Oasis Children's Ministry
Classroom Policies, Procedures and Information
Curriculum
All preschool and elementary curriculum is written by key Xenos members. Class teams are free to rearrange the order of the lessons, to add appropriate application and activities tailored to their class. However, in order to maintain doctrinal consistency we ask that you teach the lesson as written. Feedback forms are provided with each lesson. Concerns, questions and/or ideas about the curriculum are desired and valued. Please discuss immediate concerns with your CT Director.
Teaching Styles
One of Oasis' goals is to teach the children about God and how He is relevant in their lives. The emphasis and goal is GRACE. Not only is the content of the material important, so is the presentation. The least effective teaching method is the one that is most often used. Vary your teaching methods. Prayer, planning and preparation are essential to effective teaching. Different methods include lectures, skits by teachers and/or students, drama, music, puppet shows, learning games and activities, etc. Object lessons, props or things that appeal to the five senses are useful. There are many "Bible times" robes and headgear, puppets, props, and musical instruments for use in the Oasis storage room on the second floor.
Classroom Supplies
Preschool
Each classroom has a craft bag, white classroom supply bin, a shared supply bag, and a wood storage cabinet. After each CT, PLEASE put the items back in the correct bins as labeled on each bin. This will help each successive CT class to quickly locate necessary supplies and prepare their classroom and lesson. Place extra crafts and lesson worksheets in the shared supply bag.
Craft bag
Each classroom craft bag is labeled with your CT time and classroom name. It is located in the bottom drawer of the rolling cart. At the end of class, each class team must take next week's craft home to prepare. Please double check to make sure you have the correct bag for your class.
White classroom supply bin
Each classroom has a labeled, white, classroom supply bin that is located in the storage room. The first CT team will pick it up from the storage room and take it to their class. In this bin is a shared supply bag that contains that week's lesson supplies to be shared by all CTs. The bags are labeled with classroom, lesson #, and date. It is important that all shared lesson supplies are returned to the bag at the end of class for the next team's use. Please make sure that all books used in the lesson are also returned to that bag and not put away in the wood storage cabinet or placed somewhere else in the room. The contents of the white supply bin are listed on the bin. The bin should be returned to the storage room after the last consecutive CT.
Cart
Each classroom has a 5-drawer plastic cart on wheels. These carts will be stored in the Children's Program room. The contents of the cart are labeled by drawer.
Wood storage cabinet
Each classroom has a wood storage cabinet filled with games and books. It can be used as part of the activity stations before or after class. Reminder: do not put the books that have been used for that week's lesson back in the wood storage cabinet. Put them back in the shared supply bag.
Elementary
Each classroom has a craft bag, white classroom supply bin, a shared supply bag, a smaller blue in-class bin, and a wood storage cabinet. After each CT, PLEASE put the items back in the correct bins as labeled on each bin. This will help each successive CT class to quickly locate necessary supplies and prepare their classroom and lesson. Place extra crafts and lesson worksheets in shared supply bag.
Craft bag
Each classroom craft bag is labeled with your CT time and classroom grade. It is located in the elementary craft bin in the storage room. At the end of class, each class team must pick up their next week's craft in the storage room. Please double check to make sure you have the correct bag for your class.
White classroom supply bin
Each classroom has a white classroom supply bin that is located in the storage room. The first CT team will pick it up from the supply room and take it to their class. The contents of the white supply bin is listed on the bin. In this bin is a shared supply bag that contains that week's lesson supplies to be shared by all CT's. They are labeled with classroom, lesson number, and date. It is important that all shared lesson supplies are returned to the bag at the end of class for the next team's use. Please make sure that the books used in the lesson are also returned to that bag and not put away in the wood storage cabinet or placed somewhere else in the room. The bin should be returned to the storage room after the last consecutive CT.
Blue in-class bin
Each classroom has a blue bin that will always remain in their classroom. The contents of the blue in-class bin is listed on the bin.
Wood storage cabinet
Each classroom has a wood storage cabinet filled with games and books. It can be used as part of the activity stations before or after class. Reminder: do not put the books that have been used for that week's lesson back in the wood storage cabinet. Put them back in the shared supply bag.
Reimbursement and Classroom Supplies
Volunteers do not normally need to buy any supplies. However, in the event you would like something specific for your classroom, please talk with your CT Director. Any purchases intended for reimbursement must be approved through your CT Director prior to the purchase.
The craft team will keep your supply bin stocked with craft supplies (e.g., markers, glue sticks, etc.) as you inform of the need. As markers and glue sticks become old and unusable please discard them.
As you run low on supplies, notify the craft team by filling out the Supply Request form on your attendance clipboard. Put the form in the basket in the Children’s Program room with your attendance sheet.
Parent/Teacher Written Communications
In order to preserve unified doctrine, policies and communication any written communication to parents from the classroom must be previewed and approved by the CT Administrator.
Accident Reports
If an accident occurs, an accident report (obtain from your director; sample included in this handbook) must be completely filled out and signed, then returned to the attendance basket in the Children’s Program room.
Class Subsidy
Oasis will reimburse volunteers for one Xenos class (up to maximum of $50) per program year (weekly volunteers, 100%; bi-weekly, 50%). Volunteers must pay for their class initially. After grades have been submitted to the Oasis Administrative Assistant; check requests will be issued to reimburse volunteers who have completed their class.
Children's Giving
On the basis of the commands and warnings of scripture in Matthew 6:19-21, Acts 20:32-35, II Corinthians 8 & 9, and I Timothy 6:3-10, it is important to teach children that giving is a significant ministry. Giving of our money is one way to worship and express our gratitude to God. It is something that all of us can do. In a culture that is so materialistic and swayed by the need to "have it now," it is crucial that we instruct children that all we have belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). In order to show our gratitude to Him and to be truly blessed, it is important to develop consistent giving habits at an early age.
Giving globes are provided in each of the preschool and elementary teaching supply bins. Place the globes next to the sign-in sheets at check-in for children to deposit their money when they arrive. At the end of the music time or during small group time, please give a brief explanation of giving and tell the children they may put their money in the globe if they did not do so when they arrived. This explanation should follow the same guidelines as the adult meeting, i.e., the children who attend regularly and view Xenos as their church home are asked to give. Visitors are asked only to understand how much God loves them and wants to have a relationship with them.
Money should be taken to the Children's Program room and deposited in the file box marked Oasis Giving. Oasis money goes to missions initiatives.
Special Events
While we encourage staff to develop relationships with the children, for legal reasons, any event outside the Oasis program, i.e., outside regular meeting and class time, must have prior written approval by your CT Director and the Program Director.
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