Christian StudiesThe Creative Curriculum

The aim of a creative base in the curriculum is to surprise, provoke and discomfort students ... with the splendour of God’s word and how He acts

in the lives of ordinary people (as seen in both the OT and NT)

Following are some of the “WOW!” moments from 2010

Note: the first 3 slides were included just for the AEC Conference

sethskim.com

For the AEC Conference only ... a little too surprising for my Year 7s!

Photo by Michael Clancy  The above picture is a powerful image which was taken in August 19th, 1999 during an open fetal surgery for spina bifida. The unborn baby was little over 5 months in the womb when the surgical procedure was performed. You will notice the small little hands that grasped for the surgeon’s hand.It is pretty breathtaking.This is not only another reminder of God’s miracle of life, but it also reinforces what King David said in Ps 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 

sethskim.com

uhcg.org

For the AEC Conference only ... a little too surprising for my Year 7s!

Year 7 Unit: Creation

Introduce content / model task with teacher-designed resources: Psalm 119, Psalm 139

Student P-Point project - the 7 days of Creation Worksheets + QUIZ (Moodle)

http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=031125_3_Superprom_02.jpg

Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

One slide from a teaching Power-Point

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=1133

Photographs taken during the Apollo missions provided images of Earth, which helped us to be more aware of the need to care for our planet. 

In 1972, from a distance of about 45,000 km, the crew of Apollo 17 took one of the most famous  of these photographs.

This original “Blue Marble” inspired later images of the Earth compiled from satellite data. 

One slide from a teaching Power-Point

http://www.grtl.org/prenataldev.asp

From Psalm 139

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

One slide from a teaching Power-Point

Year 7 Unit: Creation

After exploring the seven days of Creation, students devised a Power-Point including

images of the Creation plus a personal response

Example from a Year 7 student project: the last section = a personal response to

Creation (an acrostic Power-Point Poem!)

(See next 9 slides)

Created by God and God alone

Rightfully his to claim

Established by God in six days

And on the seventh day He rested

The Earth and heaven he created

Intended to be how it is 

Only one could do such thing

None but God in heaven

Thank you God

Year 7 Unit: Abraham

Introduce content, read Bible stories together

Student project – dramas/ monologues / Google Earth

How God has blessed me – choice of mode e.g. autobiography / picture book (with focus on God’s blessings) Worksheets + QUIZ (Moodle)

Extension: Storybook for Junior School / board game / drama as negotiated

Year 7 Unit: Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9+)

Introduce content, read Bible stories together

Student project – dramas/ monologues / Google Earth

Worksheets + QUIZ (Moodle)

Extension: Response to artworks: choice of creative form

Year 7 Project: My life’s journey ... so far!

Student project – a book with photographs and memories of their life so far – with extra anecdotes and affirmations written by parents, grandparents and friends.

IT support needed for formatting and publishing – perhaps using commercial companies such as Snapfish or Momento (a more expensive option)

Year 7 Unit: Narnia

Introduce the work of C S Lewis

View the film Narnia Worksheets, reflection and creative activities

Extension: drama / posters ... as negotiated

Year 8 Overview: Theme: Slaves or free?

EXODUS (Moses) Free or a Purpose (Jesus frees and heals)

Free to be meFilm study: Slavery & Wilberforce

Supported by: Worksheets + QUIZ (Moodle) Creative projects and Extension activities

Year 8 Christian Studies

Invent a “gnat rap!”... about the flies and the gnats that God sent to plague Egypt Write it, rehearse and be ready – to present it!

SAMPLE opening: Well God sent Moses to tell Pharoah “Let my people go!”But Pharaoh, mean PharaohGuess what he said That mean old Pharaoh said “NO!”http://www.pestproductsonline.com/Graphics/Pest%20Pics/gnat.jpghttp://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/flies(7).jpg

Year 9 Overview: Theme: Who rules?

Rahab (and Jericho)King David

The Kingdom of the Now and Not YetSneaking Suspicions

Supported by: Worksheets + QUIZ (Moodle) Creative projects and Extension activities

Year 9 Unit: The Kingdom of the Now and Not Yet

Creative activity: After exploring the Parable of the Sower (through interactive Power-Point lessons and reflections),

students invented their own riddle / parable on the same concept

(See next 6 slides)

Granny Smith gave her 4 grandchildren each a necklace.   

The first granddaughter rejected the necklace completely and never wore it.

The other granddaughter wore the necklace a couple of times but then forgot about it.

The next granddaughter only wears the necklace occasionally, when she feels like it.

The last Granddaughter always wore the necklace and knew it was special because It was from her beloved grandmother.

The End

Year 10 Overview: Theme: No Compromise!

Daniel Paul & Ephesians

Healthy relationships Understanding World Religions:

Buddhism and Judaism

Supported by: Worksheets + QUIZ (Moodle) Creative projects and Extension activitiesIT projects e.g. database for SC competencies

Year 10 Unit: Paul & Ephesians

Supported by: Full-colour workbookWorksheets + QUIZ (Moodle) Creative projects and Extension activities

2 examples of a Year 10 Creative response to Ephesians and the concept of a new start

(See next 5 slides)

Pain washes through and overDrowning in a sea of despairThe hands clasp around your throatYou gasp for air

But none will come to satisfyThe sea knows no other lifeNothing of beauty and what you faceIt doesn’t see the light inside your eyesSlowly fading, a spark remains

A response from a Year 10 student to Ephesians ... and the concept of a new start

Nothing of beauty and what you faceIt doesn’t see the light inside your eyesSlowly fading, a spark remains

But that is all that’s neededThe fire catchesIt shall come alive againThe water and fireWorking as one 

Stumbling around the shoreIt picks you up and you float awayIt happens slowly But watch on For here is where it happens

**********She opens her eyesThe water dribbles from her mouthThrown overboard from the boatThat hobbles raggedly out at sea

Love146.org  {The abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation. Nothing less.}

This is her new lifeThe new start she has waited forNine months on that boatAnd away they sail without herWithout her body.This is her new start.

Year 9-10-11 Project: “Note to self”

A document ... in which the student writes a PRIVATE letter to him/herself (to be kept safe by the school or parent until the student leaves Year 12.

This letter contains their reflections on ...

Their understanding of God and response to HimWhere they hope to be/do in 3-2-1 year’s time Who has been a positive influence on them How they hope to be a positive influence on others What they would do to change the world

Year 11 Overview: Theme: No Regrets!

The “I AM” statements of JesusMarriage

ForgivenessUnderstanding World Religions:

Islam and Hinduism Supported by: WorkshopsVisiting Speakers Film studies /YouTubeDiscussions

Year 11 Unit:

The “I AM” statements of Jesus (John’s gospel)

Explored through interactive Power-Point lessons, readings and activities.

Activity: Each student chooses one artwork (from 25) ... re the Woman at the well, answers a few probing questions, then presents to the class. (See next 3 slides)

www.wayneforte.com/images 2004

http://www.charleswalkerhazzard.com/index.htm

Sadao Watanabe, Japan. Asian Christian Art Association.http://eutychusfell.blogspot.com/2005/02/woman-at-well.html

Year 12 Overview: Theme: Leaving school ... living well!

Ethical dilemmasLiving as a Christian

Responding to issues in Australia and the world

Supported by: WorkshopsVisiting Speakers Film studies / YouTubeDiscussions