K-12 Writing Activities with a Spiritual Emphasis

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1 K-12 Writing Activities with a Spiritual Emphasis Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education Curriculum Committee Pollyanna Barnes, chair Rondi Aastrup Marcia Daniel Roberta Merrow Apryl Symonds Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

2 K-12 Writing Activities with a Spiritual Emphasis Spirituality in writing does not entail just prayer before a class and reading a text. It involves saturating the whole lesson with spirituality, setting the spiritual foundation with Biblical principles and teaching concepts and practices through them, so that the student understands their practicality and applicability. The following are topics and activities that integrate faith and learning in the writing class, grades K-12. Additionally, sample lessons are provided to exemplify this approach to teaching. Poetry of the Bible Prose of the Bible Different genres in the Bible Write a poem that illustrates a principle from the Bible Write a sketch that illustrates a principle from the Bible The Book of God the Bible as a novel o Writing the Bible as a story Research Culture, history, psychology, religion Writing process Modernize it Do different writing activities with topics/stories in the Bible o Make up a song, a rap, a skit, a poem Include the Spirit of Prophecy o How can we make it more interesting, more applicable and relevant to students? Help them see the value of EGW Bring her words to other elements what does she say about historical events Work through Messages to Young people debate issues, act out pros and cons of what she s saying correlation between what she says and what s happening Advertisements depict an ad for something they ve read (EGW Steps to Christ (see above ideas) Ministry of Healing (Quest selection) Biblical applications in a writing format to illustrate the writing process and support with literature o Links that support or add to this Parables Modern day proverbs every culture has them Writing workshop create an ad for someone to come to Christ Write a generic lesson plan that would work for writing with the focus of applying Biblical principles or S-of-P Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

3 Come up with ideas as to how we can do this one example of that lesson plan on each level list various ways that it can be used in writing across the curriculum include goals and preferred practices list resources o Elements of the lesson plan High school is more in depth and more independent Generic components Objectives o Understand genre o Apply form and principle to their own work o Reflect on principle and apply to own life o Share/publish/present Journals/diaries of Bible characters, Adventist pioneers Biographies or autobiographies or memoirs of Bible characters, Adventist pioneers Write a teen/kid s devotional Participate in the Insight writing contest or submit to it or the Junior Guide Write a children s book and illustrate it and share it with elementary kids Interview with God research God s character via Bible, then create an interview of Him from what you ve learned How to use this across the curriculum curriculum connections Newsletter of a particular Biblical place/era/group/person Write an epistle similar to any one of the Biblical epistles Write their own Adventist Girl story Write some Adventist Boy stories Write a hymn Write a play about a Biblical story a pioneer story the background of a hymn an Old Testament king Design and carry out a family worship (beginning to end) Write their spiritual memoir Keep a prayer journal Design and maintain a blog Design a website about a Bible character, an Adventist pioneer Create a webquest about a character, pioneer, spiritual topic Create a power point about a Bible character, pioneer, spiritual topic Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

4 Writing Through the Proverbs a 5-day elementary lesson plan TEACHER: DEPT CHAIR: DATE: GRADE: SUBJECT: PERIOD: LESSON TOPIC: Writing Through the Proverbs (Proverbs 1:8-15) Class Duration: 5 days (1 period per day) Lesson Behavioral Objectives/BI Standards: Introduce vocabulary using Compare & contrast two versions context clues of the same text Read and Discuss Proverbs 1:8-15 Write and publish a story using Demonstrate a knowledge of the the Proverb as a model. passage through drawing, or oral Students will present their presentation finished piece to the class Rewrite the Proverb Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, Language Arts, Bible, Writing J2E: 1. Commitment to God, 2. commitment to the CHurch 3. Family and Interpersonal Relationships; 6. Intellectual Development; 7. Communication Skills; 8. Life Skills 9. Aesthetic Appreciation 10. Career and Service Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

5 Materials: Overhead Transparency of Proverbs 1:8-15 from both NIV and Contemporary English Version Flash cards for vocabulary Content: Day One Motivation/Introduction: o Introduce the following vocabulary words for attention: Instruction, forsake, garland, adorn, entice, waylay, (look up words, use context clues from the verses, act out meanings of chosen vocabulary words) Read Proverbs 1:8-15 from the NIV as a class. Let the students discuss the passage. Think Pair Share What are the verses saying? (In your group, either choose a presenter, draw what you think it means, or act out what you think it means) Day Two Motivation/Introduction - 1 Kings 4:29-34 o Discuss the wisdom of Solomon Discuss the validity of the instruction that Solomon gave o What do you think the outcome would be if you followed the instruction or disobeyed? Rewrite this proverb for someone your age Read Contemporary Version of Proverbs 1:8-15 and emphasize how close their writings are to this Version Day Three Motivation/Introduction o Think of a situation in your life that reflects this proverb and write about an experience that reflects this problem. Go online and find another ancient proverb that is similar to Solomon s Proverb Day Four Write and publish a story using the Proverb as a model. Day Five Young Writer s Award Day (receive a blue ribbon) Present your story to the class Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

