Samuel 

Video Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Children will watch the video “Samuel” and explore Samuel’s faithful service to God.

Scripture References:

I Samuel 1-3, “The Story of Samuel” Little Kids’ Adventure Bible, pages 109-113.

Important Note for Video Workshop Leaders:
Children love this workshop! Often the video is a direct correlation with the Bible story and creates a concrete, visual image in the children’s minds. They refer to this image over and over throughout the rotation as they visit other workshops. Some videos may take some liberties with the story-you may need to point out these discrepancies. As much as possible sit down with the children and watch the video together. Feel free to pause the video to discuss something that you especially want them to note. Please ensure that the children treat the room with respect-no standing, jumping or otherwise abusing the seats.

Please start on time!

Time Guidelines:

• Welcome/Introduction 5 minutes
• Introduction of story 5 minutes
• Video-Samuel 25 minutes
• Discussion Questions/Bible Notes 10 minutes
• Journal 5 minutes

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture ahead of time.
• Read the Background information, Teaching Tips and Lesson.
• Preview the video prior to class time.
• Gather the materials

Materials List:

• Video: Samuel
  (The Animated Stories from the Bible, Nest Entertainment)
  Video running time-25 minutes
• Popcorn

Presentation

Opening- Welcome and Introduction:
Have the children sit in the theatre seats. Welcome the children and introduce yourself and the shepherd. Please make sure you are wearing your nametag and the children have picked up their nametags

Opening Prayer: (You may pray your own prayer or pray the following)
Dear Jesus, Thank you for giving us this time to learn about you. Guide us to be a faithful servant to you and to show others our love for you through all we say and do. Amen

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Introduce the Story:
Samuel’s mother had prayed for a son. God answered her prayers and gave her a little boy she named Samuel. The name Samuel means “name of God” or “asked of God”. Hannah, Samuel’s mother, remembered her promise to God. She loved her son very much, but kept her promise to give her son to be raised by the priest Eli as a special religious leader, a Nazirite. Let’s watch how Samuel learns about God while living with Eli and how Eli also learns from Samuel.

Start the movie and hand out the popcorn and a drink.

Once the movie is finished, have the children throw away their trash and move to the table for Bible discussion.

Important Teacher Notes:
Each workshop includes the Bible story. One of our primary goals is to improve the children’s Bible literacy! If children did not bring their Bibles from home, use the classroom Bibles. Shepherds should help the children locate the stories. Use the handout “Helping Children Learn to Use their Bibles” and the Background Information to help you introduce the story.

If you are teaching at the 11:00 session, and the majority of your children attended the earlier session, modify the Bible study part of the lesson. Have the children locate the various scriptures, but do not read them all again. Paraphrase or have the children tell you the story.

Remember that as the rotation progresses; the children will become more familiar with the story. When this happens, allow the children to tell you what they know. The children should still locate the story in their Bibles every week. Use the bold headings in their Bibles to guide your discussion. You may want to review some of the Bible notes as well. Be sure to fill in any missing information and add additional details using the Background Information to help you. One of the greatest advantages of this model is that children who come regularly learn the story in great depth.

Each lesson contains more Background Information and discussion questions than can be used in one session. Remember, children are studying this story for four weeks! Be sure to follow the time guidelines and leave ample time for the activity.

Bible Study: Grades K-3
Samuel lived many years before Jesus was born during the time in Israel’s history known as the time of the judges. After the Israelites came into the promised land, they needed help setting up their communities. Judges were religious leaders in the community who helped the people follow God. Samuel was the last and greatest judge in Israel.

Where would we find a story in the Bible that takes place many years before Jesus was born? (Old Testament) Let’s find the story of Samuel in our Bibles now. Help the children locate the “Story of Samuel” “in the Little Kids’ Adventure Bible, pages 109-113. This story is too long to be read in its entirety. Paraphrase the story or use the attached excerpt from the Children’s Illustrated Bible to review the main points.

Have children locate and review the following Bible notes:

Little Kids’ Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 109
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 110
Did you Know? How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 112

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Locate the verse and review with the children at this time. Have children with Bible bookmarks place their red ribbon bookmark here. Children with their own Bibles should highlight the verse with the Bible highlighters. Please do not mark in the classroom Bibles.
“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Bible Study: Grades 4-5
After the Israelites left the wilderness and entered the Promised Land, they settled into a new way of life. The tabernacle was now a permanent structure and kept in a town called Shiloh. The Israelites came regularly to worship there. The Israelite people were governed by a series of leaders called judges. Judges were moral people who were very close to God. They helped the people understand God’s laws and how to behave in a way pleasing to God. Samuel was the last and greatest of Israel’s judges.

This period in Israel’s history happened many years before Jesus was born. Where would we find the story of Samuel in the Bible? (Old Testament) Samuel’s story is found in the book of I and II Samuel. These are books of history. Let’s find the story in our Bibles now.

Help the children locate I Samuel 1 in their Bibles. Children with Bible bookmarks can use their yellow ribbon bookmark to locate the books of history and move forward from there. This story is too long to be read in its entirety. Use the bold headings to paraphrase the scripture for them.

