ROTATION.ORG
WRITING TEAM
PSALM 8
SUMMARY

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

Story: Psalm 8

MEMORY VERSE

Key/Memory Verse: Psalm 8
Young children -- Psalm 8:9
Early elementary children – Psalm 8:3-4 or 3-5 and 8:9

OBJECTIVES

Students will:

Find Psalm 8 in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Learn some attributes of Psalms: David is credited with writing many; Psalms were/are songs and prayers used to worship God.

Memorize all or a portion of Psalm 8.

Contemplate God’s amazing creation to discover a feeling of wonder. Discuss ways to pay attention to God’s world so as to nurture this sense of awe.

Explore our relationship to God: compared to God’s vast creation we seem insignificant, but yet we are important and valuable to God! Recognize that this is both humbling and uplifting.

MATERIAL IN THIS ROTATION SET

LESSONS/WORKSHOPS

BIBLE BACKGROUND [Carol Hulbert]

Reflect on Psalm 8, which serves as the Bible Story and the Key/Memory Verse, the objectives for the rotation set, and commentary on the passage.

BIBLE BACKGROUND – OVERVIEW [Phyllis Wezeman]

Review a brief overview of Psalm 8.

ART I [Carmen Peter]

Read the books “All I See Is Part of Me” and “On the Day You Were Born” to explore the wonders of God’s creation, especially each person’s special place in it, and create pictures to illustrate these themes.

ART II [Carol Hulbert]

View a print of Van Gogh’s painting, “Starry Night,” and create crayon resist paintings including silhouettes.

CINEMA I [Sheila Butler]

Study each verse of Psalm 8 by viewing clips from popular movies that illustrate the specific themes: 8:1 – Aladdin; 8:2 – Dead Poets Society; 8:3 – E.T.; 8:4 – Beauty and the Beast; 8:5 – Toy Story 2; 8:6 – Honey I Shrunk the Kids; 8:7 – Secret Garden; 8:8 – Free Willy.

CINEMA II [Denise Krebs]

Interview adults in the congregation, record their responses to the question: “What, to you, is the most majestic – or awesome – thing in God’s creation?” and watch the video of their answers.

COMPUTER [Neil MacQueen]

Memorize Psalm 8 by using computer software such as Cal & Marty’s Scripture Memory Game, Kid Pix 3, or Awesome Bible Stores.

COOKING [Joan Grady]

Emphasize the ways in which God’s hands shaped creation by making a batch of wheat soda biscuits.

CREATIVE WRITING [Stephanie Smith]

Create a triarama and use adjectives to describe God, the Creator.

DRAMA I [Jaymie Derden]

Explore Psalm 8 through dramatic reading and creative movement.

DRAMA II [Lynn Wood]

Develop a choral reading of Psalm 8 as an act of worship.

GAMES I [Carol Hulbert]

Play games of beanbag toss and water xylophone to help learn portions of Psalm 8.

GAMES II [Kim Trimboli]

Learn Psalm 8 by heart by playing a games of repetition and sequencing.

MUSIC [Julie Burton]

Focus on the majesty of God by using the songs “Awesome God” and “How Majestic Is Your Name” plus showing pictures of God’s creation.

PHOTOGRAPHY [Amy Crane]

Capture “awe” by taking pictures of God’s creation and find “wow” by viewing photos of God’s handiwork.

STORYTELLING [Kim Harding]

Tell the Irish legend of “St. Brigid’s Cloak” to help the participants realize that awe and wonder of God, the Creator, are part of their personal faith journey.

ENHANCEMENTS

OPENING EXERCISES IDEAS [Carmen Peter]

Highlight the themes of Psalm 8 through activities and music during Opening Exercises for each week of the rotation.

PARENT’S PAGE [Kim Harding]

Share the suggestions from the Parent’s Page to help families, as well as members of the congregation, learn more about Psalm 8.

PRAYER/WORSHIP [Julie Burton]

Listen to sounds of God’s creation to help the participants become aware of God’s presence and to praise God through music as well as silence.

PRE-SCHOOL ADAPTATIONS [Joan Grady]

Adapt the lessons/workshops in the Psalm 8 rotation set for use with preschoolers.

SHEPHERD’S PAGE [Ruth Wilcox]

Acquaint Shepherds with various ways in which they can prepare for and participate in the Psalm 8 rotation.

EDITING

Ken Wezeman
Phyllis Wezeman

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Exchange Volunteer corrected the names of the authors of the art lessons.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CreativeCarol,