6 Solomon Speaks a devotional for use with Proverbs lesson plan My son if sinners entice thee consent thou not. (Prov. 1:10) Righteousness is character that resists the attraction of sin. No matter how desirable an evil person or thing might be, it will not give in. It will hold its principles regardless. (Let God Be True) Skit Timmy: Let s go up the cliff to see the birds. They should have their babies by now. Jim: No way! You know that the teacher told us not to go there without an adult present. Timmy: What s the big deal, we are only going to look. What could happen? Jim: I don t know and I don t plan to find out. Timmy: Awww you re just a chicken. Jim. Maybe so but I d rather be a live chicken than a dead duck. Discussion: What do you think Jim should do. Conclusion: In this life there will always be, friends who will try to encourage you to do the things that are not pleasing to God. God is counting on you to stand firm. We have several examples in the Bible that shows us that God will give you the strength to so what is right. When the three Hebrew boys were asked to bow down to the image they refused and God saved them. When Daniel was asked to stop praying to God he continued and God saved him form the lions. When Joseph was asked to do wrong by Potiphar s wife and he refused, even though he spent some time in a jail he soon was elevated to Governor of Egypt. Can you think of any other stories in the Bible where God helped those who trusted Him? You can always count on God to come through for you. So don t be influenced by others to do what is wrong stand firm and listen as Solomon speaks. Sinners are not content sinning and going to hell by themselves. They want to include others in their wickedness. Bringing the innocent into their sinful activities and friendship helps justify their evil minds, and the devil uses them to corrupt God's saints. (Let God Be True) Writing Prompt: Finish the story. Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

7 Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

8 Sample Lesson Plan for Hebrew Poetry Grades 9-12 Objective: o To understand and appreciate the elements of Biblical poetry o To express themselves in one or more of those elements o To publish their expressions Journey to Excellence goals: Commitment to God Intellectual Development Communication Skills Aesthetic Appreciation Materials: o Bibles One for each student Variety of versions o Writing tools Advanced Preparation o Determine which aspect of Hebrew poetry to focus on o Create student handout Process o Define Hebrew Poetry Terms Examples o Read Hebrew Poetry out loud Recognize elements o Group examples o Individual work Illustrate book Illuminate book o Evaluate Peer evaluate Rubric o Publish Create book of Poetry Decide order of selections Table of Contents Cover o Curriculum Connections Religion, History, Technology, Art Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

9 Sample Lesson Plan Short Story Writing based on The Book of God grades 9-12 Objectives: o Short story writing o Cultural research o Use of imagination (realistic) o Bring Scripture to life, make it personal and relevant Journey to Excellence connections o Commitment to God o Commitment to the Church o Family and Interpersonal Relationships o Responsible Citizenship o Healthy Balanced Living o Intellectual Development o Communication Skills o Life Skills o Aesthetic Appreciation o Career and Service Materials o Bible for each student KJV or NIV (no paraphrase) o Writing tools o The Book of God (teacher only) Advanced preparation o Choose example story from The Book of God Process o Teacher directed activities: Teach the elements of the short story Read chosen story from The Book of God Discuss/determine elements of the short story in this story Brainstorm list of potential Bible stories to rewrite enough for one per student o Student follow through: read their story from KJV or NIV List out the short story elements of their story Research cultural background of their story Write their story using their brainstorming, research and imagination to bring the Biblical story to life Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

10 o Sharing and Evaluation: Peer editing in small groups Revision Teacher evaluation o Publishing options: Share with whole class Read to an elementary class Use it for Children s Story at church or elementary chapel program Create a book of all the stories Curriculum Connections o Bible o History o Technology o Possibly math and/or science, depending on their story o Art if they illustrate it o Possibly home arts and/or music, depending on their story Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

11 A Few Resources for Writing Activities with a Spiritual Emphasis Using the Word: Studying Biblical references in poetry Solo time with God a teen devotional Interview with God movie, article, power point Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry Ellen White Visionary for Kids, an e-zine for ages God s Messenger, 38 lessons for grades The White Estate Adventist Pioneer Library Adventist Historical Resources on the Web Circle: Adventist Pioneer Library Adventist Heritage Ministry website Atlantic Union Conference Curriculum Committee,

1-4 STANDARDS (ALIGNMENT WITH FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS) B.1-4.BF.1 B.1-4.BF.2 B.1-4.BF.3 B.1-4.BF.4 B.1-4.BF.5 B.1-4.BF.6 B.1-4.BF.7 B.1-4.BF.8 B.1-4.BF.

1-4 STANDARDS (ALIGNMENT WITH FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS) B.1-4.BF.1 B.1-4.BF.2 B.1-4.BF.3 B.1-4.BF.4 B.1-4.BF.5 B.1-4.BF.6 B.1-4.BF.7 B.1-4.BF.8 B.1-4.BF. BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS Essential Question: Why is the Bible important today? Big Idea: The Bible is God s word, preserved through the ages to help us learn about God, His plan for our lives, and His love