The Parable of the Yeast
Today I wanted to share with you what the girls did today at the Atrium. In the Catechises of the Good Shepherd Program, the children are introduced to 5 parables about the Kingdom of God. These parables are the Mustard Seed, The Pearl of Great Price, The Parable of the Yeast, The Parable of the Buried Treasure, and the Parable of the Wheat. The first two are presented in the first year. In year two the children learn about the next two. I love the parable because they offer so much to think about in such a small amount of words. Today the girl learned a about a new parable that all the kids love to do~ The Parable of the Yeast.
” He spoke to them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”” Matt. 13: 33
With this parable, we talk a bit about what yeast is and then we work! The work is rather complex and takes some time, but it well worth the wait. The children mix together 3 measures of flour (tablespoons) with 1 measure of yeast (1/4 teaspoon), and mix that with an ounce of water. Then then mix another cup without the yeast. We look at the colors, we smell the yeast, we see the dry turn wet and notice the changes. Then we sit these on the shelf and wait (for a while).
While they work, the yeast rises and and the children can see what Jesus was talking about when he talked about the kingdom of heaven being like yeast. I love the hands on way this parable speaks to them and helps them see it! What a way to connect to the words of the Lord. Yet another reason I love this program! The look of wonder on the kids faces is priceless!
February 4, 2012 @ 12:20 pm
I love this approach. I have searched but there doesn’t seem to be a Jewish version. I know Maria Montessori was a Catholic so her focus would have been on Christianity but I wondered if you have ever heard of this being used in any other faith?
February 4, 2012 @ 3:13 pm
I havent heard of too many other faiths using this tecnique, but I dont see why you couldnt. It would take a lot of time to make materials (as any good Montessori based thing does) but I think that you could adapt it. The basis of the program is to use the material to help the kids nurture the reationship with God that they already have. Sofia Cavalletti discovered that all children are already in a close relatioship with God, and it is our task to help them expirience that to the fullest. We just prepare a space that allows them to better hear what God is saying to them. In each Atrium there is a prayer table that has a bible, an image of the Good Shepherd, candle, and Preayer Cards (short bible verses that corresponds to the liturgical season we are in) on it. This is easily adapted to whatever faith articals are important to you. Usually there are pillows or rugs for the child to use when they choose to pray there. Most Atriums also have other materials avalible for the child to change what is on the prayer table to make it feel more personal.
Another key material is the alter work. This is a minature alter, with minature articals that the child can set. The purpose of this work is to teach the names a purpose of these artical. We use the 3 period lesson for that! Again, you could adapt this to use what is familiar to your faith.
Finally we tell the stories of the Bible using wooden figures. In the Catechesis we stick to stories about Jesus and his life. I do know though that Godly Play (a prgram based off the Catechesis) uses all of the Old Testement work too! You may want to see how they do it! It is a very successful program that is widly avalible. When we present a moment in the bible. We read tha passage directly out of the bible, then we disscuss any words that may be new. Next we wonder with the child. We ask thought provoking questions that allow them to think. Sometimes there is an answer, sometimes there isnt. We dont tell them the “answer” since its not a test. Its time for them to think about it and and absorb it themselves. To find their own connections and their own thoughts about it so that it becomes real and personal to them. There has been times when Bunny has been presented with a work, and I saw no thoughts, but later on (sometimes weeks later) she will have a profound thought that really blows me away! It is all about planting seeds and letting God do the rest! I dont know if that helps or not, but with some thought I think that you could make it work. I personally love this method for teaching my kids about God. If you have any other questions that I can help with, let me know! I tend to run on and on sometimes with more information then people want! 🙂 Thanks fort popping by!
(And sorry about the spelling!) 🙂
February 9, 2012 @ 2:47 pm
Annicles, this (American) flyer says that there has been some Jewish Godly Play done in London: http://www.hebrewcollege.edu/Godly%20Play%20flyer%20(2).pdf
And here is another reference to another American connection between Godly Play and a Jewish community: http://www.stlaurenceconifer.org/christianed/GodlyPlay08.pdf
Perhaps you could contact these people to see what they can tell you about the UK/London situation…
February 10, 2012 @ 2:43 am
Wow! great links! Thanks for sharing them!
February 9, 2012 @ 9:28 pm
Thank you both so much. I will start my investigations!!!
February 10, 2012 @ 2:44 am
Good Luck Anna! Let me know if you find something!