Home Living Applications

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   Children in a classroom come from all walks of life and all kinds of homes bringing with them unique insight and imagination. Many years ago I introduced the concept of a home living 'center' to my classroom set up and watched the responses to it. I loved what I saw- the imagination, interaction, role play. Children are amazing and when given the opportunity they show us just how amazing they are.
    A home living center offers us an opportunity to learn the value of family and home while applying Biblical concepts..and sometimes offers an avenue for children to step into the life of a Bible 'character'. Here the elements of our lesson become applicable to our daily lives, homes and relationships. Very little guidance, if any, is needed here...maybe an occasional cue as to the purpose of the center or a comment as to how the activity relates to the lesson.
     So how does this make it in the box? Prayer and contemplation. For example, my last lesson was in Genesis when God made Adam and Eve. So, as my week of study and prayer came to a close the idea stuck me to plan setting up a picnic play area. Basket, play food/dishes, blankets and a few baby dolls would fit the bill. Adam and Eve lived in the garden, God provided them food, and they were a family. Okay, we packed it - now how does it work?
      Set it out and they will figure it out. Children entered the room eager to explore the various things set about. One mentioned playing picnic..one decides to be daddy..one is a son. A little girl gathers food to put in the basket as a boy spreads a blanket. They cut food and share things- feeding the babies when, one exclaims the baby is sick and needs a doctor. One boy jumps up getting a spoon (car key) to drive them to the doctor, but along the way the car breaks down. Another boy puts the blanket on his shoulders and proceeds to fix the car (he is Robin, Robin helps). It's the battery..looking to a teacher he expresses need for a battery. She hands him plastic celery..no, he says, that is a screwdriver. Does that not crack you up?
       In the end we chatted about Adam and Eve, the kids are just sure they loved picnics in the garden and maybe God loved seeing them have picnics with His food. I loved the creative imagination they shared using simple items and little if no direction from any of us.

        Other items often found in the home living box....
                  fabric of all shapes, color, and size
                  dress up items and accessories
                  play tools, wood blocks or pieces
                  buckets, bowls, funnels and rice
                  dolls, kitchen items, table/chairs

       The point here is play- children love play. It's a valuable tool for interaction and learning I wound not want to do without. Some days are less elaborate, and we do have to mix things up to keep from developing boredom. Home living is a regular, but not necessarily a constant in my box.

Discover the Discovery Table

   One of the joys of childhood is the wonder of curiosity. To get close and personal with something- touch it and move it around. Children love discovery- and God offers us so many wonderful things to ponder. As we take a look at what's inside my box, one of the first things children get to know about me is I love to discover. Inside my box there is always found items for a discovery table.
   The purpose of my discover table is to draw their attention in. Families have hustled and bustled to get where they're going and children can be reluctant to separate from their parents. Having a table scattered with various items to touch and explore offers an opportunity to spark that curiosity God has given them. Items on the table engage their senses and spark conversation easily guided toward the day's lesson. It also lends well to cooperation and sharing..we have to take turns with the items on the table.
   Planning a discover table is a process I really enjoy. The text being studied and prayed about opens itself to so many adventures. Elements of the story become the elements of the table.. bark from a tree, sand from the river bank...insects from the field. As I daily read and pray over the upcoming lesson a few ideas pop in there and there..I am a note scribbler, so a notebook is always nearby for taking down ideas with.
   The process is so easy. I place a table just inside the door of the classroom and set various objects on it. Build it and they will come. Kid's love to run over and see what is there. Just this week we held an emu egg and inspected a dragon fly..there were flowers and leaves to explore. Every detail is fascinating to them..and God made every part. The veins of a leaf or the petals of a flower- lacy wings and bulging eyes..kids love this stuff.
    My table isn't always leaves and pine cones. Sometimes it is packing peanuts with little objects hidden inside for the children to dig around in. or a plastic tub of rice to drive cars through. This week we had a glittery bottle the children loved rocking back and forth to see the movements of the liquid. The point is discover tables are for discovering and not for breaking the bank with.

   Two Sample Table Set-ups

"God Made the Heaven's and Earth"                                                   "John the Baptist"

         leaves/bark/flowers                                                                         fur/leather

                soil/water                                                                                insects in a jar

          fruit/veg/plants                                                                            honey/honeycomb

            feathers/nest                                                                              foliage/sand/water

   As you can see from my sample list, a discover table gives a jumping off point for a lesson. It can open conversation about the settings, characters or lifestyle surrounding the lesson. I love this part of my classroom because the kids are comfortable sharing and talking through their thoughts and questions..we learn from each other and sometimes they just crack me up. You can get really caught up in the fact mint leaves smell like gum or how a no one can find the ears or the butt on a dragon fly...and that's okay, just guild them a bit it will work out.

    Discovery items are always part of my lessons, but they are never the only thing. Join me again next week for another peek inside the box.

