There is so much to choose from! Where do we begin? There are different models for teaching and learning, and you will decide what best fits your parish style. Don't hesitate to contact us for direction or with questions about anything you see here. These resources are comprehensive and trusted resources recommended for use in this diocese.
We have trained consultants and you may access their gifts and talents by contacting Kathy Graham at 205-715-2060 ext 9229 or email: kgraham@dioala.org. If you have any needs or suggestions regarding programs or ideas, please feel free to contact a member. We would be happy to send a representative to your parish or help you find the resources you need.
Lectionary Based - Lesson plans based on the liturgical readings of the day is the focus for the lesson (Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, or Gospel reading)
Small Churches - These lessons can be taken directly off-line. Newly revised in 2003, all the Sundays for Years A, B, and C are now available, following the Episcopal lectionary. there are specific lesson plans for young children, older children, and adults that include ways to tell the Gospel story, activities and questions for discussion.
Living the Good News- Is an Episcopal lectionary based curriculum originally developed in the Diocese of Colorado, published by semester for all ages preschool-adult. Other resources include Children's Chapel, and music on cassettes. (published by Church Publishing)
Seasons of the Spirit - Is an ecumenical curriculum as a congregational resource for the Christian nurture of all ages, integrating worship and education (ages 3 years - adult) to include the arts, music and social justice.
Life Together - is a Lutheran curriculum based on the idea that connecting a person's life to the Word and then linking back to daily life builds a strong faith. It follows a life to Bilble to life model, following the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Sunday Paper by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard is a cartoon drawing of the Sunday readings based on the lectionary; 1 page original with permission to duplicate enough for your congregational need. Also, The Sunday Paper Junior for younger children can be used as a worship bulletin or curriculum tool. sundaypaper@snet.net
Montessori Approach is a visual, auditory and kinesthetic approach in which children engage story and ritual through personal interaction that is self-directed.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method of fostering a child's spirituality through respect for the child's awe and wonder following a Montessori approach. Developed by Sofia Cavalletti, it is a biblical and sacramental way of religious formation as children experience the mystery of God.
Center for Children and Theology - While this is not a curriculum method, it is a website for those who work with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Godly Play is an approach to Christian formation involving language: parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - to help children integrate and interpret scripture with God in daily life. Developed by an Episcopalian, The Rev. Dr. Jerome W. Berryman.
Young Children and Worship was developed by Sonja Stewart (with Jerome Berryman) following the Reformed Church trationa, with a less sacramental focus. Books are all inclusive with stories, worship center format and patterns for storytelling materials.
The Way focuses on the spiritual formation of children. It is a part of the Companions in Christ series and helps children learn and experience spiritual practices that will lead them into a deeper awareness of God's presence in their lives. Each session is designed for a 60-90 minute time frame with children ages 6 - 11. There are enough sessions to use from September through May.
Rotation Style is a model based on the theory of multiple intelligences and experiential learning. It involves designing learning space in creative ways for thematic learning: storytelling room, computers, games, puppets, crafts, and games. Children move from week to week to different areas (rotations) while teachers remain with the same method of sharing for the theme.
Cornerstone Publishing is a multiple intelligence approach to Christian Education, providing services for the Workshop Rotation Model in the areas of curriculum, support resources and idea exchanges.
Firelight has been developed through ELCA following Howard Gardiner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Potter's Workshop are units, including some free downloadable lessons to be used in the Workshop Rotation Model.
Power XPress is designed for children in kindergarten through 6th grade. This curriculum provides complete lesson plans, scripts, and activities, as well as ideas for 8 station setups, and a complete listing of resources needed.
Workshop Cycles is a membership program in the workshop rotation style model from an Episcopal ethos as originally developed at All Saints in Atlanta, GA.
Come Join the Circle welcomes learners and leaders into the heart of the Bible’s great stories. These rotation-style learning materials help create the kind of learning environment where the Bible is at the center and fun and creativity abound.
Episcopal Children's Curriculum was developed at Virginia Theological Seminary's Center for the Ministry of Teaching with a foundation in the Baptismal Covenant. Published in a 3-year cycle, with a year focusing on Baptism, Eucharist or Worship.
Faith Weaver (Group Publishing) is a non-denominational quarterly curriculum for ages up to 6th grade that is bible-based, mostly focused on the Gospel. It involves concentrating on developing bible reading skills and memory of verses.
Mustard Seed Series (chronologically sequenced) is published independently and is non-denominational. It is centered on the Bible with 340 texts covered in 10 years.
One Room Sunday School (Abingdon) is a Methodist curriculum developed for small churches where many ages are combined in one class. Quarterly packaged material makes teacher planning very easy.
Seedlings Curriculum is Episcopal, broadly graded for preschool - Grade 6 and intended for the small church. Published in a 4-year cycle, it gives an introduction to all the major Bible stories and events with a variety of activities with little or no expense. Also includes confirmation, adult inquirer's classes and first communion curricula.
