Sample Units

Sample Unit: One Hundred Years Ago

Theme: God is Patient and Kind

Spiritual Overview

The lifestyle of 100 years ago presents an example of patience and wisdom. Today's world of modern technology produces a fast and instant society that has lost the art of enjoying simple pleasures. The trend is to look for more and more amazing and complicated forms of entertainment, rely on processed foods and fast foods for nutrition, and to assign household chores to modern appliances.

Although modern technology offers many advantages, we need to keep sight of those aspects of God's character that may have been more in focus one hundred years ago. These aspects include: patience in doing jobs by hand, perseverance with manual jobs, appreciation of the land and all that it provides, appreciation of the creation and taking time to enjoy it, contentment with the things we have, and the ability to create something out of nothing.

Wisdom in the care for the environment can also be seen in practices of one hundred years ago. Old fashioned farming methods and lifestyle in general had less impact upon the environment.

 

Supporting devotional resource

Themes 4, (Patient): It takes patience to do things properly

Themes 4, (Wise): God's wisdom is better than being rich

Themes 5, (Wise): It is wise to be prepared

Key Questions

How does God show patience?

How do we see God's patience in the life of Jesus?

How does God want us to show patience?

What is perseverance?

How did people 100 years ago show patience and perseverance?

What is diligence?

How did they show diligence?

What is wisdom?

How did they show wisdom?

God is a wise Creator. How does He expect us to make use of His resources?

How can people show more wisdom in caring for the world God has made?

 

Biblical references

Acts 9:36-42 - Dorcas showed diligence in sewing.

Genesis 6: 14-16 - Noah showed patience and diligence in building the ark.

Hebrews 6:10-12 - Diligence in helping others.

Proverbs 31:10-29 - The diligent wife.

Proverbs 20:13; Matthew 25:1-13 - Laziness

Matthew 25:1-13 - The ten girls and their lamps. Diligence in our faith.

 

Objectives

To develop an appreciation of the quality of family life 100 years ago
To appreciate the attributes of patience, perseverance shown by people who lived a century ago.
To appreciate the wise use of resources in those times
To appreciate the determination of people who struggled to survive in difficult circumstances.
To experience the simple pleasures in a world devoid of modern technology and fast food (e.g. shared games, story telling, home-made food.)
To encouraging taking responsibility for helping out with some of the work around the home.

 

Activities

Compare life 100 years ago with today.
Compare jobs at home, our food, homes, clothing, transport and entertainment.
Research biographies of people who have made a significant contribution to our history.
Look at different machines and trace their development from their first invention to today.
Write descriptions of the homes, materials, clothes, food and implements of 100 years ago.
Discuss the art of story telling and practice telling a story.
Build models of pioneer homes.
Draw early implements.
Paint watercolour scenes from early years. Imagine that you are depicting a scene taken by the first camera invented. Your photos will be depicted in tones of brown and white. Use only tones of brown and white. Add a fancy border for your photo frame.
Bring old photos of great grandparents.
Paint or draw a family portrait 100 years ago. Depict old-fashioned clothing.
Make some fabric pioneer-style by spinning, weaving or knitting.
Define the difference between a tool and a machine.
Make some simple machines modeled on ones used 100 years ago, e.g. egg beater.
Make some simple tools modeled on tools from 100 years ago, e.g. a rolling pin.
Research the development of inventions and machinery.
Use old-fashioned games for addition and subtraction, e.g. dominoes; skittles; quoits.
Use games for multiplication. E.g. if every quoit is worth 7, what is my score?
Discuss the way in which pioneers made wise use of the environment.
List ways in which we can display wisdom in energy conservation, less waste and recycling.

 

Our response to 'God is Patient and Kind':

Because God is patient and kind, I will…

try to be patient with others
try to be patient with myself
remember that God will answer my prayers in His time
finish jobs properly and not take short-cuts
persevere and not give up when things get difficult
show self-control
show kindness and gentleness to others
learn to listen
learn to wait
learn to let others go first
help people when they are hurting
be friendly
be forgiving
be faithful

 

Sample Unit: Consumer Education

Theme: God is Wisdom and Truth

Spiritual Awareness

Throughout life we are constantly faced with making choices and decisions. Choices can be right or wrong. In order to make wise choices, and right choices, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit who can guide us into all truth.

Discernment of truth is necessary in making decisions. This is something we acquire as we learn to hear God's voice.

