June 26th, 2011 "Gentleness"

Kids PM Time Schedule (5pm-6:30pm)
4-4:45 Prep
4:45-5:10 Meet & Greet/Centers
5:10 Gather for Circle Time
5:10-5:20 Pass the Peace & Go around
5:20-5:25 Hand out Snacks in Circle
5:25-5:45 Readings & Dialogue
5:45-5:50 Solidarity Prayer
5:50-6:00 Music & Dance
6:00-6:30 Art Making & Centers

Tips:
-Go over schedule each week at the beginning of your “Go Around”.
-Give kids a heads up before transitioning into each new thing, 
and give them directions on how to transition.
-Give 5 minute warnings for clean up times.

Center suggestions: These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Having 2-3 places where kids can engage in an activity is enough (coloring, playing a game, etc.). Give them a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather in a circle.

Gathering Time:
Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids where and how to gather.

Go around suggestions:
Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think if a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.)
Who knows what gentleness is? Tell me what gentleness looks like? What does gentleness not look like? (You could also try "Show me what gentleness does/doesn't look like". The kids might have more fun acting it out!)

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:
This season we are learning about the fruits of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. There is no law against things like this.

Which fruit of the spirit do you think we are going to talk about tonight?

Here's a story in the bible that talks about self control:

While I read to you, think about 2 ways that Boaz shows gentleness in this story. (giving kids a specific thing to look out for helps them pay attention and stay engaged).

Ruth Chapters 2-4

Suggested dialogue questions:

Can you think of a time when you showed gentleness? What are some ways you can remember to show gentleness this week?


Solidarity Prayer: This week we are praying for Immigrant Rights. In 2-3 phrases, explain who/what this is and ask the kids how they think we can pray for them. Consider writing it down on a large piece of paper, and then have the kids take turns praying for each part.

Music Suggestions: Although it's fun to at least have one song that  is connected to our theme, it is not mandatory. Check out some of our music links for some ideas. 

Art Making/Process Suggestions:
Making art with paper can be very tricky, and you need to be very gentle with it. Using rolled newspapers reminds me of the way Ruth gathered wheat in Boaz's field and stacked it in bunches.

Click HERE for how to make a rolled newspaper sculpture.
Materials needed:
Newspaper
Masking Tape

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out.