Read and discuss the following Bible notes:

NiRV Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 319
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 318
Did you Know? What was Eli’s sin? Page 320
How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 321

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Locate the verse and review with the children at this time. Have children with their own Bibles highlight the verse with the Bible highlighters.
“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Discussion Questions:

• Why was Hannah upset? (she did not have any children)
• Why did Hannah and Elkanah visit the tabernacle each year? (required by law, to make a sacrifice so that they could be forgiven for their sins – contrast this with how we are forgiven through Jesus!)
• What happened when Hannah and Elkanah went to the tabernacle? (she prayed to God to give her a son)
• How did Hannah feel after she prayed? (she felt a sense of peace, was no longer troubled)
• How was Hannah’s prayer answered? (she had a son, Samuel)
• Does God always answer prayers? (Yes, just not always the way we want!)
• Why is prayer so important? (it brings us closer to God, God wants to know about us and share our joys and concerns with God)
• Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God)
• How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (made him a new coat and brought it to him every year)
• What was the job of the priest? (to prepare the sacrifices, to keep the lamp burning, to take care of the tabernacle)
• How did Eli help Samuel grow to love and serve God?
• How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God? 
• Who spoke to Samuel one night? (God)
• What message did God give Samuel? (Eli’s sons would not inherit the priesthood)
• How does God talk to us? (through prayer, Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, Christian friends)
• How do we know what God wants us to do? (above)

Reflection and Journal Time:

The last ten minutes should be reserved for Journal Reflection Time. This is an opportunity for processing and reflection about what children have learned. Ask the shepherds to pass out the journals, pencils, and the journal question for the day. Workshop leaders and shepherds should sit down with the children in small groups to facilitate discussion and writing in Faith Journals. Memory verse stickers are also included for each session. Children may also copy the memory verse and illustrate. Journal Stickers are color coded for each age level – purple (grades K-1, red (grades 2-3) and blue (grades 4-5). Please be sure to use the correct stickers.

Journal Question:

Grades K-1: Draw a picture of Samuel serving God in the tabernacle.
Grades 2-5: What did Samuel do to serve God? What can you do to serve God and show God you love him?

Closing:

Closing Prayer: Gather the children together. Review with them one word or concept that they learned in today’s lesson. (faithfulness, love, giving, service, listening, prayer, worship) Encourage the children to attend again next Sunday for another workshop. Ask them to invite a friend, especially one who does not belong to a church. Remind children to bring their Bibles. Ask for prayer requests and pray together.

Clean-Up: Have the children throw away their popcorn bags and cups if they have not done so already. Clean out popcorn machine and sweep up any stray kernels. Put away Bibles, paper, pencils, videos, etc. Bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace trashcan liner (extras are found in the hallway supply closet).

REMIND CHILDREN TO BRING BABY ITEMS FOR OUR BABY SHOWER MISSION PROJECT!

Release children only to parents or by prior permission of parents. Make sure parents sign their children out on the classroom clipboards.

After your rotation is completed, please:

1. Remember to return all supplies to the storage areas in the classroom or the supply closet in the hallway. Please help us keep our rooms neat!
2. Please bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace the trashcan liner – extras are found in the hallway storage closet.
3. Fill out your evaluation form and return! We use these to improve our lessons, so please take the time to do this!
4. Return un-used journal questions and lesson materials (you may leave them in the classroom).
5. Fill out the reimbursement form, attach receipts and turn in to the office. Mark all receipts “Sunday school supplies.”
6. Thanks for being part of our G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Team!
7. Let us know if you would like to teach again.

A lesson written by Jaymie Derden from: State Street UMC

Bristol, VA

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Samuel

Games Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:
Children will play listening games to learn about the importance of being a good listener. They will discuss ways to “hear God’s voice.”

Important Note for Games/Bible Skills Workshop Leaders:
The purpose of the games workshop is two-fold: to develop Bible skills and to reinforce that knowledge by having fun with games. The games are not frills and fluff! Playing games helps to cement the knowledge and reinforce the skills you introduce during the Bible lesson. Children learn best when actively involve, so please do not skimp on the games portion of the lesson! Follow the time guidelines to help you stay on track. Remember – in the Rotation model, children study ONE lesson or story for 4 weeks, so it is not necessary to cover every detail in each session.

Preparation and Room Set-Up:

• Review background information, teaching tips and lesson materials.
• Gather necessary supplies.
• Prepare the game materials – see below
• Review the Music CD. Plan to play the music as the children arrive, play games and during journal time.

Advanced Preparation:

• Before children arrive, cut out the felt shapes for the “Are You Listening?” game for grades K-1.
• Obtain the large flannel board from the Drama room.
• Photocopy the pages needed for the 2-5 grade games. 

Please start on time!

Time Guidelines:

• Welcome and Introductions 10 minutes
• Bible Study 15 minutes
• Games 20 minutes
• Reflection/Closing 5 minutes

Materials List:

• Maze handout from Games Children Should Play book or any other simple maze (simple version for K-1 grades and more advanced version for 2-5 grades)
• Pencils
• Flannel Board
•  Felt (6 - 9X12 inch pieces will make 6 sets)
•  Plain construction paper or copy paper – 1 per child
•  Patterns for six geometric shapes (circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle and star) – see attached
• Copy paper with a large oval drawn in the center – see attached sheet
• Flip chart or blackboard

Presentation

Opening-Welcome/Introduction:

Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Make sure everyone is wearing a nametag. Please include the shepherd in introductions. Give the children a simple one or two-sentence synopsis of what you will be doing during the workshop. As children arrive, distribute a copy of the maze handout. Once 2 or 3 children have arrived, begin the introductory “A-Maze-ing Listeners” activity below.

A-Maze-ing Listeners!
(Adapted from Games Children Should Play, Mary K. Cihak and Barbara J. Heron, Goodyear Publishing, Co., 1980)

Supplies:

• Maze handout from Games Children Should Play book or any other simple maze (simple version for K-1 grades and more advanced version for 2-5 grades)
• Pencils

Advanced Preparations:

1. Copy the maze handout.
2. On the teacher copy, trace out a pathway through the maze.

Directions:
Today’s story is about a little boy in the Bible who was a great listener. Even as a little boy he listened to God’s voice and followed God. Later he grew up to be a great leader and prophet. Let’s play a game to see how good our listening skills are.

1. Hand out one maze sheet and a pencil to each child.
2. Slowly and clearly instruct the children to begin at the mouse and trace the path you have drawn out on your maze through your verbal instructions only. Point out the words on the maze that indicate right and left.
3. At the end of the path, have them draw cheese.
4. Compare their mazes with yours.
5. How well did they listen?

