Christian
Formation
Diocese of Eastern Michigan
Ministries Resource Center
Subject: Christian Formation
Topic: Elementary Education
Elementary
Education Curriculum
The
following items are located at the
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Ministries Resource Center Home Congregational/ Leadership Development Stewardship/Mission and Outreach An
Introduction to Godly Play Theory Curriculum:
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All Things New – Morehouse Publishing, 2006 (updated annually) A curriculum resource which is based on the Bible stories rather than the lectionary. The fall quarter features stories from the Old Testament. Curriculum guides are available for Preschool through 6th grade; also included are a CD with songs and motions and Kids in Common: A Children’s Book of Common Prayer. Leaders’ Guides and Student Papers for each grade plus the CD and Kids in Common are available for preview. Clear Curriculum – Randall House
Publications, This resource is designed to have the entire family studying the same Scriptural materials from infants and toddlers through adulthood; it is closely age graded. The teacher guides include a brief reflection for the teacher and very detailed instructions for teaching each class. Patterns and other resources are included in a separate teacher pack. Also included are an activity book for the students and a take home book. This curriculum resource has available all the “bells and whistles” and so can be a bit expensive. Episcopal
Curriculum for Children - Morehouse Publishing; Designed for Ages 3-6th grade; 3 levels: PK, Primary, and Intermediate, each with 3 years: Shell, Chalice, and Cross; each year has 4 sections of 9 lessons each: Old Testament (Includes All Saints), New Testament (Christmas season), Sacrament (Easter season), and Worship in the Church (Includes Pentecost); 36 lessons total ECC - PK: Includes Teacher book, Take Home Cards, and 4 booklets-one for each section. Cross year includes cassette tape of recommended hymns for children through year ECC - Primary: Includes Teacher Book, Take Home Cards, Booklets, Puzzle Pack (Includes 1 puzzle for each lesson) ECC - Intermediate: Includes Teacher Book, Take Home Cards, Treasure Book, "Covenant Times" Newspapers. Living the
Good News – Morehouse
Publishing; An Episcopal
Lectionary based curriculum; seasonal leader’s guide includes lessons with
background information and meditations on the weekly readings, the story to
tell, activities, and closing prayer. Easy for teachers to use; age graded:
Primary and Intermediate LWW Discovery Guide – Bethel Lutheran Church/Augsburg Fortress,
This is a study
guide for use with The Lion, the Witch,
and the Wardrobe by older elementary and middle school students. There is
one “lesson” to go with each chapter of the book which includes “dig deeper”,
“road map”, “vocab” and “fun fact” as well as a page for the student to
journal on a specific question; the “dig deeper” section includes scripture
references. A neat way to get the most out of this very famous book, now a
movie! Mustard Seed Series Preview Kit, This is an introduction to this Biblically based curriculum for children in Kindergarten through Middle School; it includes information about the program and sample lessons. Mustard Seed is a closely graded curriculum with stories from both the New and the Old Testament for each grade level. One Room Sunday School – Abingdon Press (updated annually) Example of lessons from this curriculum, including
the teacher packet and the reproducible packet; useful for students in Preschool
through Elementary School in one class
Seasons of the Spirit – Logos Publications, Inver Grove Heights MN (updated annually) Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, seasonal guides offer teachers background information on scripture, stories and activities for class, worship and outreach opportunities, includes beautiful art work as well as musical suggestions for class; Closely graded: 6-8yrs, 9-11yrs, or multi-age: 5-12yrs. Available for review: Fall 05 (Late Pentecost) For more information: www.spiritseasons.com Teaching Children about Prayer, by Judy Gattis Smith - Educational Ministries, Inc A 5 lesson supplemental course on prayer; each lesson includes the teacher lesson plan, followed by a list of supplies needed and an outline of the lesson. Chapters: "Attitudes"; "How do we approach God?" "Prayers of Adoration"; "Confession and Thanksgiving"; and "Prayers of Supplication" Walk With Me
– Reformed Presbyterian Church This is a
closely-graded Bible story based curriculum resource for students 4 years old
to 8th grade. Included are a leader guide with well organized and
detailed lessons and a student book with pieces for the projects. Background
information for the teacher is supplied in the Leader Guide as well as an
introduction to each story; each lesson also includes a variety of ways to
approach the story, although this is not set up as a rotation style
curriculum. For more information contact www.FaithAliveResources.org Witness – Augsburg Fortress A closely-graded curriculum for students from 2 years through 8th grade. It is based on Bible stories, about 1/3 from the Old Testament and the rest from the New. Works in a 2 year cycle. Rotation Model Curriculum: Come Join the Circle – Logos Productions Inc, This is Logos Productions entry into the
Rotation Model of curriculum resources. The unit available for preview is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. It includes a large variety of rotations and has
several Bible stories to choose from with the unit. A planning guide, a CD,
and several visual aids come with the unit. The introductory flyer shows what
units are currently available. For
more information go to www.logosproductions.com
Cornerstones Rotation Model Curriculum Resource CD ROM – Cornerstones
Publishing, Samples of the new Rotation Style curricula
with explanation of using the curricula and a complete sample lesson; the new
materials for ’05 include suggestions for a number of lessons plus 2 CD’s
with ideas and Bible lessons; the ’06 catalog outlines different lessons to
