Sorry this is a day late! My free find for this week is AbcTeach.com. If you are a home schooler, teacher or parent, you need to take a look. The site was started by Sandy Kemsley, in 2000. Sandy is a retired school teacher with a desire to continue sharing her love of teaching after leaving the classroom.
I personally use the site to print worksheets for my daughter. She loves them and so do I! You will find free printable downloads for grades preschool to eighth grade covering a wide variety of subjects. While on the site, don't forget to sign up for the free newsletter to stay on top of new added materials and updates.
In addition to all the free printable worksheets, the site offers a paid subscription to even more resources at a reasonable price. Click here for more information. You will find this to be a great bargain. I know the last time I visited our local parent teacher store I left with a big case of sticker shock and a very small bag of books.
View the following video for more information:
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Vacation Bible School Permission Forms
Permission forms are a must for any Vacation Bible School for safety and planning purposes. Did you know that they can also be used as a follow-up contact source for your outreach committee? Don't throw them away after your VBS is over. Sometimes a friendly phone call or note is all it takes to get a family to start coming to church.
It is a good idea to offer preregistration to your church members well ahead of your kick off date. Many of the VBS packages offer online registration tools as part of the purchased package. Offer both online and paper registration - don't leave anyone out.
We have provided a Free VBS Permission form on our site. Use the Word format if you want to edit the form or just use the PDF if you like it as it is. If you make your own, be sure to include a section for allergies or special needs. If a parent indicates that their child has allergies or special needs, make sure that this information is passed along to all of the teachers or workers who will be supervising that child.
It is a good idea to offer preregistration to your church members well ahead of your kick off date. Many of the VBS packages offer online registration tools as part of the purchased package. Offer both online and paper registration - don't leave anyone out.
We have provided a Free VBS Permission form on our site. Use the Word format if you want to edit the form or just use the PDF if you like it as it is. If you make your own, be sure to include a section for allergies or special needs. If a parent indicates that their child has allergies or special needs, make sure that this information is passed along to all of the teachers or workers who will be supervising that child.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Free Find Friday: Father's Day Cards and Coloring Pages
The free find for today is from ActivityVillage.co.uk. This site has many ideas to keep kids busy plus lots of free printables. Visit the Father's Day page for printable cards, diplomas and much more. Be sure to sign up for their free newsletter.
Have a great weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the dads!
Have a great weekend and Happy Father's Day to all the dads!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
LifeWay's 2011 VBS - Big Apple Adventure
For a list of craft kits and ideas, go to: ChristianCrafts.net/vbs/big-apple-adventure.htm
More to come about this one later, enjoy the video:
More to come about this one later, enjoy the video:
Monday, June 14, 2010
Cokesbury VBS Theme 2011
If you like puzzles and guessing games, this will be fun for you: Cokesbury VBS 2011 Theme Puzzle. Each week until July 1, 2010, Cokesbury will present a new puzzle clue to their 2011 Vacation Bible School Theme. If you just don't have time, scroll down the page and a button will complete the puzzle for you. I can't wait to find out what it is, I just can't figure this out.
Here is the clue for week number 4: http://www.cokesburyvbs.com/vbs-2011-theme/index.php
Clues for Prior weeks:
Week # 1
Week # 2
Week # 3
My guess is something about nature and junk food. Maybe this is a theme to fight childhood obesity?
Here is the clue for week number 4: http://www.cokesburyvbs.com/vbs-2011-theme/index.php
Clues for Prior weeks:
Week # 1
Week # 2
Week # 3
My guess is something about nature and junk food. Maybe this is a theme to fight childhood obesity?
Friday, June 11, 2010
Free Find Friday - Fight Childhood Obesity
Does childhood obesity worry you? The statistics are heartbreaking. We can make a difference in the lives of our children and students. NourishInteractive.com is not only educational but fun and FREE! Here are just a few of the great resources offered on the site:
- Free online games children can play and learn about exercise and proper nutrition
- Free Meal planner nutrition tool
- Free printable information to send home to parents
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Last Minute Vacation Bible School Craft Ideas
Time has a way of creeping up on us and even passing us by. Maybe that is your situation or VBS got thrown into your lap at the last minute. Here are some quick and easy craft ideas that you can use:
Happy Crafting!
- Make jewelry out of pasta. All you need are different shapes of pasta and some yarn
- Sculpting with Clay. Get some quick dry clay and let the kids create something based on your lesson
- Bookmarks as a craft. You will need construction paper, stickers, hole punch and ribbons.
- Woven paper mat. Cut strips of paper and weave them together to form a mat. Secure the ends with tape
Happy Crafting!
Monday, June 7, 2010
High Seas Adventure Vacation Bible School
High Seas Adventure is Group Publishing's "Easy VBS" for 2010. The five-day VBS curriculum is based on the journeys of the Apostle Paul and utilizes a station concept. There are four stations which allow 20 to 25 minutes each and then on to the floating finale. Each station will reinforce the daily Bible point and story.The five Bible points are:
As always, Group Publishing has provided lots of on-line support and information. Visit the Podcast page for helpful training tips. The Group forum is another invaluable resource. If you have a question or problem, just post it and you will receive an answer from one of their staff or from another customer with a similar experience. The dates for their VBS U have already passed but be sure to start early next year and visit the Group site for a VBS U in your area.
One concept that may be new to you, if you have not used a Group VBS before, is mixing the age groups. For instance, at the elementary level you would have a mixture of all grades. Mixing the age groups supposedly cuts down on discipline problems because peers are not trying to impress each other with disruptive behavior.
