I'm so excited.  I need to take notes on what I did today. 

I posted some of my goals the other day.  One was to assemble a devotion booklet written by our school.  I've been procrastinating starting this, and we're getting to the point that I just might feel like it's "last minute" if I wait much longer.  So, this week, I decided to get the 1-6th graders going on writing their own devotions.  I was going to start last week, but we had a snow day on the day I was starting.

I put this off for a few weeks because I was just too busy and bothered by the holidays.  I put it off a couple more weeks, because I couldn't see every detail about how to teach it.  Then it hit me - this is one of those things you just have to "teach by the seat of your pants."

Normally, that either makes me nervous or is a recipe for disaster, but in this case it's exactly what was necessary. 

Here's how I knew (or at least hoped) it would be a successful lesson:

1.  I was teaching the classes individually, so I would be able to change things for the age levels as needed (on the fly.)
2.  I knew the students, so there weren't any unexpected discipline problems or anything.
3.  I know how to write a devotion.
4.  I decided to show them just one format (or recipe, as I called it.)
5.  I planned to have them analyze a devotion (two for 3-6 grades) and see what happened.

So, here's a brief summary of what I did:

I had the kids get their whole set of markers or crayons out.  I asked them what they noticed, we labeled and colored each part.  We used black to cross out things that we won't be doing (like the journal idea or the date on the top.)  I called the first part of the devotion the "story."  I called the last part the "connection" since it connects the story to the Bible.  I told the students that their assignment is to have a story in mind or on paper by the time we meet again. We brainstormed different ideas (remembering events that stirred emotions in us, historical events, news, etc.) and every class responded very well. 

The 1-4th graders were especially excited when I got them going.  They didn't realize they had ideas that would work until we talked about a few out loud. 

The next step is to meet with them again, get their stories on paper, and then make the connection to Scripture.  I will meet with the 7/8th graders soon.  I know they will be able to give me some good material as well, with less involvement on my part.

The plan is that every student and teacher will submit a devotion, but I will chose the best to go in the booklet.  The best are the ones I don't have to edit heavily.  Those who don't get chosen will do some illustrations or other work, so they all have a part in the project.