January:
Our guidance lessons this month will highlight the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement.
December Guidance:
I hope your child shared about our Jesse Tree guidance lesson during the Christmas season. The Jesse tree represents Jesus' family tree. The name is taken from Isaiah, where Jesus is referred to as a shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, who was the father of David. Every ornament on the tree tells of Jesus' ancestors, and the events leading up to the birth of Christ.
November Guidance:
- Kindergarten- We are heading into the Thanksgiving season and want to turn our hearts toward gratitude. The first book we read is called "Just Alike Princes", one of my favorite books since childhood. It's a reminder to be thankful for our siblings, and to share everything we have with one another. The second book, "The Circle Maker", reminds us that one prayer can change everything. My hope is to encourage the children to pray about everything, trusting that God hears and answers our prayers.
- 1st and 2nd Grade- "Enemy Pie" is a book about friendship, and learning that there are times in life when God puts someone in your path that you need to learn how to love. This is a humorous book that helps get that message across. We also read James 4:11 "Don't criticize and speak evil about each other, dear brothers. If you do, you will be fighting against God's law of loving one another, declaring it is wrong."
- 3rd Grade- We wrapped us our book, "The Treasure Tree", and sent home a personality inventory for your child to take for fun. The four basic personality types were characterized by animals: Lion, Beaver, Otter, Golden Retriever. Hopefully, your child learned a little more about themselves and the unique way God has wired their personality. More information can be found on the Smalley website.
- 4th and 5th Grade- This month was a lesson on jars of clay. We learned that God is the potter, and we are lumps of clay. He is forming us into something useful and beautiful. Along the way, we must go through stretching, molding, and other situations just like the clay. God allows these hard times to test us and help us grow stronger. We read James 1:2-4 and discussed what type of attitude God wants us to have when we go through times of difficulty, and what God wants to accomplish through these hard times. Principle: Just as the clay pot will crumble under pressure if it's not properly molded, so we will crumble under the stress of life unless God uses trials to make us stronger. In closing, we read "FOOTPRINTS", which reminds us that God carries us through the trials and promises to walk through them with us- He will never leave us or forsake us!
October Guidance:
- Kindergarten- "Chicken Little Conquers Fear". Fear is a common struggle among many children. This book teaches that no matter how difficult things appear, God is greater. The Biblical principal for children is to"guard their hearts" by being careful what they see and hear, and trust God with their fears.
- 1st Grade- "A Bad Case of the Tattle Tongue". This book helps with social coaching in the area of "tattling, explaining when it's necessary to tell on another child, and when it's better to not "tattle". We talk about friendship, and why "tattle-tales" have difficulty in making friends.
- 2nd Grade- "Earl the Emu"- God has a purpose for those who are different, and He wants us to love and accept all of His children, without exception.
- 3rd Grade- "The Treasure Tree"- we are still learning about our unique personalities and how these fit into God's greater design for our life.
- 4th Grade- Scavenger hunt activity to find a "treasure"...God's Word is hidden in the classroom for a student to find. Once it's found, we discuss why the Word is the greatest treasure. James is our focus of study for this guidance lesson. Biblical principle: James 4:8 "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." Discuss the importance of "knowing God's voice rather than listening to others.
- 5th Grade- Looking at the story of Joshua and Caleb and the ten spies- Joshua and Caleb exercised faith, rather than fear. They trusted God's power to overcome what may have been very scary. We will discuss everyday fears and what trusting God looks like on a daily basis.
September Guidance:
- Kindergarten and 1st Grade- "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" We are learning ways to be “bucket fillers” rather than “bucket dippers”, loving others with the love of Christ, our true source of bucket-filling.
- 2nd Grade - “The Quilt Maker’s Gift” We will learn about contentment, gratitude, and generosity toward others.
- 3rd Grade- “The Treasure Tree” We will look at the basic personality types among us, learning that we are created with a unique design by God to work together and bring Him glory. This will be our topic for one more month, then we will take a personality inventory.
- 4th Grade- James Study- We will look at “attitudes”. God wants us to become more like Christ, and He wants our attitudes to lean toward having a pure heart and mind.
- 5th Grade- Character study of Joshua, a Godly hero under whose leadership the Israelite people found the promised land . We will look at wisdom, obedience, and responsibility.
