Sundays with Teacher Tamarits: Hunyo 2018

Welcome (10 minutes)

Wait until majority of the students have arrived - I usually wait until the congregation's worship ends to give way to late comers. This also gives me time to set up some activity materials I will need as well sing along with the worship band in my mind.
Names of kids - I am terrible with names, and I would like to be able to call my students with their names. So all of the time, I think up of art activities or any discreet way to get the kids' name while we wait to start.
Options while waiting - I bring puzzles, adult coloring pages, activity books or other quiet toys to be played alone or in groups to keep the kids occupied.
Class is officially started when opening prayer is done.

Ice Breaker: Who Cracked Up First? (10 minutes)

From Christianity Cove, this game is very simple and may be played on the go. There is no material required, and is appropriate for any age level.

Here is how it goes:

Ask a kid to find a partner of the same age.
If there are below 5 pairs, ask a pair to go first. If there are many students, each pair can simultaneously follow the instructions teacher will give.
Have the kids face their partner. The goal is to keep a straight face longer than the partner. Blinking and breathing are allowed. The one who moves first gets eliminated.
If the time allows, do a semi-finals up to a finals round.
Optional: award prizes.

Kids in pair holding off their giggles

They were allowed to blink, but not to smile to win the Who Cracked Up First Game

Discussion (10 - 15 minutes)
As the children settle down, discuss the following points:

What does the activity 'Who Cracked Up First' teach you?
Discuss the definition of patience.

Read the Bible text for the day:

James 5:7-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

Patience in Suffering 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers,[a] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Source: BibleGateway

Memory Verse (10 minutes)

James 5:8 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Credit: Fruit of the Spirit

Craft Activity: Thanks for your Patience Greeting Card (15 minutes)
Adopted from the HandsOnBibleTeacher.com, our class will be making a greeting card with folded paper in front. I have made a sample for the kids to see. As in farming, it takes great patience to see flowers bloom and fruits grow, so must we remain patient.

Here are the steps to making this greeting card.

What you will need:

Board paper, or any paper with weight 65gsm and above
Printout text stickers: "Thanks for being so patient." and "James 5:8 ESV You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."
Markers for the inside text
Glue
Scissors
Colored or art paper
Pencil
Match stick
Printout of pot

Fold a sheet of board paper in half.
Let the students think of the most patient person in their lives. Then ask them to write their message to that person in the inside part of the card.
Distribute ready-made texts as stickers (or in my case, to glue onto the front part of the card) the children may freely use to decorate their card.