After reading Margaret's comment on how are we going to meet outcomes etc our groups focus has now slightly changed. Whilst still incorporating Mel's ideas into extending prayer through class liturgies we have decided to look at our RE units and write a prayer which relates to one for each stage/grade that could be used in class. Through further discussions we found that it is often difficult to find the story or song suggested in the sample pathways so by writing our own we hope:
* our own skills in writing prayers are extended.
* to write prayers that include resources readily available here at school so that other staff are more inclined to implement prayer through their unit (as a focus activity / closing activity etc).
* children are engaged in prayer in a variety of ways.
As I am quite new at writing prayers I was very happy to here that others were not feeling overly confident as well, so to support one another we decided to write one prayer together so that input can be added along the way and we have the chance to experiment with the prayer format that we also came up with.
One of my concerns was that other teachers may not like implementing prayers that others have written as they may not be meaningful to their children but again through discussion the point was made that as teachers we alter activities all the time to meet the needs of own individual children but it is still great to have ideas to work off. This is what we hope to provide.
This experience also provides us with TIME which is so hard to come by to actually look through the many different books that our school has which I wasn't aware of and to look at one anothers own individual resources for ideas. I am getting great ideas not only for prayers suitable to our units but prayers that would be great to implement in my morning class prayer sessions.
Wish us luck!!
Kate
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7 comments:
Kate, it looks like we are on the same track.
I would not be concerned that some teachers may not like the prayers we write. Our aim, I believe, is to provide another resource, another idea on how prayer could be implemented.
If our premise is that prayer sometimes doesn't happen because teachers are unsure of how to run a prayer or what resources are available, then we are providing them with guidance. I would not be trying to tell them that they must use 'our' prayer, just that here is a resource they might like to use.
I know that when I am preparing prayers or liturgies as REC I really welcome suggestions.
By the way, anyone got any good ideas for a Father's Day prayer.
Thanks Kate,
Mel made a great point last week about how teachers are very good at adapting someone's work to our own needs. That said we will be able to share prayer ideas and know that they will be used as is, or adapted to a particular class needs. A good example would be the prayer using a bubble wand blowing bubbles outside as a symbol of the peace and freedom that caring for other people brings. This I would NOT use with my current group but maybe last year, next year. For this class I would adapt that to painting a symbol of the feeling while music is playing.
So, back to the original thought of a pro forma for class liturgies.
Margaret
The C team have been on a discovery of learning and have 'depthed' their ideas and attitues on prayer. The constant challenge is to keep the students in focus. Is it possible for students to explain if they have been 'touched' by a prayer? This is the challenge of prayer as the students response may not be able to be articulated in words but maybe in art, journalling or maybe just silence! What an exciting path.. keep up the questioning!
I heartily agree Gary. One of the challenegs for us as we try to model class prayer rituals is to find ways of broadening teachers concepts of what can be used when praying. Before we can model we ourselves must become more aware of different ways of praying and responding.
The prayer focus in the library is something tht I would like to make more interactive with students and staff.
I have put up the question , "What is prayer?". If any staff would like to have their children write a response to this I would be happy to have it posted on the window.
Margaret is in the process of working with her class on this now. The only thing I ask is that it is done in a colourful manner ie make it interesting to children to read.
3 Blue have their thoughts of prayer ready to go up for reading. I had compiled the responses into a list and read it to the class, most children were able to identify their response to 'What is prayer?' imediately. There are times when they cannot identify their paintings but they knew what they had said about prayer, interesting. Margaret
The window display on "What is prayer?" was a great idea to stimulate interest and input from others and it has done just that. I have heard several children both in my class and from others, reading the comments on the window and than making their own through discussion with their peers. Thanks Phil and Margaret
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