Most all of the games and online lessons on this web site have been “kid tested” in the classroom. For the last 25 years I have taught a 4th grade “Through the Bible in a Year” curriculum. Many of the games were developed to support this curriculum and have been modified because of feedback and experience with my students. The games can be run from the internet, if a connection is available, or downloaded to a PC and run without an internet connection. Here are some of the lessons I have learned through the years that have shaped these resources:
1. When launching the games leave the team names blank, the team names will default to Team 1 and Team 2. I have found it difficult to come up with a consensus on a team name if the teams are larger than 3 or 4 students and it’s always good to avoid arguments on the front end.
2. Allow students to discuss their answer with other team members when it’s their turn. Even though that student is ultimately responsible for providing the answer, allowing discussion keeps everyone involved.
3. Allow students to pass their turn to another team member if they are uncomfortable. This is particularly true for guests who may not have much exposure to the Bible.
4. Choose a game that fits with the lesson topic. I most often choose games that cover the same content as the lesson.
5. Don’t allot more than 20-30 minutes to play a game, leave them wanting more. Normally I play the games at the end of class.
6. Use a variety of methods for dividing into teams so students aren’t on the same team each week.
7. Don’t give out prizes.
8. Only play games if time allows and the students have participated constructively in the lesson.
9. If you make a rule make sure it is understood before the game begins, and if you make a rule keep it.
10. Have fun and laugh a lot, it’s always contagious.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
A box of chocolates
In my Sunday morning class I love to encourage discussion. But asking an open ended question to a group of fourth graders is like the proverbial box of chocolates, you just never know what you are going to get. This past Sunday our topic was the book of Judges. My open ended question to the class was, “Who or what comes to your mind when you think of a famous judge?”
Now, being in a Bible class I’m thinking maybe I’ll get a Samson or Gideon answer. But I realize I did not specify a judge in the Bible, so I’m ready for Judge Judy or a general answer such as a person that wears a robe and sits in a courtroom. So I wasn’t quite prepared when the first answer I received was Jennifer Lopez. Those of you who are up on your pop culture are probably thinking that was a great answer, but I have to admit it took me a while to connect the dots. My light bulb did eventually illuminate when I remembered that Jennifer Lopez replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol. Opening the box of chocolates with my fourth grade class almost always makes me smile.
It also serves to remind me that even though my ship hasn’t sailed totally over the horizon yet, the gap between me and my fourth graders is getting wider. The things that shaped my experience growing up are different than the things shaping our kids today. In the midst of all this change it is comforting to realize that one thing will never change. God’s love is the same yesterday, as it is today, and will be tomorrow.
Now, being in a Bible class I’m thinking maybe I’ll get a Samson or Gideon answer. But I realize I did not specify a judge in the Bible, so I’m ready for Judge Judy or a general answer such as a person that wears a robe and sits in a courtroom. So I wasn’t quite prepared when the first answer I received was Jennifer Lopez. Those of you who are up on your pop culture are probably thinking that was a great answer, but I have to admit it took me a while to connect the dots. My light bulb did eventually illuminate when I remembered that Jennifer Lopez replaced Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol. Opening the box of chocolates with my fourth grade class almost always makes me smile.
It also serves to remind me that even though my ship hasn’t sailed totally over the horizon yet, the gap between me and my fourth graders is getting wider. The things that shaped my experience growing up are different than the things shaping our kids today. In the midst of all this change it is comforting to realize that one thing will never change. God’s love is the same yesterday, as it is today, and will be tomorrow.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Behind the scenes
If you are a repeat visitor to the Creative Learning Ideas web site it may appear that very little has changed recently. Actually there is a lot going on, but it may be in an area of the web site that you may not use.
For the last month or two I have been enhancing the Online Lessons. I’ve changed the format to a flip-book presentation. All of the lessons have been converted to this new presentation format and now I am going back and adding the ‘icing on the cake’. The icing includes small Video Snippets, Tic Tac Toe Review games, and Before or After questions. These are cosmetic enhancements but my hope is it will make the lessons more engaging and interactive. My guess is that it will take about 6 months to complete these enhancements.
I’ve mentioned it in past posts but I really do appreciate the comments being left on the Guestbook. It’s encouraging to know others are finding the resources on the web site useful. If you get a chance leave me a note, no personal information is required and I don’t collect email addresses. In particular, I like to hear what resources on the web site are most useful to you. I use this feedback to decide where to make my next enhancements.
Until my next post, may God bless you in His service.
For the last month or two I have been enhancing the Online Lessons. I’ve changed the format to a flip-book presentation. All of the lessons have been converted to this new presentation format and now I am going back and adding the ‘icing on the cake’. The icing includes small Video Snippets, Tic Tac Toe Review games, and Before or After questions. These are cosmetic enhancements but my hope is it will make the lessons more engaging and interactive. My guess is that it will take about 6 months to complete these enhancements.
