“I know we have that . . . somewhere.” If thisstatement is one often heard in your Sundayschool department, perhaps it is time to

organize your teaching materials and create aresource room.

A resource room can be an unused room, a stor-age room, or a closet. Organization is the key tooptimal usage of teaching materials. Some churcheshave a supply closet in each room. Stock only mini-mal basic supplies in these to eliminate costly dupli-cate purchases. Provide plastic containers (differentcolor lids for each room) and label each container.Insist that closets/cabinets be kept neat and clean. Ifyou have to duck when opening the door to the stor-age closet, it is time for a work day.

In our church the resource room is also a teacher’sworkroom and the Sunday school office. Two smallrooms were remodeled into one large room. Twoteachers spent six to eight weeks sorting and organiz-ing this room before we began using it. We are not alarge church; most of these items we have collected,begged for, or purchased in the past eight years.Shelving came from a pharmacy that was beingremodeled. We were able to purchase all the shelvingat an auction for a fraction of what it would have costto build shelves. Cabinets came from another auction.Equipment (laminator, paper cutters, die-cut machine,paper racks) came from either school auctions or ateacher supply store that was closing.

Basic SuppliesStart by sorting all supplies on hand into plastic

shoe boxes or other containers. See-through con-tainers work best. Place a label inside each box andarrange the boxes in alphabetical order on shelves.

Teacher Training Creating a Resource RoomCreating a Resource Room

by Teresa Bohannon

Here are basic suppliesneeded in the order we havethem in our resource room:

Larger plastic containershold plastic fruit, inflatableprops, and items by theme(construction, banking,Christmas, Easter, etc.). Largecardboard file boxes and larg-er plastic containers are usedfor fabric, burlap, pompoms,musical instruments, andthemed items (prayer, memory,missions, nautical). Large con-tainers are stored in lower cab-inets. These cabinets providecountertop work space.

Posterboard is stored in aposterboard rack, and con-struction paper is in a scrapbooking chest (purchaseat a discount or craft store). These are plastic unitswith drawers to hold paper.

Picture FileAll pictures are filed in a picture file. Fold a

posterboard in half crosswise, tape the sides withpackaging tape or colored duct tape to make a fold-er. Put a label on the upper right hand corner ofeach folder. Every Bible character should have afolder. Make additional folders for maps, heaven,buildings, and posters. File these alphabetically in alarge box. (Ask a handy man in your congregation tomake wooden boxes for this purpose.) Label match-ing file folders for the file cabinet. Extra activitysheets, coloring sheets, and puzzle pages areplaced here. Old curricula, curriculum samples,newspaper and magazine pictures can be sortedand filed in these files. This provides additionalteaching resources for any lesson.

Be sure to have a variety of pictures. Students needto know what a Bible times house looked like. They willalso benefit from pictures of modern day floods(Hurricane Katrina) when you teach about Noah.

Wall DecorThere are many ways to store wall décor. Teacher

supply stores sell bulletin board boxes, which havecardboard folders inside. Place flat wall décor inthese folders and label accordingly. Two pieces of

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Fall 2007

BaggiesChalk/erasersCotton ballsCraft knives, box cuttersCraft sticksCrayonsGlue gun, glue sticksGold coinsHole punch, reinforcementsMarkersObject lessonsPipe cleanersPlay doughScissorsStaplers, staplesTapeTickets

posterboard can be taped together on three sides toform folders.

For larger items, use cardboard boxes. Ask craftstores or stores selling posters and prints for the boxesused to ship posters. These are two part boxes, with abottom and a lid. Roll paper decorations, secure withrubber bands, and place in the box. Add any 3-D dec-orations (silk flowers, plants, animals). Adhere a mail-ing label holder on the end or side of each box andplace a card stock label in the holder. These can bethemed (farm, space, building) or quarterly (place alldécor from the quarter in the box).

We store these in the church attic, along with anylarge props used with the décor.

Paper StoragePaper storage for bulletin board paper is essen-

tial. We have a separate paper room, (a former utilitycloset) where rolls of bulletin board paper are storedon paper racks (purchased for $5 each at schoolauctions). We recycle everything, so used paper isrolled, secured with rubber bands or ribbon, andstored in concrete pouring tubes. Concrete pouringtubes are available at building supply stores in vari-ous diameters. Cut 12-inch diameter tubes into 18-inch lengths and cover with paper. The tubes sit onthe floor and paper is stored in them by color.

Crumpled paper and paper rocks are stored inlarge plastic containers. Place a clear mailing labelholder on each container. Inside the holder put apiece of the paper that is inside the container. You cantell at a glance what color paper is in each container.

