Drama - Pathfinders 1/5/2016

Welcome back!  It was great nice to be back in classes today.

For the next 4 weeks we will be studying the basics of the history of drama and the theater as well as practicing some essential elements of acting and performing.

Ancient Egyptians used plays, and elaborately staged events to honor their pagan gods.  From around 2500 BC to 550 BC, a passion play was performed annually representing the death and resurrection of the god Osiris. This passion play is the first recorded example of theatre.

We typically associate the beginning of theater to be with Ancient Greece around 600 BC.  The event recorded from this time was related to a religious festival to honor their god Dionysus.  Dionysus, like many pagan gods, was thought to be a god of wine and fertility.

Hoping to help the children gain perspective about the time period we were discussing we talked briefly about Abraham (2150 BC) and Daniel (586 BC).  I find it easier to relate years to familiar Biblical stories when thinking about so long ago.

After the snapshot on history that provided a background for where some of our theater practices come from I read several Bible verses that can help us determine if what we are thinking, saying, or doing is honoring to God.  I wanted to convey the message that even though theater originated in pagan worship that we have an opportunity to use our gifts, talents, and hobbies to honor God.

Questions we answered...
Why were we made?
Why do we exist?
What are the fruits of the Spirit and how can we use them to honor God?
What gifts or talents has God given you to be used for his glory?

Genesis 1:26-31 various sections
Psalm 139:14 ...you are fearfully and wonderfully made
Isaiah 24:15
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 28:18-20
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Ephesians 1:12-14

Answering the questions and reading the Bible verses was helpful for guiding our discussion. We were able to use examples form our own group showing that even if you don't like being on stage, your life is a stage and God has a unique purpose for each one of us! I appreciated the opportunity to encourage our children in this manner.  Their open and honest contributions were refreshing! 

Activities: Played drama games "Everyone who..." This class really got into this game and we decided to play it again after the discussion part of class!  This group is really comfortable with one another and their comfort enhances their ability to learn and enjoy the more fun parts of drama class!

Drama - Trailblazers 1/5/2016

Welcome back!  It was great nice to be back in classes today.
For the next 4 weeks we will be studying the basics of the history of drama and the theater as well as practicing some essential elements of acting and performing.

Ancient Egyptians used plays, and elaborately staged events to honor their pagan gods.  From around 2500 BC to 550 BC, a passion play was performed annually representing the death and resurrection of the god Osiris. This passion play is the first recorded example of theatre.

We typically associate the beginning of theater to be with Ancient Greece around 600 BC.  The event recorded from this time was related to a religious festival to honor their god Dionysus.  Dionysus, like many pagan gods, was thought to be a god of wine and fertility.

Hoping to help the children gain perspective about the time period we were discussing we talked briefly about Abraham (2150 BC) and Daniel (586 BC).  I find it easier to relate years to familiar Biblical stories when thinking about so long ago.

After the snapshot on history that provided a background for where some of our theater practices come from I read several Bible verses that can help us determine if what we are thinking, saying, or doing is honoring to God.  I wanted to convey the message that even though theater originated in pagan worship that we have an opportunity to use our gifts, talents, and hobbies to honor God.

Questions we answered...
Why were we made?
Why do we exist?
What are the fruits of the Spirit and how can we use them to honor God?
What gifts or talents has God given you to be used for his glory?

Genesis 1:26-31 various sections
Psalm 139:14 ...you are fearfully and wonderfully made
Isaiah 24:15
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 28:18-20
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Ephesians 1:12-14

Activities: Decorated paper Greek masks, played drama games "Everyone who..." and "Rhyme Charades"

Drama - Explorers 1/5/2016

Welcome back!  It was great nice to be back in classes today.
For the next 4 weeks we will be studying the basics of the history of drama and the theater as well as practicing some essential elements of acting and performing.

Ancient Egyptians used plays, and elaborately staged events to honor their pagan gods.  From around 2500 BC to 550 BC, a passion play was performed annually representing the death and resurrection of the god Osiris. This passion play is the first recorded example of theatre.

We typically associate the beginning of theater to be with Ancient Greece around 600 BC.  The event recorded from this time was related to a religious festival to honor their god Dionysus.  Dionysus, like many pagan gods, was thought to be a god of wine and fertility.

Hoping to help the children gain perspective about the time period we were discussing we talked briefly about Abraham (2150 BC) and Daniel (586 BC).  I find it easier to relate years to familiar Biblical stories when thinking about so long ago.

After the snapshot on history that provided a background for where some of our theater practices come from I read several Bible verses that can help us determine if what we are thinking, saying, or doing is honoring to God.  I wanted to convey the message that even though theater originated in pagan worship that we have an opportunity to use our gifts, talents, and hobbies to honor God.

Questions we answered...
Why were we made?
Why do we exist?
What are the fruits of the Spirit and how can we use them to honor God?
What gifts or talents has God given you to be used for his glory?

