Christian Formation

 

SEAL 1-2Diocese of Eastern Michigan

Ministries Resource Center Directory (A Lending Library)

Subject: Christian Formation

Topic: Preschool Curriculum

 

Preschool Curriculum

                           The following items are located at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw:

Ministries Resource Center Home

Anglican/Episcopal Church

Christian Formation

Congregational/ Leadership Development

Ecumenism/Evangelism

Music and Worship

Peace & Justice Ministries

Bible/Prayer/Sacraments

Stewardship/Mission and Outreach

Youth

 

 

 

An Introduction to Godly Play Theory

Children in Worship

Vacation Bible School

 

 

Curriculum:

Preschool

Elementary Education

Youth

Adult Formation

Adult Resources     

All Ages 

 

 

Diocese of Eastern Michigan Home

 

Toddlers and Twos - Cokesbury, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville TN; 1995

The teacher book includes some background information, and 56 lesson plans for children 2 years and under. Each lesson plan includes ideas about the lesson, how to set up the learning centers, and a chart showing the flow of the morning.  Student books include a take home picture with a story and ideas for parents on the reverse side.

 

The Complete Guide to Godly Play - Jerome W. Berryman, Living the Good News, Denver CO; 2002

This 5 volume set teaches all you need to know to begin Godly Play in your church. Vol 1 discusses setting up the area and how to lead the lessons; Vols 2-4 give a total of 54 stories, including line drawings showing how to position pieces; Vol 5 is practical helps from people who have worked with the program. It is still helpful for storytellers to receive coaching from a trainer, but with the careful study and use of these books, a congregation can begin when ready. A set of Parent Pages is available to preview.

Teaching Godly Play: The Sunday Morning Handbook - Jerome W. Berryman, Abingdon Press; 1995

Goes into the details of setting up a worship center, and talks about people, space, and materials needed for this program

New: Young Children and Worship – Sonja M. Stewart & Jerome W. Berryman, WJK, Louisville TN; 1989

This was one of the original publications for setting up Godly Play in the church; it includes theory, the lessons, and the final section includes the patterns for creating the pieces used in each story.

 

Episcopal Curriculum for Children – Center for Ministry of Teaching, VTS, Alexandria VA

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/ year; for 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

 

Gateways to Worship - Carolyn C. Brown, Abingdon Press, Nashville TN; 1989 (out of print)

A series of 52 lessons to help children become comfortable in worship, based on the Church year. Each lesson is well laid out, and includes a table for the flow of the morning as well as detailed lesson plans. Best with older 4's and 5's. 3 copies

 

Celebrating the Church Year with Young Children - Joan Halmo, The Liturgical Press; 1988

Focuses on the major seasons and feasts, so is good for supplemental lessons in another program; offers a variety of ideas but not a defined lesson plan; Probably better with older 4's & 5's. Some background material, and appendices with (Roman Catholic) lections and with music.

 

New: Let the Children Come – Living the Good News, Denver CO; 2001

This is a nursery program that introduces 3 year olds to well-known stories from the Bible; there are three “quarters” with 7 stories per quarter. The fall quarter includes Old Testament stories, while the winter and spring quarters focus on Jesus. Included are games and activities to use with the children (plus information about adapting ideas for 2 year olds) and add-ons include a music CD, a “stage” to help tell the stories, and children’s booklets. Available for preview: Spring Quarter

 

 

Annually renewed curriculum-samples on file (located in 3 ring binders):

All Things New – Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg PA

Bible story based curriculum for preschool through elementary education (6th grade)

 

Clear Curriculum – Randall House Publications, Nashville TN

This resource is designed to have the entire family studying the same Scriptural materials; it is closely age graded, with 3 separate packages for preschool children: infants and toddlers, 2’s and 3’s, and 4’s and 5’s. The teacher guides include a brief reflection for the teacher and detailed instructions for teaching class. Patterns and other resources are included in a separate teacher pack. Also included are an activity book and a take home book. This curriculum resource has all the “bells and whistles” so it can be expensive. 

 

Living the Good News - Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA

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 to use; age graded; for Preschool/Kindergarten ages; for more information go to www.morehouseeducation.org 

 

Seasons of the Spirit - Logos Productions, Inver Grove Heights, MN

Based on Revised Common Lectionary; seasonal leader’s guide includes lessons with background information and meditations on the weekly readings, the stories and activities, and closing worship. Easy for teachers to use; age graded: 3-5 years; for more information go to: www.spiritseasons.com

 

Witness – Augsburg Fortress

A closely-graded curriculum for students from 2 years through 8th grade; Bible based, about 1/3 of stories from the Old Testament and the rest from the New. Has a 2 year cycle

 

 

For more information or to borrow a particular item, contact Marnie Bash,

Coordinator, Ministries Resource Center: mpbash@ameritech.net or 989-839-9364.