Computer Lab - Pentecost Slideshow + Other Ideas

Activities:

• create slideshow using pictures of events in your church family over past year (it’s a celebration, after all). Select pictures and load into a slideshow program. Tape the song from the music workshop. Run this song under your slideshow. If you copy this to a disk, you can play the slideshow at your Pentecost Party. Or if someone has a laptop, you could set up the laptop in your church hall and play the slideshow on it there.
  
  
• make invitations inviting people to your Pentecost Popcorn Party. Make these using a simple card maker program.
  
  
• test out this idea using the Let's Talk program (Sunday Software). In "Talk Now" mode, choose a different character at each machine to read the source text. Run all speakers at the same time. Will create one interpretation of the idea of ‘many tongues’ that goes with this story. (This might also work for 2-3 machines in Kid Pix 4 (or 3D.) In this case, noise is the object of the exercise!  Let's Talk software is FREE to supporting members! Check it out.
  
  
• you could view the ‘Herod’ tour of Pathways thru Jerusalem (out of print, but left here for rotation churches who own it) to give the children a feel for what the city would have been like in the time of the Romans. Speculate on what you think the scene may have been like after getting more info from this CD.

Here's one of my favorite all-time computer lab lessons...

Pentecost Pirates: Speaking the Gospel in a New Language

Computer Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Using the computer's text-to-speech capabilities, the kids will translate what they think the Disciples SAID at Pentecost using Pirate language (or Space or Baby language).

Software: Either Kid Pix 4 (or 3D) or Let's Talk software.

I've taught versions of this lesson since the early 90's in my computer labs, and it has been a hit every time. I've demonstrated it with adults at seminars and they've enjoyed trying to translate the Good News into different dialects.

The point is to have the kids examine and comprehend what the Disciples were SAYING THAT DAY. It wasn't just the fact that they were speaking in a new way, but WHAT they were saying. They were sharing the GOOD NEWS. So to share the Good News in pirate language, the kids will have to PARSE OUT (with your help of course) what the Good News IS. And of course, they are supposed to translate it to their peers.

Software:
This lesson can be done with Let's Talk or Kid Pix 4 (or 3D). Both Let's Talk and Kid Pix 4 (or 3-D) can "speak aloud" what ever your kids type onto the screen.

Let's Talk software is FREE to Rotation.org's Supporting Members! Check it out.

Let's Talk software makes the process a lot quicker because you don't waste time making illustrations. You create a talking character (see here) and put words in their mouths. Using this Talk Back capability, we're going to have the kids create four or five sentences that summarize the Good News in a new language, just like happened at Pentecost.

TIP: You can use the "Talk Now" module in Let's Talk to have them quickly create spoken responses, OR you can have them use the Lesson Builder module --having the kids create a long "Gospel" using their funny language and also create a quiz/discussion exercise for each other on the screen. If you are familiar with Let's Talk CD, you know what I mean!

A favorite language these days is "Pirate" language... arggh Matey! It's been recently popularized by the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and Spongebob. And that's the germ of the idea here: How would a Christian pirate tell another pirate the good news about Jesus Christ? Suggestion: Buy some inexpensive pirate costumes, eye patches, hats and swords for the kids. You could even have a "real treasure" chest in the classroom full of your Bibles. Think Pirate!

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture and background materials.
• Download the software for free if you are a Supporting Member at Rotation.org
• Preview the software.

Lesson Plan

Opening:

The kids read the Bible story in Acts 2:1-41. Yeah...it's long, but it is VERY dramatic. Encourage the kids to ham it up. When you get to Peter's speech, pull out a FAKE BEARD and read the first few sentences yourself. Then pass the beard to the next person. (Make the beard out of fun-fur or brown cloth. Get a wig too. They'll love it and won't forget the lesson).

(For young children, use a Bible story book, give them all beards and have them repeat after you.)

Dig:

After the reading...
Come up with the essence of what the Good News which PETER shared and the Disciples were sharing with the crowd (the Good New in brief). It may be helpful to consider what the "bad news" might have been (like God is going to smash us all).

IMPORTANT: Have each student write down some of these ideas, or write them on the board. They'll need to refer to these when they begin using the typing tool.

Next, have the kids QUICKLY assemble a Pentecost illustration in Kid Pix 4 (or 3-D). I recommend using some of the ready-made backgrounds. Don't spend much time drawing.

