October 13th, 2013 Esther Chapter 8

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

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

Gathering Time suggestions: 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 how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: You can find song links on our Network Music Log and touch base with the music leaders listed on this weeks PM Plan.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are starting at the begin of the Bible and working our way through chronologically some of the more popular stories of the Old Testament. Remind the kids that the old testament is before Jesus's time. Some of the stories can be strange, and God can seem very angry and mean at times. Remind the kids of what is to come, and what the differences are between the old and new testament. If you want to talk more about this, see Lauren.

Today we will start the story of Esther. Today we are reading Esther Chapter 8. 

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For the Fall we are taking the kids outside, as long as we can. Lets also make some instruments for our music time. This weeks lets make some homemade Kazoos. Click HERE for how to make them. Maybe ask your cell to help gather the materials. 

• Do a bathroom check before you go out.
• Assign cell helpers to keep an eye on specific kids.
• Set some ground rules before you let kids loose.
• Stay on the grassy area. 
• No rocks, no sticks, no pulling on trees. They may climb the tree as long as they stay below leaf level. 
• Kids get 2 warnings on these rules. Let them know that by the 3rd one they will be sitting with you for a few minutes until they are ready to be calm and follow directions.
• Have specific games for them to play. (They love Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Red Rover, Red light, Green light, Freeze Tag, etc.).

October 6th, 2013 Esther Chapter 7

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

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

Gathering Time suggestions: 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 how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: You can find song links on our Network Music Log and touch base with the music leaders listed on this weeks PM Plan.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are starting at the begin of the Bible and working our way through chronologically some of the more popular stories of the Old Testament. Remind the kids that the old testament is before Jesus's time. Some of the stories can be strange, and God can seem very angry and mean at times. Remind the kids of what is to come, and what the differences are between the old and new testament. If you want to talk more about this, see Lauren.

Today we will start the story of Esther. Today we are reading Esther Chapter 7. 

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For the Fall we are taking the kids outside, as long as we can. Lets also make some instruments for our music time. This weeks lets make some Milk Jug Shakers. Click HERE for how to make them. Maybe ask your cell to help gather the materials. 

• Do a bathroom check before you go out.
• Assign cell helpers to keep an eye on specific kids.
• Set some ground rules before you let kids loose.
• Stay on the grassy area. 
• No rocks, no sticks, no pulling on trees. They may climb the tree as long as they stay below leaf level. 
• Kids get 2 warnings on these rules. Let them know that by the 3rd one they will be sitting with you for a few minutes until they are ready to be calm and follow directions.
• Have specific games for them to play. (They love Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Red Rover, Red light, Green light, Freeze Tag, etc.).

September 29th, 2013 Esther Chapter 6

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

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

Gathering Time suggestions: 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 how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: You can find song links on our Network Music Log and touch base with the music leaders listed on this weeks PM Plan.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are starting at the begin of the Bible and working our way through chronologically some of the more popular stories of the Old Testament. Remind the kids that the old testament is before Jesus's time. Some of the stories can be strange, and God can seem very angry and mean at times. Remind the kids of what is to come, and what the differences are between the old and new testament. If you want to talk more about this, see Lauren.

Today we will start the story of Esther. Today we are reading Esther Chapter 6. 

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For the Fall we are taking the kids outside, as long as we can. Lets also make some instruments for our music time. This weeks lets make some tin can drums. Click HERE for how to make them. Maybe ask your cell to help gather the materials. 

• Do a bathroom check before you go out.
• Assign cell helpers to keep an eye on specific kids.
• Set some ground rules before you let kids loose.
• Stay on the grassy area. 
• No rocks, no sticks, no pulling on trees. They may climb the tree as long as they stay below leaf level. 
• Kids get 2 warnings on these rules. Let them know that by the 3rd one they will be sitting with you for a few minutes until they are ready to be calm and follow directions.
• Have specific games for them to play. (They love Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Red Rover, Red light, Green light, Freeze Tag, etc.).

