The regular session is for use in a single session, such as just Sunday School or the Church hour. It is suitable for 2's and 3's. The regular session makes use of Intake Activities, an Opening Circle, and a Closing Circle time, with play time scheduled in between the two circle times.
As children gather for class, they can either play in just-for-fun activity centers you have set up; or, they take part in the Story or Bible Verse Review game you have chosen to use. Suggestions for these are included in the unit resources. Refer back to the Activities section to see samples of these.
Opening Circle Time
Opening Circle Time is the main teaching time for the regular session version. The children say the Class Rules Chant; the teacher prays the Opening Prayer; then introduces the Big Question, Bible Verse, Action Rhyme and Bible Story. Circle time concludes with the Unit Prayer and Music, Movement and Memory Songs and Activities. The children are then dismissed to Play Time/Optional Reinforcement Activities for the bulk of the remainder of the session.
Play Time and Reinforcement Activities
Just for Fun Activities
During play time, the children play with a variety of just-for-fun activities. Appendix A in the Teacher's Binder includes some suggested activities.
Reinforcement Activities
You may also choose to add as many or as few of the other activities listed in the curriculum as Story and Bible Verse Review Games (same as Intake Activities); reading related unit stories in a Story Corner (listed in Appendix D of the Teacher's Binder); and/or the Take & Tell Crafts. In classes with younger 2's, you will choose fewer of these activities. In classes with older 2's and 3's, you will probably choose more of these activities. Time may be another limiting factor.
Closing Circle Time
The children gather back together again in the last minutes of class for Closing Circle Time. During this brief time, the teacher and the children review the "big news they have to Go and Tell." They say the Big Question and Answer and hold up the crafts they made to remind themselves of their meaning. The teacher closes with a brief Closing Prayer.
