January 26th, 2014 Jonah Chapter 2

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: The music leaders have been really great about including us in their weekly emails regarding their song list. See if you can pull one or two from there. If you don't recognize the songs, reach out and contact the music leader to learn one. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

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:

We are currently reading the story of Jonah. Ask the kids to recap what they remember, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Jonah Chapter 2. 

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged. Ask them to pay attention for something, a word, a character, a pattern of some kind, etc.
• 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: It's the new year, time for some new art work in our room. HERE is a little tutorial on marbleizing with shaving cream. If one person could buy a can of shaving cream and another one buy a pack of food coloring I think you will be set. Don't forget to put on smocks!

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.