Vacation Bible School 2008 - Memories

This was my second year teaching Vacation Bible School at FUMC- Niceville. I signed up to teach third graders - which I found to be a great age! They were a little more independent and self-sufficient than second graders (the age I taught last year). 

The theme was "Power Lab" and we spent all week learning how Jesus gives us the power to be thankful, help others, brave, live forever and tell others about God.

Everything was a little wacky this past week - we did lots of "experiments" in our lab (arts and crafts). The kids learned some great songs, saw some neat drama presentations and had fun with Ms. Schroeder in Recreation time.

I took a ton of pictures with the promise of blogging about our week - so to my kids in 3B - I had a great time with you guys! Enjoy the pictures and commentary!

Ms. Anne in her "shocked by the power of Jesus" hair-do

Ms. Rebecca and her little alien Martha (who was so great all week!)

Every day we had lots of activities - Generally we spent 20 minutes in each rotation - with 40 minutes in the classroom.

Music: 





Drama:


Some of our group participated in one of the drama's. They did a great job!



Opening and Closing Ceremonies:

Katie and Skyler groovin' to "Making Melodies" - one of the silliest songs ever!

Zach, Hatcher, Nathan and Ben also "making melodies!"

My 3-year-old Maddie doing the music with the big kids!

Zach and Ben dancing during opening ceremony

Jessi, Nicole and Bailey were chosen to sing with the kids' Praise Team!

Missions Offering:

Our mission this year was the Children's Hunger Fund. We learned that some kids don't have breakfast, lunch or dinner every day  - like we do. Through the CHF a family can receive meals for one month for about $24/month. The kids were challenged to go home and work around the house to earn money for the offering. At closing on Friday the total was up to $2900+. That's a lot of families who are going to have food to eat!

Maddie putting her hard earned money into the mission box. She helped set the table, clear her dishes and tried very hard to be a good listener and obey what Mommy asked her to do.




Arts and Crafts (Science Lab)

SLIME!

BY FAR the slime lab was the biggest hit with the kids. Using glue, water, food coloring and laundry starch - the kids made their own slimey slime. 

Alaina showed off her talent for making a huge sheet of slime and then blowing on it to make bubbles..

Ben playing with his slime

Courtney got a little help with mixing hers - it sucks to break your arm!

Baby Martha got slimed!


Ublek or however it's spelled!

The kids made ublek - cornstarch and water - 

Hatcher (i think? I still can't tell you two boys apart!) walking across the ublek. If you walked quickly it was just like walking on water. If you stopped you sank - just like Peter did when he took his eyes off Jesus.

Skyler's facial expression makes me laugh!


Mmm test tube candy!

Noah making his test tube candy

mmm lemonade flavored candy dust.

skyler almost finished with hers...

Everyone's looked so different!

Kristen - one of our youth helpers- made one for Caitlyn when she missed the last two days.

Floating Popcorn:





Maddie and Wyatt:

Maddie had such fun in the three-year-old class this year. She came home and sang me the songs and told me the bible stories she learned. I'm amazed at how much her little mind retained! She can't wait for VBS to come again next year when she's 4 and can go to all the stuff that the big kids do!

wyatt had fun playing with Ms. Patti, Ms. Melissa and Ms. Neoma and all the other toddlers. It is his last year in the baby room! 


Class Time:

We had a blast this week. Thanks to all our helpers and to the kids for making this a great week. I can't wait to see what the theme will be for next year!