tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341863532024-03-13T12:35:39.555-07:00Inside The ClassroomReflections as a parent, teacher, and curriculum writer; and what the children, in turn, have taught me.Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-12422554901718938892013-08-20T14:27:00.000-07:002013-08-20T14:27:01.051-07:00God Is Great Book Giveaway<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-12379026388459939552012-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:002012-10-05T06:00:13.474-07:00Nursery Curriculum
One participant at my recent Yes You Can! seminar asked if I could recommend curriculum for the nursery and toddler level child. Here are several curriculum recommendations:
Standard carries curriculum for toddlers as part of their HeartShaper curriculum. Check Standard's website for other nursery level books.
First Look is a web-based curriculum for nursery through 5 year olds.
&Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-19148906057545388912012-10-03T04:58:00.000-07:002012-10-03T04:58:35.830-07:00Yes You Can!This past weekend, I was privileged to teach the Yes You Can! teaching ministry seminar to area churches in Western Illinois. It was a fun-filled weekend as we discovered together how God can use our unique gifts to train others how to live the Christian faith.
During the Friday evening and Saturday morning sessions, we discussed what we will learn as we gain experience in teaching, Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-65312223060684047112012-03-21T09:47:00.003-07:002012-08-21T11:47:14.616-07:00Grace RevisitedSeveral years ago, I wrote a blog about teaching children the concept of grace (see May 29th, 2009). Today, a very shortened version of that story appears in the daily devotional guide, The Upper Room. The editorial staff of the Upper Room kindly invited me to write the blog entry to accompany my devotional. In "Growing in Grace," I tell the story of another teacher who gave me the theological Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-1913129429853455922012-03-09T06:45:00.005-08:002012-03-09T06:55:33.719-08:00Say Know To Teaching"I can't teach!" I've heard that from so many church members when the plea goes forth for more children's ministry workers. Their body language is almost humorous. They actually take a step back. I can envision their hands coming up, as if to push away the plea.Have you said that? Are you one of those who think you can't teach children?Let me ask you another question. Do you believe that Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-56064239216053364532011-11-22T18:56:00.000-08:002011-11-22T18:57:48.571-08:00The Little ThingsSometimes - many times - it's the little things that matter.Ten days ago, my husband went in for outpatient surgery. Today, he is still in the hospital. He came home twice, only to return due to multiple complications. We've felt like we have been in a whirlpool of quicksand that has threatned to suck us under. As a minister, he has been so frustrated because he feels he has left his congregationKaren Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-44935111667161919912011-11-07T02:45:00.000-08:002011-11-07T02:48:05.294-08:00Selecting Quality Literature for ChildrenSeveral posts back, I reviewed the children's book, "The Creation," by Janice Green. In my review, I spoke about the need for more quality children's books.In case you missed the comment section, here's one reader's reaction:"My best introduction to children's books was at the university when I took a class on children's literature. It gave me an overview of what was out there and which authors Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-76440053457757092532011-11-02T13:01:00.000-07:002011-11-02T13:08:43.297-07:00Children's Ministry Response to HalloweenBy now, many of you have already celebrated Halloween or a Halloween alternative in your children's ministry, or you have taken your child trick or treating. Our church hosted over fifty children at a “Neewollah” (Halloween spelled backwards) celebration, a fall festival with a “Trunk and Treat,” a bounce house, a putt putt golf course, face painting and lots of food and oh, yes, candy. As you Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-71535523478000266802011-10-25T05:29:00.000-07:002011-10-25T05:36:11.996-07:00Answering God's Call: Part TwoIn my last post, I shared how God fulfilled my dream of serving on the foreign mission field by leading me to write children's ministry curriculum. God has not been absent in using me to promote the gospel on the foreign mission field. As I quoted in my earlier post, His ways are not our ways. He sculpts His call to us in the way that will best use our gifts - and weaknesses - that will benefit Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-14125844674869221082011-10-17T09:02:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:06:55.575-07:00Answering God's CallOver this past weekend, God gave me another glimpse into understanding His character. He has a way of crumbling my preconceived ideas about Him that reminds me all too well of the verse from Isaiah 55:8: "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord." The next verse reminds me that His ways are higher, better and more magnificent than mine. If He Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-85194492775852054322011-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:002011-10-11T10:03:41.109-07:00Rescuing Children At RiskAs I've worked Inside The Classroom in children's ministry, there have been certain children who have tried my patience to the point of wanting to quit. Rebellious, uncooperative, inattentive, disruptive, violent, insecure, underachieving. I admit, I've wanted to take them by the shoulders and shake the bad behavior out of them, saying, "What's wrong with you? Snap out of it!"Then I hear tales ofKaren Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-36968792634909616272011-10-06T10:02:00.000-07:002011-10-06T10:04:43.045-07:00Book Review: The CreationWhen my two daughters were anticipating their first year of public school, Reader's Digest asked Barbara Bush, a supporter of national literacy, how parents could best help their children learn to read and to love reading. Mrs.' Bush's answer? "Read, read, read."It was great advice. Yet, as a parent, I found it a struggle to find new books that presented the values I wanted my children to possessKaren Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-81447867979168159242011-10-06T09:02:00.000-07:002011-10-06T09:03:30.162-07:00Teaching Children About DeathThe two most difficult topics for parents and teachers to discuss with children are sex and death. For some odd reason, the church often steers away from these two crucial life topics. letting parents or schools handle the tough questions. As Craig Groeschell notes about sex in his book Weird: When Normal Isn't Working, we turn the topic of death over to complete strangers where children will Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-73155652871655248722011-09-28T14:40:00.000-07:002011-09-28T15:08:07.305-07:00Praying For Our SchoolsToday is "See You At the Pole" Day, a student oriented movement to motivate students, teachers, parents and community members to pray for our public and private schools and the children who attend them.We need to pray for our kids. If you missed a "See You At The Pole" event this morning, or want to continue praying for the schools and children within your sphere of influence or concern, here areKaren Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-50232440120566620342011-09-19T17:25:00.000-07:002011-09-19T17:43:02.377-07:00How to Comfort a Bereaved ChildThanks to the Ministry To Children website, I found a resource that will help me this week in dealing with a family who have lost a beloved grandma. I hope it is a help to you as well.How to Comfort a Bereaved ChildNext week, I'll share some more ideas on how you can help a child deal with death and funerals before they occur.Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-83206698032290820912011-09-19T14:56:00.000-07:002011-09-19T15:00:49.397-07:00In Praise of ParentingAs I grow older and less connected with children, I fervently hope I can stay sweet, kind and approachable to the kids I encounter. I want to show interest in them. I want them to know I value them, I'm interested in them, that they aren't an annoyance to me. I get so mad when I catch myself becoming grouchy at their noisy presence at restaurants.Deep down, I understand how tough it is to be a Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-57383264577849526892011-09-12T09:49:00.000-07:002011-09-12T09:58:35.336-07:00How To Lead A Child To ChristThe goal of every children's ministry worker is to see the children they teach come to an acceptance of Christ as their Savior. Yet, when the moment comes, I've seen many teachers balk, afraid they don't know enough or they might miss something. They call their pastor, letting him "finish the job."The goal of every pastor and church leader is to equip church members to be able to do this Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-91865968159563367912010-12-14T03:10:00.000-08:002010-12-14T06:02:07.637-08:00The Role of Prayer in Children's Ministry“'If you never ask, the answer is always no.'”So starts an excellent article written by Steve May in his Monday Memo blog from his website, About Sunday. Steve continues:"The person who made this statement recently was talking to marketers about closing the sale. It got my attention because it also applies to our prayer life."James said, 'You do not have because you do not ask God.'” (James 4:2)"Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-33913875627902597552010-12-03T14:00:00.000-08:002010-12-03T14:03:08.127-08:00Class Divisions in the Smaller ChurchOne kindergarten student. One first grader who comes only occasionally. Then there is one fourth grader. Two fifth graders. One sixth grader and two eighth graders.You look at your fingers on which you've been tallying the roster of children attending your Sunday School, then glance in despair at the curriculum catalogue in front of you. How can you follow the guidelines of the curriculum with Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-75517618787171712132010-11-22T07:03:00.000-08:002010-11-22T08:13:13.572-08:00Helping Children Weather the Storms of Church ConflictSeveral times over the course of our ministry, my husband and I have witnessed church members argue or gossip about church issues in front of an open classroom door. Those times have left marks on our hearts like unwanted tattoos, for we know how such talk can leave even greater destruction in the spiritual future of the children who overhear the harsh, ugly talk.Church conflict is never pleasantKaren Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-32215343281463582232010-11-09T16:00:00.000-08:002010-11-09T16:08:46.338-08:00Storytelling for Preschoolers"Tell me another story!" The four-year-old boy before me bounced on the balls of his feet.I lay my stuffed dog I had dubbed as Ulfilas in my lap. My goodness, I didn't think my Early Church historical story about Ulfilas the Goth who brought Christianity to the Germanic tribes in the fourth century A.D. was that exciting. I love the early stories of how passionate Christians through the power of Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-30781506633023190262010-11-05T07:49:00.000-07:002010-11-05T07:52:12.125-07:00The Future of Christian EducationRecently my minister-husband and another local minister confessed to each other that the children's ministry in both their churches is "drying up." We continue to hear that our little church is not alone, that children's programs are receding both locally and nationally. Bob Russell, in a compelling article in the Florida Christian College's "Son Life" newsletter, blamed the declining numbers of Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-33422710297111405902010-10-26T18:46:00.000-07:002010-10-26T18:47:44.306-07:00Praying for your Children's Ministry ClassIt's seven o'clock Sunday morning. As I check my stack of supplies for my Children's Ministry class, I succumb to my well worn temptation to second guess myself. Have I prepared adequately? Have I selected age-appropriate activities? Who will attend my class today? Will it be mostly younger children who need extra time to cut and glue? Will it be the group of older boys who need energy siphoning Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-63523618128709469442010-10-21T10:02:00.000-07:002010-11-04T18:25:39.064-07:00Teaching Our Children About HopeI, along with 1.2 billion people sat transfixed. Each time the small capsule rose out of the narrow hole drilled through hundreds of rocky feet to the dark cavern entrapping thirty-three Chilean miners for 69 days, tears filled my eyes and a smile lined my face. The world watched thirty three miracles rise from what should have been certain, slow, agonizing death. Even after all the kudos for theKaren Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34186353.post-25533466084208573562010-10-15T17:56:00.000-07:002010-10-15T18:00:53.471-07:00The Problem of Bullying Revisited: Finding Positive SolutionsI find it interesting that in spite of several decades of schools' and colleges' emphasis on tolerance and diversity that the problem of bullying is compounding. Why does bullying continue in spite of supposed zero tolerance policies?Parents, teachers and children’s ministry workers have the power to stop bullying by not only teaching children that bullying is wrong, but by showing children Karen Wingatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08922983662282862282noreply@blogger.com0