rachael's practicum report #3

Report by: Rachael Mulder
Subject: Practicum Report #3
Time Spent this Week: 6 Hours (Church Service=2, Sunday School = 2, Nursery for Adult Bible Study= 2)

My Class this Week:
Exit 59 is where I will be doing my regular practicum when I am at school. This week I attended the service at 9, and then helped to lead the Sunday school class for 4 children ages 3-5. The Sunday school program is very small and in its development stages. I and two other girls led the class. We were given no instruction or curriculum so we were pretty much on our own. While this may not be the most beneficial class to learn from an experienced teacher, it does provide an opportunity to develop a Sunday school program.
For class we began with a time to play with toys and play dough. The girls, Zion (age 3) and Claire (age 4) were happy and excited to play with the play dough. The boys Tucker (age 5) and Durane (age 4) were more excited to run around the room, jump off the slide, and pretend they were superheroes. At this point I was worried about how the lesson would go as the kids were off the wall.
We decided to teach on the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000. They had some materials there that we could use for the lesson. When it was time for the lesson we had the kids sit down on their own mats. We used a flannel graph board and gave each of the students a piece to go on the flannel graph. Then, we told the story, using words that children at that age can understand. As we read the story, the kids put their piece of the flannel graph up at the right time. Then we asked them some questions, in hopes of helping them to understand such a complex thing as a miracle. Kathleen, who told the Bible story did a good job. She sat on the floor with the kids, showing them that she was on their level. She also did a great job putting the Bible story into words that the kids could understand.
For a craft, we cut baskets, fish, and bread out of construction paper. We had the kids color them and make them their own. As I handed out both the bread and fish I asked how many of each they were supposed to get. I was excited as they all remembered that there were two fish and five loaves of bread. Once the craft was done, I went to each one and asked them what they would tell their parents when they showed them the craft. I did this to reinforce the story in their minds.
We ended with more time to play. The kids were quite rambuncious, and got slightly out of control (they had been there almost two hours!). Then we got out prizes and asked them questions about the story. They got every question right and got to pick their prize.
Overall I feel that the class went well for having no curriculum or preparation. The kids were receptive to the story, and able to repeat the important parts back to us, so that was very encouraging. However, there were times when I could tell that they were bored or didn’t understand. I am excited to be creative and develop a curriculum in order to reach them better!

Questions this week:
- What are some creative ways to teach Bible stories to kids this age? The room is very small, and there are not many materials available.
- There seems to not be much support for the Sunday School program at Exit 59. Is it important to encourage a curriculum? Should we ask the parents what their kids would like to learn, or some goals that they have?
- The service is very long. What are some fun things to do to occupy the time that is not spent teaching? Games? Activities? Etc.
- Also, what is my role in addressing behavioral issues such as pouting, sharing, disrespect for others, etc?

Substitute Practicum - Week two

SUBSTITUTE PRACTICUM: I was unable to attend my practicum site this week because of going home for the weekend. However, I did attend my home church, Hopewell Baptist Church, and I did observe the 18-24 year old Sunday School class. This class is not only for college students, but young couples who are married, those who decided to work and not further their education, and for those who are preparing to go off to college. I believe I should get credit for doing this substitute practicum because I learned a lot about preparation for class, and discussing topics that relate to the students needs and wants by attending this Sunday school class.


A. TIME SPENT THIS WEEK
1/21/08: 2 Hours – working on posterboard for puppet ministry
1/23/08: 1 Hour – working on posterboard for puppet ministry
1/24/08: 30 Minutes – responding to blog
1/27/08: 1 Hour – observing Sunday school class at home church