Prayer: Please begin your class with prayer each week. Pray your own or use the prayer printed below.
Dear God, Thank you for this day and for all who are here today. Be with us now as we learn more about your great love for us. Give us open hearts and open minds as we learn and play together. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Important Teacher Notes:
Each workshop includes the Bible story. One of our primary goals is to improve the children’s Bible literacy! If children did not bring their Bibles from home, use the classroom Bibles. Shepherds should help the children locate the stories. Use the handout “Helping Children Learn to Use their Bibles” and the Background Information to help you introduce the story.

Remember that as the rotation progresses; the children will become more familiar with the story. When this happens, allow the children to tell you what they know. The children should still locate the story in their Bibles every week. Use the bold headings in their Bibles to guide your discussion. You may want to review some of the Bible notes as well. Be sure to fill in any missing information and add additional details using the Background Information to help you. One of the greatest advantages of this model is that children who come regularly learn the story in great depth.

Each lesson contains more Background Information and discussion questions than can be used in one session. Remember, children are studying this story for four weeks! Be sure to follow the time guidelines and leave ample time for the activity.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Bible Study: Grades K-3
Introduce the Story.
Many years before Jesus was born, Moses led the Israelite people out of Egypt and through the desert. Then Moses died and the people needed someone to lead them and to help them after they came into the Promised Land. Judges became the new leaders for Israel. Judges were religious leaders in the community who helped the people follow God. Samuel was the last and greatest judge in Israel. This is his story.

Where would we find a story in the Bible that takes place many years before Jesus was born? (Old Testament) Let’s find the story of Samuel in our Bibles now. Help the children locate the “The Story of Samuel” in the Little Kids’ Adventure Bible, pages 109-113. Tell the story using the attached excerpt from the Children’s Illustrated Bible. Read and have the children look at the illustrations.

Help the children locate and review the following Bible notes:

Little Kids’ Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 109
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 110
Did you Know? How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 112

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Locate the verse and review with the children at this time. Have children with Bible bookmarks place their red ribbon bookmark here. Children with their own Bibles should highlight the verse with the Bible highlighters. Please do not mark in the classroom Bibles.
“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9


Reflect:

• What did Hannah pray for? (to have a child)
• Does God always answer prayers? (Yes, just not always the way we want!)
• Why is prayer so important? (it brings us closer to God, God wants to know about us and share our joys and concerns with God)
• Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God)
• How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (made him a new coat and brought it to him every year)
• What was the job of the priest? (to prepare the sacrifices, to keep the lamp burning, to take care of the tabernacle)
• How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God?
• Who spoke to Samuel one night? (God)
• What message did God give Samuel? (Eli’s sons would not inherit the priesthood)
• How does God talk to us? (through prayer, Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, Christian friends)
• How do we know what God wants us to do? (above)

Bible Study: Grades 4-5
After the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they approached the Promised Land. Here Moses died. The people came into the Promised Land and settled into a new way of life. The tabernacle that had been their portable worship tent, was now a permanent structure and kept in a town called Shiloh (point this out on the wall map). The Israelites came regularly to worship there. The Israelite people were governed by a series of leaders called judges. Judges were very religious and moral people who were very close to God. They helped the people understand God’s laws and how to behave in a way pleasing to God. Samuel was the last and greatest of Israel’s judges. This is his story…

This period in Israel’s history happened many years before Jesus was born. Where would we find the story of Samuel in the Bible? (Old Testament) Samuel’s story is found in the book of I and II Samuel. These are books of history. Let’s find the story in our Bibles now. Help the children locate I Samuel 1 in their Bibles. Children with Bible bookmarks can use their yellow ribbon bookmark to locate the books of history and move forward from there. This story is too long to be read in its entirety. Use the bold headings to help you paraphrase the scripture for them.

Read and discuss the following Bible notes:

NiRV Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 319
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 318
Did you Know? What was Eli’s sin? Page 320
How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 321

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Locate the verse and review with the children at this time. Have children with their own Bibles highlight the verse with the Bible highlighters.
“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Discussion Questions:

• What did Hannah pray for? (a child)
• Why did Hannah and Elkanah visit the tabernacle each year? (required by law, to make a sacrifice so that they could be forgiven for their sins – contrast this with how we are forgiven through Jesus!)
• How did Hannah feel after she prayed? (she felt a sense of peace, was no longer troubled)
• How was Hannah’s prayer answered? (she had a son, Samuel)
• Does God always answer prayers? (Yes, just not always the way we want!)
• Why is prayer so important? (it brings us closer to God, God wants to know about us and share our joys and concerns with God)
• Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God)
• How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (made him a new coat and brought it to him every year)

Grades 4-5: Contrast Hannah’s Prayer of Thanksgiving with Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55.

• What was the job of the priest? (to prepare the sacrifices, to keep the lamp burning, to take care of the tabernacle)
• How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God?
• Who spoke to Samuel one night? (God)
• What message did God give Samuel? (Eli’s sons would not inherit the priesthood)
• How does God talk to us? (through prayer, Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, Christian friends)
• How do we know what God wants us to do? (above)

Are You Listening? – Grades K-1
(Adapted from Games Children Should Play, Mary K. Cihak and Barbara J. Heron, Goodyear Publishing Co., 1980)

Supplies:

• Flannel Board
• Felt (6 - 9X12 inch pieces will make 6 sets)
• Plain construction paper or copy paper – 1 per child
• Patterns for six geometric shapes (circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle and star) – see attached

Advanced Preparations:
Cut out the geometric shapes from the felt so that six shapes come from each sheet of felt.

Directions:

1. Divide the children into groups with several children in each group.
2. Hand out the four sets of geometric shapes, one set per group of children. Keep one set of geometric shapes for the leader.
3. Have each group of children arrange the shapes on their piece of paper. Shapes may be separate or overlapping. Instruct groups to keep their designs hidden from other groups.
4. Choose one group’s design to describe. Have another group go to the flannel board.
5. Slowly and clearly, instruct the group at the flannel board to recreate the design.
6. When they are done, compare the two designs. How well did they listen?
7. Choose another group’s design and repeat, having another group do the arranging at the flannel board.
8.  Repeat with the other groups.

