Monday
Aug202012
leave an {empty} space
Monday, August 20, 2012 at 11:09AM
oh, the 4th & 5th grade dilemma. many consulting phone calls begin i don't know what to do about our 4th & 5th graders. they aren't interested in the lesson. they're bored. they misbehave. or worse, they ask questions i don't know how to answer. {eek!}
this is not a simple fix. many factors contribute to the 4th & 5th grade discontent. but, i'm willing to try something. anything, really. so that our children can experience jesus anew.
maybe we've made church too easy {for our oldest children}. we ask for little involvement -- we create the lessons, gather the supplies, set up the stage, and arrange the chairs. we exert great energy in creating ideal learning environments for children, all the while forgetting to engage children in the creation of the space.
is it possible that the best learning spaces for children are created by children?
i wonder, in our attempts to create a "wow" factor for children when they first walk into a space, we've lost our ability to create long-lasting "wow" moments: children who hear God's spirit, connect stories to their lives, and worship jesus fully with their hearts.
maybe we're not giving children enough opportunities to co-create their classrooms.
imagine our children as co-teachers, co-learners, co-owners with each other. beautiful.
in her book formational children's ministry, ivy beckwith mentions something that is sticking with me these days. she describes an experience in which her children weren't connecting with the lesson. one day, she looked around the classroom realizing the children had no physical ownership of the room. she, as the teacher, came early to set up the chairs and arrange the supplies. when the children arrived, the room had already been set for them resulting in very little connection to their environment.
one sunday {in an attempt to change this}, ivy left the room empty. the chairs were stacked in a corner and the supplies unorganized. when the children arrived, they were confused! was class cancelled today? ivy mentioned that today was a special day -- together they would set up the classroom. should the chairs be set up in a circle, a square, or in rows? should the supplies stay in the bin, or be spread around the room?
what is the lesson, the children asked? because this will inform the classroom set-up {smart children!}. ivy outlined the lesson and showed the children the supplies. and, they worked as a team to imagine, problem-solve, and create the perfect room for that day's lesson. once the room was complete, the children sat in their chairs actively engaged in the lesson having created their perfect space.
consider leaving an empty space.
leave the chairs stacked, or the supplies in their bins, or the large group stage folded in the closet. when the children arrive, ask how they might imagine the room. describe the lesson, and together create the classroom. and watch how children engage in a space designed {not just for them} but by them.
go crazy. this sunday, leave an empty space. and, in the emptiness ask that God might fill the room with his Spirit so that 4th & 5th grade children will experience Him anew.
this is not a simple fix. many factors contribute to the 4th & 5th grade discontent. but, i'm willing to try something. anything, really. so that our children can experience jesus anew.
maybe we've made church too easy {for our oldest children}. we ask for little involvement -- we create the lessons, gather the supplies, set up the stage, and arrange the chairs. we exert great energy in creating ideal learning environments for children, all the while forgetting to engage children in the creation of the space.
is it possible that the best learning spaces for children are created by children?
i wonder, in our attempts to create a "wow" factor for children when they first walk into a space, we've lost our ability to create long-lasting "wow" moments: children who hear God's spirit, connect stories to their lives, and worship jesus fully with their hearts.
maybe we're not giving children enough opportunities to co-create their classrooms.
imagine our children as co-teachers, co-learners, co-owners with each other. beautiful.
in her book formational children's ministry, ivy beckwith mentions something that is sticking with me these days. she describes an experience in which her children weren't connecting with the lesson. one day, she looked around the classroom realizing the children had no physical ownership of the room. she, as the teacher, came early to set up the chairs and arrange the supplies. when the children arrived, the room had already been set for them resulting in very little connection to their environment.
one sunday {in an attempt to change this}, ivy left the room empty. the chairs were stacked in a corner and the supplies unorganized. when the children arrived, they were confused! was class cancelled today? ivy mentioned that today was a special day -- together they would set up the classroom. should the chairs be set up in a circle, a square, or in rows? should the supplies stay in the bin, or be spread around the room?
what is the lesson, the children asked? because this will inform the classroom set-up {smart children!}. ivy outlined the lesson and showed the children the supplies. and, they worked as a team to imagine, problem-solve, and create the perfect room for that day's lesson. once the room was complete, the children sat in their chairs actively engaged in the lesson having created their perfect space.
consider leaving an empty space.
leave the chairs stacked, or the supplies in their bins, or the large group stage folded in the closet. when the children arrive, ask how they might imagine the room. describe the lesson, and together create the classroom. and watch how children engage in a space designed {not just for them} but by them.
go crazy. this sunday, leave an empty space. and, in the emptiness ask that God might fill the room with his Spirit so that 4th & 5th grade children will experience Him anew.
Reader Comments (3)
Cool idea. I think I'll try this on Sunday.
great! email me next monday w/an update -- i'll add it to this post.
Good idea. I'm in the middle of that book right now, but haven't gotten to that part yet. I find hanging the kids art work on the walls is something they really like (I have younger kids) but if I had older kids, I bet they would love arranging the room!
Lindsey @ GrowingKidsMinistry.com