God Talk: Second Grade Family Program
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Subject: Understanding the Concept of God
Target: Second graders and their Families
Time Frame: 2 hours
Congregation: Shaare Emeth
Contributor: Ronnie Brockman, Family Educator
Overview
Second graders and their families participate in a morning of learning, writing and discussion of God concepts. They work separately as well as together to understand their own God concept. They are given “God Talk” cards to use at home to initiate discussions.
Goals
Participants come to understand that there are many ways to see God.
Objectives
Participants define “God” on their own personal level.
Parents participate in “God Talk” discussion with the Rabbi.
Through cooperative learning experiences, families discuss the importance of God in their lives.
Target Population
Second graders and their families
Location
Classroom and Auditorium
Staff and Specialists
The teachers, aids, Family Educator, Rabbi
Supplies
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Large puzzles with “God” words written on each piece
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9x12 white card stock, one for each family. Each card is divided in half
by the line “I imagine God to be……..”
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“God Talk” cards (one for each group)
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In God’s Name by Sandy Sasso
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“God Talk” Packet for each family which includes “God Talk” cards, bibliography and Family Booklet about God.
Preparation
The Family Educator plans and executes this program with the 2nd grade teachers and Religious School Director. Family Educator works with the Rabbi who leads the God Talk discussion.
Program Activities
Schedule
9:00-9:15 a.m. Families arrive in the Auditorium where the program is explained.
9:20-9:45 a.m. Families are divided into two groups: Group I goes to Station 1. Group 2 goes to Station 2.
After 25 minutes the groups switch stations.
9:50-10:15 a.m. Groups switch places.
10:15-10:20 a.m. Family Educator does closure.
10:20-11:00 a.m. Students go to T’fillah;
Parents stay in the Auditorium with the Rabbi for “God Talk.”
10:50-11:00 a.m. Children return to Auditorium.
Families receive a “God Talk” packet that includes: “God Talk” cards, Bibliography of God related books, Family Booklet about God.
Station 1 - Names For God/Different Images of God:
- Divide families into three groups. (Depends on size of class)
- Each group sits in a circle around one set of puzzle pieces.
- Leader explains that the families are going to participate in a Word Association Activity:
Each participant gets a puzzle piece with a word on it. (In a previous lesson, teachers asked children to think of words that describe God. Each word is placed on a puzzle piece). They go around the circle, say their word and how it relates to God. After the puzzle is put together, the leader has the families discuss the following questions:
What does the puzzle mean? How is it that we can find God in all these places? How are you created in God’s image? What does it mean to be created in God’s image?
- Leader uses the “God Talk” Cards to lead a further discussion about God and lets the families know that they will get a set of “God Talk” Cards at the end of the program to be used at home to enrich their own discussion about God.
- Leader reads In God’s Name, by Sandy Sasso.
Station 2 - Creating a “God Quilt”:
The following is an example of how the leader can present this activity.
- Today, we are here to understand from you what you think God is all about. Share at your table your image of God. Does your God image look like anyone else?
- Now each of you is going to have an opportunity to create your “God Quilt” piece.
On your tables you will find white pieces of paper titled “I Imagine God to be…” and markers.
On one side the parents are to draw or write their first image of God and the student on the other side.
Please take a few minutes and think about what you imagine God to be, and then draw your idea.
When everyone at your table has completed their drawing, please share it with each other. If there is time, we may share them in the large group. Collect the drawings, and tell families they will be arranged into a paper quilt that will be displayed inside the classrooms.
- A teacher leads a short discussion using the following questions: Where do you learn about God? How do you learn about God? When do you learn about God?
- If there is time, families play the game Searching for God, which they can find on their table.
Follow Up Classroom Activity:
- Students will create their own “God puzzle” to be taken home. They discuss what they have learned about God, and then draw on the puzzle.
- Each student writes their own poem, story or sentence about their feelings toward God. The teachers put these readings together to create a special service for the students and their families.
Budget
The cost is for supplies and the take home materials.
References and Resources
Puzzle Pieces:
These are large empty puzzle pieces made of masonite
“God Talk” Cards:
This is a set of index cards with one question on each card.
For example, God is difficult to understand. Have each member of the family share something that is difficult to understand. How is this like God? How is it different?
Some prayers praise God for what God has done in the past and continues to do. Write a prayer praising God for what you most appreciate.
Do you have to be in a synagogue to pray? Share a time when you prayed but weren’t in the synagogue.
These cards were created by the educators at Shaare Emeth.
Excerpts were taken from “Family Talk about God” by Tamar Raff.
Family Booklet About God:
This is a booklet for the family to complete together. It includes a page of questions and answers for parents. For example, How do I talk to my child about God? What if I have doubts about God? What is faith? Can I share my views of God with my child?
There are also discussion questions about God and activities to do as a family and a bibliography.
Some of the ideas and activities in the booklet were adapted from Hide and Seek, by Vicki Kelman This is part of a package called “Together A Child Parent Kit” and is published by the Melton Research Center
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