Designed to Teach: Setting up a Preschool Classroom

Designed to Teach: Setting Up a Preschool Classroom Preschool

Designed to Teach: Setting Up a Preschool Classroom

Purpose Statement

This conference is designed to focus on guidelines for setting up a preschool classroom. . Consider the age group for each room. . Use age-appropriate equipment and resources. . Establish room safety and security guidelines. . Make Bible teaching a priority. . Emphasize reaching preschoolers and their families.

Before the Session

Focal Wall, Room Setup, & Decoration Ideas

Choose a focal wall in the conference room—the place conferees will notice as they enter the room. If wall space is not available, choose an area in the room to create a setup for the conference time. . Note the underlining to indicate items to gather for the conference. Consider making a list of items to gather at home and at church, and then make a list of items to buy or borrow for the conference. . Set two tables in front of the room and arrange the chairs in a U-shape facing the tables. . Use black twin flat sheets for tablecloths. Plastic tablecloths can be used, but twin flat sheets are ideal for tablecloths. . Prepare two black display boards to create backdrops on the tables. Purchase the display boards (36 by 48 inches) at a craft/hobby store. Request cutting a board in half to make two boards. (Cutting a board in half will make it easier to carry.) The display boards have scored, foldout panels for quick setup. Purchase two black header boards to attach to the display boards, if desired. . Provide plastic tablecloths to cover or hide things, as needed.

Consider a theme for the conference—Designed to Teach, to create interest and emphasize teaching in preschool classrooms. . Purchase four empty paint cans, one for each preschool age group. If paint cans are not available, substitute paper bags with handles. . Prepare labels for the cans. See instructions on Labels for Paint Cans (Item 1).

1 Designed to Teach: Setting Up a Preschool Classroom Preschool

. Collect items to relate to the design theme such as measuring tapes, rulers, masking tape, and felt-tip markers. . Locate two copies of Read-to-Me Bible for Kids, HCSB ®. . Gather pictures or photographs for preschoolers and preschool classrooms to attach* to display boards or for use on the tables.

Decorate and prepare the tables as follows: Table 1 (left side), the resources table—covered with a twin black flat sheet: . Place a display board with header board in the center of the table. Print the words Designed to Teach in large black letters on a white paper strip to attach* to the header board (or use cutout letters). . Display a Bible, open to I will do what the Bible says (Psalm 119:44). . Attach* pictures or photographs on the display board to show preschool boys and girls involved in Bible-learning activities to emphasize Bible teaching in a preschool classroom . Use colored file folders to display the preschool Sunday School leader guides on the table: blue, Bible Teaching for Kids, Babies; green, Bible Teaching for Kids, 1s and 2s; red, Bible Teaching for Kids, 3s—Pre-K; and yellow, Bible Teaching for Kids, Kindergarten. Other curriculum such as learner guides, CDs, and leader pack items can be included in these folders. . Consider adding other items to the display to represent Bible-learning activities in the four age groups such as baby toys, blocks, nature items, play dough, and puzzles.

Table 2 (right side), the “theme” table—covered with a twin black flat sheet: . Place a display board with header board in the center of the table. Print the words Setting Up a Preschool Classroom in large black letters on a white paper strip to attach* to the header board (or use cutout letters). . Display a Bible, open to Bible to I was glad when they said, “Let us go to church” (Psalm 122:1). . Use folders with clear-covers for room arrangements (Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10). Additional copies of the room arrangements for the age groups can be placed on the table or display board. Age-group information (Items 11, 12, 13, and 14) will be included with the folders. See list in Resources to Collect and Prepare (page 3)—Print the following age-group information to be included with the folders for room arrangements (on table 2): . Attach* pictures or photographs on the display board to show preschool classrooms rooms set up for different age groups.

. Arrange the labeled paint cans on the table. Add other items for the design theme such as measuring tapes, rulers, masking tape, and felt- tip markers. . Place copies of articles (Items 15, 16, 17, and 18) in cans. See list in Resources to Collect and Prepare (page 3)—Print the following items to put in the paint cans, matching the colors as follows: . Print Assignment Cards (Item 2) to place in the paint cans and use for conference activities.

