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VBS 2018 GRADES 3–4 BASE CONFERENCE PLAN (2 HOURS)

Purpose Statement

This two-hour plan is designed to train and equip VBS teachers to lead 3rd

and 4th

graders in LifeWay’s Game

On!TM

VBS curriculum. Needed Resources

Resources to Collect Resources to Prepare

Step 1

CD or Media Player/Speaker

Bible Study CD

Pairs of socks (1 pair for every 2 conferees) Place socks in pop up laundry bag

Handout 1 Copy 1 per participant

Step 3

Megaphone

VBS Motto Poster Visual Pack or Pack Item #1 Game On! Banner

Step 4

Bible

Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Guide

Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Pack

Grades 3-4 Bible Study Enhanced CD

Playbook Grades 1 - 6

3 Ring Binder or Folder with 3 hole prongs Print all items from CD and place in a notebook

Sheet protectors

Step 5

Conference Item 1 Laminate and/or enlarge for a playing surface

Conference Item 1b Cut apart and place on clipboards hanging near playing area

Pennies, tissues, twist ties Twist a penny in the center of a tissue and secure with a twist tie. Make one tissue flag per game player

3 pieces of construction paper or poster board Label the three pieces with the words "auditory", "visual", and "kinesthetic", place posters at various heights on the wall

2 Inflatable balls

Conference Item 2 Cut apart and place near the game area

5 Poster boards Label 4 poster boards with one phrase each: "Start It", "Learn It", "Live It", "Finish It" and “Additional Activities” in large lettering Cut apart and place near playing area

Conference Item 3

Step 6

Pack Item 5

Basketball

Step 7

Pack Items 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 16, and 19 Prepare as directed

5 gym bags or sporty gift bags Print Conference Item 4, cut apart and place one in each gym or theme related bag. Read over the "Live It" section in leader guide for each day and place the items needed, along with a leader guide (or copy of that day) in each corresponding bag.

Items from "Live It" sections

5 leader guides

VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Base Conference Plan

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Conference Item 4

VBS 2018 Self-inking Stamps

Handout 1b

Step 8

Enhanced CD Day 3 What's Your Position? Copy 1 per participant

Pack Item 9 Display on focal wall

Inflated balloon or inflatable balls

Swim noodles or gift wrap rolls Gather 1 per participant

2 laundry baskets

Chairs Arrange chairs in two lines about 6 feet apart, 1 per conferee

VBS ABC Wristbands

VBS Kids Gospel Guide

The Gospel: God's Plan for Me

VBS Parent Guide

VBS Devotional Guide for Children

Step 9

Spirit Stick Prepare as directed in Day 5 "Live It"

Room Setup

Arrange chairs in a semi-circle facing the focal wall. Decorate the room using the ideas found on page 6 of the

VBS 2018 Grades 3–4 Bible Study Leader Guide. Hang the “Game On! Banner” (pack item 1) on the focal wall.

“Game On! Banner Add-ons” (pack item 2) will be added to the banner as the conference progresses. Cover a

table with a VBS 2018 Tablecloth and display the leader guide, leader pack, Playbook: Grades 1–6 (learner

guide) and prepared notebook containing the Bible Study Enhanced CD items. Place handouts and

teaching items on the table and place the prepared gym bags on the floor by the focal wall.

Teaching Steps WELCOME (10 minutes)

Play “Game On!” (Enhanced CD, track 1) as conferees enter and welcome them to the Field House. 1. Invite conferees to play the “Start It” activity found on page 10 of the leader guide, allowing

participants to shout out their preferences for the sports you name. Encourage conferees to stand, find a partner, and link arms. Dump a large bag of “stinky socks” on the floor. Encourage pairs to find and fold a matching pair of socks using only their unlinked arms. Remind them that they must not “unlink” arms. (Option: Give a small prize to the team who completes the activity first.)

2. Welcome all conferees to the Field House. Share that this is the location where 3rd

and 4th

grade Bible Study will occur each day of VBS. Show the decorations included in the room.

3. Teach the motto by creating three groups. Give each group part of the motto (Gear Up! Get Ready! Game On!) and lead the groups to cheer the motto as they would at a sporting event. Use a megaphone and create an atmosphere of fun.

Encourage conferees to complete the handout (Item 1) as you guide them through the motto, Bible verse, and Bible content for VBS 2018.

VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Base Conference Plan

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EQUIPMENT ROOM (15 minutes) 1. Comment: “Every athlete has to have equipment to participate in their sport. VBS has a variety of

materials that are necessary for the VBS teacher.” Show the materials displayed on the table. a. Show conferees a copy of the Bible and discuss that our ultimate guidebook for all our

plays is the Bible. Explain that all our preparations and teaching should start with this. b. Walk conferees through the layout of the leader guide, pointing out its teacher helps,

daily teaching plans, and supply list. c. Show the leader pack and overview the variety of resources that are contained inside. d. Discuss the Enhanced CD found in the leader pack and show the materials you have already

printed. Encourage teachers to print out all items before VBS begins and make any needed copies for their children.

e. Explain that Playbooks (the VBS 2018 learner piece) are used daily in the Field House (Bible Study). Walk through the features found in the Playbook.