B. CLASS THIS WEEK
This week I observed in the ages 18-24 Sunday school class. The youth pastor, Mitch, is the teacher for the class and this is his first full time job in the church. This class is a lot of fun to be a part of because it varies between students who have just graduated high school and preparing to go to college, those who opted to work a full time job instead of furthering their education, ones who are full time students, and others who are young married couples. Those who participated in the class this week were Andrea, Matt, Preston, Kari, and Leah. Just with those five that participated we had a student from each category I mentioned above.
The class is currently going through a Bible study of Acts. Mitch reads through the chapter and occasionally stops to make a connection to real life, or to explain it a littler further. It was very evident that Andrea and Matt had read the chapter for Sunday’s lesson. As Mitch connected the story to real life, all of the students were paying attention and understanding the point of the story. The discussion was good and it was very interesting to see the questions that came to mind, and then the topics that came out of the discussion and questions. One of the main discussions was about politics and this year’s presidential election. From the discussion it was very evident that all the students were learning about having patience, and more about the presidential candidates. It was very awesome to see these people discuss world issues along with being Christians.
It was neat to watch a group of students in the same age group as myself interact with one another. Instead of joining in like I normally would, I sat back and did not say much, just observed. It was evident that even though Matt, Andrea, Preston, Kari, and Leah had grown up in this church for most of their life together, they still had a longing to learn. They showed Christ-likeness by supporting one another in the questions and thoughts they brought to the table and they were very loving to one another.

C. QUESTIONS THIS WEEK
1. Is there anything wrong with doing a bible study in a Sunday school setting and then just let there be discussion? It was kind of difficult to completely take in what was read and really get something out of it.

2. How old should the teacher be for this type of Sunday school class? Mitch is 22, and is the youth pastor, so he falls right in line with the class and it isn’t bad, but should there be someone older that has had a few years out of college teaching along with Mitch?

Practicum #1

Nashira Williams
Practicum #1
Lakeview

Hours
1 hr 1/2 Sunday School Grades 1-3
1 hr 1/2 Sunday Service
45 minutes lunch @ the church with members

Class this Week: Approximately 7 beautiful children attended Sunday school, most of them being children of people who involved with ministry in the church.
Lesson: II Timothy 2:24
Theme: Being kind
Its sad that I remember the children's name better than the actual teacher. But in either case I was so please by the teacher because her father just recently passed and she was enthusiastic with the children; it was heart warming. However, I was a little taken back by her style of rewards. Each week the students can gain points by remembering a versse, bring their bible, and doing other things. She keeps a tub of prized in which every Sunday students get rewards according to how many points they recieve. So every Sunday they are gauranteed something before Sunday school even begins. What's sad is that the teacher wanted her students to memorize a verse but she had not remembered it herself. I just think the reward system can be a bit deceptive and over excessive. To go along with that she encourages the students to pay tithes because the money goes to church so that they can pay for things. Yes that is true but students should be told tithing is an act of offering up something to Christ. IF I was a child I would think I'm giving money so that I can have rewards at beginning of Sunday School.

But in either case, I liked her use of media and a good balance of fun and education. She used music but not excessively. She encouraged interaction, group work, and games that seemed to help them grasp the bigger picture. The lesson plan was easy to follow and applicable as a young child of God.
I really enjoyed observing Grace, Rachel, Tanner, Wesley, Owen, Matthew, Sam, Alex, Payton, who were decieving when enterering Sunday School. Two studentd who appeared quiet were Rachel and Alex, yet the still seemed quiet in a sense, they were very voicstrous in other ways. Rachel seems as though she will be a dominant woman but in a settle way. She wont have to say much in order for people to know she is in control. If you dont know, then she will make it known to you. Alex again seems quiet but he can be a bit aggressive I dont know if it contributes to his gender but he talked about missles and guns, which I felt the teacher should have ceased. Instead she just engaged in his conversation about missles and laughed the whole idea off. I also enjoyed watching Matthew who brought his friend Owen. Matthew seens as though he will also be a leader, who will guide people with honesty and a caring heart. Thats exactly what he did with his friend Owen.

In either case I am curious to know if the teacher will stick to a certain pattern of teaching. It seems as though she does because the students don't pay much attention to it. THey listen but they ignore what they want to ignore. But I can tell they know the teacher well.

