by Jonathan Cliff | Feb 20, 2014 | Create A Safe Place, Elementary
Do you know the hardest volunteer to find? It’s a man willing to work with boys in a small group. It’s the boys groups that are the loudest, craziest, and sometimes, just sometimes, the most destructive. I’m a parent of 4th and 6th grade sons, and I...
by Kenny Conley | Feb 11, 2014 | Create A Safe Place, Elementary
One of the most important ingredients to our success in leading small is time. It takes time to get acquainted. It takes time to build trust. It takes time to create a safe place that your few all recognize. Unfortunately, many SGLs don’t make it long enough to reap...
by Barbara Graves | Jul 29, 2013 | Be Present, Create A Safe Place, Preschool
If you have been serving in a preschool class for more than 30 minutes, you will know for certain that no two preschoolers are the same. There are those that could easily be the poster child for “Perfect Preschooler” magazine. You know the ones, the perfect angel,...
by Jon Grunden | May 15, 2013 | Be Present, Create A Safe Place, Make It Personal, Move Them Out, Partner with Parents, Students
Have you ever felt like a failure? I know, I know. That’s like asking, “Is the sky blue?” “Is grass green?” “Is it weird that New Kids on the Block is still touring?” Yes. Yes. Yes. and YES! At times, we each feel like a...
by Gay Tucciarone | May 6, 2013 | Be Present, Preschool
A couple of weeks ago I had a personal and practical lesson about preschool learning styles – and a reminder that it usually doesn’t involve sitting in neat rows being quiet and still! My four-year-old and three-year-old grandchildren had spent the weekend with me...