I’ve mentioned it in past posts but I really do appreciate the comments being left on the Guestbook. It’s encouraging to know others are finding the resources on the web site useful. If you get a chance leave me a note, no personal information is required and I don’t collect email addresses. In particular, I like to hear what resources on the web site are most useful to you. I use this feedback to decide where to make my next enhancements.
Until my next post, may God bless you in His service.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Brain teasers and riddles
Over the years of teaching a 4th grade Bible class on Sunday mornings I have discovered that the start of class, as the kids are entering the room, is the most challenging. They are usually full of energy ready to do “something”. Channeling that energy into an activity that doesn’t necessarily involve running, throwing, or loud voices can be difficult. I have tried many things without success until I accidently stumbled on an activity that involves their brains instead of physical activity. As they enter the room I give them a ‘brain teaser’ or ‘riddle’. For some reason that I don’t fully understand, the kids love them. I have been using the same set of riddles for about 4 years now. The kids pick up their riddle as they enter the room, sit down and start thinking. When they think they know the answer they will come up and whisper it in my ear. I didn’t design that arrangement, it just happens, year after year.
After all the students arrive, and class formally starts, we reveal the answer; at which point I collect the paper the riddles are written on and begin my lesson. They can take a riddle with them at the end of class, which most of them do to share with their family.
I have incorporated these riddles into the Class Newsletters that I have added to the CreativeLearningIdeas.com web site (Newsletters/Worksheets Heading). The Class Newsletters also have a Bible name picture puzzle, memory verse, and fun facts. These Newsletters can be used ‘as is’ or can be downloaded and modified with Word. I hope you will find these as useful as I have.
After all the students arrive, and class formally starts, we reveal the answer; at which point I collect the paper the riddles are written on and begin my lesson. They can take a riddle with them at the end of class, which most of them do to share with their family.
I have incorporated these riddles into the Class Newsletters that I have added to the CreativeLearningIdeas.com web site (Newsletters/Worksheets Heading). The Class Newsletters also have a Bible name picture puzzle, memory verse, and fun facts. These Newsletters can be used ‘as is’ or can be downloaded and modified with Word. I hope you will find these as useful as I have.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Up with Downloading
I can’t believe my last post was in December and it is already February. If you visit the web site regularly hopefully you noticed some very significant changes. You can now download all of the games and lessons to your local computer. You might ask, “Why didn’t you do that before now?” Here are some of my reasons:
1. I rationalized that if people downloaded the games and lessons they would have no reason to return to the web site. After much thought and prayer I came to the conclusion that my ultimate goal is to provide resources useful to Bible teachers and students. I realized that the resources on the web site were only useful when there was an internet connection available. Even though this is becoming more common, there are still plenty of church buildings and classrooms that do not have access. Surprisingly, traffic on the web site has actually increased since making the downloads available….go figure.
2. Another reason I haven’t made these available is that I was afraid people would turn around and try to sell these free resources to others. I have resisted the temptation to commercialize the web site (there was actually about 1 week where I had an online store link which has since been removed). The best defense against this is for everyone to spread the word about these free resources. If everyone knows about them, then who would pay for something that they can get for free? Remember, it’s more blessed to give than to receive.
3. The last reason is purely selfish. Each game, lesson, or cartoon represents a part of me and sometimes it’s just hard to let go. Now that they can be downloaded and shared I have almost no control….which in this case is a good thing. My prayer is that these resources will bless someone’s life, no matter what path they may take.
Thanks for reading my ramblings and I hope you are one of those who have been blessed. Until next time….whenever that might be.
1. I rationalized that if people downloaded the games and lessons they would have no reason to return to the web site. After much thought and prayer I came to the conclusion that my ultimate goal is to provide resources useful to Bible teachers and students. I realized that the resources on the web site were only useful when there was an internet connection available. Even though this is becoming more common, there are still plenty of church buildings and classrooms that do not have access. Surprisingly, traffic on the web site has actually increased since making the downloads available….go figure.
2. Another reason I haven’t made these available is that I was afraid people would turn around and try to sell these free resources to others. I have resisted the temptation to commercialize the web site (there was actually about 1 week where I had an online store link which has since been removed). The best defense against this is for everyone to spread the word about these free resources. If everyone knows about them, then who would pay for something that they can get for free? Remember, it’s more blessed to give than to receive.
3. The last reason is purely selfish. Each game, lesson, or cartoon represents a part of me and sometimes it’s just hard to let go. Now that they can be downloaded and shared I have almost no control….which in this case is a good thing. My prayer is that these resources will bless someone’s life, no matter what path they may take.
Thanks for reading my ramblings and I hope you are one of those who have been blessed. Until next time….whenever that might be.
