First: Welcome the children into the session. Say how happy we are to see them and how important they are for the class. Explain we will follow the letters of the alphabet in order to choose the volunteer for the opening prayer. So, the child’s name that starts with the letter A will do the opening prayer this time. Everybody will have the chance to collaborate as the weeks passed by.

         After that, the Spiritist worker will introduce the “Raffle Box of Prayers”. In your turn, each child will open the box, choose one prayer and read it loudly for whole class. We will do it until all the kids have their chance to choose and read a prayer.

         When the activity with the “Raffle box of Prayers” finishes the volunteer will collect the booklet “The Lord’s Prayer” with the children who was responsible in the previous week.

         The volunteer can make up few questions, such as:
         * What did you most like in this prayer;
         * What could you learn during the week with the prayer and others

         The children can also read the prayer for his/hers colleagues. Please note another child will be able to choose himself/herself to take the booklet home and bring it back next week.

         P.S. The parents will be informed and also asked about their availability to bring the booklet next week, at the end of the class.

         Second: Prayer Activity – Each child will receive a piece of paper in order to create his/her own prayer. As soon as they finish they will be encouraged to read it to their colleagues and put the prayers inside the “Raffle box of Prayers”.

         Extra activity: The volunteer will bring some music instruments made from recycled materials. The kids should decorate them and sing some songs afterwards.

         My God is so Big https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOdDrVnORc

         Jesus love is very wonderful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaMVjO_GruA

         Third: Sing songs together; get the children to remain standing but in a circle.

         http://www.sermons4kids.com/jesus_is_my_best_friend_1x.pdf

         http://www.sermons4kids.com/jesus_is_my_best_friend_1x.mp3

         http://www.sermons4kids.com/jesus_loves_the_little_children.pdf

         http://www.sermons4kids.com/jesus_loves_the_little_children.mp3

         Fourth: Get the children to come up with a list of positive behaviours. The volunteer will merely facilitate but encourage them to come up with the list collectively.

         Fifth: Play true/false game – The volunteer will make a list of several essential social skills and mix it up with bad social skills’ behaviour. Each phrase will be written and folded on a small piece of paper. All phrases will be placed inside a bag. Each child will choose one of the pieces of paper, open, read it and establish whether these are true or false. The volunteer will ask what each child thinks about that behaviour.

         Please find some examples here below:
         1. Accepting positive criticism
         2. Accept ‘NO’ for an answer
         3. Working with others
         4. Asking for permission
         5. Following instructions
         6. Showing respect to others
         7. Listening to when someone talks to you
         8. Using appropriate voice tone
         9. Asking for help when required
         10. Making an apology
         11. Waiting for your turn
         12. Be/playing safe alone and with others
         13. Being considerate: thinking of others
         14. Be kind to others
         15. Be polite with others
         16. Be sincere: being totally honest
         17. I do what I say, all the time
         18. I keep up with what I promise to do.
         19. I am grateful to life.
         20. I respect my parents, my family and myself.
         21. Be responsible for your actions.

         Here is a list of words that refer to bad social behaviour:
         1. Be Aggressive to others: verbally or physically threatening
         2. Argue with people whenever possible
         3. I am bossy: always telling people what to do
         4. I get people to do what I want
         5. I don’t care others or their feelings
         6. I am very moody: unpredictable; change moods often
         7. Being rude: treating people badly; breaking social rules
         8. Don’t think about the effects of your actions or words.

         Sixth: Acrostic activity – Give each child a piece of paper and ask her/him to write the word ATTITUDE vertically down the left side of the paper.

A
T
T
I
U
D
E

         Set a timer for about 5 minutes and brainstorm with the children all the traits and characteristics that we see in people with a good outlook on life. Let’s look at Jesus, our guide and model to follow. Next, ask the children to remember some of those traits and word them so they fit in acrostic. For example, the children’s paper might say:
         Always see the good in a situation.
         Tries to find solutions to problems.
         Takes time to appreciate the little things.
         Is happy with what he has.
         Takes responsibility for his actions.
         Understands the need to listen to other people’s opinions and thoughts.
         Doesn’t complain often.
         Enjoys life.

         Seventh: The volunteer will show the following video: (the boy who shares the bread and fish with Jesus) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaPChCpphU4

         Eighth: Activity - Create a Jesus' life book. The volunteer will first explain they will prepare a book with all the stories told and lived by Jesus. Children will be asked to colour the hardcover of the file and also write down a name for the book. The volunteer will then bring the story of the boy printed (please see the pictures below).

         The kids should put the pictures of the story in sequence and also write about what happened in each picture. They should put the first story inside of their book as soon as they finish.


         Extra Activities:

         Activity - Learning how to be a boy who shares. The volunteer will bring the drawing of fish and bread that will be distributed for all the kids. Each child will be asked to write on the fish and bread good actions they do in order to help at home, at school and with their friends. They can have more than 2 pictures if they want. One at each time should then read one action and put the drawing inside of a basket which will be placed in the centre of the table.

         Extra story: Jesus Feeds Five Thousand.

         Suggested activity to be given as Homework

         Closing prayer

         Class suggested being suitable for: 1st cycle (7 to 8 years old).

         Spiritist volunteer: Juana Castro, London, linked to The Spiritist Psychological Society.

                  

[Classes]    |    [Print]