Ministering to NeuroDiverse Kids, a seminar with Dena Kitchens

Our September 26 Zoom Coffee Chat was a presentation on ways to welcome and engage children and youth with neurodiversity, learning differences, and those who are just plain “different.” Neurodiversity is the idea that there’s natural variation in how people’s brains work and how people experience, understand and interact with the world. This means there are natural differences in the way people learn, communicate, and interact with their faith as well.

You can view a recording of the presentation along with the subsequent Q&A and conversation here. You will also find additional resources from Dena at that link.

We invite you to be a part of the ongoing conversation at our site. What are you going to try? How has what you heard sparked other ideas? What questions do you still have? Share your ideas and questions and read up on what other people are doing in our new Ministering to NeuroDiverse Students, Kids with "Special Needs," "Disabilities" forum.

Dena mentioned several times in her presentation the usefulness of the Workshop Rotation Model format for engaging and teaching children with neurodiversity. You can learn more about that creative way of teaching Bible stories here.

Dena Kitchens is a long-time educator, having taught in a variety of settings including special education, early childhood, and Christian education. She currently serves as an instructor for BeADisciple.com, leads the Family Ministry team at her home church, and is the current president of Learning Disabilities Association of Georgia.

Dena holds a BS in Special Education, an MA in Practical Theology, and is about to embark on the journey of earning a Doctor of Education Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.

Dena has been active on Rotation.org with our Writing and Content Teams, and will join the Board in 2025.

The archive of creative lessons and helpful resources such as this Coffee Chat at Rotation.org is made possible by our amazing Supporting Members. Not a member yet? Join today for only $45/year for access to all of our creative resources!

Recap of our
Parable of the Prodigal Son Writing Team Lesson Set
launch celebration

Our talented team of creative Bible lesson writers led us on a detailed tour of their latest lesson set -- sharing some of the story insights, writing process, and some the unique activities they came up with!

Here are some highlights from the Zoom Coffee Chat celebrating the launch of The Parable of the Prodigal Son Writing Team lesson set.

• You can find the Parable of the Prodigal Son Bible background here. This is a FREE resource that is open to all.
• You can see summaries of all of the creative lessons in the Prodigal Son lesson set here.
• The Prodigal Son lessons are free to our Supporting Members (as are all of our Writing Team Lesson Sets). You can see information about everything you receive access to with a $45/year membership here. (Many thanks to those of you who are already Supporting Members!! ❤️)
• We explored each lesson in the set, taking a look at the complete detailed lesson plans that include PDFs of scripts, lists of low-cost supplies (because we know most churches are operating on a tight-budget), and adaptations for younger students and those with shorter or longer class times. The lessons are designed to be taught using the Workshop Rotation Model, but can also be used as stand-alone lessons in a traditional format Sunday school or on Wednesday nights, VBS, or other events.
• Here is a video highlighting the Prodigal Son software used in the Computer and Tech workshop. This software is FREE for our Supporting Members! The software can be used in small or large groups on as many computers as you would like to muster. It can also be projected onto the wall or viewed on a large screen for group exploration if you do not have a computer room.
  
  
• Henri Nouwen's book The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming was suggested as an adult study for their Sunday school or Wednesday night program while your students are digging into the parable.
  
  

• Do you want to be sure you are notified about future Zoom Coffee Chats? Click the green bell icon at the top of this page to follow this announcement topic (or follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community).

• Want to learn more about writing creative lessons to teach children stories from the Bible? We have a variety of helpful articles here. And if you are interested in being on a future Writing Team, take a look at the information here.

• Is there something else we can help you with? Stop by our always open Teachers Lounge to post your question.

If there is anything else I can help you with, please let me know!

Amy Crane, Rotation.org board of directors president

Axioms of Teaching in the Church: Affirmations of a Veteran Church Educator

A conversation with Don Griggs about his book and decades of experience teaching kids in the Church

Supporting Members can view and share the video of this event here.

We were thrilled to welcome The Rev. Dr. Donald Griggs as our guest presenter at our April 25th free Zoom "Coffee Chat."  Don spoke about his latest book, Axioms of Teaching in the Church: Affirmations of a Veteran Church Educator. "Axioms" summarizes a lifetime of insights and experience teaching children, youth, and adults in the church, creating lessons and Bible resources, and training teachers and pastors.

In this seminar, Don shared insights about six of his twelve axioms and commented briefly on the other six. He also revealed three axioms he wished he had included in the book!   Learn more about Don and this event.

For nearly three generations, Don's creative lessons and gentle leadership have been a gift to Presbyterians and church educators across denominations. We are grateful that he shared some of his wisdom with our community.

Supporting Members can watch or download a recording of the event -- a great resource for a teacher training event! Join now.

Recap of our Daniel Writing Team Lesson Set launch celebration

Here are some highlights and links from today's Zoom Coffee Chat celebrating the launch of the Daniel: Fire and Lions Writing Team Lesson Set:

• You can find the Daniel: Fire and Lions Bible background here. That FREE resource that is open to all.
• You can see summaries of all of the creative lessons and resources in the Daniel lesson set here.
• The Daniel lessons (as is the case with all of our Writing Team Lesson Sets) are free to our Supporting Members. You can see information about everything you receive access to with a $45/year membership here. (Many thanks to those of you who are already Supporting Members!! ❤️)
• Here is lots of help if you are interested in learning more about how to teach a Bible story using the shadow drama technique that is featured in the Fiery Furnace drama lesson.
• Here is a video from writer Samantha Corcoran showing an overview of the Exile Journey Stations Workshop, demonstrating how fun and easy it is to teach this creative lesson:
  
• Check out our guide to using the free SunsCool Bible app, which is a great tool for encouraging families to dig into Bible stories at home.
• Do you want to be sure you are notified about future Zoom Coffee Chats? Click the green bell icon at the top of this page to follow this announcement topic (or follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Community).

• Want to learn more about writing creative lessons to teach children stories from the Bible? We have a variety of helpful articles here. And if you are interested in being on a future Writing Team, take a look at the information here.

• Is there something else we can help you with? Stop by our always open Teachers Lounge to post your question.

Amy Crane, Rotation.org board of directors president