A Closer Look at

"SunScool"

the free Bible App for Kids

Overview of the App

This free app for younger and older kids is very cool and robust. There's so much to it that it is hard to describe without the app in front of you. ...Which is one of my biggest suggestions: PREVIEW IT.

We now have a full-fledged SunScool Resource Page complete with a printable MENU of all its 170+ Bible stories.

It includes important notes about how some of the stories change depending on which level you select, and has navigational tips!

Go to Rotation.org's SunScool Resource Page now

Four Key Take-Aways:

1. Each of the 170 Bible story presentations features narration, animation, and verse games and quizzes interspersed within each story.
2. Each story has narrated text onscreen and Bible verses you can read.
3. Stories adjust their content depending on the LEVEL YOUR SELECT.
4. A "guiding hand" appears onscreen to prompt students what to do next.
   
   

When you first open the app it asks you for your age so that it can adjust its "help" system for you (I really liked that feature). Level three is the sweet spot for third through fifth graders and 2nd graders who can read. Levels 1 and 2 tell less of the story, and show easier and fewer activities. Importantly, selecting a level also adjusts the story content itself and available stories. Read more about that in the Guide.

• Modestly animated stories with kid-friendly narration.
• Simple to use interface with an animated hand that guides you what to do next.
• Scripture is mostly NIV. Some adjustments for condensing of stories.
• Can be downloaded to just about any type of smartphone, iPad or Android tablet, or Windows PC
• Lots of "during the story" and "after the story" activities geared to the story, including word searches, memory verses, and quiz questions ---with 'helps' based on your age.
• Kids win diamond awards for reading and completing each activity and story. The game reminds them what they have left to do in a story.
• Based upon the free multi-lingual Bible lessons for children produced by Bible Educational Services, a UK international Bible ministry.
• Currently available only in English and Russian. More languages planned.
• Generally ecumenical (with some things you may want to say differently).

When installing the Windows version, you may get a blue box warning you not to install the program. It's fine. Click "DETAILS" and select "RUN ANYWAY."

Screenshot showing the download menu at www.SunSchool.org.

Screenshot showing a section of the menu titled "Who is Jesus: His Life and Teaching." The slider appears in PC versions, otherwise it's touchscreen.

If you're using the Windows version, be sure the installer's exe file is AT LEAST version 2.0.615.1 otherwise the narration audio and menu scroller may not appear.

See my note below about how to "reset" the program so that other students can play it on the same tablet/computer at a later time.

Here's a video posted to YouTube by Sunscool showing their Easter story presentation. This gives you a flavor of how the stories are presented, told, and heard.

The Sunscool app has over four dozen stories to choose from. They are grouped under headings in the menu like "Peter" and "Acts, Early Church," and "Parables" (see screenshots below). Some of the menu collections are topical like "What is Prayer and How Do You Pray?"  and "What is the Bible?"

The App was originally geared for non-believers or unchurched children, but even Sunday School kids will find it engaging and helpful, if not also fun.

Available for just about any type of device.

Here are a few random screenshots of the main story menu to give you a visual idea of how the app's content is organized.

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Windows version 2.0.615.1 makes the menu slider/scroller visible all the time so kids can find it. On touchscreen devices, the scroller isn't needed.

Yes, this app could be used IN SUNDAY SCHOOL! I can easily imagine a group of students gathered around tablets and being led to the story and activities with the TEACHER by their side, stopping to ask questions and add content.

In fact, we wrote the "Story of Ruth" Computer Workshop lesson which features the four-part story found in Sunscool's Bible app.

I'm also pleased to note that Mikhail, Sunscool's programmer has been very helpful in making some improvements for those of us using the app for Sunday School.

How to "Reset" the App for Another Student

Sunscool's app was originally designed to keep track of one student's progress through the stories and activities, remembering what they had completed and giving them reward points. However, knowing that many of our Sunday School computer users needed a "fresh" copy for new students to use each week, we asked the developer to add a "RESET LESSONS" button and they did!

It's found in the SETTINGS control panel off the main menu.

Note: Luanne Payne and I created a "Navigation Guide" to Sunscool to help teachers get up to speed fast and understand some of the features that needed explaining. That detailed guide is attached to the Writing Team's Bible App Workshop Lesson Plan in the Story of Ruth and Boaz lesson set. It's one of the unique and valuable resources we create for our Supporting Members.