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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 6/8/2007 12:27:11 PM Posts: 13, Visits: 45 |
| | My sister and I teach a SS class consisting of 3 & 4 yr old through K. The next class is 1st and 2nd grade. We have no Pre K and K class and honestly no place to go with them if we found a teacher!! LOL Since our curriculum is geared to the 3 & 4 yr olds would it be better if we kept them and maybe Pre K and send the Ks on in with 1st and 2nd graders? I think our curriculum is too easy for the Ks and they get bored with us which then results in some not so good behavior. 3 and 4 yr olds need more attention than we feel like we are able to give them with the Ks in there but I think pre k is okay with them. We are having a SS teacher dinner and meeting on Sunday March 11th and I hope to bring this up then but would like some input from here before then. Would especially love input from Faithweaver staff!! We usually have anywhere from 8 to 10 children in our class with maybe half of those before pre k and under. The teacher who has the 1st and 2nd grade has normally 3 girls in her class so she would be gaining around 5 children 4 of which are there pretty consistently. Thanks for your help!! Gay |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 1/14/2008 1:50:25 PM Posts: 234, Visits: 320 |
| | Thanks for your question, but thanks even more for sharing your time and talents by ministering to these precious kids! 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 |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 6/8/2007 12:27:11 PM Posts: 13, Visits: 45 |
| Thank you, Deb. I actually use the faithweaver tips quite frequently but may try looking at the pre k and k tips to give the older children a little something different. I'm still thinking about our church and would we have a room that we could give to pre k and k if we found a teacher. I'm thinking the older men used to meet in the media center and wonder if they would be willing to move back there again......something to think about!! LOL Anyway, I appreciate your input so much and definitely don't want these kiddos or their parents to feel like we want to get "rid" of them. It sure isn't that!! Gay |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 1/14/2008 1:50:25 PM Posts: 234, Visits: 320 |
| Thanks for your heart for ministry! You're in my prayers. Keep tossing out questions, ideas, and comments!
Deb Bernard
Curriculum Senior Marketing Manager |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 6/10/2008 9:27:02 PM Posts: 84, Visits: 223 |
| | 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 |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 6/27/2008 8:46:41 PM Posts: 232, Visits: 373 |
| Glad to read everyone's ideas--I am the only teacher for SS and in spite of the fact that the Lord has continually blessed us w/ more and more kids, I have no other teachers. LOTS of helpers, but no one who wants to take a class. SOOOOOO, I have a class that averages 20 per week of 2 yr olds to 17 yr olds. The Faithweaver curriculum has definitely been a bonus, but it is still a challenge! Fortunately, my older kids are great about helping the younger kids, but I worry that they are not getting what they need. I would love any suggestions that anyone has. I will be praying for you as you sort out your class "stuff"! Blessings! Kimberly
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 6/10/2008 9:27:02 PM Posts: 84, Visits: 223 |
| | Kimberly, 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 |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 3/2/2007 8:52:20 PM Posts: 1, Visits: 1 |
| | Our congregation had a similar situation. We moved the Kindergarteners up with the 1st and 2nd Graders. Our Preschool class consists of 2 to 4 year-olds. It has worked out well for all of us! |
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Group: Forum Members Last Login: 6/8/2007 12:27:11 PM
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