Option: Give a set of geometric shapes to each pair of children and have them take turns giving directions and listening to directions.

Are You Listening? - Grades 2-5
(Adapted from Games Children Should Play, Mary K. Cihak and Barbara J. Heron, Goodyear Publishing Co., 1980)

This is a modification of a classic communication game. Because our focus is on listening (rather than speaking), the game has been modified so that the teacher gives the instructions at first. Be sure the instructions are simple and clear. We can’t expect children to follow fuzzy directions!

Supplies:

• Copy paper with a large oval drawn in the center – see attached sheet
• Pencils or markers
• Flip chart or blackboard

Advanced Preparations:

• Copy the handouts – one per child (make additional copies if you want to include the Option at the end of the activity)

Directions:

1. Give each child one handout with a blank oval on it.
2. Have children draw a face on the oval without looking at one another’s work.
3. Invite one child to come to the blackboard or flip chart.
4. Choose a face that was drawn by another child and clearly and slowly give instructions on how to draw the face.
5. Compare the original face with the face that was copied. How well did they listen?
6. Repeat with several other faces.

Option for 4-5 Graders: If time allows, you may want to follow up the teacher-led instructions by allowing the children to give instructions. Divide them into pairs and have them to take turns giving instructions and drawing. Then switch. Compare the drawings. Typically, the drawings are quite different. Follow up with a discussion about whose directions can be trusted. God always gives us good instructions. His guidance can always be trusted!


Reflection after Activity (all grades):

• What makes a good listener? (looking at the person speaking, not talking to other people, paying attention and thinking about what the speaker is saying, asking questions if you don’t understand, not interrupting the speaker)
• Why is it important to be a good listener? (to help us understand things, to keep us from doing wrong things, to keep us safe, to get along well with others)
• What makes it difficult to listen? (distractions, other people talking or moving, TV, music, not paying attention, thinking about other things, being too busy, etc.)
• In this story to whom did Samuel listen? (Eli and God)
• To whom should we listen? (parents, teachers, God)
• How can we listen to God? (through prayer, through reading our Bibles, through worship, listening to sermons, coming to Sunday school, listening to parents who love us and want to keep us safe, listening to teachers and Christian friends who want what is best for us) 

Samuel was a little boy, but already he knew how to listen to God. Later Samuel grew up to be one of the greatest judges and prophets in all Israel. God wants us to listen to him and to follow him. When we listen to God, we learn more about God and how to be the kind of person God wants us to be.

Like everything we do, the more we practice, the better we get. How can we practice listening to God? (having a quiet time for 5-15 minutes, having times of silence while we pray, paying attention to what the Bible says when we read it, listening in church, reading a devotional book, repeating a scripture verse silently to ourselves over and over, etc.). As children name the ways to practice listening to God, list them on the flip chart or white board.

Let’s think about which of these things we can do this month as we study about Samuel.

Have children choose a listening activity to do this month and write it down on their maze handout. If time allows, have them write down the memory verse on their maze sheet also.

Reflection/Journal Time:
The last 10 minutes should be reserved for Journal and Reflection time. This is an opportunity for processing and reflection about what the children have learned. Ask the shepherds to pass out the journals and pencils/pens and the journal sticker for the day. (Note: Journal questions are color-coded for each age group – purple for K-3 and blue for 4-5.) Workshop leaders and shepherds should sit down with children in small groups to facilitate discussion and writing in Faith Journals. Memory verse stickers are also included for each lesson. Children may also copy the memory verse and illustrate.

Journal Questions:
Have children share their listening to God ideas as discussed above. If time allows, have them write in their journals the activity they have chosen. K-1 graders may simply draw a picture showing what they will do.

Closing:

Clean-up: Encourage the children to help clean up. Put away all game supplies.

Closing prayer: Gather the children together. Review with them one word or concept that they learned during today’s session. (listening, paying attention, prayer, worship are some suggestions) Encourage them to come back next week and to bring a friend, especially a friend who does not have a church home. Remind them to bring their Bibles. Ask for prayer requests and close with prayer.

Remind children to bring items for our Baby Shower Mission Project!

Release children only to parents or by prior permission of parents after signing out on class clipboards.

After your rotation is completed, please:

• Remember to return all supplies to the storage areas in the classroom or the supply closet in the hallway. Please help us keep our rooms neat!
• Please bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace the trashcan liner – extras are found in the hallway storage closet.
• Fill out your evaluation form and return! We use these to improve our lessons, so please take the time to do this!
• Return un-used journal questions and lesson materials (you may leave them in the classroom).
• Fill out the reimbursement form, attach receipts and turn in to the office.
• Thanks for being part of our G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Team!
• Let us know if you would like to teach again!

A lesson written by Jaymie Derden from: State Street UMC

Bristol, VA

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Samuel

Drama Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:
Children will explore the story through Frozen Statue dramas of the different characters.

For scripture and objectives, see above.

Preparation and Room Set Up:

• Review the Background Information, Behavioral Covenant, Teaching Tips and Lesson plan.
• Prepare the Character and Situation slips.
• Preview the Rotation Music CD. Play the music as children arrive and during journaling.

General Tips for Drama Facilitators

• You may wish to organize costumes or puppets ahead of time to cut down on a flurry of activity and possible hurt feelings. Have props ready ahead of time. This is especially important for the younger children. The older children often are very creative with props and costumes.
• You will want to limit the amount of time the children are allowed to dress-up. (They can easily spend the entire class time selecting costumes!)
• Be sure that all children are involved in some way. Some children are intimidated by the prospect of being on a stage. Offer them alternative roles as well as the children who do not have main parts. They can always be “sound effects” or “crowds” or stagehands to help change scenery, or video camera operators (for the older children). Remember as well that children can draw the backdrop for the drama on the blackboard or videotape the plays (older children).
• To eliminate competition, you may wish to place the names of characters in a hat and have children choose their parts.
•  Be sure to explain the activity to the children and ask for questions.
• Even though videotaping the activities may seem unnecessary, videotaping seems to encourage better behavior from the children.
•  Have fun and make this fun for the children!
•  The purpose of the drama workshop is not to create a polished performance. Through the activity, children will explore the story in depth. Feel free to pause and discuss details as they arise, add more information (using the Background information and resources) and answer questions along the way. 