The curriculum offers age-specific programs developed for the following groups:
View the Video for highlights and more information:
- God's Word is true.
- God's Word is comforting.
- God's Word is surprising.
- God's Word is life-changing.
- God's Word is for everyone.
As always, Group Publishing has provided lots of on-line support and information. Visit the Podcast page for helpful training tips. The Group forum is another invaluable resource. If you have a question or problem, just post it and you will receive an answer from one of their staff or from another customer with a similar experience. The dates for their VBS U have already passed but be sure to start early next year and visit the Group site for a VBS U in your area.
One concept that may be new to you, if you have not used a Group VBS before, is mixing the age groups. For instance, at the elementary level you would have a mixture of all grades. Mixing the age groups supposedly cuts down on discipline problems because peers are not trying to impress each other with disruptive behavior.
The curriculum offers age-specific programs developed for the following groups:
- Nursery
- Preschool
- Elementary
- Youth
View the Video for highlights and more information:
Friday, June 4, 2010
Free Find Friday!
Check the blog every Friday afternoon for links to free stuff for teachers. We will search the web each week and find something for you!
This Friday our free find is: Free Sunday School Curriculum from PreSchool Sunday School Central. This is a great site, they offer many free resources for Sunday School teachers. If you would like access to more, you can pay a low yearly fee of $15.99 (as of this writing).
Have a great weekend!
ChristianCrafts.net
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Hero Headquarters Vacation Bible School 2010
Hero Headquarters is the 2010 VBS by Standard Publishing. The premise is that we can all be heroes in God's Kingdom. The curriculum outlines fictional accounts of heroes that are not in the Bible but still do wonderful things in the eyes of the Lord.
Hero Headquarters promises to offer:
For more information, go to the Free Downloadable Planning Book. This publication provides a wealth of information on everything from music, snack and activities. The program can be adapted for kids of all ages.
From all appearances, Hero Headquarters promises to be a lot of fun with meaningful lessons that kids will enjoy and apply to their lives. I give this one a thumbs up! My only reservation about this program is that it seems to promote teachers wearing capes tied around their necks. While this may be okay for adults, it can be a choking hazard for children. Standard Publishing offers a safe alternative on their website: http://www.standardpub.com Their VBS Hero's Cape has been fully safety tested and will not put pressure on the neck area. If you use home made capes as props, let children know they should not do this at home!
Links to Resources on ChristianCrafts.net
View this video for an overview of the program:
Hero Headquarters promises to offer:
- Easy Planning
- Powerful Projects to Make and Share
- Flexible and Full of Options
- Easy to Decorate
- Relevant for All Ages
For more information, go to the Free Downloadable Planning Book. This publication provides a wealth of information on everything from music, snack and activities. The program can be adapted for kids of all ages.
From all appearances, Hero Headquarters promises to be a lot of fun with meaningful lessons that kids will enjoy and apply to their lives. I give this one a thumbs up! My only reservation about this program is that it seems to promote teachers wearing capes tied around their necks. While this may be okay for adults, it can be a choking hazard for children. Standard Publishing offers a safe alternative on their website: http://www.standardpub.com Their VBS Hero's Cape has been fully safety tested and will not put pressure on the neck area. If you use home made capes as props, let children know they should not do this at home!
Links to Resources on ChristianCrafts.net
View this video for an overview of the program:
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Vacation Bible School 2010
It is amazing to me how Vacation Bible School has changed since I was a kid (that is longer ago than I care to mention). I remember that VBS was fun but I really can't tell you anything memorable about the lessons. The only difference from our Sunday School classes is that we would get to have a snack and go out and play when it was all over. If we did any crafting at all, it was a coloring page.
Today we are more focused on what kids like and what gets them involved and learning. Companies like Standard, Gospel Light and more have come up with wonderful theme-oriented teaching packages that take a lot of the work out of Vacation Bible School Preparations. I greatly admire those who can write their own lessons and come up with creative ideas - that is a great blessing. However, if you are like me and most people I know, you are pressed for time and need help in the creativity department.
Today Vacation Bible School has grown from a daytime program for children into a community outreach opportunity for churches. It is more important than ever to take advantage of every chance to reach as many members and potential members as possible. Getting it right takes planning and preparation.
At ChristianCrafts.net it is our mission to gather as much information about VBS curriculum choices to help you make the wisest decision possible. If you are still trying to decide on a program, be sure to check out this blog in the next week as we review choices and curriculum. Not only will we give details about each package but we will also give price comparisons. It is more important now than ever to be wise stewards of church funds and we understand. We hope that our website and blog will be a valuable resource now and for years to come.
Blessings!
Today we are more focused on what kids like and what gets them involved and learning. Companies like Standard, Gospel Light and more have come up with wonderful theme-oriented teaching packages that take a lot of the work out of Vacation Bible School Preparations. I greatly admire those who can write their own lessons and come up with creative ideas - that is a great blessing. However, if you are like me and most people I know, you are pressed for time and need help in the creativity department.
Today Vacation Bible School has grown from a daytime program for children into a community outreach opportunity for churches. It is more important than ever to take advantage of every chance to reach as many members and potential members as possible. Getting it right takes planning and preparation.
At ChristianCrafts.net it is our mission to gather as much information about VBS curriculum choices to help you make the wisest decision possible. If you are still trying to decide on a program, be sure to check out this blog in the next week as we review choices and curriculum. Not only will we give details about each package but we will also give price comparisons. It is more important now than ever to be wise stewards of church funds and we understand. We hope that our website and blog will be a valuable resource now and for years to come.
Blessings!
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