use together to create a unit. For more information go to www.cstones.com The Potter’s Workshops – The Potter’s Workshops, This curriculum has been developed by an
independent group rather than a particular denomination; the catalog outlines
and explains the 35 units currently available; the CD contains a sample unit
on Joseph in Egypt. For more information go to www.potters-workshops.com We Believe – Congregational Ministries Publishing, PCUSA We
Believe is a new rotation model curriculum from the Presbyterian Church; the
sample lesson here is The Shepherds,
Luke 2:8-20. Included are the resource pages necessary to use this unit. For
more information go to www.pcusa.org WorkshopCycles – Tracey Herzer, LeaderResources, 2004 The exciting “new” resources in Christian Formation are rotation style resources; LeaderResources has jumped in with an Episcopal style rotation model curriculum called WorkshopCycles. Available for preview are 3 cycles developed by Tracey; The Good Shepherd The Miracles of Jesus Samuel: The Boy Who
Listened to God Samuel and The Good Shepherd also include information introducing rotation style Sunday School and explaining how to use the materials. Additional information may be obtained by going to www.LeaderResources.org and clicking on Memberships. |
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See also: Christian Formation – Bible Times, B.C. - Living the Good News/Morehouse Publishing; A ten lesson program designed primarily for VBS, but adaptable; Old Testament emphasis; Theme: "Highlights from Hebrew Scriptures and Holidays"; Each lesson includes teacher background, story, activities, games, crafts, and holiday activities (w/explanations of unfamiliar terms); Also available are student books: For 3-6 yrs, and 7-11 yrs. Jesus Is Giving a
Party and We're All Invited - Living the Good News/Morehouse Publishing, A 5 lesson VBS; New Testament emphasis; set up by chapters, not lessons; Chapters: "What you need for planning", What you need for teaching", What you need for storytelling", What you need for Arts, Crafts, and Games, "Everything else you need". Student books: For 3-6 yrs, and 7-11yrs. Peace and Justice – Nonviolence/Peacemaking
Building a Culture of
Peace Begins with Children – The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program,
Presbyterian Distribution Service, Six sessions, primarily designed for 3rd to 6th grade, but can be adapted for younger children and inter-generational groups, includes background on scripture, gathering activities, questions and activities for discussion, and closing for each session, craft patterns, and bibliography. Kids Creating Circles of
Peace – The
Institute for Peace and Justice An activity book for children in elementary school encouraging peace making and finding non-violent ways to resolve conflict; a number of story starters, as well as references and discussion questions Peace Papers Packet – Institute for
Peace and Justice, A series of children’s bulletins, based on the lectionary, which emphasize themes of nonviolence for children; now available as entire set for 3 years, with index; samples available. See: www.ipj-ppj.org Treasure Kids Magazine, for Student magazines w/leader guides available; talks about children and
culture with an anti-violence theme; 2 issues: Kids for Peace: Making a
Non-violent USA and Kids for Peace: What Can I Do? Peace and Justice – Integrity
of Creation New (children’s book) Recycle Every Day! – Nancy E. Wallace, Alternatives for Simple
Living; 2003 Although designed for children this book
gives a variety of ways for everyone to recycle and reduce their load on the
environment. It includes the story, a game, and extra suggestions for
recycling. Using God's World in Christian Education - Elaine M. Ward, Educational Ministries,
Inc Several lessons for children emphasizing the importance of God's
creation and using "natural" objects for crafts and activities Being in Creation - Elaine M. Ward, Educational Ministries,
Inc 12 lessons for children looking at various
parts of creation, each session has full lesson plan Sacraments/Bible/Prayer – Teaching the Bible The Bible Alive – A variety of creative ways to get elementary
ed students and youth to use the Bible Stewardship/Mission
and Outreach – Mission Animal Crackers – Heifer Project International, A workbook of activities to teach children about hunger around the world; includes a poster and order blank for additional materials Learning for Action
– CROP (Church World Services), A workbook with a variety of activities for both children and adults to teach about hunger around the world Your Need for Bread Is Mine - Morris D. Pike, Friendship Press, A number of stories, poems, music, and
ideas to help teach children about hunger around the world Stewardship/Mission and Outreach - Stewardship Growing a Grateful, Generous Heart – Living the Good
News, Morehouse Publishing, 2003 Includes: Leader
Guide; Parent/Family Resource; Children’s Papers for P/K; 1st,2nd;
3rd,4th; and 5th,6th; A wonderful
new resource for helping churches and families guide their children into good
stewardship; it is a 4 session program with activities for all ages plus activities
for families to use at home; developed in collaboration with the Office of
Stewardship at the Church Center in New York |
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The following items are located
at Christmas A to Z – Peg Augustine
or Emmanuel Vargas, Abingdon Press; 2003 Also available: The First Christmas by Peg Augustine,
2001; and A Baby Is Coming by
Daphna Flegal, 2002; Books for
children which tell the Christmas story in both English and Spanish Money Pals-Being Cool with Cash, Parts
1&2 – Annie E. Casey Foundation, Caregiver’s Handbook – for use
with Money Pals This is a
curriculum to help children begin to learn to handle money responsibly; used
in connection with Growing a Grateful,
Generous Heart, it may help children learn to earn, use wisely, and grow
in their stewardship of money. |
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particular item, contact
Coordinator,
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