Good morning, friends. For many of you, the hardest part of guiding children in the worship experience is through the reflection activities that follow story telling. I found an idea in Brethren House Ministries that could help in this area: sequence cards. I like this activity, because it helps children break down the story in their minds as they recreate it in front of them. It also is a stepping stone to processing the story by children who need a new way to retell it. Here are the directions given: ” Cut a piece of construction paper in half lengthwise. Each child will use one of these strips (4 1/2 x 12). To divide the strip into fourths, fold it in half, then in half again. Draw lines on these fold marks.”** I would have these strips pre-cut and as an option on the art shelf. Before dismissal from story time, the storyteller may demonstrate this process to the participants. These divided construction paper squares will look a bit like the panels in the Sunday Comics, which tell a story. Their job is to tell a story, too: to choose the story presented that day or on a previous day by breaking down the story into segments. They then record different pieces of the story on the squares in front of them, either using words, pictures, or both. If they need more squares, they may obtain a second strip. If they wish, they may cut the squares and mix them up for a friend to figure out the correct sequence. They may reflect on their favorite wondering question for their last panel. And, they may want to use the cut-up panels to make a book.
This activity is an open-ended exercise that reinforces Bible stories in new ways for the children. It’s just another tool to add to the tool box of reinforcement options.
May we all be open to the treasure trove that these Bible stories offer. Happy storytelling!
**Sequence strips are found in God’s Wonder-full World Learning Activities, Brethren House Ministry, St. Petersburg Fl., 1985, page 6.
Hands On Worship 