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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: Whole People of God.
Published by: Logos Productions, Inc.
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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?
Ecumenical: United Church of Christ, United Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, Presbyterian Church of Canada, Roman Catholic editor, Uniting Church, Australian United Church of Christ, United Methodist. - What are the main goals, aims, objectives, or purposes
of this curriculum resource?
These are not clearly delineated, but one can gather that a main goal in this curriculum is moving toward a truly inclusive worshipping and learning community. It encourages shared leadership among worship leaders and educational leaders. It uses the lectionary along with the church year themes for a more holistic approach to Scripture, learning, and worship which engages all senses and members of the faith community. - 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.)
Follows lectionary and church year themes - What age levels are included in this curriculum, and
how are they grouped? (for
example, grades 1-3 together)
Nursery (age 3), Beginner (age 4 – 1st grade), Primary (2nd and 3rd grade), Junior (4th – 6th grade), Youth (7th –12th grade), Adult (no specification), Multi-age (ages 3 – 12) - 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)
OPENING: greeting, attendance, birthdays, offering, prayer INTRO. TO THEME: group building game, introductory activity EXPLORING THE THEME: read bible story, explore bible story using resource sheets and learning activity INTEGRATING THE THEME: art projects related to the theme and Bible knowledge in general CLOSING: prayer ritual, reflection for teacher - When you purchase this Sunday School curriculum, what
do you get? (for example,
teacher guide, learner books, packet of class resources, etc.)
From the information in the Coordinator Pak we gathered that it would include a planning guide, teacher training guide, worship planning guide, music and curriculum resources, colored visuals (posters), resource pad containing resource sheets, and teacher training video. However, when I called their “800” number, I was informed that the Coordinator Pak only includes a unit over view, a sample of the lesson plans, a planning guide, a teacher training guide, and a teacher training video. It also included some music resources and visual resources, but the operator was not clear on what these resources consisted of. - How much does it cost?
The Coordinator Pak costs $79.95; Worship Leader Pak $83.95 (this includes the worship planning guide and some music resources); Lesson Plans (which include unit overviews, lesson plans, resource pad, colored visuals, music and curriculum resources) costs vary: Nursery through Junior - $87.95, Youth - $95.95, Adult - $59.95, and Multi-age - $219.95. - What theological tradition, perspective, or
orientation do you note in this material?
The perspective this curriculum comes from seems to be a white, North American, middle-class since it does not tend to use multicultural images, stories, or resources. The theological tradition seems to be protestant with a focus on the entire community of faith worshipping and learning together. - Over all, what is your assessment of the strengths
and weaknesses of this Sunday School curriculum?
Strengths: Emphasis on intergenerational community worshipping and learning together. The use of the lectionary and the themes of the church year to integrate all the senses in the worship and learning experience. Attention to different learning styles. Intentional and thorough about the teacher training. It is ecumenical and uses a lot of music. Weaknesses: Organization is not easy to figure out for first-time users. Goals, aims, purposes, and objectives are not clearly delineated. Information on how to purchase the curriculum and what is included in the paks is confusing and not listed on the literature. The age groupings for the youth and adult curriculum are too broad. Visually, it is not very attractive, lacking in the areas of graphics and design. Their concept of community and inclusiveness seems to be limited to an intergenerational understanding. This curriculum did not seem very multicultural nor did it seem to attempt to expose the curriculum user to issues and ideas outside of his/her own experience.
