Did you know that Jesus’ birth and the Christian meaning of Christmas is part of your local school’s curriculum?
Well, it is! So let us give you our Christmas lessons written to support you in making the most of this opportunity by offering to teach a lesson in your local school. Even if the thought makes you feel faintly ill, please take a look at the lessons and see how easy we have made it for you.
These lessons are written with suggestions of resources to explain simply and clearly what Christians believe about Christmas.
Plans are available for Foundation (Nursery and Reception), Key Stage 1 (Years 1&2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6). Have a read through, think which one you would do, or ask your local school what they need.
So you’re nearly convinced. What now?
Here are our ten top tips for teaching a Christmas lesson in your local school.
- Read the lesson that fits the age of your child.
- Approach your child’s teacher. Call in for a chat or ring up. Print out the lesson plan and hand it in for them to look through. Welcome any changes or improvements they suggest.
- Plan your session. Collect the resources you need. Remember, the teacher will be available to help. What could go wrong?!
- Pray for the teacher, the children and their families that the story of the first Christmas would transform their Christmas.
- Practice the lesson on your own for your child or a friend.
- Arrive with time to spare and bring a list of things to set-up. When the time comes to start, you can have everything exactly where you want it.
- Keep in your mind the single big idea of the session. You would love every child to leave knowing this one big idea.
- Be sensitive to those of other faiths or none in the language you use. The lessons are designed to help you with this.
- Be flexible. Be willing to change your plans. The priority is to love the children and the teacher by giving them a great session. Enjoy the children!
- After the lesson, ask the teacher if they have any feedback. Welcome criticism. It’s a clear demonstration that you are serving the school rather than coming in with your own personal agenda.
Of course, we would love to hear if it is our lesson plans that could be improved.
Last Christmas, Nathan contacted us for resources to use in his son’s school class. He writes:
One thing I didn’t anticipate was that the children would talk to their parents and that it would provide me with more chances to speak to them about the reason for the season. So it was not just the 90 kids and 6 teachers, but also some parents! Praise God for using us even though we were nervous amateurs.
What a story of God’s grace at work! Go here for our Christmas lesson plans.
May you be a blessing to your local school this Christmas!
