Building a Children's Chapel: One Story at a Time
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Based on his work with young children at the Episcopal School of New York, teacher and storyteller Gordh offers a collection of stories from the Bible, arranged and told to create a meaningful childhood chapel for children ages 3-7 and their families. Originally conceived as a resource for use in day schools, it is also ideal for use in Sunday church schools in Episcopal and other mainline congregations. This exciting resource contains: Advice and tips on creating a children's chapel, including challenges of using available space Techniques for retelling stories for young listeners, including the use of songs and artwork Suggestions for including parents in the chapel experience and for making chapel meaningful to families from many faiths and backgrounds More than 30 Bible stories, organized thematically, including the Creation, Noah, the Good Samaritan, Abraham, Ruth, the Last Supper, David and Goliath, Moses and Passover, Easter, Hanukkah, the Three Wise Men, the Prodigal Son Collection of songs to support the story themes, with lyrics, musical notation, and easy-to-learn refrains
Age
3-7
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite story in the book, and why did it stand out to you?
How do you think the characters felt during their adventures?
If you could add a story to the chapel, what would it be about?
What lessons did the characters learn in the stories?
How can we apply these lessons in our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Let your child lead the conversation; ask them to pick their favorite story from the book to start the discussion.
Encourage empathy by asking how they think different characters felt in various situations.
Use open-ended questions that inspire creativity, such as imagining their own story to add to the chapel.
Connect stories from the book to real-life scenarios or family values, enhancing the learning experience.
Highlight the morals and lessons from the stories, discussing how they align with lessons you've taught them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of collaboration
Explanation: The stories in 'Building a Children's Chapel: One Story at a Time' highlight the collective effort in constructing a chapel, emphasizing teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn to work together with their peers in school projects or playground activities, fostering a sense of community and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Characters in the book face various challenges while building the chapel, teaching readers about persistence and overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to keep trying in face of difficulties, whether it's learning a new skill or solving a tough problem in their studies.
Example Lesson: Respect for diverse perspectives
Explanation: The book showcases characters from different backgrounds contributing unique ideas, promoting diversity and inclusion.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by embracing and celebrating differences among classmates and friends, leading to enriched interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The process of designing the chapel in the story encourages creative solutions and imaginative thinking.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their creativity in everyday tasks and challenges, enhancing problem-solving skills and artistic expression.
Example Lesson: Sense of accomplishment
Explanation: Completing the chapel brings a great sense of pride and accomplishment to the characters, a feeling shared with the readers.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to completing their own tasks or projects, understanding the satisfaction and confidence gained from achieving goals.