Supporting devotional resource

Themes 4: (Wise): God's wisdom is better than being rich

Themes 7: (Wise): The wisest choice

Themes 6, (Truth): Jesus, the way, the truth and the life

Biblical references

Proverbs 3:5-8 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

James 1:5 - Ask God for wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6-10 - Only the Lord gives wisdom.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19 - The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.

Genesis 11 - The people who built the tower of Babel relied on their own wisdom.

Psalm 16:7-8 - The importance of allowing God to guide us.

Proverbs 1:9-10 0 Ask for God's wisdom in making decisions.

Proverbs 8:11 - Wisdom is better than riches.

Matthew 19:16-29 - The rich young ruler's choice.

Joshua 24:14-16 - A choice between the true God and false gods.

John 16:12 - When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.

Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24 - The greatest decision we can make.

Matthew 7:13-14 - The broad and narrow way.

John 14:6-7 - I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.

John 10:1-8 - The Good Shepherd. The sheep recognises His voice.

John 18:37 - Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice.

Key Questions

Do advertisements always tell the truth?

Which products do I ask Mum to buy?

Do I ask for the products in the advertisements?

Does advertising make me want to buy more?

How do advertisements get us to buy things we don't really need?

Should I buy something just because it is cheap?

What is the meaning of good value?

 

Objectives

To explain the purpose of advertisements.
To explain the techniques used to increase product sales.
To recognise whether or not advertisements are telling the truth.
To recognise the tactics advertising companies use to deceive the consumer.

 

Activities

Collect newspaper / magazine advertisements.
Describe / report on T.V. advertisements. Report on what is being advertised. Describe the techniques used in the advertisements. How do they get people's attention?
Describe the purpose of the advertisements.
Suggest the particular audience the advertisement is targeting.
Measure the time taken by advertisements in half an hour of viewing.
Estimate the types of products that are advertised the most.
Rate advertisements according to their degree of truthfulness i.e. helpful / partly true / untrue.
Explain why some advertisements are not really true. Do they exaggerate?
Explain why some advertisements can be helpful.
Mime a T.V. advertisement.
Make a collection of jingles.
Write a jingle.
Have a competition to match jingles to products.
Conduct experiments to see whether advertisers are telling the truth e.g. does the washing powder really whiten?
Make a list of words used by advertisers that encourage us to buy things e.g. 'sale'; 'buy one and get one free'.
Conduct surveys to find the popularity of different products or brands.
Conduct surveys to find out why people buy particular products.
Collect empty packets and set up a shop. Price the packets and decide which products are the best value for money.
Make a table: The things I need to buy in: summer, autumn, winter, spring. Compare this to the extra things I could buy each season, but don't really need.
Make a list of foods we really need, and those we don't really need.
Act out a shopping experience. Explain why you chose a particular item e.g. colour, style, your Mum liked it.

Our response to 'God is Wisdom and Truth'

Because God is Wisdom I will…

Ask God what is the right thing to do, and do it.
Listen to people who are wiser than me.
Listen to my parents and teachers.
Obey God's word.
Do what Jesus would do.
Ask Jesus to be the guide throughout my life.
Treat God's Creation with wisdom.

 

Because God is Truth I will…

Speak the truth
Be honest
Never cheat
Never steal
Never lie or exaggerate
Be trustworthy
Be true to my word and keep promises.
Be myself and not try to be someone I am not.
Ask God to show me the truth.
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me into all truth.
Believe that God's word is the truth.
Believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Sample Unit:The Solar System (Creation day 4)

Theme: God is a Powerful Creator

He is…

the creator of the universe
supernatural
a designer
a miracle worker
a healer
Lord and King of the universe

Spiritual Awareness

God has placed the stars, planets and their moons in place. He upholds them by His power. He has created the gravitational systems that cause our times and seasons.

Biblical references

Genesis 1 The Creation

Joshua 10 The day the sun stood still

Isaiah 40:25-26 The greatness of the stars.

Psalm 74:16-17 You established the sun and the moon; It was You who set all the boundaries of the earth; You made both summer and winter.

Psalm 104:19 The moon marks off the seasons and the sun knows where to go down.

Psalm 102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Psalm 8 When I consider the heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and stars which You have set in place…

Psalm 136:1-9 Give thanks for His great creation.

Key Questions

What does the greatness of the universe show us about God?

How great is God's love?

Is the Earth a special planet?

What has God provided for us in the creation of the solar system?

What does God want me to do?

Think about the greatness of the stars and planets.
Remember that I am so small, yet He loves me and knows me individually.

