Virtual Children's Nurture
Sharing the love of God any way we can

Every Sunday on Zoom | 2020-2021 School Year | 9:30am - 9:50am

Thanks so much for signing up to nurture WCF children in virtual classes! This is a concrete way that we can teach the love of God to the kids we love so much.

There will be two different concurrent classes: one for Sprouts and Saplings (and Acorns where families see fit) and one for Oaks and Sequoias. 

Each class will need two adults, one TEACHER and one VOLUNTEER, just like the in-person child safety rules. 

Please scroll down for lesson schedules, how-tos, and tips for online storytelling.

BEST PRACTICES FOR ONLINE STORYTELLING

These tips are taken and adapted from an article by Karen Deboer: 5 Terrific Tips for Telling God's Story with Children During Online Worship

Be prepared. Read the story you’ll be telling out loud several times to yourself so that you can tell it well with children.

Be warm. Smile and let kids know how much you look forward to seeing them and spending time in God’s story together. Be a familiar, friendly face during an anxiety-inducing time.

Exaggerate your facial expressions. Beforehand, you may want to practice making big facial expressions so they translate well to the zoom.  

Invite participation. Include ways for the children to use their minds and bodies to engage with the story. Some ideas:

  • Begin by taking a deep, calming breath together; invite thumbs up/thumbs down responses to questions; use echo prayers and prayers that include motions
  • Encourage families to have art supplies and building blocks nearby, and encourage kids to use whatever they have on hand to retell the story after you’ve told it to them. 

Invite Wonder. Pause periodically as you tell the story and ask “I wonder…” questions about what’s happening. Wondering questions have no right or wrong answers and they help listeners reflect more deeply on what they’re learning. 

Use story symbols, pictures, or an object to tell the story. Kids really respond to images, but especially objects and toys when learning online. 

TEACHERS

Role: Prepares the 15 minute lesson and leads the teaching.

The way you use class time is up to you! However, if you'd like a bit more guidance, most teachers are following this basic format: 

  • Gather: Allow kids to arrive and wait to begin until 9:35. While you wait, greet each kid/family and if its helpful, prepare an opening question, like "What did you eat for breakfast?" 
  • Sing: 2-3 minutes - Kids miss signing together. A song or two is a great way to begin the lesson. If you need song ideas, here's a link to the music idea document from VBS
  • Story/Lesson: 8-12 minutes - Curriculum schedule is listed below. Using images or objects to tell the story is a very helpful way to teach over zoom! Encourage participation with "wonder" questions (see bottom of this page) or motions and movement. 
  • Pray/Bless: 1-3 minutes - Say a short prayer or short blessing before sending the kids into the rest of their day in God's love.
  • Dismiss: End the time by 9:50a

Please log-in by 9:25am so you are present before kids arrive. 

If you want to display something on the screen, its probably best to send it to your volunteer ahead of time so they can share their screen at the right time. The other option is to let the volunteer designate you as the host for that time. 

The zoom link will be emailed to you. No need to worry about hosting zoom, just join the meeting when you're ready. 

 

VOLUNTEERS

Role: Controls the zoom waiting room and muting function and acts as a smiling, friendly presence. 

  • Waiting Room: Every kid needs to be let into the classroom, so prompt admission is important. Should any unwanted people try to enter the room, they can't enter without your admission. You can always send anyone back to the waiting room at any time. 
  • Muting: If kids have background noise or are fighting with their siblings, you can mute them with your zoom control. You may need to unmute them to answer questions as well. 
  • Screen Sharing (if applicable): The lead teacher may want to share some images on the zoom call. They may send these to you beforehand, or ask you to transfer the host position to them for a short time. 
  • Friendly Presence: It's great to see the kids! Feel free to say hello and engage. It may be helpful at times to answer the lead teacher's question if the creative juices are running slow, be you are not expected to prepare anything for the lesson. 

Instructions on how to use zoom for Children's Nurture hosting can be found in this How-To Document. 

Please log-in to the zoom classroom before 9:25am to make sure its ready.

You will need to log into the WCF children zoom account. These credentials will be emailed to you. 

SPROUTS AND SAPLINGS

Refer to lesson books for lesson plans.