EquipmentOverhead projectors are stored on carts in the

resource room. Paper cutters and a laminatingmachine are also helpful. Laminate pictures and walldécor items to preserve them. Cool laminators areavailable in discount and craft stores at reasonableprices. These are for smaller items, but work verywell. If your church does not have a laminator, manyteacher and office supply stores offer laminatingservices for large items.

Puzzles and GamesPuzzles and games are stored on open shelves.

Dollar stores offer many Bible story puzzles.Teachers can choose puzzles and games related totheir lesson in case big church goes into overtime.

PrizesPrizes to use as incentives and for birthdays are

stored in the resource room. Ask teachers andchurch members to purchase sale or clearanceitems to use as prizes. Ours are stored in a noveltydisplay rack and on a double-sided pegboard rack(purchased from a teacher supply that was closing).

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PropsMany items are stored on shelves or in cabinets

in the resource room. Timers, clay vessels, and anarmor set are just a few items on our shelves.

Cassettes and CDsCassettes and CDs are stored in racks (see pic-

tures).

CurriculumWord Aflame curriculum recycles every two years

(three years for teen and youth levels). Because wedo extensive decorating each quarter and often startworking on décor items weeks in advance, we keepa set (teacher’s manual, student papers, and ateacher’s resource packet) of each level of curricu-lum in the resource room. Each quarter has a sepa-rate box, which is labeled.

In addition, we have large binders where westore transparencies. Punch the transparency with athree-hole punch and file by level in the binders.Kids POWer hour has a section, and there are alsosections for themed ideas (seasonal, VBS).

Books and MagazinesThere are designated areas for books and maga-

zines. Books are grouped by category (memoryideas, games, snacks). Magazines are in magazineracks (Christian Educator, Pack of Fun, Family Fun,Evangelizing Today’s Child, Children’s MinistryMagazine).

There is also a section for children’s books.

Teacher Training MaterialsThere is an area for books as well as

cassettes/CDs of training workshops and confer-ences. Teachers can check these out as part of ourongoing training program.

Maintaining the Resource RoomSome churches choose to designate one person

to maintain the resource room. They are responsiblefor checking items in and out, filing and puttingthings back in the proper places. Others allow teach-ers access to the room at any time. We have thispolicy, along with two basic rules for using theresource room;(a) eachteacher isresponsible forreturning andputting awayany item(s)used, and (b)children arenot allowed inthe resourceroom.

Word Aflame Publicationswww.upci.org/wapFile the items from your Word Aflame teacher’s

resource packets in your resource room. Children canuse flannelgraph figures, masks, and puppets to retellBible stories. Maps, posters, and banners can decoratehallways and children’s church rooms. Group similaritems (e.g., flannels, maps, etc.) for easy filing.

There are nineteen kids POWer hour manualsavailable for use in children’s church, VBS, or children’s crusades. They offer easy-to-use lessonsthat can be used in impromptu situations (such asextra-long church services). Add these to yourresource room.

The staff at Word Aflame will be happy to answerany questions you may have regarding Sunday schoolor children’s church curriculum. Visit our Web site orcall 314-837-7300.

Pentecostal Publishing Housewww.pentecostalpublishing.comThe Pentecostal Publishing House is your primary

source to find items to fill your resource room orlibrary. Visit their Web site for books for teachersand children, puppets, stickers, music CDs, books ofdramas and plays, and many other items. Here’s asampling of apostolic resources you will find.

Kids in Praise CD (Kim Ballestero and chil-dren’s choir)

Kids in Praise 2 CD (David and StephanieHutton and children’s choir)

If You’re Happy . . . Say Amen! (The Shaws)Obvious Kids Praise (Mark Condon)Achieving Excellence in Sunday School (4 vol-

umes by the General Sunday School Division)Kingdom Kids Series (children’s books by Ruth

Reider Harvey)Adventures of Zoe (children’s books by Korey

Jones)The site also offers the well-known Arch books

and Happy Day books for children, as well as scoresof other music CDs, teacher resource books, andchildren’s books.

Idea Exchange Forumwww.upci.org/wap.discussionsCheck the Idea Exchange Forum for questions

and answers from teachers for teachers. Visit theWeb site for ideas, Web sites, and suggestions.

Missionswww.foreignmissions.comMissionary resources are available through the

Foreign Missions Division. Visit their site or call 314-837-7300.

Sunday Schoolwww.sundayschooldivision.comContact the General Sunday School Division for

Junior Bible quizzing supplies, B.R.E.A.D. charts andsupplies, and other teacher resources. Visit their Website or call 314-837-7300.

Web SitesMany Sunday school Web sites offer resources for

adding to your room. Several secular teacher sitesoffer Christian products as well as general supplies.Borders, posters, stickers, and bulletin board sets areamong the hundreds of items available through theInternet. Check these sites.

www.kidzmatter.com/www.christianbook.com/www.teachersparadise.com/www.teacherssupply.com/www.earlychildhoodlinks.com/teachers/

storesindex.htmwww.classroomdirect.com/www.orientaltrading.com/www.teacherstorehouse.com/www.teachchildren.com/teacsup.htmlwww.trendenterprises.com/home.cfm (This site

offers Christian products as well as secular.)

