Ideas
The following info was moved here to consolidate the topic...
Brenda H.
Posted January 29, 2005
Looking for ideas on how to present the life and ministry of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. I have many resources on him but nothing to help guide me in presenting it in lively workshop rotation style to elementary children. Has anyone been successful in doing this? I do know about J.W. & Company but was not totally pleased with the presentation and didn't feel the cost justified the material.
Neil MacQueen
Posted January 29, 2005
Which book of the Bible is he in?
(said the Presbyterian)
Drama, how about creating famous vignettes from his life, including: his heart being "strangely warmed" at Aldersgate, and him doing a circuit ride. Or better yet, do a "heroes of Methodism" including Asbury the missionary, and Charles Wesley writing hymns. "Cross the Atlantic with the Moravians in the storm" (it's famous story about Wesley for you non-Methodists).
Storytelling you could reenact a camp meeting like the riders used to hold. A little fire and brimstone, and emphasis on Wesley's classic three points of doctrine.
Art...how about the UMC cross?
"What's that flame about anyway?" (It's about Wesley's warming at Aldersgate, the spirit filled 'holiness' movement he created.)
Video....gotta be a Wesley video somewhere.
<>< The Presbyterian
Kim Trimboli
Exchange Volunteer
Posted January 30, 2005
Actually, I need to look it up in my notes, but there is an old video - probably your resource center still has completely covered with dust. The movie itself is dull as dirt, but it starts off with a great claymation sequence giving the history of Methodism in about 5 minutes. I'll see if I can find the name of it.
Moderator Update: It's called "“Clayride: A Gallop Through United Methodist History” see post further down for YouTube link.
A "reformed" Methodist
cj <><
Posted January 31, 2005
At our conference center here in NY, we have a Learning Center full of resources. Anything from a Greek Bible up to puppets and videos. Check with your district to see what resources are available.
<><
cj (a displaced catholic now a UM)
Brenda H
Posted January 31, 2005
You guys are GREAT!! Especially you non and reformed Methodists!! Thanks for all the ideas and the humor!! I am sure our resource center has tons of dusty, non-used, boring videos on Wesley but would be interested in the claymation one if you can find it Kim. I am finishing our rotation for March on the events of Holy Week and used this site extensively for ideas. The one on Wesley is due for the rotation in May so was getting a head start on planning. Thanks!!
Jaymie Derden
Posted February 05, 2005
We did a three week rotation on John Wesley, based on the J W & Company curriculum -- we tweaked it quite a bit. Do you have a conference lending library? Then you could borrow it and use what you like and not have the expense.
We also had a big church-wide celebration after worship with pony rides (circuit riders), old-fashioned games, and a local retired teacher who dresses up as JW. It was really fun. The kids made birthday cupcakes (we did this on his 300th birthday celebration) in the cooking workshop, did a drama of the parsonage burning and John being "plucked like a brand from the burning, did "circuit rider" relays to learn our memory verse and made candles to talk about his heart-warming experience at Aldersgate. The older kids also made a display board about his life
in the computer lab.
Jaymie
RobinH
Posted February 07, 2005
We did a wonderful John Wesley unit for a summer rotation unit. It came from a publication called John Wesley and Company. Part of it was a "museum walkthrough" where we had posters which illustrated his life and tapes which they listened to as they "toured". In art they made horn books.
In drama -- we used a scripted drama which illustrates the story of the night the Wesley home caught fire. Includes narrator, Nurse, John Wesley, Mrs. Wesley, Wesley children, Neighbor 1, 2 and Mrs. Wesley
Cook’s Garden- became the apothecary shop for the month of July.
Leader explained what and why of a apothecary while students made soap balls and / or powder. Will give JW’s Rules for Health.
Computer room was an opportunity to teach the children about the first printing press (briefly) and then have them make their own newspaper which tells the stories of JW’s life and times.
Hope these ideas help.