Genesis 1:26-31 various sections
Psalm 139:14 ...you are fearfully and wonderfully made
Isaiah 24:15
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 28:18-20
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
Ephesians 1:12-14

Activities: Decorated paper Greek masks, played drama games "Everyone who..." and "Whole Zoo Duck, Duck, Goose"

Art - Pathfinders and Navigators
Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Overview
Jewelry is a vast art, that can be made from a variety of materials and accessorize various body parts. Students were challenged to think of different references made to jewelry throughout the Bible: some of the examples given were the golden earrings collected from the Israelites to create the golden calf, or the ring the father gave the Prodigal son. I brought in some Eastern jewelry to show what some of the jewelry from that culture may have encompassed, and how it's different from the jewelry we know. We looked at photos of ancient Israel jewelry, and talked about the significance of jewelry in that time.

Project
Using wire and a fun bead, students twisted and created their choice of a ring or bracelet. As always, we learned to appreciate the patience and skill of the jewelers who do this fine art!

Assignments
- Read John 8:1-11
-Create a list of the names of JESUS

The Life of Jesus - History 1&2, Explorers & Trailblazers

In 31 BCE Rome changed from a republic to an empire, beginning the rule of Emperors.  During the reign of Caesar Augustus there was a time of peace called the Pax Romana.  God chose this as the perfect time for his son to live on earth (around 4 AD/CE). Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry at the age of 30, angering many religious leaders who rejected him as the Messiah.  They plotted to have him killed.  Christ’s death and resurrection form the foundation of our salvation as Christians.

The kids know this story well, so rather than re-teach it to them, I allowed them to become the teachers, creating a video that tells others about the life of Jesus.

In class activities:

• Created a storyboard detailing the major points in Jesus' life
• Talked about the terms BC/BCE and AD/CE, and their relationship to Jesus' birth (Jesus wasn't born in year 0)
• Learned about the Pax Romana
• Briefly discussed how to create stop motion animation
• Worked in teams to animate our movie
• Discussed the importance of telling others the story of Jesus

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Download the Lego movie maker app and create your own movies of the life of Jesus 
• Play 12 Apostles online memory game
• Read John 19 and discuss it with your family

Assignment:

• Read cards NT 26-27
• Practice your timeline

History Navigators and Pathfinders 1/5/2016

Pastor Huntley enacted the story of John as told in Luke Chapter 1 and 3. Throughout the story the class took notes and afterward they broke into groups to answer a series of questions based on the enactment as well as some bonus questions on basic Bible knowledge.

The students will create a diorama for next week and come prepared to teach the class about the scripture behind their choice using the diorama as a teaching tool.

History for Navigators and Pathfinders

11/17

Summary:  We looked at the mythological founding of Rome, daily life in ancient Rome and the government of Rome. The application came from an exercise when the students had to choose what qualities they would look for before hiring someone to rule their province or country. The final list from all of the students was long and instructive. I told them, “If you wish to be a leader, make these qualities yours.”

11/10

History has value for us when it provides roots, offers perspective and when it offers concrete lessons we can apply to our lives today. We read about and discussed the reign of King Solomon. We took two facts about the Phoenicians, their control of purple dye and shipbuilding, and learned about economics. We discussed and illustrated scarcity, supply and demand, and using your resources to increase wealth for yourself and others.

11/3

We took a tour of Jewish history from the time of the Judges to the divided kingdom. We focused on what David and Solomon did right – David worshipped God and got to know him in the quiet times, wrote psalms and praised God with the same gusto with which he fought and killed his enemies – Solomon prayed for wisdom, built the temple and experienced the visible glory of God filling the temple.

10/27

We reviewed the homework and found lessons for our lives today.

We viewed the treasures of King Tut in two different books We considered the Ten Commandments and emphasized that 8 of them are written as prohibitions. This led to a discussion of God as a person who gives us lots we can do and only restricts what is wrong for us (like the tree in the garden of Eden).

The Navigators looked at life in Ancient Athens and Sparta.

10/13

We discussed how God controls history by preparing people (in this case Moses, Israelites, Pharaoh and Egyptians) to cooperate with his plan. I emphasized the importance of the Exodus in history –the greatest event before the resurrection of Jesus.

We discussed how God controls history by raising up nations – in this case Egypt – to do his will – provide a safe place for his people to grow from 70 to 2 million. We pointed out that God used Joseph to prepare the way for his family to move to Egypt.

We also discussed how God controls history by preparing people (in this case Moses, Israelites, Pharaoh and Egyptians) to cooperate with his plan.

10/6

The Navigators looked at the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. We discussed lessons we can apply to our lives today. 1. Just as Abraham took time to grow in his understanding of God from “He is my personal god” in a polytheistic way, to “he is the only God of the universe,” so we need to update our understanding of God as we mature from childhood to adulthood. 2. God created Egypt so it could provide a safe place for the Israelites to grow from 70 people to a nation. 3. God changed the lives of Jacob and his sons and named the tribes of the nation after them. Joseph, the godly man, did not have a tribe in his name!

The Pathfinders, due to student interest, discussed the Egyptian fascination with death. We compared it with the biblical teaching. We talked about ordinary life in Egypt. The better treatment of women was a special focus since women in the ancient world were not allowed the privileges that the Egyptians considered normal.