Science Objectives

To understand our place in space.
To explain what a solar system is.
To understand the difference between a stars and planets, moons, comets and meteors.
To explain the cause of day and night, times and seasons. To understand the main characteristics of the sun and its importance to earth.
To understand the phases of the moon and its effect upon tides.
To explain the effect of the earth's tilt.
To explain the main characteristics of the planets in our solar system.
To explain the effects of an eclipse
To define galaxies, constellations and stars, and find examples in the night sky.

Activities

Draw a diagram of our solar system and name the planets.

Set up a model using a light globe and a ball to show the way in which the earth rotates on its axis, experiencing day and night.

Use the model to show the earth's revolution around the sun.

Make a 3D model of the solar system.

Find our place on a rotating earth model.

Chart the position of the sun during the day and explain why the sun rises and sets.

Experiment with a mirror and an electric light bulb to show how the moon reflects the sun's light.

Describe the experiences of astronauts and their space voyages.

Design and make a rocket.

Recognize and name the phases of the moon. Keep an observation chart.

Calculate the approximate distance of the planets from the sun, using scale.

Make a star map and learn to recognize the main constellations.

Make a report on the conditions of each planet in the solar system and explain why the Earth is perfectly suited to living things.

Make a model that illustrates how an eclipse occurs.

Study the work of Galileo, including the telescope.

Our Response to "God is Creator"

Because God is Creator I will…

Walk in the Light, because God is light.
Live a life that is good, honest and true
Appreciate of God's ability to supernaturally create.
Ask God to help me create new things, so that I can bless others.
Trust in a mighty, supernatural God.
Care for the universe He has created.
Appreciate the greatness of God and recognize that He is in control of all He has made.
Thank Him for His provision, through the Creation.
Recognize that I am wonderfully made and thank Him for making me as I am.
Recognize that God is Lord and King of the universe and has everything in control.
Recognize that in order to be the person God wants me to be, I must make Jesus Lord and King of my own life.

 

Sample Unit: My home/my family

Theme: God is a Loving Provider

He is…A father; A Shepherd; A healer; A provider; A person; faithful

Spiritual awareness

Living in families is God's plan. Every family is special. God provides for children and protects them, through the family structure. Children feel safe in the care of their parents. A family provides food, shelter and love.

People in families belong to one another. Parents love their children very much, and children love their parents. It is God's plan for family members to show love, respect, loyalty and support for one another. Family members must learn to trust each other, cooperate with each other and forgive each other.

The family structure represents God's care for His children. God loves and cares for us as a father. He protects and provides for us.

Biblical references

Luke 15:11-32 A story about a father who forgave his son.

Luke 2:41-52 A visit to the temple. Jesus obeyed His heavenly Father.

John 10 The Good Shepherd. God our heavenly Father loves and cares for us.

2 Corinthians 6:8 I will be your Father, and you shall be my sons and daughters.

1 John 3:1 See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that He has called us His children.

Romans 12:9-10 Brotherly love

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind.

Galatians 5:22 Love is a fruit of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents in the Lord.

Joshua 24:15 As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

Key Questions

What is a family?

Why did God choose to place us in families?

How does living in a family help us to get the things we need?

What are some of the problems family members may have in getting along together?

What should we do when we have family disagreements?

How can family members help each other in times of trouble?

How can you be helpful to your family?

How do parents expect their children to behave?

What does God expect?

Who made the rules for families?

What are some of the rules?

What does God want me to do?

love my family
obey my parents
help my family
thank Mum and Dad for the things they provide
have fun with my family
play peacefully with my brothers/sisters
forgive my family when they do things that upset me.

Social Objectives

To describe the caring and protective roles of parents.

To describe the responsibilities of children.

To recognize that peace and harmony in families is achieved by living the way God wants us to live.

To understand the love that God our Heavenly Father has for us.

Activities

Describe/research the family life of Jesus as a boy.

Make a photo collection of your family.

Draw your family.

List members of your immediate family. List other members (extended).

Draw/discuss the things that are special to your family - house, pets.

Design a family coat of arms.

Describe family members. Write about them.

Describe the things that family members do together.

Discuss the advantages/disadvantages of being the oldest or youngest family member.

Discuss different types of families: large, small, single parent.

Measure and graph heights of family members.

Make a diagram of your family table, looking from above. Use a symbol for each member.

Look at family likeness. e.g. hair colour, eye colour.

Make a family tree.

Make a list of family rules.

 

Our response to "God is a Loving Provider"

Because God is a Loving Provider I will…

Love God
Love others
Forgive others
Be kind and patient with others
Help others
Thank God for the things He provides
Thank my parents for the things they provide
Share with others the things that God has provided.

 

For more sample units, see "Curriculum".