Trash to TreasureResources do not have to be expensive or even

purchased. Look in unusual places—such as roadsidetrash pickups. One resourceful teacher found anabandoned couch by the side of the road. Shegrabbed the cushions, took them home, and cut themwith an electric knife into the shape of tools. Thesewere hung from the ceiling for use in a tool-themedclassroom. Garage sales, resale shops, Goodwillstores, and flea markets offer unusual finds that canbe turned into décor items, prizes, and lesson ordrama props. Another man’s trash can easily becomeyour treasure.

ResourcesResources

Handfuls of Thanksgiving—Bulletin BoardConstruction paper (brown, red, orange, yellow, black)Scissors

Trace the teacher’s footprints on brown construction paper.Direct the teacher to write on the footprints something forwhich he is thankful. Cut out and place the footprints in anoverlapping manner in the center of the bulletin board formingthe turkey’s body.

Instruct students to trace their handprints on red, orange, andyellow construction paper. Give students a few minutes to write ontheir handprint something for which they are thankful. (Smallerclasses may want to use two handprints for each student.)

Cut out hand prints and arrange them behind the body ofthe turkey to form feathers.

Label the bulletin board, Handfuls of Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Straw Hat

Paint the crown of the hat orange. Allow to dry.Cut leaves from craft foam (these may also be purchased

pre-cut at craft stores.) Glue leaves around brim of the hat,overlapping each slightly.

Cut a stem from brown craft foam and glue in place.Curl a green pipe cleaner around a pencil. Remove and fold

in half. Glue to the back of the brown stem.Make a small raffia bow and glue to the pumpkin stem.

Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Spread cookies, pretzels and raisins into a 13 x 9-inch rec-tangle on lightly greased baking sheet. Set aside.

Melt chocolate in small heavy saucepan on very low heat,stirring constantly. Drizzle over cookie mixture, spreading even-ly with a spatula. Top with candy corn and sprinkles. Press intochocolate mixture to secure.

Cool until firm then break into pieces. Store in airtight con-tainer at room temperature.

Seasonal IdeasSeasonal IdeasSalt Dough Leaf Magnets

Ingredients

1/2 cup salt 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup water

Before class prepare and bake the salt-dough leaves as follows.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix together salt, flour, and water until a dough is formed. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth and

elastic. Sprinkle with flour as needed to reduce stickiness. (Too

much flour will cause the dough to crack.) Dust a rolling pin with flour and roll out dough to 1/4" thickness.Use various sizes of leaf-patterned cookie cutters to cut

dough into shapes.Use a toothpick to draw vein lines in leaves.Optional: For older children place two or more leaves on top

of each other to create a 3D effect. Bake leaves on an ungreased cookie sheet for 2 hours.

Remove leaves and allow to cool completely before transporting.•••••

Instruct students to paint the leaves with acrylic paint andspray finished leaves with an acrylic sealer.

Hot glue a round magnet to the back of each leaf.Note: Dough will not keep for a later project. Half recipe may

be used for smaller class size.

Fall Stained Glass Window

Place two construction paper squares together. Trace andcut a leaf pattern out of the center leaving a solid black border.Optional: Trace the leaf pattern on a diagonal so the stainedglass window can be hung by the corner.

Shave the crayon pieces. Using a warm iron (adult supervi-sion needed) melt the crayon shavings between two pieces ofwax paper.

Cut the wax paper to fit inside the two black constructionpaper frames. Glue the wax paper between the leaf frames, mak-ing sure the leaf patterns match up on both sides.

Hole punch the corner and thread a piece of yarn for hang-ing the stained glass window.

Optional: Use suction cup hooks to hang the project on awindow.

www.upci.org/wap

Leaf-shaped cookie cutters Acrylic paint in red, yellow,

green, orange, and brown Paint brush

Toothpick Acrylic spray sealer, matte 1/2" round magnets Hot glue gun

Black construction paper 5"squares (2 per student)

Wax paperCrayon or crayon pieces in fall

colors

Glue ScissorsIron (adult supervision needed)Hole punchYarn in fall colors

Miniature straw hats (one perstudent)

Craft foam (fall colors)Green pipe cleaners

RaffiaOrange acrylic paintPaint brushesLow temp glue gun

16 Halloween Oreo chocolatesandwich cookies, coarselychopped

11⁄2 cups miniature pretzeltwists, coarsely broken

1/3 cup raisins

2 pkg (6 oz each) Baker’s premium white bakingchocolate

1/2 cup candy corn1/4 cup brown and orange

sprinkles