September 22nd, 2013 Esther Chapter 5

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

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

Gathering Time suggestions: 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 how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: You can find song links on our Network Music Log and touch base with the music leaders listed on this weeks PM Plan.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are starting at the begin of the Bible and working our way through chronologically some of the more popular stories of the Old Testament. Remind the kids that the old testament is before Jesus's time. Some of the stories can be strange, and God can seem very angry and mean at times. Remind the kids of what is to come, and what the differences are between the old and new testament. If you want to talk more about this, see Lauren.

Today we will start the story of Esther. Today we are reading Esther Chapter 5. 

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For the Fall we are taking the kids outside, as long as we can. Lets make some new decorations for our room by dying some coffee filters and hanging them. Last weeks group dyed our filters. This week string up coffee filter garland by simply fold coffee filters in half over string and glue together. Hang somewhere fun!

• Do a bathroom check before you go out.
• Assign cell helpers to keep an eye on specific kids.
• Set some ground rules before you let kids loose.
• Stay on the grassy area. 
• No rocks, no sticks, no pulling on trees. They may climb the tree as long as they stay below leaf level. 
• Kids get 2 warnings on these rules. Let them know that by the 3rd one they will be sitting with you for a few minutes until they are ready to be calm and follow directions.
• Have specific games for them to play. (They love Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Red Rover, Red light, Green light, Freeze Tag, etc.).

September 15th, 2013 Esther Chapter 4

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

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

Gathering Time suggestions: 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 how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: You can find song links on our Network Music Log and touch base with the music leaders listed on this weeks PM Plan.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are starting at the begin of the Bible and working our way through chronologically some of the more popular stories of the Old Testament. Remind the kids that the old testament is before Jesus's time. Some of the stories can be strange, and God can seem very angry and mean at times. Remind the kids of what is to come, and what the differences are between the old and new testament. If you want to talk more about this, see Lauren.

Today we will start the story of Esther. Today we are reading Esther Chapter 4. 

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For the Fall we are taking the kids outside, as long as we can. Lets make some new decorations for our room by dying some coffee filters and hanging them.We are ONLY dying things today, next weeks group can string them together. Click HERE for more on how to make them. This site suggests food coloring, but you can easily water down any paint we have in the space to dye things with. Leave coffee filters out to dry flat over the week. 

• Do a bathroom check before you go out.
• Assign cell helpers to keep an eye on specific kids.
• Set some ground rules before you let kids loose.
• Stay on the grassy area. 
• No rocks, no sticks, no pulling on trees. They may climb the tree as long as they stay below leaf level. 
• Kids get 2 warnings on these rules. Let them know that by the 3rd one they will be sitting with you for a few minutes until they are ready to be calm and follow directions.
• Have specific games for them to play. (They love Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Red Rover, Red light, Green light, Freeze Tag, etc.).

September 8th, 2013 "Esther Chapter 3"

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

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

Gathering Time suggestions: 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 how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: You can find song links on our Network Music Log and touch base with the music leaders listed on this weeks PM Plan.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

This season's we are starting at the begin of the Bible and working our way through chronologically some of the more popular stories of the Old Testament. Remind the kids that the old testament is before Jesus's time. Some of the stories can be strange, and God can seem very angry and mean at times. Remind the kids of what is to come, and what the differences are between the old and new testament. If you want to talk more about this, see Lauren.

Today we will start the story of Esther. Today we are reading Esther Chapter 3. 

While I read to you, look for these 2 things________&________and I will ask you about them when I am done reading.  

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For the summer we are taking the kids outside. This week we'll be making these awesome Styrofoam prints! Click HERE for more on how to make them. 

• Do a bathroom check before you go out.
• Assign cell helpers to keep an eye on specific kids.
• Set some ground rules before you let kids loose.
• Stay on the grassy area. 
• No rocks, no sticks, no pulling on trees. They may climb the tree as long as they stay below leaf level. 
• Kids get 2 warnings on these rules. Let them know that by the 3rd one they will be sitting with you for a few minutes until they are ready to be calm and follow directions.
• Have specific games for them to play. (They love Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Red Rover, Red light, Green light, Freeze Tag, etc.).