Please start on time!

Time Guidelines:

• Welcome and Introductions 10 minutes
• Bible Study 10 minutes
• Walking on Water Drama 30 minutes
• Reflection/Closing 10 minutes

Supplies List:

• Basket
• Character/Situation slips

Presentation

Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introductions:
Early Arrival Activity: Have children write “The Story of Samuel” on the blackboard.

Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Make sure everyone is wearing a nametag. Please include the shepherd in introductions. Give the children a simple one or two-sentence synopsis of the day’s activity.

Prayer: Please begin your class with prayer each week. Pray your own or use the prayer printed below.
Dear God, Thank you for this day and for everyone who is here today. Be with us now as we learn about a young boy who listened to you and became a great prophet. AMEN.

Important Teacher Notes:
Each workshop includes the Bible story. One of our primary goals is to improve the children’s Bible literacy! If children did not bring their Bibles from home, use the classroom Bibles. Shepherds should help the children locate the stories. Use the handout “Helping Children Learn to Use their Bibles” and the Background Information to help you introduce the story.

Remember that as the rotation progresses; the children will become more familiar with the story. When this happens, allow the children to tell you what they know. The children should still locate the story in their Bibles every week. Use the bold headings in their Bibles to guide your discussion. You may want to review some of the Bible notes as well. Be sure to fill in any missing information and add additional details using the Background Information to help you. One of the greatest advantages of this model is that children who come regularly learn the story in great depth.

Each lesson contains more Background Information and discussion questions than can be used in one session. Remember, children are studying this story for four weeks! Be sure to follow the time guidelines and leave ample time for the activity.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Bible Study: Grades K-3
Many, many years before Jesus was born and after the people of Israel settled into the Promised Land, they were led by important religious leaders called judges. Judges were very strong, moral religious leaders who helped the people understand God’s messages. One of the greatest judges during this time was Samuel. This is his story…

Where would we find a story that took place before Jesus was born? (Old Testament)
Help the children locate “The story of Samuel” on page 109-113 in the Little Kids’ Adventure Bible. Children with Bible bookmarks can use their blue ribbon bookmark to locate the Old Testament and move forward from there. The story is too long to be read in its entirety. Use the excerpt from the Children’s Illustrated Bible or paraphrase the story from their Bible.
Help the children locate and review the following Bible notes:

Little Kids’ Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 109
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 110
Did you Know? How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 112

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Locate the verse and review with the children at this time. Have children with Bible bookmarks place their red ribbon bookmark here. Children with their own Bibles should highlight the verse with the Bible highlighters. Please do not mark in the classroom Bibles.
“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Reflect:

• What did Hannah pray for? (to have a child)
• Does God always answer prayers? (Yes, just not always the way we want!)
• Why is prayer so important? (it brings us closer to God, God wants to know about us and share our joys and concerns with God)
• Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God)

Compare Hannah’s dedication of Samuel to God to the promises we make to children at baptism – to help them grow in faith and to help them become strong Christians.

• How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God?
• How does our church help you grow to love and serve God?
• How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (made him a new coat and brought it to him every year)
• Who spoke to Samuel one night? (God)
• What message did God give Samuel? (Eli’s sons would not inherit the priesthood)
• How does God talk to us? (through prayer, Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, Christian friends)
• How do we know what God wants us to do? (above)

Bible Study: Grades 4-5
After the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they approached the Promised Land. Here Moses died. The people came into the Promised Land and settled into a new way of life. The tabernacle that had been their portable worship tent, was now a permanent structure and kept in a town called Shiloh. The Israelites came regularly to worship there. The Israelite people were governed by a series of leaders called judges. Judges were very religious and moral people who were very close to God. They helped the people understand God’s laws and how to behave in a way pleasing to God. Samuel was the last and greatest of Israel’s judges. This is his story…

This period in Israel’s history happened many years before Jesus was born. Where would we find the story of Samuel in the Bible? (Old Testament)
Samuel’s story is found in the book of I and II Samuel. These are books of history. Let’s find the story in our Bibles now.
Help the children locate I Samuel 1 in their Bibles. Children with Bible bookmarks can use their yellow ribbon bookmark to locate the books of history and move forward from there. This story is too long to be read in its entirety. Use the bold headings to help you paraphrase the scripture for them.

Read and discuss the following Bible notes:
NiRV Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 319
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 318
Did you Know? What was Eli’s sin? Page 320
How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 321

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Locate the verse and review with the children at this time. Have children with their own Bibles highlight the verse with the Bible highlighters.
“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Discussion Questions:

• What did Hannah pray for? (a child)
• Why did Hannah and Elkanah visit the tabernacle each year? (required by law, to make a sacrifice so that they could be forgiven for their sins – contrast this with how we are forgiven through Jesus!)
• How did Hannah feel after she prayed? (she felt a sense of peace, was no longer troubled)
• How was Hannah’s prayer answered? (she had a son, Samuel)
• Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God, to dedicate him to God)
• How is this like the promises we make when a child is baptized in our church? (see the Baptismal covenant from the United Methodist Hymnal attached to this lesson)
• How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God? How does our church support you and you’re you grow to love and serve God?
• How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (made him a new coat and brought it to him every year)

Look up I Samuel 2:1-10 (Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving). Look up Luke 1:46-55. Who is praying here? (Mary) Mary’s prayer is very similar to Hannah’s prayer. Mary would have heard stories of Hannah and would have known about her prayer.

