2001: A Sheep Odyssey
Psalm 23
Psalm 23|
In retrospect: This evening needed a FOURTH ACTIVITY/WORKSHOP. The computer lab and whpc-tv workshops can't take more than about 8 or 9 students and our attendance was way TOO good. This evening --being the third night also needed a "run around game time" especially for the little kids. Interestingly enough, however, the THIRD night was the night the kids REALLY started to remember the Psalm. By night four they had it down pat. |
| What about "Life Application"
?? Each night's "Closing Time" will also focus on life application as did each of the "Sheep Pens" on Monday and Tuesday Night. If you are from another church using this material for Sunday mornings, you will need to make sure that time is spent on Life Application in each of the following three workshops. |
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ART WORKSHOP: Sheep will construct a "flip book" that animates the first five lines in Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. | He makes me lie down in green pastures | he leads me beside still waters | he restores my soul. | He leads me in right paths. They will be encouraged to share their flip book with a friend and members of their family. A "flip-book" is a stack of cards or paper with picturess and words drawn on them. When flipped through, the pictures "animated" like an old Nickelodeon. Many of us "adult sheep" used to make these by drawing in the margins of paperback books flipping the pages with our thumb really fast (or at least that's what I used to do in study hall). Here's how we're going to do it in our Art Workshop: Constructed Flip-books will consist of a stack of 3x5 POST-IT NOTES. They seem the perfect material as they can easily available, assembled, and stick together like a book. Plus the post-its allow changes to be made. We are having FIVE VERSE STAMPS MADE. Each stamp will have a different part of first couple of PSALM 23 verses on them. The TEACHERS will stamp a stack of post-it notes for each verse before the workshop. Each verse will need about 15 pages for it. Thus a flip book will be about 75 pages !! (See the way we have the verses broken down in the Sheep Pens. This is also the way we'll be memorizing them in the Computer Workshop). We thought about letting the kids stamp the verses but that would take too long. We're also having SHEEP STAMPS MADE so kids can "animate" a sheep across the flip book QUICKLY. The kids will also DRAW THEIR OWN SYMBOLS on the post-its to correspond with each verse. The flip-books drawings that the kids add must be kept rather simple. Show them how to place the drawings ever so slightly at a new place so that the drawing will appear to move with the booklet is "flipped." It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that the teacher/shepherd construct one of these ahead of time not only to show the students, but to gauge the amount of time it will take. It is also highly recommended that extra workshop helpers be on hand to help the younger students grasp the concept of LOCATING their symbols to get them to animate. At the end of the workshop, give
kids EXTRA flip post-its if they need to finish it at home.
The Sheep will read, type, proofread and play a scramble/unscramble game with all the verses from Psalm 23 on the computer. Software to be used: Cal & Marty's Scripture Memory Game CD (distributed by Sunday School Software http://www.sundaysoftware.com/luther-calvin) The older kids need to go first in the lab. Older children must type the entire Psalm 23 in Cal and Marty's easy to use verse editor (typing is part of the memorization process). Then they can study/scramble, then unscramble the verse. Younger children will type in at least the FIRST verse and perhaps two if the teacher thinks its do-able. The younger kids aren't proficient typists --but remember- typing is part of the memorization process, so don't cut it out completely. All the other verses will already be typed in from the older kids being in there earlier, so if you have time with the younger group, let them try to unscramble as many as they can. For older kids: At each computer have one sheep do the typing, one reads the text to the typist, and the third is the "proofreader." When the entire Psalm is in the editor, close the editor and play the game. Have the three sheep work together, each taking a turn running the mouse for different verses. What to do with the real little ones? (ages 4-6) We will fall back on Kid Pix illustrating program. They will illustrate the verse. Unlike some of the other workshops this evening and other nights, the computer lab won't focus on "meaning." Instead, it will focus on the work of memorization.
Sheep in this workshop will assume the various roles in a news broadcast about the second half of Pslam 23 (the second group of verses used on Tuesday Night). They will prepare, practice and then perform for the camera. Then they will play the videotape back. The lead Shepherd will be the Director and Stage Manager. At least TWO other teaching assistants are needed for this workshop. The REAL teaching moments will happen during the preparation of the broadcast segments. Setting: News Desk with WHPC-TV logo. Camcorder on tripod hooked up to VCR and TV monitor. Area in the "studio" where various scenes can take place. 1) Describe the basic idea of what the sheep will be doing. Since this is day 3 in the VBS, they should all know the Psalm. 2) Assign various roles to each sheep. If your numbers are smaller --have only one Reporter, or Psalm Sheep, Enemy Sheep or News Anchor.
The teachers may assume the role of REPORTER for the Younger children's version of the news broadcast. 3) What they need to do: Reporter #1 meets with Dark Valley Predators and Psalm 23 Sheep #1 to come up with a 30 second re-enactment of the line "even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, your rod and staff -they comfort me." Reporter #1: Imagine you are like the "Crocodile Hunter" reporting the scene as it happens. Interview the Sheep first as they are going into the "darkest valley." Ask them what's up with this Darkest Valley idea. What are they afraid of, etc. Then skip over to interview the predators just before they try to attack the sheep. Have the predators decide what "problems" they are that will try to attack the sheep (drugs, lack of faith, evil persons). Then let the predators attempt to attack but be repelled by a mysterious force. Then have the reporter interview the sheep as to why they were so calm and comforted through all this (the Good Shepherd's rod and staff). Reporter #2 meets with Psalm 23 Sheep #2 and the Two Enemey Sheep to "block out" their scene. This scene will need props: Table, oil, cup. Report the scene as it unfolds. Reporter must interview the sheep and the enemies about what they think the Table is all about. Then let them come together and interview the "combatants" about how they feel gathering in the Good Shepherd's presence and feast. Have sheep be anointed. Shoot a close-up of the cup running over with the reporter's or News' Anchor's commentary. News Anchors meet with Goodness, Mercy and the Good Shepherd. They will be interviewed "Live back in the studio" after the first two reports. Goodness and Mercy talk about why/how they will follow the sheep "all the days of their lives." The Good Shepherd talks about his/her role in taking care of the sheep and always welcoming them to his house.
Yes....you'll need to run through
it once, then videotape it. Watch the video. Suggest ways to
improve it, then videotape it again. NOTE: Each Broadcast should move QUICKLY.....lasting no more than 3 to 4 minutes. Each needs to be rehearsed (which is part of the discussion process). We'll save each version and play it back for the WHOLE group at the CLOSING tonight. After the fact note: This particular lesson didn't work well for little kids. They don't know what to say on camera. Older kids needed about 10 more minutes. If we were to do it all over again we would have prepared teen "actors" be the newscasters and reporters. We'd have a script too. |
The
Computer Lab 
WHPC-TV