**To make the bottle pictured above, simple fill a water bottle 3/4 full with corn syrup and pour in 4 tablespoons of glitter (any color). Food coloring can be added for a different twist. Children love this.. this week my class mentioned it looked like waves on the ocean, how fun is that?

What's In the Box?

   The box, the bag, tote...paper sack- kids see me coming a mile away (and they know me well). I may have one or two or ten totes to travel with drawing curious eyes from others in the parking lot. In the classroom kids know those bags are packed with strange and unusual things that will somehow become elements of our lesson.
   Why a box? Isn't every classroom stocked with toys and supplies? Maybe. I carry a box because it fits my teaching style. A common classroom may have plenty of things to use, but they are there every week- the children see them every day. I don't know about you, but when I see the same things day after day they become dull and boring to me..kids are no different. Bringing new and fresh items to the room sparks interest encouraging participation.
   Whether my classroom has a curriculum or not, there is always room to add new elements bring their attention to the subject. My box is emptied after every class- always ready to be filled with something new. When I fail to empty it..it can tend to become routine with items used again and again. So what's in the box?
   Three basic themes run in my box filler- a Bible (the heart of every lesson), interactive objects, and crafty goodness. Over the next several weeks we will take a closer look in the box to see various items I use and how they apply to lessons.
   The box isn't for everyone..the elements need attention and energy to employ them in the lesson and to train the children to know the boundaries. These items are not costly or fancy, they come from my home, barn or yard. Some items are delicate and need to be use carefully..some are sturdy and open for rugged handling. Either way, they serve a purpose given by God...to train them up in His Word with a desire to know Him more.
  

How I Teach

   Many a Sunday morning I can be seen toting this and that from car to class in preparation for a wonderful learning journey. The beguiled glances lead to curious questions ... What on earth do you do? I teach. When I teach my desire is to engage the entire being of the child..I want them to experience the lesson with every fiber of their being. My husband use to say I would stand on my head if it meant they would remember it..and he is absolutely right! Let's walk through a sample Sunday lesson.

   The room is set and little ones are arriving. First thing in the door each sweet face is greeted and welcomed, but name if possible. Right inside the door a 'discover table' awaits them. This week we are learning God made heaven and earth from Genesis 1, so our discover table holds a zip bag of soil, some leaves, some pine cones...an orange, apple and carrot. Generally this catches their eye right off the bat, sparking questions. Here is my opportunity to introduce the lesson concept..we share how God made the orange or the soil. They have the freedom to play creatively .. touching, talking, and sharing.
    Just off to the side from here a kitchen area is waiting for those who lose interest in the discovery table and are ready to move on. Home living/family skills are an important part of play and learning ..and can be tied to most any lesson we share. God made our earth where our homes are and our families live..He made our family. As children play with baby dolls and kitchen items teachable moments are captured.
     A book nook is always available for a child who needs some one on one (or a distraction). Some children just want to sit close to you and read...sometimes it's just talking about the pictures, but here is an opportunity for one on once interaction. Good quality books - relating to the lesson, if possible are on hand.

     Everyone has arrived and attendance is taken..we have had plenty of little chats while they freely choose from the available activities. I am blessed with helpers in the room, so together we work toward tidying up the room and getting everyone on their feet in the classroom open area. Finger play and traditional children's hymns are sung with active enthusiasm. We giggle and sing all while getting the wiggles out before the lesson time. I keep a hand made flip book to help children choose a song or game to do next...sometimes we just draw a blank and this little tool is a great tool.
     Winding down we head for the story board; finding our spot on the floor with eager eyes and listening ears. Today we are using flannel pictures to help us with the story. The Bible open, we tell how God made the trees..and a child comes to help place a tree on the board. The next verse tells of flowering herbs..so a flower is placed on the story board..etc. Images are taken down as we review what we have learned...sharing other things they may have thought of (such as, God made the clouds in the sky).  Prayer is given thanking God for His beautiful creation and His Word.

      Today we have a puzzle to share with pictures of Old Testament lessons. Eagerly the children work to find parts that go together- each of us helpers choose a section of the puzzle and as children find the ones that go together, we all work to put them in place. Often the puzzle is taken apart an redone several times before we put it away..here, cooperation and identification bonds the class together offering unique interaction.

      If time still remains before we go home, a craft comes out. This give the children a visual reminder to take home and share. Today we have a coloring page with images from our story board to color. We sit with the children allowing conversation to flow freely. As the craft winds down, play dough is requested..and, of course, I have mine on hand. We mold and shape snails and trees, leaves and snakes...cleaning up just in time to head home.

       I love teaching..it is my passion, and I believe you should share what you are passionate about. Having been in classes again recently myself, the professors that truly stirred my soul are the ones that flow with energy and enthusiasm about their subjects. That's the kind of teacher I want to be. Hearing and seeing the imagination and creativity of these little hearts feeds my soul and drives me forward to the next time we meet. It always amazes me when their thinking gets going and wonderful nuggets of wisdom start to pop out.