Frozen Statues: The Story of Samuel
Using the dramatic technique of frozen statues, children will explore the various characters in the story.
(Idea adapted from Act it Out, Randy L. Ritz, Standard Publishing Company, 1999)

Characters/Situations

1. Hannah is upset because she doesn’t have a child.
2. Elkanah tries to comfort Hannah.
3. Peninnah teases Hannah because she has no children.
4. Hannah prays to God for a child.
5. Eli listens to Hannah praying and thinks she is drunk.
6. Eli talks to Hannah.
7. Hannah has a baby.
8. Hannah cares for Samuel.
9. Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord.
10. Eli cares for Samuel.
11. Samuel hears God calling.
12. Eli tells Samuel to answer God.
13. Samuel grows up to be a mighty prophet.

Supplies:

• Basket to hold Character/Situation slips

Advanced Preparations:

• Cut apart the character and situation slips and put into a bag or basket.

Directions:

• Divide children into pairs.
• One child is the sculptor and one is the clay.
•  Have each pair select a character and situation from the basket.
• Give each group 1-2 minutes to think about how they will demonstrate their character/situation. Have them think about the following questions:

a. Who is this character?
b. What was happening in this part of the story?
c. How did the characters feel?

• The clay should be silent while being sculpted. The sculptor will pose the clay in an appropriate pose for the character selected. For example: If the character is Hannah at the Temple, the sculptor might pose the clay in a kneeling position, praying. The clay may move to show an action, but then must freeze at the end and wait for the audience to guess who and what part of the story is being dramatized.
• One at a time, have the groups come forward. The rest of the group must try to guess who the character is and what part of the story is being dramatized.
• Have each group take turns dramatizing all the characters and situations. Be sure to have the shepherd take pictures!
• Pause to discuss the situations between dramatizations.
• When all the situations have been dramatized, have the children sequence the character slips so that the story is told in order. 

Modifications for K-1:
Divide the children into pairs – sculptors and clay. Instead of drawing characters from a basket, call out the characters and the situations. Call them out in order to help the children remember the correct story sequence. Have children take turns being the sculptors and the clay.

Reflection/Journal Time:
The last 10 minutes should be reserved for Journal and Reflection time. This is an opportunity for processing and reflection about what the children have learned. Ask the shepherds to pass out the journals and pencils/pens and the journal sticker for the day. (Note: Journal questions are color-coded for each age group – purple for K-1, red for 2-3 and blue for 4-5.) Workshop leaders and shepherds should sit down with children in small groups to facilitate discussion and writing in Faith Journals. Memory verse stickers are also included for each lesson. Children may also copy the memory verse and illustrate.

Journal Questions:
Grades K-1: Draw a picture of Samuel being dedicated to God. Draw a picture of a baby being baptized.
Grades 2-5: We don’t leave children at church to live, but we can still serve the church and God. How can you serve God at our church?

Closing:

Closing prayer: Gather the children together in a circle. Review with them one word or concept that they learned during today’s session. (listen, hear, pray, serve, dedicated, baptism are some suggestions) Encourage them to come back next week and to bring a friend, especially a friend who does not have a church home. Remind them to bring their Bibles. Ask for prayer requests and close with prayer. Perhaps one of the children would like to pray? Or ask the children to pray out loud or silently one at a time. Have them say “Amen” when they are finished so the next child can pray.

REMIND THE CHILDREN TO BRING BABY SHOWER ITEMS TO CHURCH THIS MONTH AND PLACE IN THE COLLECTION BASKETS IN THE HALLWAY!

Clean-up: Encourage the children to help you clean up. Place all props and other materials in the prop closet or the storage cabinet.

Release children only to parents or by prior permission of parents after signing out on class clipboards.


After your rotation is completed, please:

• Remember to return all supplies to the storage areas in the classroom or the supply closet in the hallway. Please help us keep our rooms neat!
• Please bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace the trashcan liner – extras are found in the hallway storage closet.
• Fill out your evaluation form and return! We use these to improve our lessons, so please take the time to do this!
• Return un-used journal questions and lesson materials (you may leave them in the classroom).
• Fill out the reimbursement form, attach receipts and turn in to the office.
•  Thanks for being part of our G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Team!
• Let us know if you would like to teach again!

Characters/Situations

Directions: Copy and cut apart. Place in basket for Statues Drama.


Hannah is upset because she doesn’t have a child.

Elkanah tries to comfort Hannah.

Peninnah teases Hannah because she has no children.

Hannah prays to God for a child.

Eli listens to Hannah praying and thinks she is drunk.

Eli talks to Hannah.

Hannah has a baby.

Hannah cares for Samuel.

Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord.

Eli cares for Samuel.

Samuel hears God calling.

Eli tells Samuel to answer God.

Samuel grows up to be a mighty prophet.

A lesson written by Jaymie Derden from: State Street UMC

Bristol, VA

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Samuel

Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

The children will each make a dream catcher that will remind them that God spoke to Samuel in his dreams.

For scripture and objectives, see above.

Important note for Art workshop leaders:
The purpose of the Art workshop is for the Bible lesson to be reinforced through creative and hands-on activities. The children may make something that they can take home to help remind them of the monthly theme or they may work together as a team to make something for the church to display.

Preparation and Room Set-Up:

• Review background information, teaching tips and lesson materials.
• Gather necessary supplies
• Cover the tables with the old tablecloths
• Review the Music CD. Plan to play the music as the children arrive, work on their art projects and during journal time. 

Please start on time!

Time guidelines:

• Welcome and introductions 5 minutes
• Bible Study 15 minutes
• Dream Catchers 30 minutes
• Journals/Closing 10 minutes

Supplies List:

• 3” plastic or metal rings
• Double sided tape
• Yarn, cut into 7 foot sections and 5 foot sections (one of each for every dream catcher)
• Small Christian charms
• Scissors
• Plastic pony beads (optional)

Presentation

Opening-Welcome and Introduction:
Welcome all children and introduce yourself. Make sure each child is wearing a nametag. Give the children a simple one or two sentence synopsis of what you will be doing during the workshop.