CIRCUIT TRAINING (25 minutes)

2. Explain that in circuit training, an athlete must complete each of the exercises one after the other to complete one circuit. Today they must try to complete all three activities in the time allotted in order to complete a circuit.

a. Divide conferees into 3 groups. At the whistle, have groups switch activities. Allow time for conferees to complete the activities.

i. Application Activity – Flag on the Play, Day 3 – Age Characteristics Game ii. Bonus Verse Activity – Free Kick, Day 3 – Learning Styles Game

iii. Bonus Verse Activity – Stadium Cards, Day 1 – Bible Study Options Game b. Invite volunteers to share what they learned from the Age Characteristic Game. Point out pg 5

of the leader guide with detail on how 3rd and 4th Graders grow c. Invite a volunteer to share what they learned from the Learning Styles Game. Discuss the

importance of varying our teaching methods to meet a variety of learning styles and explain that the curriculum is written to include activities every day to meet all three learning styles.

d. Invite a volunteer to share what they learned from the Bible Study Option Game. Explain that each day the session is divided into four parts. (NOTE: Activities from each of these sections are present in this conference plan to help conferees become familiar with the activities and the purpose of each section.

1. Start It: Opening activity (Sport Preference activity from “Start It,” Day 1) 2. Learn It: Bible study (2 Peter 1:3 activity from “Learn It,” Day 1) 3. Live It: Application (What’s your Position? and Motions for the Gospel

activities from “Live It,” Day 3) 4. Finish It: Re-emphasis of the point for the day (Stamp symbols on kids’

hands at the end of each session in “Finish It.” Each symbol is a reminder of the day’s point: #1, megaphone, binoculars, heart, and JOY).

e. Ask conferees how they could use these circuit training activities in their rooms during VBS. (Some

answers might include a second Bible Study session after rotations, as early-arrival activities, as late-stayer activities, or as optional activities for “Live It.”) Point out the four 10-minute activities that are provided at the end of each lesson each day. These are intended to provide additional application, Bible skills, and to emphasize the bonus Bible verse provided for each session. Tell conferees that circuit training activities were modified for the conference.

GAME PLAN (45 minutes)

3. Teach the Memory Verse. f. Invite six volunteers to the front of the room. Ask each one to hold the part of the verse (from

pack item 5) for the group to see. Say the verse together as a group.

VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Base Conference Plan

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g. Create one big circle (or several smaller circles, depending to the size of the group) and let conferees “bounce pass” a basketball from person to person as they say the individual phrases of the verse.

h. High-five the conferees as they return to their seats. Congratulate the group on doing a good job learning the theme verse for the week.

i. Remind conferees that this verse will be emphasized daily during Bible Study. Additional verses (called Bonus Verses) and a supporting learning activity are included as an “Additional Activity Option” in the leader guide each day.

4. Create five groups and give each a prepared gym bag with an assignment card. Lead teams to read their assignment cards and use the items inside the bag to complete each assignment. Allow 10 minutes for teams to complete their assignment.

j. Ask each group to choose a team captain to present to the large group. k. Share the Day 1 Bible story using the corresponding teaching picture (pack item 3). Be sure to

include the “Today’s Point” and the Bible passage as you share. Ask the first group (Day 1) to share how the Bible story is applied in the “Live It” section of the Day 1 session.

l. Continue through all five Bible stories and “Live It” sections helping conferees to see Jesus as the hero of each of the 5 Bible stories and how each Bible story illustrates the main point (life application) of the day: 1) Jesus cares about me; 2) Jesus gives me hope; 3) Jesus helps me believe; 4) Jesus loves me; and 5) Jesus give me joy.

m. Encourage the conferees to complete their handouts as each day’s material is presented. SCORE! SHARING THE GOSPEL (15 minutes) 5. Mention that helping kids know what it means to be a follower of Christ is getting a “W” (win) in the

VBS column. Every day we can share the gospel with kids, but on Day 3 more attention is given to what it means to believe.

n. Give each conferee a copy of the “What’s Your Position?” response card (Enhanced CD item). Demonstrate how it is used on Day 3 with the children during the “Live It” section of the leader guide.

o. Show the “Gospel Presentation Poster” (pack item 9). Lead conferees to do the motions for

each step of sharing the gospel with kids. p. Guide conferees to play Noodle Hockey (Application Activity, Day 2.) q. Show additional LifeWay resources that could be used in helping a child understand what it

means to become a Christian. Point out the inside front cover of each leader guide.

