Dr. Pat's Orthodox Super Sunday School Curriculum

CHURCH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

CHURCH HISTORY

MIDDLE  SCHOOL

Note: This sample schedule is for your convenience. Feel free to fill in your own dates and teachers!

Teachers:

General Plan of lessons:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

Stock supplies:

             Your box should contain paper and pencils, pencil sharpener, tape, stapler, glue, magic markers. There is a large flip chart in place of a blackboard and large maps of Europe and Asia and a time line.

References for this course:

             Each student should have the Young Discoverer’s or Adventure Bible. These should either be kept in the class basket or brought each week. Each Bible has maps, but the class also has maps for reference.

Lesson plan:

            We will be dismissed first from liturgy for the students to get refreshments and have Opening Exercises. Middle Schoolers should be at Opening Exercises. Lessons should begin in about 10 minutes and last about 45 minutes. If you are unable to teach on your assigned day, please trade with someone and then let me know (to avoid mid-Liturgy panic when I don’t see you in the congregation).

You will find in this manual the lesson objectives and the material to be presented. It would be wonderful to give the students each a book to read before class each week, but it will never happens! Hence the need to present the material carefully but with class discussion and participation. If students seem interested, for some lessons each could prepare a small part of the lesson of his choosing – a martyr, a monk, an apostle. There may seem to be too much detail in some of the lessons for this age group, but you can use the material as reference in case of questions. Each lesson includes learning game suggestions.

In addition, a Scandinavian Primstav would be a wonderful project for the middle school students for the entire year. The Valle Stick, or primstaf was used in post-Christian Scandinavia, primarily to keep track of feast days. The oldest calendar stick still in existence was made in 1457. A thick yardstick would be a good start, but without the measurement divisions – these can be purchased online from craft suppliers. Students could leave it unfinished, or add a coat of light-colored stain such as a light oak. Then, the first 6 inches is marked off as a handle; this can be carved into a handle shape or wrapped in yarn or string. The rest of the yardstick is divided into 185 even markings for days on each side, beginning September 1 (beginning the church year) on one side, with a larger mark for the beginning of each month, and beginning March 1 on the other side. The middle schoolers would really enjoy doing these with woodburning, but permanent, fine-line markers can also be used. Then, as we study each saint during the year, add the date the church celebrates the life of that saint with a marking and a symbol, chosen by the student and woodburned or drawn. At the end of the year, the student will have a permanent record of the saints’ days. Add in the fixed feasts as well as each passes during the liturgical year.

Paperwork and insurance regulations:  Each of us must “apply” each year for our volunteer position; our references will be checked as per diocesan regulations.  We will also have a parent volunteer who could come into any classroom at any time as required by the insurance company.  Please be sure to accompany your charges back to the church building after class – again new safety regulations. 

Plays, Movie Nights, Parties, Camping Trip: These are all an integral part of the curriculum and should be incorporated into your schedule. Each is designed for learning, along with pleasure. Middle Schoolers are welcome at each of these events and encouraged to attend.

Keep track with your students of the chronological dating of the events they study. Here is a partial timeline. You can copy one for each student or make a larger copy for the entire class and have it posted for easy reference.

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