Opening Prayer: You may have a prayer of your own or pray something like this…
Dear Lord, We know that You are calling us to do Your work here. Help us to understand how You have used others in the Bible to spread Your word because they were willing to listen to Your call. Amen.

Important Teacher Notes:
Each workshop begins with the Bible story. One of the primary goals is to improve the children’s Bible literacy! If children did not bring their Bibles from home, use the classroom Bibles. Shepherds should help the children locate the stories. Use the handout “Helping Children Learn to use their Bibles” and Background information to help you introduce the story.

** Remember, that as the rotation progresses, the children will become familiar with the story. When this happens, allow the children to tell you what they know. The children should still locate the story in their Bibles every week. Use the bold headings in their Bibles to guide your discussion. You can then fill in any missing information and add additional details using the Background information. One of the greatest advantages of this model is that the children who come regularly learn the story in great depth.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Bible Study: K-3
Introduction:
Paraphrase the story of Samuel in the Little Kid’s Adventure Bible from pages 109-111. Explain that Elkanah was married to Hannah and Hannah had not been able to have children. Every year they would traveled to the tabernacle in Shiloh. There they would make a sacrifice and pray to God for the forgiveness of their sins. Hannah was always sad about not being able to have children. The priest at the tabernacle was Eli. During one of their trips to Shiloh, Eli heard Hannah praying very hard, asking God to give her a son. She made a promise to God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate his life to the Lord. God did in fact bless Hannah with a son and Hannah followed through with her promise. She named her son Samuel which means “asked of God.” Hannah kept Samuel with her until he no longer needed her to nurse him and then she took him to Eli. Even though Samuel was very young, she knew that he should serve the Lord in Shiloh at the tabernacle, and study with the priest, Eli. Hannah and Elkanah would visit Samuel as often as they could, but Samuel stayed with Eli and learned how he should serve the Lord.

Samuel lived many years before Jesus. Where would we find his story in the Bible? (Old Testament) Let’s find his story in our Bibles now. Help the children locate “The Story of Samuel” in the Little Kids’ Adventure Bible, pages 109-113. Paraphrase the text pointing out the paragraph headings as the children follow along in their Bibles.

Read the following Bible Notes:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 109
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 110
Did you Know? How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 112

So Eli continued to teach Samuel about the priesthood until he died. Samuel followed God’s will throughout his life. He became a great prophet.

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Review it with them at this time. Children with their own Bibles should highlight the memory verse using the Bible highlighters. Please do not mark in the classroom Bibles. Children with Bible ribbon bookmarks should also mark the location of the memory verse with their red ribbon.

“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Discussion Questions:

1. Why was Hannah so sad when she went to pray at the tabernacle? (she could not have children)
2. When she went to the tabernacle one year, she first made a sacrifice to God for the forgiveness of her sins. Then she asked God for something. What did she want so badly? (a child)
3. How was Hannah’s prayer answered? (she had a son, Samuel)
4. Does God always answer prayers? (Yes, just not always the way we want!)
5. Why is prayer so important? (it brings us closer to God, God wants to know about us and share our joys and concerns with God)
6. Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God.)
7. How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (she visited him as often as she could, and made him a new coat every year)
8. How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God?
9.  Who spoke to Samuel one night? (God)
10. What message did God give Samuel? (Eli’s sons would not inherit the priesthood)
11. How does God talk to us? (through prayer, Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, Christian friends)
12. How do we know what God wants us to do? (above)

Bible Study - Grades 4-5:
Introduction:
Paraphrase the story of Samuel in the Adventure Bible for Young Readers, 1 Samuel 1-2. Explain that Elkanah was married to Hannah and Hannah had not been able to have children. Every year they would travel to the tabernacle in Shiloh. There they would make a sacrifice and pray to God for the forgiveness of their sins. Hannah was always sad about not being able to have children. The high priest at the tabernacle was Eli. That meant he was in charge of guiding the people of Israel according to God’s Word and messages. He performed the sacrifices at the Tabernacle for the forgiveness of sins. During one of their trips to Shiloh, Eli heard Hannah praying very hard, asking God to give her a son. She made a promise to God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate his life to the Lord. God did in fact bless Hannah with a son and Hannah followed through with her promise. She named her son Samuel which means “asked of God.” Hannah kept Samuel with her until he no longer needed her to nurse him and then she took him to Eli. Even though Samuel was very young, she knew that he should serve the Lord in Shiloh at the tabernacle, and study with the priest, Eli. Hannah and Elkanah would visit Samuel as often as they could, but Samuel stayed with Eli and learned how he should serve the Lord. Samuel lived with Eli and learned about the priesthood.

Samuel lived many years before Jesus was born, during the time of the judges. Where would we find his story in the Bible? (Old Testament) We can read about Samuel in the books of the Bible that are named after him: I and II Samuel. These are books of history. Let’s find the story in our Bibles now. Help the children locate 1 Samuel 3: 1-21. Children with ribbon bookmarks can use their yellow ribbon bookmark to locate the books of history and more forward from there. Read as the children follow along (or ask a volunteer to read.)

Read the following Bible notes:
NiRV Adventure Bible:
People in Bible Times: Samuel, page 319
Let’s Live It: A gift to and from God, page 318
Did you Know? What was Eli’s sin? Page 320
How old was Samuel when God called him in the night? Page 321

So Eli continued to teach Samuel about the priesthood until he died. Samuel followed God’s will throughout his life and became one of the greatest of God’s prophets.

Memory Verse: Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize one verse. Review it with them at this time. Children with their own Bibles should use the Bible highlighters to highlight the memory verse. Please do not mark in the classroom Bibles.

