Here are 10 curriculum tips and some downloadable goodies that will help you make the Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriculum your own. When you have fun…they have fun!
TEN TEACHING TIPS
1.) If you are working with a group of children, put them in a circle and sit in the circle with them. It will create a focal point for the lesson and direct their energy toward each other, encouraging them to make eye contact with you and each other.
2) If you are a youth director who works with children beyond the 4-8 age range, utilize the older children to help with a younger group. Have them read the book to the little ones, operate the CD if you’re using the audio story or let them assist with activities. Create a way for them to mentor the younger children. Everyone will learn something. It
creates a sense of purpose for them and lets them know that they’re needed.
3) Honor each child by highlighting them in some way. For example, bring them up one at a time to hand them their power badges. Call them up by name and have them repeat the affirmation on their power badge after you.
4) Create some props you can use for your lessons. Make it visually exciting for the children. When it’s fun for you it’s fun for them. Here are a few ideas:
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Write each “Secret of the Heart” on a piece of paper and put them in a container, but the affirmation of the day on the back. Each week pull the “Secret of the Heart” for the week out of a container you’ve brought. Teach them to say, spell or even sign it! (Some of the ASL signs are shown on the kids programming portion of this site) Have them repeat the affirmation of the day, and give them a copy to take home to say with their parents each day during the week.
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Bring a small treasure chest for The Hidden Treasure.
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Use a small globe or another small object as a sort of “talking stick.” Have the children pass it to the next person when it’s their turn to talk.
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Bring some special “heart shaped” glasses for the children to wear when they stand up to share.
5) Let children take turns leading the Young Masters Pledge.
6) The curriculum is designed for seasoned teachers and beginner teaching volunteers. You can modify or customize lessons to suit your style and group.
7) This curriculum has been used with children as young as three years old with great results. So don’t be afraid to include a few younger children to see how it goes.
8) If you’re short on time, try a group art project. Let kids create a big piece of art that focuses on the “secret of the heart” for the day. They can draw, paint, cut and paste, put stickers, their hand prints or plant color kisses on it. Great for teaching sharing, taking turns and cooperation.
9) Play music in the background while you’re doing arts and crafts projects.
10) If you’re using your curriculum for the first time look at it a good week ahead. Let it sink in. As you think about it you’ll come up with some great ideas how to make it your own and it will give you time to prepare your props. And if you’ve never worked with kids know that no two groups of children will ever respond the same. Expect the unexpected!
Things to have on hand:
1) A CD player
2) Some art supplies: Kid proof scissors, markers, crayons, pencils, paper, construction paper, magazines, stickers, glue, play dough, food coloring, butcher paper (to cover tables or floors while you’re working on art projects.
3) A hula hoop
4) A colorful rug to sit on.
DOWNLOAD GOODIES FOR YOU! Click on the links below to download.
Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriculum Graduation Certificate
Have a graduation ceremony for the children. Once they’ve completed the program present them with this certificate to celebrate what they’re learned! Have them wear their Young Masters Headdress.
Power Badges
Here are some pre-designed stickers for you for the lesson on courage. You can print these on Avery Labels #5164. Or feel free to create your own with the templates from the curriculum.
Young Masters Checklist
This is a checklist of activities your Young Masters to use with their parents. Yes parents play a part in the program too! This is a helpful tool to track the process and progress of each child. How are they using their gifts? Teachers, hand this to parents at the beginning of the program when you have your orientation/workshop. If you’re using your curriculum by reading and processing each book over a four week period, there’s an activity for each week. Ask children each week what they did and discuss the details. They can put it up on the refrigerator where it can be seen everyday. Check something off each week!