We have trained consultants and you may access their gifts and talents by contacting Kathy Graham at 205-715-2060 ext 9229 or email: kgraham@dioala.org. If you have any needs or suggestions regarding programs or ideas, please feel free to contact a member. We would be happy to send a representative to your parish or help you find the resources you need.
Lectionary Based - Lesson plans based on the liturgical readings of the day is the focus for the lesson (Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, or Gospel reading)
Small Churches - These lessons can be taken directly off-line. Newly revised in 2003, all the Sundays for Years A, B, and C are now available, following the Episcopal lectionary. there are specific lesson plans for young children, older children, and adults that include ways to tell the Gospel story, activities and questions for discussion.
Living the Good News- Is an Episcopal lectionary based curriculum originally developed in the Diocese of Colorado, published by semester for all ages preschool-adult. Other resources include Children's Chapel, and music on cassettes. (published by Church Publishing)
Seasons of the Spirit - Is an ecumenical curriculum as a congregational resource for the Christian nurture of all ages, integrating worship and education (ages 3 years - adult) to include the arts, music and social justice.
Life Together - is a Lutheran curriculum based on the idea that connecting a person's life to the Word and then linking back to daily life builds a strong faith. It follows a life to Bilble to life model, following the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Sunday Paper by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard is a cartoon drawing of the Sunday readings based on the lectionary; 1 page original with permission to duplicate enough for your congregational need. Also, The Sunday Paper Junior for younger children can be used as a worship bulletin or curriculum tool. sundaypaper@snet.net
Montessori Approach is a visual, auditory and kinesthetic approach in which children engage story and ritual through personal interaction that is self-directed.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method of fostering a child's spirituality through respect for the child's awe and wonder following a Montessori approach. Developed by Sofia Cavalletti, it is a biblical and sacramental way of religious formation as children experience the mystery of God.
Center for Children and Theology - While this is not a curriculum method, it is a website for those who work with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Godly Play is an approach to Christian formation involving language: parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - to help children integrate and interpret scripture with God in daily life. Developed by an Episcopalian, The Rev. Dr. Jerome W. Berryman.
Young Children and Worship was developed by Sonja Stewart (with Jerome Berryman) following the Reformed Church trationa, with a less sacramental focus. Books are all inclusive with stories, worship center format and patterns for storytelling materials.
The Way focuses on the spiritual formation of children. It is a part of the Companions in Christ series and helps children learn and experience spiritual practices that will lead them into a deeper awareness of God's presence in their lives. Each session is designed for a 60-90 minute time frame with children ages 6 - 11. There are enough sessions to use from September through May.
Rotation Style is a model based on the theory of multiple intelligences and experiential learning. It involves designing learning space in creative ways for thematic learning: storytelling room, computers, games, puppets, crafts, and games. Children move from week to week to different areas (rotations) while teachers remain with the same method of sharing for the theme.
Cornerstone Publishing is a multiple intelligence approach to Christian Education, providing services for the Workshop Rotation Model in the areas of curriculum, support resources and idea exchanges.
Firelight has been developed through ELCA following Howard Gardiner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Potter's Workshop are units, including some free downloadable lessons to be used in the Workshop Rotation Model.
Power XPress is designed for children in kindergarten through 6th grade. This curriculum provides complete lesson plans, scripts, and activities, as well as ideas for 8 station setups, and a complete listing of resources needed.
Workshop Cycles is a membership program in the workshop rotation style model from an Episcopal ethos as originally developed at All Saints in Atlanta, GA.
Come Join the Circle welcomes learners and leaders into the heart of the Bible’s great stories. These rotation-style learning materials help create the kind of learning environment where the Bible is at the center and fun and creativity abound.
Episcopal Children's Curriculum was developed at Virginia Theological Seminary's Center for the Ministry of Teaching with a foundation in the Baptismal Covenant. Published in a 3-year cycle, with a year focusing on Baptism, Eucharist or Worship.
Faith Weaver (Group Publishing) is a non-denominational quarterly curriculum for ages up to 6th grade that is bible-based, mostly focused on the Gospel. It involves concentrating on developing bible reading skills and memory of verses.
Mustard Seed Series (chronologically sequenced) is published independently and is non-denominational. It is centered on the Bible with 340 texts covered in 10 years.
One Room Sunday School (Abingdon) is a Methodist curriculum developed for small churches where many ages are combined in one class. Quarterly packaged material makes teacher planning very easy.
Seedlings Curriculum is Episcopal, broadly graded for preschool - Grade 6 and intended for the small church. Published in a 4-year cycle, it gives an introduction to all the major Bible stories and events with a variety of activities with little or no expense. Also includes confirmation, adult inquirer's classes and first communion curricula.