Tip: Try Mavalus Tape ®, available in teacher supply stores, for attaching items to display boards, walls, and other surfaces.

Resources to Collect & Prepare

. Print Listening Guide for Designed to Teach (Item 3). Use colored sticky dots (blue, green, red, and yellow), a different color at the top of each listening guide. (If sticky dots are not available, use colored markers to make dots. (The colored dots will be used to form groups for conference activities.) . Print Designed to Teach: Setting Up a Preschool Classroom (Item 4). Place this item and the listening guide (Item 3) in each chair with pages facing the front of the chair. Provide pencils for conferees. (Answers for listening guide: four words—Teacher, Bible, Equipment, and Resources; see page 4 for information related to statements on listening guide.) . Print the following items to show the room arrangements for preschool age groups: Babies (Birth-One) Room (Item 5) Ones Room (Item 6) Twos Room (Item 7) Threes—Pre-Kindergarten Room (Item 8) Kindergarten Room (Item 9) Room Arrangements (Item 10)—2 pages for rooms for preschoolers . Print the following age-group information to be included with the folders for room arrangements (on table 2): Basic Equipment (Item 11)—4 pages Preschool Room Safety Checklist (Item 12) Resources for 1s-Kindergarten (Item 13) Preschool Education Space (Item 14)—2 pages . Print the following articles to put in the paint cans, matching the colors as follows: blue—How to Say Babies Matter (Item 15)—2 pages green—The Importance of the Door (Item 16)—2 pages

red— Setting Up Your Room for the Best Teaching (Item 17) yellow—Clear the Clutter to Make Room for More People (Item 18)—2 pages

Audio/Visual Needs . Music and More CDs—current CDs for preschool age groups.

During the Session

Procedure Steps

Introduction Time for Conference and Conferees

1. Play instrumental music from one of the age-group CDs as conferees arrive. Introduce yourself. Invite conferees to introduce themselves and share their reasons for attending this conference. Commend their interest in wanting to learn about setting up a preschool classroom.

2. Explain the conference title by saying:

The original title for the conference, Setting Up a Preschool Classroom, led to thoughts about the importance of focusing on teaching. A focus on teaching would also include emphasizing the importance of reaching preschoolers to teach. These thoughts led to a desire to plan a “theme” for the conference to create interest. Borrowing an idea from a popular television program about real estate, the conference title has been adapted to include the words Designed to Teach.

3. Invite conferees to use the Listening Guide (Item 3) during the conference.

4. Call attention to the handout Designed to Teach: Setting Up a Preschool Classroom (Item 4) with information about available resources.

5. Provide an e-mail address and/or telephone number to encourage conferees to contact you after the conference for additional ideas and help.

Presentation Time for Conference

1. Read the poem at the top of Designed to Teach (Item 3):

This room is for a child—a special place At church, to play and learn in a safe space; To enjoy his friends and his teachers, too, To help him know: “God has a plan just for you.” (JM)

2. Read the Bible verse I will do what the Bible says (Psalm 119:44). Comment:

This verse identifies a reason to teach preschoolers—to guide them to know what the Bible says that they might do what the Bible says as they grow and learn. A preschool classroom is an ideal place for teaching this Bible truth to preschool boys and girls. Teachers can thank God that what happens in a preschool classroom doesn’t need to stay in a preschool classroom—Bible truths can be remembered at home and other places in the life of a preschool child. Ministering to preschoolers and their families extends beyond the preschool classroom!

3. Thank the conferees for attending to learn about the importance of rooms that are designed to teach Bible truths to preschoolers. Say:

You will discover that a preschool classroom is more than a place where classes meet. A preschool classroom at church reminds us that this is a room where Bible truths are taught to preschool boys and girls. The room is setup for teaching!

4. Challenge conferees to accept the responsibility to minister to families of preschool boys and girls by providing a classroom where their preschoolers can learn and do what the Bible says. Say:

“The room is setup for reaching preschool boys and girls—to teach!

5. Pray for church leaders and preschool teachers as they work together to provide classrooms for preschool boys and girls.

