Rotation.org's Newsletter
May 2016
www.rotation.org
Recent Lesson and Resource Posts
- How to make Palm trees, rocks, and mountains.
- Members St James-Santee and Jaheeza were complimenting Augustana's "See I am making all things new" (Rev 21) Lesson Set
- Member MarieW posted new ideas and adaptations to the Hannah Lesson Ideas discussion.
- Bible Game questions for the Story of Esther from Cindy Merten
- Members have made several new posts in the "when does your church schedule Sunday School?" discussion thread.
- Member Luanne Payne identified the title of the new-er animated Ten Commandments video.
- Members Neil MacQueen and Anne Camp posted lesson suggestions in answer to Member "Houston Pam's" inquiry about ideas for teaching John 10:27-30.
- Member TaylorUMC asked for and received new photos and ideas for computer workshop decor.
- New Article about How to Download YouTube and Vimeo Clips to view offline added to the "How to Plug Your Smartphone or Tablet into a TV.
- Member MarieW got help with Bible stories for Mother's Day.
- Members are discussing "Science" workshop resources.
- Member JStroud was discussing how to split the Story of Joseph into different rotations.
Take our latest SURVEY and see what others are saying about:
The Time and Length of Sunday School
Pictured: The "Cooking" Workshop at First UMC, Ann Arbor MI
The Cooking Workshop uses ingredients, preparation techniques, assembly steps, cooking styles, and sharing food to help tell, explain, feel, smell, taste, and remember the Bible story.
New from the Rotation.org Writing Team
Purim: The Story of Esther
The set includes: 2 Purim Carnival (Bible Skills) Workshops,
Purim Mask (Art), Purim Cooking, Computer, Video, Music/Worship, and a Purim "Sphiel" (Drama) Workshop.
Writing Team Lesson Summaries and Bible Background are open to all. Supporting Members can access these special lesson set. See the complete Writing Team Lesson Set Menu.
Coming Mid-June:
Exodus: Through Water and Wilderness
This new set will replace the Writing Team's "Moses: Sea and Sand" lesson set.
The Writing Team's special sets are in addition to the hundreds of other great lessons and ideas posted in the Rotation.org Lesson Forum. We started writing the sets in 2002 and are now in the process of updating, improving, and adding new lessons to each.
Member Interview: Robin Stewart, First UMC, Athens Georgia
From time to time we feature member stories in our newsletter. Here is a condensed version of our recent conversation with supporting member, "RobinAFUMC," also known as Robin Stewart, Director of Children's Ministry at First United Methodist, Athens Georgia,
I was introduced to the Rotation Model by our minister and was immediately attracted by the promise of its level of engagement for our children and emphasis on different learning styles. In addition, the (weekly story) repetition for children and for teachers was a strong point. Fifteen years later, we continue to believe in it and remain excited about it.
Our first design theme for our Rotation space was to transport our kids to "Bible Times." Recently, we refreshed our Sunday School image by moving to the "City on the Hill." (Matthew 5:14).
The "Watchtower" is our movie room where we "watch" or make movies. "Cook's Garden" is the name of our Cooking workshop.
The "Carpenters Workshop" is what we call our Art workshop. Our "Caravans" workshop began as a Bible geography room but is now more of a Bible games room that works well when led by a seasoned school teacher. We sometimes use our computer room in conjunction with the games lesson as well.
We call our drama room the "Amphitheater." We have found great success in there when we have the kids "stage" parts of the story and pose for photos. Sort of "selfie" style dramas.
Our newest room is the "Temple." Last year we used it for worships arts, a large group "opening" and did storytelling where the kids learned to retell the story using a story bag. This year it also has a mission focus.
We rotate grades 1-4. Our fifth graders seemed to out grow Sunday School so we began a 5th-6th ministry.
A strong volunteer team has always been essential, though maintaining it over the years has been challenging. Initially, we were blessed with one leader for each workshop who recruited that workshop's teachers and took care of the room. Now we have a team of teachers for each workshop that rotate the teaching duties and workshop needs between them. The challenge is always recruiting.
We use Rotation.org mainly for the lesson ideas, and when I have time, for the articles. I appreciate all the updates you've been doing.
___
Robin is the Director of Children's Ministry at First UMC in Athens Georgia. She organizes their teaching teams and lessons. She has been a member and supporter of Rotation.org for the past ten years. Visit her church's Sunday School website at http://athensfirstumc.org/cityonahill/
Rotation.org is blessed by so many great contributors, teachers and churches like 1st Athens. If you have a story to share, or are in need of help with your story, contact us!