Mary & Carol Bowker, Jean Carpenter & Billy Bowker of Dryden, N.Y. enjoy Sunday school sand table of teacher Leona Sherman.
How to build S ’ use a/ SAND TABLED
Leona Sherman
stead of taking them. Our pastor was very cooperative in making a sand table for me. The sand box itself was made separately from the table. This made it easier to carry. It was lined with gal vanized sheet metal (see diagram). Sheet aluminum may also be used. It can be cut with household scis sors and is light and easy to handle. The comer p ie ce s were folded around and bolted together. The top edge all around was rolled over a bit so it wouldn’t be sharp. After the metal liner was made, a wooden box was made just to fit so the liner would go inside it. Then the whole thing was placed on a low table of the same size. We tried at first just using a wooden box but it didn’t work out well as the sand trickled out of it. Since we used the bright metal, when we wanted a river or lake, all we had to do was push the sand aside and there
used. From my own personal ex perience though, I have found I have the best attention when I work out a lesson on the sand table. This type of lesson makes a story come to life in a very real way. If the children can help move the characters around, it is even better. It works out best to appoint two of them to help each time. Otherwise they will all be trying to help. It must be definitely understood that they are to help you and do as you say. If this isn’t done, they will be dabbling in the sand and playing with it. The children not only remember the lesson well but they like to re tell it. Many parents have told me of their children’s interest. Per sonally, I think the parents need these lessons too even if they do receive them secondhand. In many churches too many parents send their children to Sunday school in
H a v e you ever tried to hold the attention of a group of wiggling, squirming live-wire primary chil dren? You know that it takes lots of previous preparation and alertness on your part. If you can’t interest them yourself, they will interest each other if by nothing more than shoving another child off his chair. During one p r im a r y worship service where the leader wasn’t properly prepared, I actually saw two children get up and start a wrestling match. Visual aids have proven them selves over and over in the training of children. What the child sees, he will remember. Every Sunday school worker likes to feel that the children are grasping all the in formation possible in the short length of time allowed. Most visual aids are good, and for variety different ones should be
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