6. Share a story from a teacher about a time when a child recognized what was needed in a preschool classroom.

A teacher described to a group of kindergartners that this would be their last Sunday in their classroom. They would be moving to another room while some remodeling work was being done at the church. She explained that helpers would come to the room after church to begin moving things to a temporary classroom. She provided colored dots to stick on the things they wanted to bring with them. She enlisted their

help in labeling what would be needed when they moved. She watched as boys and girls put sticky dots on chairs, tables, puzzles, and other things in the room. One little boy walked to the puzzle table where the teacher was watching a child work a puzzle. She moved back a little, thinking the little boy wanted to put a sticky dot on the puzzle. Instead, he put the dot on the teacher’s shirt and said, “We want to make sure we take you with us.”

This story is a reminder that a teacher is needed in preschool classrooms, and that there should be at least two teachers in a preschool room at all times. Tables and chairs, books and puzzles—yes!, plus other equipment and resources suggested to setup a preschool classroom. However, the importance of teachers should always be recognized and acknowledged.

Conference Activities

1. Hold a Bible and read I was glad when they said, “Let us go to church.” (Psalm 122:1). Encourage conferees to pray that parents will realize the importance of saying, “Let us go to church.” Imagine a child having happy thoughts about going to church. Say: Remember to have more than one Bible visible in a preschool classroom for teachers to use, for preschoolers to touch, and for parents to see that Bible teaching will happen in their child’s classroom.

2. Call attention to Designed to Teach (Item 4).

. Feature one of the new resources included in the handout: Kids Ministry 101: Practical Answers to Questions About Kids Ministry.

Explain that this book is a “compilation of answers and ideas from some of the best thinkers in kids ministry today.”

Show the book and the enclosed CD-ROM. Show the notebook with printed copies of all files on the CD-ROM after stating that permission is granted to copy the files.

Mention the files that relate to this conference: Basic Equipment, Preschool Room Safety Checklist, Resources for 1s-Kindergarten, and Preschool Education Space.

Suggest reading Setting Up Bible-Teaching Experiences in a Non- Traditional Space to determine guidelines when a preschool

classroom is set up in temporary space or space outside the church.

. Identify the Sunday School curriculum available for babies through kindergarten. Point to the leader guides and other preschool curriculum displayed on the table.

. Mention LifeWay’s Web site to suggest using this as a source for articles and ministry helps. Call attention to a list of some of the articles available on the Web site. Suggest subscribing to the free monthly LifeWay Kids eNewsletter to “stay up-to-date on trends with helpful articles and fresh ideas for Children’s Ministry”. Show a current copy of the newsletter and provide the following information for accessing the Web site: LifeWay Biblical Solutions for Life: lifeway.com Click on Free eNewsletters; complete form. Click on Student & Children’s Ministry, and then click on Childhood Ministry e-news for the monthly newsletter. Submit request.

. Show copies of additional resources and remind conferees to read some of the quotes printed on the handout. Name two conferees to read the quotes from books by Sybil Waldrop and Cos Davis (Item 4).

3. Ask conferees to form four groups according to the colors on the listening guide—blue, green, red, and yellow. Request each group choose a leader to go to the table and find the paint can to match the group’s color. When the groups are assembled in different areas of the room, ask the leader to open the can to find the assignment card. (Assignment Cards, Item 2) Announce a time for the groups to work together prepare for the report time. Spend time with each group to listen and offer any information. (This is a good time for the conference leader to build relationships with conferees.)

Group 1 (blue): 1. Locate the curriculum folder for your group (blue) on the Designed to Teach table—includes leader guide and other curriculum pieces. 2. Find the room arrangement folder (clear cover) for your age group on the Setting Up a Preschool Classroom table. 3. Use Basic Equipment (Item 11) to locate the room specifications suggestions and recommended equipment for babies. Be prepared to show this information and tell where it can be found. 4. Use the leader guide to find a list of basic resources and supplies. Describe and/or show one or more of these items.

5. Mention the article How to Say Babies Matter (Item 15) in paint can to suggest conferees print the article from the LifeWay Web site. (See page 6 for information about using the LifeWay Web site.)

Report Time: Show the items used for your assignment; mention specific information. Conclude your group report by demonstrating something used in the preschool classroom to teach a child in your age group.

