Gay

You've thought through the questions we would have asked you, like how many of the different ages do you have, and how mature are the kids. It would seem like your kindergartners might be ready to 'move up.' But an idea that will help them whether they are in your class or moving up is to try to address their needs. In the older class, they'll need some help with reading. But that is also a great opportunity for your 2nd-graders and even first-graders who are doing well at reading to help out their new friends.

Also, we wanted to make sure you know about the free Teacher Tips at www.FaithWeaver.com. You can check out tips for the week for any age level, and this can be especially helpful when you have older kids (as is your case right now) or younger kids (as your 1st and 2nd grade class would have).

Remember to keep the kids and parents in on the communication, and welcome feedback. You want the kids to know you think they are ready for the next class, and not think you're moving them because you don't like them! :-) And the parents, too.

Hope this helps. We'll be praying for you and your ministry! Keep sharing your thoughts and ideas, and let us know if we can be of service in any other way. God bless you and your ministry!

Deb Bernard

Curriculum Senior Marketing Manager

Gay

We have a class of 3,4, and 5 year olds and a class for Kindergarten through 2nd grade.  I would definitely agree that the K's need to move out of the preschool area and into the older class.  In school they have moved up and to keep them in with preschoolers at church I would think, as you have said, would add to their misbehavior because of boredom.  I have had great success with my 1st and 2nd graders helping out the K's and the younger ones are more willing to get involved when they see the "big" kids participating.

Sarah in Ohio

I commend you for your willingness to teach when no one else will but at the same time I am sad for the children in your program who probably aren't getting the age appropriate teaching that they need.  I can't imagine that a 2 year old and a 17 year old can learn successfully together.

I'm wondering, what's holding your helpers back?  Are they afraid that once they commit they're committed for life?  Do they think that they don't have a gift or enough knowledge for teaching?  Or is it that they just truly don't want to prepare for a class each week?

Here's one idea I've thought of.  What if you take the large group/small group approach?  Have all 20 kids together in the beginning along with your helpers.  You use teaching techniques from FW to teach all children the main story.  After the story has been told, you send helpers out with 3 separate groups in 3 separate areas: preschool, elementary, and jr./sr. high.  Each helper is then just responsible for follow up activities with these groups - workbook pages, games, crafts, etc.  You would "float" from group to group giving help and guidance to whoever seems to need it.  This at least gives some age appropriate learning to all children and the helpers would just be responsible for helping you gather supplies for their activities.

Hope this helps a little.  Again, I commend you for your willingness to serve.

Sarah in Ohio