If you're using Let's Talk, you'll turn on Talk Now and "build" the animated talker. So you COULD have the students 'translate' their text according to which of the "talkers" they built. They can build a surfer dude, a monk, an alien, and various combinations there.

Then, they begin to type their Pentecost "Good News" statements using the typing tool.

"Rules":
They are not allowed to use any of the words in the Bible verses and cannot use church vocabulary. Example: they cannot type "Jesus died for our sins." Afterall, how would an alien from another planet be able to figure out how "death was for our sins." Think about it! ...Instead, they have to explain the concept of his death without using the word "sins." They must come up with a new way to express that word --a new translation in the language they have chosen (such as "pirate").

Language Examples:
You can translate the Good News into "cool dude" speech, "pirate" language, "baby speak," or "Outer Space Alien Speech." Update: I had some kids use "street/rap" speech.

We've done Good News to Surfer Dudes ...and it was like totally radical man. Jesus is a dude you can hang-ten with anytime and not worry about getting thrashed by the backwash. He's lookin out for his buddies from the big tower on the beach. Ok...one too many Frank and Annette movies for me, but the kids enjoyed some suggestions!

We've also had groups choose PIRATE LANGUAGE. "Avast ye scurvy swabs, know why you is scurvy no more? Because Jesus has walked the plank for ya." "Have I got a treasure chest for you. They made him walk the plank, arg.... but he lept from Davey Jones' Locker and is captain of the ship once more." Etc etc. (Ha! too much fun!)

Baby talk is funny too and some of the older kids really get into it. "Jesus is the best blankie." Etc. Baby-talk is actually quite challenging. I would encourage you to work through it on at least one of your computers.

The "Outer Space" Gospel was popular among some students because there are numerous outer space graphics in the writing software. How would a Disciple have spoken the Good News to an Alien?" Another approach is to use NASA LANGUAGE spaceship/launch language. "Jerusalem we have a problem." "The stone was rolled away in 9, 8, 7, " This news will help you lift-off."

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SUGGESIONS, and then solicit examples and write them on the board.

You can let the kids choose the language they like, or assign it.

Then, have them work on a couple of sentences of "How would you share the Gospel with your Best Friend at School?"

What words would you use?
What's the right time and right way to talk to your friends about Jesus?

(I've often had this discussion with youth groups. I tell them, "Begin by asking your friend to come to church with you. Then on the way home, ask them what they thought about the worship service, or lesson. Then tell them how it feels to a Christian, why you go, etc.")

After they are done creating...
Take the whole class to each computer for a "hearing" and discussion.

Reflection:

Use the Talk Back feature in either Kid Pix 4 (or 3-D) or Let's Talk to have the students construct "A Pentecost Prayer" which the computer can speak aloud on their behalf. Write on the subject of "God help me to share the message of ...."

Additional Teaching Notes for this lesson:

The key here is the teacher MUST work right with the kids. Some kids will want to use big "church words" (like "saved") but don't let them. Even Christian adults don't totally understand the phrase "he died to set us free" !! We have to find some new words...dude.

Younger children who can't type can still dictate to someone who can type. And they will enjoy hearing their words spoken by the computer.

Not every presentation will capture all there is to say about the Good News, but together they'll go far and give you plenty to talk about.

Kids can also make up their own language out of gooble-dee-gook. Kid Pix 4 (or 3-D)'s text-to-speech engine does some funny things with weird spellings. Have the kids TRANSLATE what the computer is saying. It will be quite fun.

A lesson written by Neil MacQueen.

The story of Pentecost and Peter preaching to the crowd are some of the terrific presentations found in the SunScool Bible App for Kids.

You can find Acts 2 in the "Apostle Peter" submenu under different titles depending on what level you have selected.

• A5-1: Peter preaching (Levels 1 and 2)
  Acts 2:1-14, 36-39
• A5-1: Peter Preaches (Level 3), Pentecost  (Level 4)
  Acts 2:1-42

The App is free, ecumenical, and can be downloaded for use on tablets, smartphones, Windows, and Mac!    Get the download link and look up the story you need in our Outline of all 170+ stories in SunScool. That page also includes app helps.

A Computer Software "Good News Languages" Workshop

Expanded by Neil MacQueen from a lesson sketch by Jaymie Derden

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Children will explore the story of Pentecost and describe the good news in their own words using software that speaks out loud whatever they type. This lesson also has an engaging "Other Languages" reflection.

