Welcome to Firelight II! The Firelight II Concept Components of Firelight II How Firelight II Works Preparation for Coordinators and Leaders Firelight Enrichments

The Firelight Concept: Telling the Story Stories tell us who we are - so claim the story! Firelight makes Bible learning more than a simple handoff of information Firelight helps kids dig deeply into Bible stories Firelight engages people of all ages with active learning, rewarding teaching, and a flexible format

The Firelight II Concept: Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Firelight is based on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Multiple Intelligence theory has influenced education Kids show “smarts” in many ways

The Firelight II Concept: Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Areas of Multiple Intelligences Verbal / Linguistic Musical / Rhythmic Visual / Spatial Interpersonal Intrapersonal Bodily / Kinesthetic Logical / Mathematical Naturalist

The Firelight II Concept Deeper Learning options tap into Multiple Intelligences Learners use their strengths and interests Bible learning is linked to daily life Firelight II learning has many dimensions –Active and reflective –Deep understanding of stories –Critical and creative thinking

How Firelight II Works: Unit Structure Current Firelight II Units –Most Certainly True! Living the Catechism –Circle of Seasons: Living the Church Year Upcoming Firelight II Units –Kingdom Stories; Learning from Jesus’ Parables (June ’05) –Wonder Stories: Learning from Jesus’ Miracles (August ’05)

How Firelight II Works: Great Features Stories repeat for 2-4 weeks to accommodate busy kids and leaders Firelight II units are undated and can be used in any order Flexible Deeper Learning options make it easy for leaders to explore and share their own gifts Kids love Firelight, and that reduces behavioral problems The flexible Firelight II format works in rotation, classroom, and one-room schoolhouse Sunday schools

How Firelight Works: Leader Roles Gather learners together, hear the Bible story, and go deeper Guide learners through activities Explore each Bible story for up to 4 weeks and support at-home Bible story exploration Connect with other leaders to share preparation and teaching responsibilities

How Firelight Works: Learner Groups Firelight offers material for learners at many age and grade levels –Ages 2-3 –Pre-K/K –Grades 1-2 –Grades 3-4 –Grades 5-6

How Firelight Works: Schedules Each 60-minute session has three parts –Getting Started: 10 minutes of Bible story time in age-level groups –Deeper Learning: 40 minutes exploring one or two Deeper Learning areas –Wrapping Up: 10 minutes for debrief Learners may rotate from area to area or complete the activities in one classroom

Components of Firelight Firelight II Planning Guide (Available 4/05) Leader Pack –Leader Guide –Learner Resource –Bible Art posters Reproducible Home Pages on CD-ROM The Learning Bible (CEV) Your imagination!

Components of Firelight: Leader Guide Usability features 100% reproducible Perforated and three-hole punched for easy copying, distribution, and storage Page markers for Age-level Leaders, Deeper Learning Leaders, and Everyone

Firelight II Age-Level Guides Leader Guide Structure First 16 pages provide teacher support Same structure for all 5 stories: –First 2 pages help prepare for session –Next 4 pages for age-level leaders –Last 10 pages have Deeper Learning activities (art, computers, drama, food, games, music, puppets, science, storytelling, video/DVD)

Components of Firelight: Learner Resources The music CD is all-ages learner resource Music is used during age-level time, deeper learning, at home with families Some new songs, some old Affordable, accessible, durable!

Components of Firelight: Reproducible Home Pages CD-ROM Each grade level has 10 RHPs per story –1 page for Bible storytelling –1 page of poster art activities –4 pages of age-level activities –4 pages of family activities Bible storytelling scripts Each Firelight II unit offers over 250 RHPs!

Firelight II Bible Posters 6 posters used for all age levels (1 for each Bible story, 1 summary) Ideas for usage –Decorate the room (and beyond!) –Review the stories –Look for symbols and colors

Firelight Preparation: What Coordinators Do Review your congregation’s mission statement for Christian education Establish learning and teaching goals Identify your Sunday school format –Rotation –Classroom –One-room schoolhouse

Firelight Preparation: What Coordinators Do Estimate the number of learners and leaders – plan for growth! Set up learning spaces by age and activity type Decide how many weeks you will spend on each Bible story Plan the year’s schedule, including seasonal events (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter)

Firelight II Preparation: What Coordinators Do Select the Firelight unit Order Leader Packs and Learner Resources Invite everyone in your congregation to join in Firelight learning Identify leaders for age levels and for Deeper Learning activities Arrange cooperation and divide up the tasks

Most Certainly True! Living the Catechism stories Count on the Commandments (Exodus 20:1- 17) Believe the Creed (John 1:15-5, John 3:16, John 15:26-27) Practice the Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13) Splash in the Spirit (Matthew 3:1-17) Gather in Grace (Matthew 26:26-30)

Circle of Seasons: Living the Church Year stories Anticipate Advent Celebrate Christmas and Epiphany Hope in Lent and Holy Week Experience Easter Play through Pentecost

Firelight Preparation: What Leaders Do Get ready to lead Firelight: 2 – 4 – 10 2 pages of session prep content –Bible Background –About Kids –Two Views –Weekly Journal Idea –Weekly Prayer Time

Firelight Preparation: What Leaders Do Get ready to lead Firelight: 2 – 4 – 10 4 pages of age-level content for “Getting Started” and “Wrapping Up” each week –Here’s the Story –Here’s the Theme –The Story and Me –The Story and My Church

Firelight Preparation: What Leaders Do Get ready to lead Firelight: 2 – 4 – pages of Deeper Learning options –Art, computers, drama, food, games, music puppets, science, storytelling, video/DVD –Choose one or two options each week that work with your learners, time, materials, and space

Firelight Enrichments Titles in the Creative Essentials equip leaders to plan effective Deeper Learning experiences: Art, Kids, and Christian Education Computers, Kids, and Christian Education Creative Music, Kids, and Christian Education Games, Kids, and Christian Education Puppets, Kids, and Christian Education Science, Kids, and Christian Education Storytelling, Kids, and Christian Education Video, Kids, and Christian Education

Firelight Enrichments The Learning Bible (CEV) on CD-ROM Leading Firelight: How to Spark the Learning Video and Booklet Reproducible Seasonal Ideas on CD-ROM

Firelight: A Final Word Firelight is flexible and active Blessings to you on your teaching ministry Firelight: Light the Fire of Faith!