Date Sprouts and Saplings Curriculum - David C Cook: Gospel Light
1/3/21 Winter B, Unit 2, Lesson 5: Jesus at the Temple
1/10/21 Winter B, Unit 2, Lesson 6: John Preaches
1/17/21 Winter B, Unit 2, Lesson 7: John Baptizes Jesus
1/24/21 Winter B, Unit 2, Lesson 8: Jesus Chooses Helpers
1/31/21 Winter B, Unit 3, Lesson 9: Woman at the Well
2/7/21 Winter B, Unit 3, Lesson 10: Jesus' Prayer
2/14/21 Winter B, Unit 3, Lesson 11: Jesus Loves Children
2/21/21 Winter B, Unit 3, Lesson 12: Jesus Loves Zaccaeus
2/28/21 Winter B, Unit 3, Lesson 13: The Poor Woman's Gift
3/7/21 Spring B, Unit 1, Lesson 1: Sick Boy is Made Well
3/14/21 Spring B, Unit 1, Lesson 2: Four Friends Help
3/21/21 Spring B, Unit 1, Lesson 3: One Man Thanks Jesus
3/28/21 Spring B, Unit 2, Lesson 5: Jesus Enters Jerusalem
4/4/21 Spring B, Unit 2, Lesson 6: The Empty Tomb
4/11/21 Spring B, Unit 2, Lesson 7: The Road to Emmaus
4/18/21 Spring B, Unit 2, Lesson 8: Jesus is Alive
4/25/21 Spring B, Unit 1, Lesson 4: A Rich Man's Question
5/2/21 Spring B, Unit 3, Lesson 9: Paul Tells about Jesus
5/9/21 Spring B, Unit 3, Lesson 10: Singing tin Jail
5/16/21 Spring B, Unit 3, Lesson 11: Paul Obeys God
5/23/21 Spring B, Unit 3, Lesson 12: A Boy Helps Paul
5/30/21 Spring B, Unit 3, Lesson 13: Safe in a Shipwreck
6/6/21 Summer B...
6/13/21 Summer B...
6/20/21 Summer B...

 

Date Teacher Volunteer
1st Sundays Stacey Kristal
2nd Sundays Phyllis TBD
3rd Sundays Alice Jessie
4th Sundays Ben TBD


See PCO for Up-do-date changes to general schedule

 

 

OAKS AND SEQUOIAS

Access the lesson plans in the google drive curriculum folder share or use your dwell access login. 

Date Oaks and Sequoias Curriculum - Dwell: Wonder
1/3/21 Year 1, Unit 4, Ses 5: Jesus and Thankful Man
1/10/21 Year 1, Unit 4, Ses 6: Jesus and Thankful Woman
1/17/21 Year 2, Unit 1, Ses 1: Creation: Skies and Seas, Plants and Trees
1/24/21 Year 2, Unit 1, Ses 2: Creation: Owls, Octopuses, Panthers and People
1/31/21 Year 2, Unit 1, Ses 3: Creation: Taking Care of God's World
2/7/21 Year 2, Unit 1, Ses 4: Sin Spoils God's World
2/14/21 Year 2, Unit 1, Ses 5: Cain and Abel
2/21/21 Year 2, Unit 1, Ses 6: Rain and Rainbows
2/28/21 Year 2, Unit 2, Ses 1: The Tallest Tower
3/7/21 Year 2, Unit 2, Ses 2: Abraham and Sarah Believe God's Promises
3/14/21 Year 1, Unit 5, Ses 2: The Footwashing
3/21/21 Year 1, Unit 5, Ses 3: A Sad Night
3/28/21 Year 1, Unit 5, Ses 1: The Great Parade
4/4/21 Year 1, Unit 5, Ses 4: Jesus Died/Jesus Lives!
4/11/21 Year 1, Unit 5, Ses 5: On the Road to Emmaus
4/18/21 Year 1, Unit 5, Ses 6: Thomas the Doubter
4/25/21 Year 1, Unit 6, Ses 1: Feed My Sheep
5/2/21 Year 1, Unit 6, Ses 2: Jesus Goes Back to Heaven
5/9/21 Year 1, Unit 6, Ses 3: Pentecost
5/16/21 Year 1, Unit 6, Ses 4: A Man Jumps for Joy
5/23/21 Year 1, Unit 6, Ses 5: Philip and the Man from Ethiopia
5/30/21 Year 1, Unit 6, Ses 6: Go Tell!
6/6/21 Year 2, Unit 2, Ses 3: God's Promise Comes True
6/13/21 Year 2, Unit 2, Ses 4: Isaac and Rebekah
6/20/21 Year 2, Unit 2, Ses 5: Jacob Steals the Blessing

 

Date Teacher Volunteer
1st Sundays Amy TBD
2nd Sundays TBD Angie
3rd Sundays Ann TBD
4th Sundays Esther Marjorie

See PCO for Up-do-date changes to general schedule