Software Options:

1. The free Let’s Talk software available to our Supporting Members. It has a number of kid-friendly and classroom friendly features. Though it only speaks in English, students will use it to "translate" the Good News into kid-friendly language.
   
   
2. Use Google Translate's webpage to translate invitations to the "crowd" in different languages. https://translate.google.com  Create and translate your own version of the Good News and play it to the class in one of many languages using Google Translate (works in your browser if you have an internet connection).  You can also use Microsoft's translator built into the Bing browser: https://www.bing.com/translator

Scripture References:

John 14:15-21, Acts 1:1-11, Acts 2:1-47

Memory Verse:

Acts 2:4 --They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Theme:

Jesus’ promise to his disciples of a helper, the Holy Spirit, comes on the day of Pentecost and fills the disciples with courage and power to share the Good News about Jesus and salvation.

Preparation and Room Set Up:

• Review the background information sheets and lesson materials.
• Download Let's Talk and its guide. Install and preview the software, or preview the Google Translate webpage and its options.
• Turn on the computers prior to class.
• Make copies of the Conversation Now Discussion Question Guide and the Lesson Builder Guide – one per station + copies for shepherds and helpers.

The Let's Talk software program is available FREE OF CHARGE to the supporting members of Rotation.org. Learn more about the software and how to download and use it

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Welcome your students by typing your welcome into the text-to-speech "Talk Now" screen in Let's Talk. Then type and play a message of what they will be doing and learning about today.  (You can type your message ahead of time so you only have to play it.)

Study:

Depending on student ability, you may either use classroom Bibles or Bible storybooks for these studies.

Say: After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples for an additional forty days. Before he ascended into heaven, he gave them some final instructions… he told them to go into the whole world and teach others what he had taught them. He also told them to "wait" for the Holy Spirit -- the Helper who would be a gift to them.

Let's read Acts 1:3-11 together -- what Jesus told the disciples to do.

Ask:

1. How long do you think they had to wait? (It was several weeks until the day of the Pentecost feast)
2. What were they waiting for?
3. Why is the Holy Spirit a gift from God?
4. Why do Christians NEED the Holy Spirit's help?

Say: So they waited in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and on the Feast of Pentecost, when Jerusalem was full of people from many different countries who spoke many different languages, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples like a mighty wind and gave them a special gift.

Let's read Acts 2:1-17.. the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit

Ask:

1. What was the "gift" of the Holy Spirit? (speaking in different languages)
2. How many languages can you speak? How many languages do kids at your school speak?
3. Why would God want the disciples or you to be able to speak his message to people who are different than you? (to share his message with as many people as possible)

Turn to the Computer

Say: Today you're going to type what you think the "Good News about Jesus" is all about -- in your own words, and then you're going to have the computer speak it out loud to the class.

In Let's Talk, have them use "Talk Now" module and select a character and voice that will speak for them.

Give them 5 to 7 minutes to discuss with their computer partner(s) what they think the "Good" news about Jesus is that everyone should hear, and type it into the Talk Now module. Encourage them to work together, preview what their character will sound like, and improve on their idea before it is ready to share with the rest of the class.

As students share their presentations, offer positive feedback and suggestions, then invite everyone to take another 5 minutes to "try again" based on suggestions. When finished, have them play their "Good News" message for the entire class.

If you're using Google Translate, follow the same basic idea as above but first select ENGLISH as the language they will "translate" into. This will make Google Translate speak aloud their text in English. After feedback, have them improve their wording and play it back again for the class.

Finally, have everyone select ANOTHER LANGUAGE in the Google Translator screen and play their message in it for all to hear. Chinese, German, Indonesian -- listen to their "Good News message" in many!

Other Languages Reflection:

"Language" isn't just spoken words. God's Spirit wants to show God's love in many ways.

1. For example, MUSIC is a language we can show who we are and who we follow. What do you think the "Good News tune" would sound like, what would it make people feel?
2. Love is a language (how you show people you care).
3. Dance is a language (showing people our spirit/joy). Show us your "Good News Dance Moves!"
4. And there is such a thing as"body language" (describe/show that). How do you show others that you "include" them, "respect" them, will "stand up for them" if others make fun of them.

Close by returning to the Let's Talk screen (or Google Translator) and give them 2 minutes to type a prayer thanking God for the Holy Spirit and asking God's Spirit to be alive and working through us. Play those prayers for all to hear.

Talking Character Builder Screen from Let's Talk:

Screenshot from Google Translate: