Internet
Explorer users will notice that the reviews are organized in a collapsible
outline. Simply click on a question and the answer will appear below it.
Resource: FaithSteps:
Journeying with Children in God’s World.
Published by: Smyth and Helwys.
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Is this Sunday School curriculum affiliated with a particular denomination? Is it nondenominational? Ecumenical? A partnership among several denominations? Or what?
Baptist. - What are the main goals, aims, objectives, or purposes
of this curriculum resource?
FaithSteps curriculum materials seek to help teachers plan a healthy creative and effective Bible study time with children. - What is the main content of this Sunday School
curriculum? (for example, Bible
stories, books of the Bible, theological questions, Bible and life issues,
denominational identity, etc.)
Bible stories - How is the curriculum organized?
(for example organized around the common lectionary, the Uniform
Lesson series of Biblical texts, topics, themes, etc.)
Themes - What age levels are included in this curriculum, and
how are they grouped? (for
example, grades 1-3 together)
Preschool, Younger, Middle and Older children (see #10 – critique) - What is the structure of a typical lesson and what
kind of learning activities are generally included? (for example, a lesson might be structured around Opening,
Presentation, Exploration, Response, Closing.
Learning activities might emphasize reading, workbooks, and
discussion)
Each session is organized around the following six steps: Stepping In – offers an activity which explores the theme of the day’s session Stepping Up – a time of hearing and experiencing the Bible story. FaithSteps encourages the learners to make the Bible story their own through creative thinking and wondering. Retracing Your Steps – activities that reinforce learning and ensure understanding. Includes activities for comprehending the biblical text and improving Bible study skills appropriate for each age level. Stepping Beyond – activities which explore the theme in creative and responsive ways Stepping Out – a time for worship that brings closure to the days journey Stepping Forward – suggestions for the teacher that evaluate the day’s journey and look ahead. - When you purchase this Sunday School curriculum, what
do you get? (for example,
teacher guide, learner books, packet of class resources, etc.)
FaithSteps teaching guide – contains four units of study with up to 18 weeks of sessions. Each guide has two major sections: Preparing for the Journey -Bible Study for Teachers – offers Bible study material for each session -Finding the Child’s Place – helps teachers understand how developmental issues affect the child’s approach to the scripture passage for each session. Guiding the Journey -Session plans and reproducible resource pages Other FaithSteps resources: -Leaflet Pads – full-colored leaflet pads are offered for each age level designed for home and church use leaflets for five students -Music Resources – “Sing for Joy” songbooks and cassettes for middle children -Visual Pak – 16-page collection of large format, full color visual aids are available, highlighting the Bible stories. - How much does it cost?
Teaching guide – $17.99 Leaflet pad – $14.99 Songbook – $14.99 Cassette – $16.99 Visual Pak – $14.99 - What theological tradition, perspective, or
orientation do you note in this material?
Baptist - Over all, what is your assessment of the strengths
and weaknesses of this Sunday School curriculum?
FaithSteps does a wonderful job of gathering the students for the opening of each session and then closing the session with worship. While there is a routine for the students, variety exists within the structure. For example, one session for the older children may close with the lighting of a candle and a prayer. Meanwhile, the following session will end with the students gathering in a circle and singing a song. There seems to be a strong sense of community in this curriculum resource. One critique of FaithSteps is that it does not specify which ages or grades are included in their categories of younger, middle and older children.
