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Resource: Witness.
Published by: Augsburg.
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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?
Augsburg Press is a Lutheran publishing house. Although this curriculum is designed to be used in the Lutheran church, it can be used with other denominations that rely on the liturgical calendar and lectionary texts to inform practices and seasonal expressions. It is predominantly based on scripture and it's application to life. Although one may assume that the curriculum has some implicit theological assumptions in the interpretation of scripture, theological concepts are dealt with only after a lesson that involves the learners in a scripture passage and it's application to real life issues. This allows for modification and application to most churches in the reformed tradition. - What are the main goals, aims, objectives, or purposes
of this curriculum resource?
There are two primary goals and objectives of this curriculum. They are as follows: 1.to help teachers and students focus on their call as witnesses to Christ 2.equip children and youth to learn from the Bible and to live the good news - 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.)
The content of this curriculum is primarily Biblical stories and life situations. Goals are achieved through a variety of interactive activities employing a variety of mediums in consideration of developmental issues of learners. Theological ideas are addressed as additional or optional components and reflect the appropriate season reflected in the lectionary. The scripture selected for the lessons comes from the lectionary. - How is the curriculum organized?
(for example organized around the common lectionary, the Uniform
Lesson series of Biblical texts, topics, themes, etc.)
The lectionary organizes the selection of scripture for each lesson. All age groups will be studying the same lesson on any given Sunday. The developmental level of the learners determines the type of activities, however the content is the same. - What age levels are included in this curriculum, and
how are they grouped? (for
example, grades 1-3 together)
Ages 2-3, PreK-Kindergarten, Grade 1-2, Grade 3-4, Grade 5-6, Grade 7-8, and Youth. - 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)
This curriculum reflects the teaching model proposed by Dorothy Jean Furnish in that it starts with an emotive component, introduces a specific pericope, and challenges the learners to respond to the world out of the interaction between feeling and story. The general flow of each lesson follows a pattern of introducing the story through a narrative describing a real life situation. The story is followed by a scripture lesson. The activities that follow seek to teach a particular understanding of how the scripture passage of the day may apply to the life situation presented in the introduction. - When you purchase this Sunday School curriculum, what
do you get? (for example,
teacher guide, learner books, packet of class resources, etc.)
Each curriculum packet contains the following: Learner Resource- workbooks, forms, materials for learners Teacher Guide- general guidelines and resources for teaching and evaluating effectiveness, instructions for lessons Class Kit- classroom materials: posters, audio tapes, other necessary printed materials - How much does it cost?
[The reviewers did not answer this question.] - What theological tradition, perspective, or
orientation do you note in this material?
One may assume that it is a Lutheran resource, yet there are no explicit references to being Lutheran. Primarily scripture based, and community and family centered. With an awareness of theological assumptions in sensitive areas such as the use and efficacy of sacraments this curriculum may be used by most churches in the reformed tradition. It is also important to note that even given the caution about sacraments, the majority of churches which are not Roman Catholic do share an open table of fellowship in the Eucharist and most non-Congregationalist churches recognize the baptism of all believers regardless of tradition. - Over all, what is your assessment of the strengths
and weaknesses of this Sunday School curriculum?
This curriculum is a solid, Biblically based model which works well with the lectionary texts encourage cohesion in the overall worship and educational experience of a faith community. Connections are mad between life experiences and Biblical passages in a way that offers a concrete experience of Biblical truths. Great consideration is given to developmental models as understood through the social services. Key ideas for each lesson helps to focus the intent of learning through cognitive development, struggling with existential realities, and practical responses. The curriculum is also helpful in organizing and determining teaching styles. It helps teacher to prepare spiritually and evaluate effectiveness. Family involvement in the goals and purposes of the learning sessions are also encouraged through regular communications with family letters. Weaknesses of this curriculum are that it can be to prescriptive for teachers. In many lessons it contains a script. This may restrict creativity in teaching. Although the time limitations presented may help to determine needs, they can also contribute to the prescriptive nature that is not considerate of the context of the learners or the learning environment. Spiritual discipline is also not given particular attention in a way that it may be consciously and intentionally developed.
