September 7th, 2014 The Fruits of the Spirit (Love)

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

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet kids and check in with Parent/Guardians.

5:05 Gather for Circle Time
5:10 Music & Dance
5:25 Pass the Peace & Go Around

5:30 Solidarity Prayer

5:35 Snack

5:45 Children ages 3-5 go outside to play games.

Children ages 6-10 stay for Reading & Dialogue

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:  Check in with the music leader for this week to see if you can grab a few ideas from the. 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: This season lets find regions to pray for on the MCC website. Click HERE to find a topic. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions: This season we are learning about the Fruits of the Spirit. We'll be dissecting each one over the next few weeks, using the checklist that is posted in our room. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and ask the kids how they think God shows this weeks fruit of the spirit, how we show this weeks fruit of the spirit, and where we've seen this weeks fruit of the spirit in those around us. 

Remember that our job is simply to create a safe space for dialogue. Some fun ways to do this are by:

• having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• having or creating props or visual aides. 
• asking them what they think the characters were feeling in the story.
• asking them what they think happened before the story, or what may happen next.

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

Playground Time: Todays game is Over & Under. Click HERE for a quick tutorial.

• Give parents a heads up if you decide to go to Shisler playground. (Click HERE for walking directions.)
• Make sure kids have gone to the bathroom.
• Ask someone to be the line leader. 
• Assign adults to specific kids.
• Leave a sign on the door saying where you are, what time you will be back, and a contact number for someone who is with the kids. 

August 14th, 2011 "Love"

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

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Gather for Circle Time

5:10 Pass the Peace & Go around

5:20 Hand out Snacks in Circle

5:25 Readings & Dialogue

5:45 Solidarity Prayer

5:50 Music & Dance

6:00 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 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 where and how to gather.

Pass the Peace &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 Joy is? Tell me what Joy looks like? What does Joy not look like?

(You can also try "Show me what this looks like" & "Show me what this doesn't look like” and have kids write down, draw or act it out. Having kids physically involved is a great way to keep them engaged.)   
 
Reading & Dialouge Suggestions:
As you know, 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.

Do you remember why they are called fruits of the spirit?

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 Joy:

While I read to you, think about 2 ways that Hannah experiences or shows Joy in this story. (giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged).

1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah
Having visual aides are always a plus (pictures, props, etc.) 
After reading, ask kids what 2 things they found and discuss.

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

Solidarity Prayer: This season we are thinking about/praying for our PM Teams. This week we are praying for the First Friday team. In 2-3 phrases, explain who 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: Try something fun with potato stamps. Consider researching symbols of love from different cultures and cutting those into your potatoes. 

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