Questions this week:

Is it truly a reward if it's expected?
How do you give students a good idea of tithing?
How do you keep a disruptive student on task and paying attention?
What should be inappropriate talk in church?

rachael's practicum report #2

Substitute Practicum: I was unable to do my regular practicum this week (which will be at exit 59) because I committed several weekends this semester to help out at camp geneva. This weekend we had over 250 kids come to have fun and hear more about transforming their lives for God. I believe that I should get some credit for this practicum because I learned a lot about the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of video series for Sunday school classes. I was also able to connect with a camper I have mentored for the past two years. It was awesome to be able to do more than simply talk on the phone with her. We were able to have in depth conversations on big decisions in her life.

From: rachael
Subject: Practicum Report #2
Time Spent This Week: 2 hours (Sunday School=1, Service=1)

Class this Week:

1. Time spent in fellowship & prayer: This week I went to Sunday school at my home Church in Holland, Michigan. I have gone to this church my whole life, and I love the ministry that goes on there. There were thirteen college-age students that attended. For the first part of class I was able to connect with friends, and talk about what is currently going on in their lives. One of my friends is getting married soon so we talked about the wedding, and prayed over her concerns. We ended this time with prayer requests and then lifted each other up in prayer. It was so comforting to share the trials of my week with friends that are very dear to me. I know that they will continue to lift up my needs in prayer. It was such a blessing to be in a body of believers where I felt encouraged and supported.
2. Message: Right now, we are doing a video series on the Song of Solomon. It has been very interesting to say the least. At first, I was turned off by the series because I am not, and have never been in a relationship. I did not believe that this series would have much to say to me. Boy was I wrong! The session for this week discussed the art of conflict. While it was focused on relationships, its implications reached far beyond. We discussed how all couples fight, but good couples fight for a resolution. Bad couples only fight for victory. We also discussed what to do in conflict. First, do not react because that only alienates the other person. Second, respond to God. Third, let god change them and trust God with that person. This topic of conflict really hit home as I have been dealing with a situation that is full of conflict. Through this message God showed me that I was looking for a victory, not a resolution. He made it evident that I needed to seek reconciliation, and then trust Him to do what is best for me. While most times I tend to shy away from a video series for curriculum, this week was especially powerful.

Questions this Week:

1. Do you think that a video series is appropriate for a Sunday school class setting?
2. In what ways can you add to a video series to bring in more class involvement?
3. How much time is appropriate to spend in fellowship and prayer compared to the time spent in the message?

rachael's practicum report #1

Substitution Assignment: I was unable to do my regular assignment this week due to the fact that I have a commitment to help out in camping ministry on several weekends this semester. This is a ministry that is very important to me as I hope to do it full time in the future. I believe that I should get at least some credit for this assignment because I was able to observe a Bible study that is not a typical local church practicum. As my desire is to work with at-risk youth in organizations outside of the church, this Bible study gave me insight into the way to reach out to these youth through the Word.
Report by: Rachael Mulder
Subject: Practicum Report #1
A. Time Spent This Week: 3 hours (planning =1, dinner with level 4’s =1, bible study =1)
B. My Class this Week:

1. Planning with Pastor Brad and Sierra: This week I met with Pastor Brad and Sierra before Bible study. We discussed the various cottages and the needs associated with each cottage. We also discussed the rising issue of kids getting into trouble at Whites. This past week kids seemed to get out of control, with an abnormal amount of kids getting into trouble. We also discussed some ideas for Bible study and future chapels, including music selection. We ended the planning with a discussion of the curriculum for the Bible study.
2. Dinner with level 4 girls: After planning we headed to the cafeteria to eat dinner with some of the girls. Tonight we chose to eat with the level 4 girls. These are girls at the highest level who do not have to eat with their cottage. I sat by a girl named Whitney. She lives in cottage two. We had a great time chatting about school, girly things, and her boyfriend. It surprised me at how innocent she seemed, yet I know that her life has held great struggles.
3. Bible study with girls of White’s: After dinner all the kids who chose to headed to Bible study in the chapel. At first the girls and guys met together. There were probably 50 kids. We began with some singing, including The Happy Song and My Father’s House. At first the kids seemed hesitant to get up and do the motions, but after a while they got into it. Then the girls and guys split up. Miss Sierra led the girls Bible study. We had around 20 girls from almost all of the cottages at Whites. It was an exciting time for me because I got to spend time with a larger group of girls outside of the cottage setting. The Bible study curriculum we are using is Hope 3:16 by Max Lucado. Tonight was the first night of the Bible study. The main passage focused on Nicodemus’ question to Jesus about what it meant to be born again. The girls really grappled with that question. It was a new experience for me to see girls who hadn’t heard and didn’t understand what it meant to be born again. They also discussed things that get in the way of pursuing a relationship with Christ. At the end of the Bible study, one of the girls asked Sierra how she could know that God is real. She admitted that she did not believe in Him because she tried to feel Him and hear Him but couldn’t. She had honest questions and wanted to know how a loving God could allow horrible things to happen to her. My heart went out to her. I wanted so badly to give solid and concrete answers to her questions, but I had none. All I can do is pray that God will make Himself so real to her. I left Bible study excited because I truly felt that I had gotten to see the hearts of these girls.
   

