We've used a lot of resources over the years, and organized our days differently over the years. But what has worked for us the last few years has been to do Bible study together as a group with all the kids eighth grade and under on Friday mornings, while Monday through Thursdays the older kids do their own personal studies and the youngers do study with me. (Sometimes I've included the high school kids in that group, but it depends on what the dynamics are and if the older kids are working or have other things going on.) For the last three years, the "middle" kids have worked on their Awana books as their personal Bible study Monday-Thursday.
Here are some things I've done mostly with the younger kids, probably around 3rd grade and under...
Betty Luken's felt set
I got this on sale with a coupon at a local Christian book store. It took me a sweet forever to cut out all the pieces, so if I had it to do over again I think I would have just ordered the pre-cut pieces. :) The basic set comes with 182 pre-written stories and pieces to go with them.
and
These are less Bible "story and more "theology" based lessons. I will usually switch off and do one every other year.
Bible Story books
These are great to read any time and there are so many websites available with coloring sheets to go with just about any story. Some sites to print off sheets are here, here, and here.
Sorting the Bible Books
You can use a file folder with a big piece of card stock for each side labeled Old Testament and New Testament. Secure this on the top or sides with tape. (You can put a card stock cross in the middle. (This is the top of the diagram, and is the inside, not the cover.) Under your card stock OT and NT, you will make small fold-overs for each of the Bible categories- Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, etc. If the kids are older I would let them write the Bible books under the flap for the appropriate category, but if they aren't writing well, then I would just type them on the computer and let them cut the lists out. If they want they can close the folder and decorate the outside.
These are things I have done with older and younger together.........
These are stories of people of the faith and missionaries. We've really enjoyed these. There are several different shorter stories on each person.
I picked these up at a discount bookstore maybe 15 years ago. They have great pictures with good background information on the location, history and culture of Biblical times. I don't have the complete set, maybe you can still find them all on Amazon? But, if not, you could probably find other similar books.
This has the potential to take up a lot of room, which we don't have, so I taped the timeline pages together and folded them accordian style so I could take it down and stash it away when we weren't using it.
This has been a lot of fun, and little kids are really good at sign language. I wish I could say my memory was as good, but it isn't. I have to practice something repeatedly to remember it and we didn't do this at all last year, so of course, I forgot everything. :(
Pilgrim's Progress
This very simplified version is really a kids' reader that I believe we were given second hand at some point. There are other versions and, also the original version, but I prefer something simplified for the younger kids. (We haven't done this, but it looks to be a good resource if you want to tackle the original. Or, maybe you would like to turn it into a unit study.)
The Torchlighter's Series by VOM
These are are great for teaching about the lives of some missionaries and heroes of the faith. There are over a dozen stories with free printables under the kids' section. Also, the vidoes are available on Right Now Media, but before that I used to check them out from our library.
Songs and Fingerplays
Here is a great list from Calvary Kids.
Memory Work
Memory work is great for younger kids, because they are like sponges and will soak up scripture at amazing speeds. You can compile your own list to work on, but here is a good place to start.
Books of the Bible
10 Commandments
Romans Road
Beatitudes
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13 (Love is...)
Armor of God
Fruits of the Spirit
52 Kid Friendly verses (maybe for the youngest kids)
Sword Drills
Here is a great list for drills.
Here is a great list for themes. Sometimes when there is a "theme" I won't tell the kids what it is. They have to guess after finding several scriptures.
You can also ask the kids different questions like "In what book/story would I find a story that includes a donkey?" or "In what book/story would I find a person named Jesse?"
Catechism Questions
Here is a list to give you an idea of what a catechism would ask. We got our copy from Abeka years ago. Just make sure the one you choose is in line with what you want to teach your children about Theology.
Character Traits
We have used different character trait resources in the past, but I just discovered these from Character First. There are 20 character traits that come with free resources, and of course you can purchase the entire set. The free resources have printables and videos you can watch with a poem, song and story. These are on the very conservative side. We've done three of them so far this year (Attentiveness, Availability and Compassion), and I like them.
ACTS Prayers
A-doration: Giving some praise and admiration for God
C-onfession: What we have struggled with this week.
T-hanksgiving: What we are thankful for this week.
S-upplication: What we want to ask God for this week.
And for the high school aged kids..............
Surveys
I recently came across this website that has printable worksheets for their survey courses. It's done by a Church of Christ, so make sure it's in line with your theology. I have my younger kids doing some of the elementary worksheets, but the adult would be adequate for high school. (The lessons seem to be pretty non-denominational so far as I have noticed.)
Theology and Doctrine
My husband put together a high school course with "Things that Become Sound Doctrine" by Dwight Pentecost for our kids. I don't have any other examples of this, you would just have to find resources that fall in line with your theology.
SOAP and SOAK Studies
S-cripture
O-bservation
A-pplication
P-rayer
S-cripture
O-bservation
A-pplication
K-neeling in prayer
Basically your student can take a notebook and whatever passage of scripture they would like to choose for study. (Some of my younger kids have actually done this, also.)
Read Through The Bible
Here is a great list of plans from Bible Gateway, or here from RC Sproul ministries.
Map Work
This is a great source for charts and maps.
Other Studies
Greek Language Programs
Great Lives Series by Chuck Swindoll
Answers in Genesis has a lot of information on creation vs. evolution. (They do have resources for kids of all ages.)
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Scheduling
Now, of course I wouldn't do all of these things everyday or even every year. Usually I choose a few things to do during the week, one for Fridays and I rotate things in and out every few years. For instance, if we read Pilgrim's Progress this year, then we probably won't do it again for several years.
Here is just an example of how I may schedule Bible:
Monday: Older/middle Awana or Survey work
Younger Betty Luken's felt story and recite books of the Bible
Tuesday: Older/middle Awana or Survey work
Younger Leading Littles to God lesson and recite books of the Bible
Wednesday: Older/Middle Awana or Survey work
Younger Betty Luken's felt story and recite books of the Bible
Thursday: Older/Middle Awana or Survey work
Younger Songs/fingerplays and recite books of the Bible
Friday: All kids together- practice signing John 3:16; read one chapter of Pilgrim's Progress and Acts
prayers
No comments:
Post a Comment