Friday, December 10, 2010
It has been awhile
Some people shouldn’t blog and I’m probably one of them. For one, I’m not a person that likes to talk when I’ve run out of things to do. Second, blogging is sort of like writing letters, I have more good intentions of writing them than I do of actual letters being written. So let me talk about what is happening on the website, because that comes fairly easily.
You may have noticed a number of new games along with audio being added to existing games. The addition of audio was actually a request from a website user and I do think it adds a new dimension to them. Without boring you to much about how the games are programmed let me give you a quick overview. All of the games were originally programmed in an application called Authorware. The company that owned Authorware was bought out by Adobe and Adobe decided to drop their support of the application. The games would probably continue to function for sometime but I decided to re-program them in Flash, which is very popular on the web and hopefully will be supported for a very long time. I have been using variations of these games for many years in my fourth grade Sunday school classroom and the kids love them. There are a couple of more games that are still in Authorware and during the coming year my intent is to convert them to Flash and put them on the website.
My current project is to enhance the Bible Talks lesson guides. When I originally put out the student guides I did so in great haste and have never really been happy with them. My goal is for the enhanced versions to have a better layout to make them more useful.
As always, my “To Do” list for the website is never ending so check back often to see what I’ve gotten accomplished. Thanks for visiting.
You may have noticed a number of new games along with audio being added to existing games. The addition of audio was actually a request from a website user and I do think it adds a new dimension to them. Without boring you to much about how the games are programmed let me give you a quick overview. All of the games were originally programmed in an application called Authorware. The company that owned Authorware was bought out by Adobe and Adobe decided to drop their support of the application. The games would probably continue to function for sometime but I decided to re-program them in Flash, which is very popular on the web and hopefully will be supported for a very long time. I have been using variations of these games for many years in my fourth grade Sunday school classroom and the kids love them. There are a couple of more games that are still in Authorware and during the coming year my intent is to convert them to Flash and put them on the website.
My current project is to enhance the Bible Talks lesson guides. When I originally put out the student guides I did so in great haste and have never really been happy with them. My goal is for the enhanced versions to have a better layout to make them more useful.
As always, my “To Do” list for the website is never ending so check back often to see what I’ve gotten accomplished. Thanks for visiting.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The pain of insult
None of us likes to be insulted because insults hurt. In some ways insults are like knives. Some knives are dull and won’t cut much, but others are so sharp that just brushing a finger against the blade will draw blood. Likewise, there are different types of insults, some that don’t bother us, but then there are others that cut deep. So what is it that makes some insults easy to bear and some insults hurt so bad that we carry their scars around our entire lives? I believe the answer to that question centers on one word; love. The degree to which an insult can inflict pain is directly related to the depth of our love. If someone we barely know, or a total stranger, says we are pathetic or worthless, it may hurt, but we might pass it off as a comment from someone that doesn’t really know us. But, if someone we love, whom we have known for a long time, says we are pathetic or worthless it cuts right to our heart and hurts as much as any pain we can experience in life. Insults are a form of rejection. It’s the use of words to inflict pain and injury and if you have ever been insulted by someone you truly love you know they are wounds that are slow to heal and hard to forgive.
Read these words describing the sufferings of Jesus found in Matthew chapter 27:37-44.
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
When we remember the sufferings of Jesus we often focus on the physical pain of the cross and overlook the pain of Jesus being mocked and insulted. The degree to which an insult can inflict pain is directly related to the depth of love, and the depth of Jesus’ love was being demonstrated by his very presence on the cross. Each insult must have inflicted pain that reached deep into his heart because he was being rejected by his own creation, which he dearly loved. If you have ever been insulted by someone you care about, someone you love, you understand that pain. But maybe that very pain can serve as a reminder to you of how much you are loved, because Jesus willingly bore the pain of being mocked and insulted. And not only was he willing to bear the pain of insult but at the cross he freely forgave.
Reflect on these words from 1 Peter 2:22-24:
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
Read these words describing the sufferings of Jesus found in Matthew chapter 27:37-44.
Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' "In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
When we remember the sufferings of Jesus we often focus on the physical pain of the cross and overlook the pain of Jesus being mocked and insulted. The degree to which an insult can inflict pain is directly related to the depth of love, and the depth of Jesus’ love was being demonstrated by his very presence on the cross. Each insult must have inflicted pain that reached deep into his heart because he was being rejected by his own creation, which he dearly loved. If you have ever been insulted by someone you care about, someone you love, you understand that pain. But maybe that very pain can serve as a reminder to you of how much you are loved, because Jesus willingly bore the pain of being mocked and insulted. And not only was he willing to bear the pain of insult but at the cross he freely forgave.
Reflect on these words from 1 Peter 2:22-24:
"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
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