Augsburg Fortress
Firelight


Learning Models

Image of a leader. Firelight II learning happens best when it is tailored to your setting.

Learn how Firelight II can be used in several learning environment models including different Sunday School formats and much more. Looking over these models can help to determine how to order Firelight II.

It's Sunday Cool.

There are many learning models. Consider what you have to work with — your style of Christian education program, the gifts of all your leaders and learners, the space you have available, and the vision and mission of your Sunday school. While we list just three models below, you may use a combination or something different all together.

To make a decision on your church's learning model, you need to know:
  • How many learners and leaders do you have?
    (Include the regulars and don't forget about possible new recruits.)
  • How much learning space do you have?
    (Consider all the possibilities — hallways, kitchen, sanctuary, library, and so forth.)
  • What do you hope to accomplish in your children's ministry program?
    (This is the most important thing!)

Classroom-style Learning Sunday School Models

Classroom-style learning often happens in spaces that are consistent from week to week. Brainstorm with leaders simple decorations relating to particular unit themes.

Classroom-style learning happens most often around a table. Firelight II resources adapt well to this style. Introduce the Bible story and select one or two deeper learning options each week. The Bible Story Guides in the Leader Pack will lead you easily through the planning process.

One Room Schoolhouse-style Learning Sunday School Models

In the one room schoolhouse-style model there is often a smaller number of mixed-age learners. Sometimes there is a wide range of age levels such as a group with one or two first graders with a sixth grader and perhaps a three-year-old. Sometimes the one-room schoolhouse approach is intentional: Older ages of kids grouped with younger kids to encourage mentoring; families, or adults and kids learning together in an intentional intergenerational setting.

This learning model often happens in one room that is organized into several learning areas. Think and plan carefully each area in your one-room schoolhouse. What will happen in each space?

Look for ways to encourage further learning about the Firelight II unit Bible stories. Consider the following ideas.

  • Story presentation
    Area rugs, pillows, carpet squares, colorful print fabric hung from walls might provide attractive decoration for this space.

  • Deeper Learning activity
    Adapt some ideas from the deeper learning spaces list in the workshop rotation-style section that follows. Consider inviting "experts" from the church who have talents or a vocation in a specific deeper learning area (art, food, video, computers) to visit learner groups and present the deeper learning experiences. Or consider assembling a kit of supplies for each of the Deeper Learning options chosen. The kit can travel to a different leader's group each week, allowing them to lead that option with the minimum of time spent gathering supplies.

  • Independent activity or reference area
    This might be an area with table and chairs, or soft furniture. If there are shelves, have Bible story books, puzzles, soft toys for younger ages; reference books (atlases, concordances, Bible dictionaries), and theme-related puzzles, and games — resources that will work for older ages. Plan accordingly for age levels in your group.

  • Use leader packs appropriate for age levels in your setting
    You might consider, for instance, using Grades 3-4 material for a small group of 1st to 6th graders, offering special attention and projects to the oldest and assisting with word comprehension with the youngest. Age-level learner resources might be purchased for each learner.


Rotation-Style Learning Sunday School Models

In this model, each learning environment is set up as a workshop or studio, where learners explore the story at hand through different means and media. The model, inspired by Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences, encourages a variety of learning environments to address the variety of preferred learning styles that learners have.

About Life Together.pdf Howard Gardner's Theory.pdf
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Firelight II's deeper learning options reflect ten of the environments most commonly adopted by church schools.

Churches that adopt this model often renovate rooms to accommodate the change. Hallways are painted in bright, inviting, child-friendly colors. Desks and chairs are replaced by floor pillows and stools. Depending on resources, rooms or sections of rooms are turned into any of the following: a movie theater using surplus theater seats and possibly a popcorn machine; an artists' studio complete with showcase and Firelight II fine art posters; a computer lab, or a storytelling tent. Churches can make room for kids in the church kitchen, build a puppet stage, and create spaces for games, science, or music.

The variety of activities and environments is fun and engaging for learners. Often, they are the ones to insist on going to church each week.

More Firelight II Options

Firelight II resources with their 2-4 week possibilities are perfect for other school programs such as those listed, below. The annual Seasonal Ideas on CD-ROM resource is another good place to look for more support in these directions.

FIRELIGHT II IS WAY MORE THAN SUNDAY SCHOOL!
Firelight II resources are perfect for Sunday school, but their flexibility makes them great for all kinds of Bible learning! Each story is explored over two to four sessions, with 10 hands-on Deeper Learning activities that work across age levels. Try some of these ideas, and consider coordinating them with creative ministries offered by other churches in your community.
  • After school Bible learning programs

  • Summer ministries
    Build on your VBS by hosting several weeks of Firelight II Day Camp! Focus on a different story each week, and let kids dig into it from a couple of angles each day. Go with a hands-on, rotational-style format, and watch this active model bring in the neighborhood!

  • Intergenerational events or Special Congregational Gatherings
    Firelight II Bible stories are classics for all ages. Plan a weekend or evening series, and invite the congregation. Old and young sharing these exciting experiences is guaranteed to nurture positive relationships and enrich your whole faith community.

  • Evening programs for kids or families
    Invite kids to several spring or fall weeks of Firelight II in the evenings while their parents are involved in adult studies. Begin with a pizza supper, and then offer a Story Time with one or two Deeper Learning options. Ask middle school and high school youth to join in the planning, set up, and the explorations.

  • Retreats
    Why not have a Firelight II retreat? Kids, parents, grandparents, and caregivers spend one or two days learning Bible stories in an outdoor setting. Choose activities that are manageable in a new environment, such as Games, Science, Storytelling, and Art. Balance the activity level by including snack times, worship times, play times, and quiet times. Mix up the ages so they can learn from each other. Close the day with some special firelight-a campfire!

  • Parallel programs
    The five Bible stories that make up each unit of Firelight II can be plugged into your education program on Wednesdays (or any school day) as well as Sundays. A storyteller or group of youth can help kids act out the stories. Then offer one or two Deeper Learning options each week for mixed-age groupings. Imagine how much fun they will have with Drama, Puppets, Games, and Computers!