HIGH FIVE (5 minutes) 6. Lead the group to repeat the VBS Scripture verse before they leave.

Create five groups and let them engage in some friendly competition. Present the winning group with a spirit stick (made according to the instructions on “Live It,” Day 5). Pray for the conferees, then dismiss.

Handout 1

Motto: _________ _____! ______ ___________! _________ ______!

Bible verse: ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

2 Peter 1:3

Today’s Point Bible Story Bible Passage Finish It!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Handout 1

Live it!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Conference Item 1

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Conference Item 1b

Characteristics of Children (3rd - 4th Grade) Cut apart and place on clipboards near the playing area – use with Flag on the Play – step 5a

3rd

& 4

th

Gra

de

rs

Has slow, steady growth and good muscle coordination

Has good eye-hand coordination

Active and energetic, need outlet with active learning experiences

Is enthusiastic and may have trouble calming down

Girls are growing more quickly than boys

Can work for longer periods of time

Needs to be able to let off steam

3rd

& 4

th

Gra

de

rs

• Beginning to think abstractly

• Is eager to learn

• Likes to experiment and find out how things are made/work

• Wants to do things the right way and may feel ashamed when wrong

• Is able to excel in Bible skill activities

May have difficulty making decisions

3rd

& 4

th

Gra

de

rs

• Enjoys being with friends

• May express dislike of children of the opposite sex

• Likes to express himself

• Dislikes being treated as a “baby”

• Will accept carefully worded criticism

• Eager to please, wants to be liked

Changes moods quickly

3rd

& 4

th

Gra

de

rs

• Is becoming conscious of self & sin

• Is developing values

• Can see things in terms of right and wrong more than good and bad

• Asks serious questions about religion

• May be beginning to feel the need to accept Jesus as Savior

Can discover and apply truths in a Bible passage

Can follow the examples, teaching and commands of Jesus

Conference Item 2

Learning Styles Traits Record sentences from each category on sentence strips (or cut apart) and use in step 5a – Free Kick.

Auditory Learning “I hear”

Remember what they hear Likes verbal repetition

Talk about the lesson Recall verbal instructions

Distracted by sound Enjoy music activities

“Tell the Bible Story” “Repeat a phrase”

“Hear the whistle”

Visual Learning “I see”

Desire to see words Enjoy pictures

Prefer written instructions Study material by reading

Enjoy visual art activities “Read verses”

“Take a close look” “Observe a poster”

Kinesthetic Learning “I do”

Physically involved in subject Find it difficult to sit still

Enjoy acting through drama “Make hand signals”

Enjoy building a project “Write responses”

Take study notes to keep busy “bounce-pass a ball”

Conference Item 3

Bible Study Options Cut apart and use as directed in Step 5a – Stadium Cards

Scenario 1

Your VBS Director has told you that you will have:

30 minutes for Bible Study

Scenario 2

Your VBS Director has told you that you will have:

40 or more minutes for Bible Study

Scenario 3

Your VBS Director has told you that you will have:

Two Bible Study times (opening and closing Bible Study sessions)

Conference Item 4

Group 1 • Read the Day 1 Bible story and teaching procedures found in “Live It” on page 12 of

the VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Guide. • Look at the items in your gym bag. • Answer the following questions and be prepared to share your findings with the large

group: • How are the items found in your gym bag used during the session? • What symbol will the kids receive as they leave the Field House that will help them

remember the point for the day? (“Finish It” section) Group 2

• Read the Day 2 Bible story and teaching procedures found in “Live It” on page 19 of the VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Guide.

• Look at the items in your gym bag. • Answer the following questions and be prepared to share your findings with the large

group: • How are the items found in your gym bag used during the session? • What symbol will the kids receive as they leave the Field House that will help

them remember the point for the day? (“Finish It” section) Group 3

• Read the Day 3 Bible story and teaching procedures found in “Live It” on pages 25-26 of the VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Guide.

• Look at the items in your gym bag. • Answer the following questions and be prepared to share your findings with the large

group: • How are the items found in your gym bag used during the session? • What symbol will the kids receive as they leave the Field House that will help them

remember the point for the day? (“Finish It” section) Group 4

• Read the Day 4 Bible story and teaching procedures found in “Live It” on page 32 of the VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Guide.

• Look at the items in your gym bag. • Answer the following questions and be prepared to share your findings with the large

group: • How are the items found in your gym bag used during the session? • What symbol will the kids receive as they leave the Field House that will help them

remember the point for the day? (“Finish It” section) Group 5

• Read the Day 5 Bible story and teaching procedures found in “Live It” on page 40 of the VBS 2018 Grades 3-4 Bible Study Leader Guide.

• Look at the items in your gym bag. • Answer the following questions and be prepared to share your findings with the large

group: • How are the items found in your gym bag used during the session? • What symbol will the kids receive as they leave the Field House that will help them

remember the point for the day? (“Finish It” section)