Software:
Fluffy and God's Amazing Christmas Adventure
Link to the Downloadable Zip File
Resources for using the program:
- Outline and Guide to Fluffy (also included in the download)
- Graphic summary of what's in each learning section (for teachers)
- Magi section's questions handout
- Shepherd's Quiz handout for student and teacher
- How to make the program fill more of your screen!
Lessons at Rotation.org that use this software:
- (WT) Advent: Isaiah Promised, Jesus Fulfilled ~ Computer Workshop
- (WT) Shepherds and Angels ~ Computer Workshop
- (WT) Jesus is Born! ~ Computer Workshop
- (WT) Mary Accepts, Magnifies, and Ponders ~ Computer Workshop
- (WT) The Magi ~ Computer Workshop
Description:
Fluffy is a poor little sheep whom God decides to tell the Christmas story to -- the whole thing. God does so through a series of interactive story-retellings, activities, and extra content for deeper study. "Fluffy" was designed to be the kind of software a Sunday School could teach with every Advent to cover one or more parts of the Advent story. It can also be used by students and their families for a fun at-home lesson.
Fluffy's Main Menu (seen below) is the gateway to six learning areas, each with between 20 to 25 minutes worth of content which should extend longer with a teacher or parent riding along and pausing to ask the many questions embedded throughout the program.
- Promises, Promises covers Isaiah 9 and the OT promise of a Messiah
- Yo Mary and Joe covers the announcement of the angel and meaning of Jesus' name
- Road to Bethlehem is a short section about Bethlehem
- Birth of Jesus tells the Birth story
- Shepherd's Night tells the Shepherds story and includes a visit to the manger
- Magi cover the visit of the Magi and those who seek and spread God's message
God has a lot to share! ..and many of Fluffy's activities help students not only learn the biblical story, but reflect on its meaning for us today.
Age Range: By themselves: Grades 3 to 8. Ages 4-7 with help and being selective about which content to view and use.
System: Windows XP, 7, 8, and 10 -only. Be sure you have QuickTime 7.7.9 for Windows installed before installing Fluffy. It’s a free download at https://support.apple.com/kb/DL837
Learn how to make this program fill more of your computer screen by making a simple adjustment in your Windows Display setting.
Permissions: Sunday Software is making this program available to the Supporting Members of Rotation.org free of charge. The program may be installed on as many computers at your church as needed or shared with your church's members for their home use. The file may not be publicly posted or otherwise distributed beyond your congregation's use.
Extended Description:
At times, Fluffy is fun tongue-in-cheek, and at other times it is still fun but more serious and reflective. Pop-up content and navigation options allow students to bypass some content or drill-down for deeper study (some of which has been put there for older kids). Key Christmas story historical background and biblical vocabulary is explored. All of the five main learning areas are big on life application. Fluffy feels like and looks like an interactive lesson, which means it works well when, led by a teacher, it is projected to groups.
Above: The interactive menu for the Magi section of the program.
God is depicted onscreen as a cloud with a lightning bolt that leads Fluffy around the story (perhaps distantly related to the pillar of fire in the Exodus story). God has quite a sense of humor, and for a change, Ever imagined God's voice with a country "twang"? You will after this program!
In "Yo Mary and Joe!" God explains to Fluffy the differences in Matthew and Lukes stories about the angel's visit, and provides an activity about how WE can become God's messengers (angels).
Several of Fluffy's stories include a verse reflection activity called "Fluffimations." Students complete a "mad-lib-like" set of questions posed by the program which inserts them into the scripture to create a new version of the story spoken aloud by Fluffy using the student's vocabulary.
The "Prophet Promises" menu has lots to explore.
Fluffy is a BIG program. The Guide details each section and sub-section.
View a listing of Fluffy's major sections
Learn how to make this program fill more of your computer screen by making a simple adjustment in your Windows Display setting.