Group 2 (green): 1. Locate the curriculum folder for your group (green) on the Designed to Teach table—includes leader guide and other curriculum pieces. 2. Find the room arrangement folder (clear cover) for your age group on the Setting Up a Preschool Classroom table. 3. Use Preschool Room Safety Checklist (Item 12) to locate a list of things to check to determine that a room is safe for preschoolers. Be prepared to show this information and tell where it can be found. 4. Use the leader guide to find a list of basic resources and supplies. Describe and/or show one or more of these items. 5. Mention the article The Importance of the Door (Item 16) in paint can to suggest conferees print the article from the LifeWay Web site. (See page 6 for information about using the LifeWay Web site.)

Group 3 (red): 1. Locate the curriculum folder for your group (red) on the Designed to Teach table—includes leader guide and other curriculum pieces. 2. Find the room arrangement folder (clear cover) for your age group on the Setting Up a Preschool Classroom table. 3. Use Resources for 1s-Kindergarten (Item 13) to locate the recommended resources for preschoolers; mention familiar ones for 3s —Pre-K. Be prepared to show this information and tell where it can be found. 4. Use the leader guide to find a list of basic materials. Describe and/or show one or more of these items. 5. Mention the article Setting Up Your Room for the Best Teaching (Item 17) in paint can to suggest conferees print the article from the LifeWay

Web site. (See page 6 for information about using the LifeWay Web site.)

Group 4 (yellow): 1. Locate the curriculum folder for your group (yellow) on the Designed to Teach table—includes leader guide and other curriculum pieces. 2. Find the room arrangement folder (clear cover) for your age group on the Setting Up a Preschool Classroom table. 3. Use Preschool Education Space (Item 14) to locate the information related to kindergarten. Be prepared to show this information and tell where it can be found. 4. Use the leader guide to find a list of basic resources and supplies. Describe and or show one or more of these items. 5. Mention the article Clear the Clutter to Make Room for More People (Item 18) in paint can to suggest conferees print the article from the LifeWay Web site. (See page 6 for information about using the LifeWay Web site.)

Allow time for groups to complete their work, and then signal time for conferees to gather for report time.

After the report time for the four groups, show pictures of room arrangements, if available. Suggest preparing a set of room pictures to keep in the room for the custodial staff and others to use for room setups after room cleaning or other uses of the room.

Ask conferees to look at the listening guide (Item 3) to check answers. Name the four important words. Listen to conferees to share their thoughts about the four statements in response to information presented in the conference.

Dismissal Time

1. Enjoy singing new words to the tune “Happy Birthday” as you imagine preschool boys and girls having happy thoughts about church:

Happy Sunday at church, Happy Sunday at church, I learn and play, I sing and pray, I like to go to my church.

2. Thank conferees for participating in the conference to learn about setting up a preschool classroom. Encourage them to keep Bible teaching the most important part of a preschool classroom. Remind them to enlist teachers who are committed to teach Bible truths in preschool classrooms and reach preschoolers and their families.

3. Invite conferees to browse the displays. Offer to remain at the front to answer questions or help, as needed.

4. Pack conference resources and supplies. As much as possible, return the room to the way it was when you arrived.

5. Plan follow-up after the conference such as contacts to the host church and to conferees.

6. Thank God for equipping you to lead the conference. Remember to pray for the conferees, the preschoolers they will teach, and the families of the preschoolers in their churches that they will reach.

Handouts and Assignments

Item 1: Labels for Cans (2 pages) Item 2: Assignment Cards (2 pages) Item 3: Listening Guide Item 4: Designed to Teach: Setting Up a Preschool Classroom (2 pages) Item 5: Babies (Birth-Ones) Room Item 6: Ones Room Item 7: Twos Room Item 8: Threes—Pre-Kindergarten Room Item 9: Kindergarten Room Item 10: Room Arrangements (2 pages for rooms for preschoolers)

Item 11: Basic Equipment (4 pages) Item 12: Preschool Room Safety Checklist Item 13: Resources for 1s-Kindergarten Item 14: Preschool Education Space (2 pages) Item 15: How to Say Babies Matter (2 pages) Item 16: The Importance of the Door (2 pages) Item 17: Setting Up Your Room for the Best Teaching Item 18: Clear the Clutter to Make Room for More People (2 pages)