“Speak Lord, I’m listening.” I Samuel 3:9

Discussion Questions:

1. Why was Hannah so sad when she went to pray at the tabernacle? (she could not have children)
2. When she went to the tabernacle one year, she first made a sacrifice to God for the forgiveness of her sins. Then she asked God for something. What did she want so badly? (a child)
3. What was the job of the priest? (to prepare the sacrifices, to keep the lamp burning, to take care of the tabernacle)
4. How was Hannah’s prayer answered? (she had a son, Samuel)
5. Does God always answer prayers? (Yes, just not always the way we want!)
6. Why is prayer so important? (it brings us closer to God, God wants to know about us and share our joys and concerns with God)
7. Why did Hannah bring Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest? (to fulfill her promise to God.)
8. How did Hannah show that she loved Samuel after he went to live with Eli? (she visited him as often as she could, and made him a new coat every year)
9. How do your parents help you grow to love and serve God?
10. Who spoke to Samuel one night? (God)
11. What message did God give Samuel? (Eli’s sons would not inherit the priesthood)
12. How does God talk to us? (through prayer, Bible, preachers, teachers, parents, Christian friends)
13. How do we know what God wants us to do? (above)

Samuel’s Dream Catchers (Grades 2-5)
The children will each make a dream catcher that they can take home. It is believed in the Native American culture that the dream catchers “catch” any bad dreams and only allow good dreams to pass through. These will remind them of the fact that God can speak to them in many different ways, just as God spoke to Samuel in his dreams.

Supplies:

• 3” plastic or metal rings
• Double sided tape
• Yarn, cut into 7 foot sections and 5 foot sections (one of each for every dream catcher)
• Small Christian charms
• Scissors
• Plastic pony beads (optional)

Advanced Preparation:

• Cover all tables with old tablecloths.
• Set out supplies.
• Cut all yarn lengths needed for the project.
• For 2-3 grade group, begin the yarn wrappings and wrap about halfway around the rings

Directions:
Step 1:

1. Place a 1.5 inch piece of double sided tape on the ring, lengthwise, and wrap it tightly around the ring.
2. Tie a knot with one end of the 7-foot piece of yarn onto the ring.
3. Begin by pressing the small string from the knot onto the tape and wrap over it so that it is completely hidden under the wrapped string. Wrap the yarn around the ring, tightly, making sure there aren’t any gaps between the yarn as you wrap it.
4. Once back at the beginning, tie another knot and cut the string.

Step 2:

1. Near the knots on the ring, tie a knot with the 5-foot section of yarn.
2. Move along the ring about an inch at a time and tie a half hitch knot, making a “bridge” of yarn in between. Try to have the same amount of tension between each half hitch to ensure an even circle.
3. Continue around the ring, until you get back to the beginning, so that you have a half hitch about every inch on the ring and a “bridge of yarn in between every two half hitches. Do not cut the string, simply continue to step 3.

Step 3:

1. Begin a second round of tying half hitches by tying the first one on the middle of the first “bridge” of yarn (that runs between the first two half hitches you tied on the first round).
2. Continue tying half hitches in the middle of each “bridge.”

Step 4:

1. Continue tying half hitches on subsequent rounds until there is a small hole in the middle of the dream catcher.
2. Tie a knot at the center and allow about a 5” length of yarn to fall from the center.

Step 5:

1. Tie a charm at the end of the piece of yarn hanging from the center of the dream catcher.

Step 6:

1. Cut a piece of yarn approx. 5” in length.
2. Tie the two ends together.
3. Lay over the dream catcher at the top of the ring.
4. Pull one of the ends through the loop on the other side so that the loop is secure as a hanger for the dream catcher.

Step 7:

1. If time allows, the children may cut yarn in 7” sections and tie onto the bottom of the dream catcher. Fold the yarn in half. Place the folded side under the dream catcher at the bottom. Pull the two strings back through the loop and pull, securing the yarn. They can then string a few beads onto the yarn and secure them with a knot.

Samuel’s Dream Catchers (Grades K-1)
K-1 graders will make simple dream catchers using cardstock and yarn.
These directions need to be added… from our art workshop leader. (Basically these were just cardstock circles with small holes punched in them. Children threaded yard in and out of the holes and let some of the yarn dangle down. Add charms if desired.)

Closing:

Clean up: Gather all supplies and encourage each child to clean his/her own work area. Please return all leftover supplies to the storage cabinet. Wipe down counters and tables. Bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace the trashcan liner. Extras are found in the hallway storage closet.

Gather the children together before leaving. Review with them one word or concept from today’s session. Suggestions include: listening, dreams, hearing God’s word, obeying God. Ask for prayer requests and pray together.

Dear Lord, We have enjoyed our time here together. We know You are with us wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Thank you for Your guidance and for showing us through Samuel that You call each of us in different ways. May we always remember to listen to Your call. Amen.

REMIND CHILDREN TO BRING BABY ITEMS FOR OUR BABY SHOWER MISSION PROJECT!

Release children only to parents or by prior permission of parents. Make sure parents sign their children out on the classroom clipboards.

After your rotation is completed, please:

• Remember to return all supplies to the storage areas in the classroom or the supply closet in the hallway. Please help us keep our rooms neat!
• Please bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace the trashcan liner – extras are found in the hallway storage closet.
• Fill out your evaluation form and return! We use these to improve our lessons, so please take the time to do this!
• Return un-used journal questions and lesson materials (you may leave them in the classroom).
• Fill out the reimbursement form, attach receipts and turn in to the office. Mark all receipts “Sunday school supplies.”
• Thanks for being part of our G.R.E.A.T. Adventure Team!
• Let us know if you would like to teach again.

A lesson written by Jaymie Derden from: State Street UMC

Bristol, VA

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Cooking Modification

Thanks for the great lesson set! We just completed our Samuel rotation and I would like to post a modification we did to the cooking lesson. For the life of me, I could not figure out how to make the pretzel sticks fit into the raisins! Perhaps some areas of the country have bigger, plumper raisins than what we have in Ohio!, but I simply could not get that part to work. Instead, we provided a choice of large marshmallows or prunes for the Samuel "bodies." [Note: only 1 child chose the prune!] In any case, even our pre-K kids were able to make the Samuels using the marshmallow as the body. They very much enjoyed this lesson. I had the 3rd & 4th graders our final week of rotation and let them create Samuel any way they wanted so we could use up our leftovers.