VBS Day 2

On the second day of VBS, we took a trek to Bethlehem with the three wisemen. Once again, the science portion of the day was a hit. The kids made bracelets with 3 strands of yarn tied to a dowel. They had to take each strand and twist it (with the help of a few hands). Once they were finished twisting, they let them go and they all entwined into a bracelet. Of course, God comes into all this twisting. :) The strands represented your family, your friends and God. God is intertwined throughout your life.

Been so long, I don't know what Extreme Jean was up to that day. I think she was kayaking or something. She was into some extreme sport, that I know.

For our craft today, we made a canoe picture holder. There were holes punched around the outside edge of the two sides of the canoe and the kids laced them up with plastic twine. They decorated them however they wanted and at the end of the week, their Camp Edge picture was put in it and sent home. Really neat craft.

I have failed to mention that my group was the 3rd to 5th graders. Over half of them were kids from my Sunday school, two of which were my own. They know me toooooo well. Mrs. M was put through the wringer all week.

We lost our music person and so today was a different kind of day for me. I taught the kids the dance moves to one of our new songs we were learning. FYI: Putting dancing to words and music sure helps them learn the songs quicker! Wow! They were great! I still cannot believe that I, a person who doesn't like to be in the spotlight, stood up in front of 35-40 kids plus adults and danced! The things you will do for kids. LOL Incidentally, the two new songs we learned were in my head all week, every second of the day and night. I was singing them in my sleep.

VBS Day 1

Hidey ho! Been a long time. Thought I would share our VBS with you.

As I mentioned before, we used Cokesbury's Camp Edge. The first days theme was Trek to the Promised Land. We learned all about the Ark of the Covenant. So what was in the Ark, you ask? There were 3 items in the Ark: the 10 Commandments, Aaron's staff and manna. The pastor made an ark out of a copy paper size box with a lid and painted it gold and then attached two sticks to it. She found a really great template to make angels for the top. Wish I could share it with you, but I don't know where she got it. The kids had a great time acting out the story and carrying the Ark.

For our discovery time lab, which, by the way, was a big hit this year, the kids learned that we all need the love of God to accomplish the things God wants us to do. They did a water experiment. We filled a bowl with water and poured talcum powder in it. With a jumbo craft stick, the kids took turns trying to make a path through the powder. Didn't work. So we had them dip one end of the stick in liquid soap and then try it. Voila! A path is drawn. So God is the the liquid soap in our lives. Without God, we can't accomplish all the things he has planned for us.

We had a video each day. Our new friend for the week was "Extreme Jean". The kids loved her. I myself thought she was a little wacky :) but knew the kids would eat it up. They did. She was the second favorite of the week. She added lots of silliness with a reinforcing message of the days theme to each day.

Of course our craft had to be an Ark of the Covenant. This year, we decided to do our own crafts. We got a donation of jewelry boxes from a well known department store. The kids painted them gold after putting masking tape over it (it really added some texture and "realness" to the boxes). They then placed their mini angels on top and taped some chopsticks we purchased from a local chinese restaurant to it. Turned out really cool looking!

We had some great songs we worked on all week, along with some old favorites. Snack and recreation were an everyday staple. The first day went off without too many hitches. Stay tuned for the second day!

Time for VBS!

We've only got about one month to go here! Our VBS is running July 6-10. We have been busy getting everything in line this past month and it's finally starting to all shape up. I pray we have another successful year. It's been better and better each one we have.

This year, we are once again using Cokesbury's VBS. The theme is extreme sports and is called Camp Edge. We have one talented lady who is doing alot of the decorating. She can draw just about anything. In one week, she got the majority of the decorations finished and did a fabulous job, I might add! Sure saved on having to purchase things. We are really taking it the green way in many ways this year. Crafts are mostly recyclables as are the science lab materials.

Are you doing Vacation Bible School this year? Are you using a kit or making your own lessons?

The Choice

This is a short film about the choice that was made for us all.

Sunday School Lesson Plans

I have just run across the most interesting and informative website for Sunday School lesson plans for middle school age kids. I was looking for lesson ideas and got so much more. The site is called Sunday School Lesson Connection. As most of us know, there is no perfect Sunday School curriculum out there. Even if you find one you really like, there is never a lesson you don't need to tweek. Kevin Ophoff felt the same way and has decided to write his own. The lessons are free to download, short and to the point and with no more preparation time than you would ordinarily need.

I was impressed with his idea that this age group is ready for the tougher questions because I have felt that way myself. But curriculum usually doesn't cover it. With lesson titles like Suicide and What Happens When You Die?, they are sure to grab the kids attention. With this age group, you can usually tell how the class is going to go by their first responses to the introduction. You know it's going downhill when you see the blank stares.

Kevin also has a blog (lucky for me ha ha) and from what I've read, I believe he'll be in my Reader as soon as this is posted. Go ahead, check him out!

Easter Experience

Thought I'd let you know we had a real good day for our Easter Experience. It was a bit nippy during the egg hunt but that was quick thankfully.

My skit worked out nicely if a bit disorganized. My main readers were excellent. They really got into their reporter parts. One of them was Dan Doorknob. I didn't catch it until the end, but he was calling himself Dan Doork-nob. Cracked me up. No wonder there was so much giggling going on in the beginning. LOL

The children really were interested in the crucifixion this year and asking a lot of questions. They came from 2nd graders which kind of surprised me. One of the questions was how did they get Jesus on the cross. I was in awe at the great questions they asked!

I wanted to share a craft we did at the end. It was a nice reminder of all they learned that day. Our's was handmade because Oriental Trading was out of stock at the time we ordered. Naturally they came back in stock after we started making and cutting all our own pieces. It was an absolutely perfect project as it covered everything we went over. They turned out beautifully.

All in all, it was a great day.

Easter Experience Walk-Through

Thought I would share with you about our Easter Experience we do at our church. It is like a one day VBS about the last week of Jesus' life. We will be doing it the day before Palm Sunday again this year which is tomorrow. It is broken down into 4 sections: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. My portion is Palm Sunday.

We begin with music which is always fun. Then I tell the children about Palm Sunday. Last year I had them parade around with palms. This year, I will be doing a little skit called Palm Sunday Live which I found at Christian Crafters. That should be fun! Afterwards, we will do a little donkey craft. The kids then move on to the next station, which is Maundy Thursday.

The Pastor will be doing the Last Supper replica with the kids. She gets them (12 disciples and Jesus) along two long tables and tells the story of the Last Supper. Then they cut crosses out of bread. She does a few groups so everyone can get a chance to be at the table. What awesome pictures we got from that last year.

The Crucifixion is a tough but necessary part. We have a wonderful woman who takes this on and she does an exceptional job.

The Resurrection is read by another of our lovely ladies and acted out by the kids. They had a real good time last year stomping their feet and running up and down the hall. How often can you do that in church? :)

To end the day, we have an egg hunt. We fill the eggs with Tootsie Rolls and a religious sticker. Last year we had a clown come in that was paid for by a parishioner. We nixed it this year because it took us an hour over schedule. :( But the clown will be back for VBS. It was a big hit with the kids...and the parents.

So wish me luck tomorrow! It's going to be lots of fun!