C. Questions this Week:

1. How would you respond to the question of why God allows bad things to happen to these girls? Many of these girls have been abandoned, raped, and abused. Have you had any situations like this? How did you respond?
2. What role is appropriate to take in this setting? I am not leading the group, and I don’t want to get in the way of the girls participating in the discussion. When is it appropriate to add wisdom or to sit back and let the girls discuss?
3. How do you get involved in these girl’s lives without taking their baggage on yourself?

First Week

A. TIME SPENT THIS WEEK 1/18/08: 1 Hour – meeting with Angel my supervising teacher discussing the programs and what she will be expecting out of me and expressing some of my interests and gifts in ministry.
1/20/08: 2 ½ Hours – went to morning worship service where I went and helped with the Kids’ church and observed in the 1st – 3rd grade Sunday school room.
1/20/08: 2 Hours – went to Kids’ World tonight and helped out there and played with the kids. There were a lot there, but they were fairly young.

B. CLASS THIS WEEK
This Sunday I observed in the 1st – 3rd grade classroom. Angel is the teacher for the 4th-6th grade class, but there was only one student and they decided to work on the puppet ministry so I went and observed the other classroom. Marion First United Methodist Church is a rather small church, and they are in the process of building up the children’s ministry. In Sunday school there were only two students, Lauren who is in first grade and her brother Drew who is in third grade. It was very interesting to observe this class since it was a brother and a sister who are very close to one another. When we were taking turns reading the Bible story, Drew would tell the teacher that she really should tell Lauren how to say the word, but to sound it out for her. The teacher, Joyce, responded by saying that it isn’t really a reading lesson, so it was okay. I liked how she dealt with the situation. One thing I did not like about this method was that by having them read, it was hard to really understand what the story is all about.
After going through the story we then did a project. Joyce had several footprints on brown construction paper and we all cut them out. We then put a word from Matthew 4:23 on each of the footprints. Once Lauren and Drew got the words on the footprints, they put the footprints on the floor in order and walked along with the footprints saying the verse. Then Joyce took one footprint away at a time and then Lauren and Drew tried to memorize the verse. They both did a great job at memorizing it; however, they were very sneaky looking at the piece of paper that was on the table that had the verse on it. We finally got rid of the paper and they were doing a great job. I thought that this was a very fun and creative way to teach students a Bible verse.
We did have a time to pray and we got in a circle, held hands, and prayed. Both Lauren and Drew had prayer concerns, mostly for their family, and I found it very amazing that at this age they were so in tune with the issues their family was going through. Church was released a bit early, so then Sunday school was a bit longer than usual, so we had about 20 minutes at the end that Joyce really had not planned on. She found a big floor puzzle that we worked on and it was fun to interact with Lauren and Drew like that. The teacher did not really have a back up plan for something to do if there was extra time, but she did a great job of quickly looking for something for the two of them to do and it was lot of fun for them.

C. QUESTIONS THIS WEEK
1. How do you feel about memorizing Bible verses? What would be a way to memorize the verse and get the meaning out of it?
2. How do you feel about a brother and a sister with three years age difference being in the same classroom?