what the facts/verses mean...in their own words.

But my job is a failure if I'm not helping children apply those truths, to begin to practice and live out the Bible. I saw evidence of that happening in group time that day. That kindergartner had heard that God wants us to pray to Him. She had learned that we can pray and ask God to help others and that God will hear our prayers. And now she was practicing what she had heard and understood. She was praying for a friend, asking God to help on a trip. I'm so glad that God allows me to play a small part in the spiritual development of kindergartners. And, sometimes, I get to see His work in their lives.

Photo posted on Flickr.com

Photographer: SDCDeaCerte  

Ten Meaningful Affirmations for Kids

Affirmation helps boost a child's confidence and inspires him to persevere. Affirmation encourages a child to keep trying and to feel successful. The best affirmation are words that are meaningful - that connect to what the child is doing. Think about how you can use concrete, meaningful words to affirm the preschoolers or kindergartners you teach.

1. You used all the blocks to build your tower.

2. I can tell you are really thinking about this.

3. Your paper is covered with paint. Tell me what you did.

4. You worked together to finish that large floor puzzle.

5. Thank you for helping put away the dishes. We make a great team!

6. You are helping us get ready for group time when you put away the crayons.

7. That was a good idea.

8. You are working hard to finish that.

9. We did it! Give someone a high five!

10. You came up with a great solution to that problem.

Picture posted on Flickr.com

Photographer: Leo Reynolds

Try Something New

In teaching my Sunday School class, I fall back on the traditional, familiar ways of teaching. We teach with hands-on activities and use a variety of centers. I tend to use activities that I have used in the past - because those activities have worked in the past and I know how to teach using them.

But I cannot just depend on the familiar. When I do that, my teaching becomes rote and stale. I 

need to seek challenges and different ways to communicate Bible truths. And choose new ways to involve and engage boys and girls in learning. 

Recently we talked about telling others about Jesus. To help boys and girls think about and practice different ways to tell about Jesus, we provided a variety of activities - mostly ones that were familiar to me and the children. The kids used phones to pretend to talk to others. They wrote letters and notes to a missionary in our state. They built different places where they could tell about Jesus. Some fun ways to explore the Bible truth and the story.

I also decided to try something new. I took an old laptop and opened the word processing program. I thought that kids could pretend to send e-mail or type messages about Jesus. And the kindergartners were fascinated. We had to make a list so they could keep track of who was next. And I told them that I would bring the computer back the next week so everyone could have a turn.

So for the month of May, my writing center has been converted to a computer center. The laptop is available with a sign-up list. We added a timer so each child will have 5 minutes to type and will know when his turn is over. The children have enjoyed typing - sometimes just letters and nonsense, sometimes words or names, sometimes numbers. 

By trying something new, I have seen excitement in my kids. They have used new skills and new ways to learn about the Bible. And I'm discovering new ways to reinforce and apply truths to their lives. 

Look at your class or teaching ministry. What new technique could you try? What new tool could you use? What new idea could you implement? Keep in mind that not everything will work. Sometimes when I try something new, it fails. But trying new things keeps teaching fresh. And trying new things keeps me growing and learning as a teacher.

Photos by R Scott Wiley

Easter

Today was a fun day. I had prepared several activities to guide the children to think about Easter and to learn (or reinforce) that Jesus is alive. Children engaged in almost all the activities - nothing was a stand-out favorite.

Most enjoyed examining flowers with the magnifying glasses and measuring tape. A couple liked drawing happy people on the people shapes. Some used the letter stencils and the magnet letters. A couple of boys just sat with (climbed on) me and talked. But everyone had fun making choices, doing, and learning.

But the high point for me was group time. We recalled the Triumphal Entry story. Then I led into the fact that Jesus had died on a cross and was buried. The children listened quietly as I told the resurrection story. Then we talked. We talked about the tomb and that it was empty. We talked about the fact that Mary was surprised and happy when she saw Jesus alive.

But the best part was next. I read the Bible verse: Jesus is alive! We said it together. We said it loud and said it soft. Then we divided into two groups. One group said: "Jesus." The other group said: "is". Everyone said: "alive!" We repeated this a couple of times and switched words among the groups. I felt chills when the group said it all together. What a celebration! To hear 6-year-old voices shouting that Jesus is alive. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Easter.

Yes, we had fun. Yes, we learned about Jesus. But I know that the children left with the key thought in their heads. Jesus is alive! That thought echoes in my head even now.

Practicing What They Learn

This is an ark that the children built Sunday. 

This month we started a new schedule. We have activities for about 25 minutes or so; then group time for 20 minutes or so; and then repeat a few activities for the last 10-15 minutes (until parents arrive). We make this change to begin the transition from kindergarten schedule to first grade schedule. (Then in August when the children move, the change won't be too drastic.) 

In a couple of months we will adjust again to match closer to what the first graders do - a couple of intro activities; a longer group time; and a few activities to apply at the end.

This week I was reminded of a "perk" of having group time and then activities afterward. Children hear the story and application and then get to put them into practice. We had the story of Noah and talked about God's care for Noah and for us. As we ended group time, I told the children what they could choose to do. One activity was building with blocks and using animal figures. I said that they could build an ark (or something else if they choose). A group built the ark above.

My suggestion stimulated their thinking and their work allowed me to reinforce the teaching. A successful experience all around. We talked about concepts and the Bible story; children then had an opportunity to practice and explore what they heard and learned.

Now I'm thinking about how I can stimulate their thinking when they arrive and throughout the session - leading them to hear, explore, practice, and live out what they are learning. If I can help them begin to live out what they are learning, it will become a part of their foundation for life. How do you help boys and girls practice and live out Bible truths?