Hannah and Samuel

PreschoolLeaderGuidesHannah andSamuelPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 183

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Big PictureOverviewVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s storyfilled with ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.WEEK 1 PrayingGather (10 minutes)CENTER TIME: Kids pretend with baby dolls and color Biblestory pictures.CIRCLE TIME: Kids are welcomed by name and learn the ASLsign for pray.PRAYER TIME: Kids pray an echo prayer with actions.Activate Faith (25 minutes)GAME — THIS IS HOW I CAN PRAY: Kids play an imitation game.ART — PRAYING HANDS: Kids mix modeling dough and makepraying handprints.SNACK — SCOOPING PRAYERS: Kids fill up scoop chips withprayers and fun ingredients.Open the Bible (10 minutes)HANNAH PRAYS FOR A CHILD STORYTELLING: Kids hear today’sstory, wonder about sad prayers, and pray like Hannah.Send (5 minutes)GOOD-BYE TIME: Kids sing a closing song about today’s focus.PRAYER TIME: Kids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.WEEK 2 Happiness and BabiesGather (10 minutes)CENTER TIME: Kids pretend with baby dolls and color Biblestory pictures.CIRCLE TIME: Kids are welcomed by name and show happinessover baby dolls.PRAYER TIME: Kids pray an echo prayer with actions.Activate Faith (25 minutes)MUSIC — GET UP AND DOWN TO PRAY: Kids follow the musicdirections to act out Hannah’s story.ART — BABY BLANKETS: Kids decorate small baby blankets andremember baby Samuel.SNACK — FEELING FACES AND FROSTING: Kids decorate onehappy face cookie and one sad face cookie.Open the Bible (10 minutes)HANNAH PRAYS FOR A CHILD STORYTELLING: Kids hear today’sstory, think about answered prayer, and do an answeredprayer happy dance.Send (5 minutes)GOOD-BYE TIME: Kids sing a closing song about today’s focus.PRAYER TIME: Kids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 185

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEBig PictureOverviewWEEK 3 GiftsGather (10 minutes)CENTER TIME: Kids pretend with baby dolls and color Biblestory pictures.CIRCLE TIME: Kids are welcomed by name and have a babyshower.PRAYER TIME: Kids pray an echo prayer with actions.Activate Faith (25 minutes)GAME — WAKE UP, SAMUEL!: Kids take turns waking up Samueland being Samuel.ART — GIFT WRAPPING PAPER: Kids make wrapping paper forgifts.SNACK — SURPRISE GIFT MUFFINS: Kids make muffins for giftsand for themselves with a hidden surprise inside.Open the Bible (10 minutes)HANNAH PRAYS FOR A CHILD: Kids hear today’s story, wonderabout promises, and count gifts in today’s story.Send (5 minutes)GOOD-BYE TIME: Kids sing a closing song about today’s focus.PRAYER TIME: Kids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.WEEK 4 SleepingGather (10 minutes)CENTER TIME: Kids pretend to sleep in their classroom, usekitchen timers or alarm clocks to wake up, and color Biblestory pictures.CIRCLE TIME: Kids are welcomed by name and hunt for sleepytime items.PRAYER TIME: Kids pray an echo prayer with actions.Activate Faith (25 minutes)MUSIC — I’M GONNA LISTEN: Kids sing a traditional Americanspiritual with new words.ART — BEDTIME STORYBOOK: Kids dictate this week’s storiesinto a bedtime story as a group and illustrate it.SNACK — BEDTIME SNACK: Kids eat a bedtime snack.Open the Bible (10 minutes)GOD CALLS SAMUEL STORYTELLING: Kids hear about Samuel andEli, wonder what happens next, and roll out blankets.Send (5 minutes)GOOD-BYE TIME: Kids sing a closing song about today’s focus.PRAYER TIME: Kids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.186 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Big PictureOverviewWEEK 5 Waking UpGather (10 minutes)CENTER TIME: Kids pretend to sleep in their classroom, usekitchen timers or alarm clocks to wake up, and color Biblestory pictures.CIRCLE TIME: Kids are welcomed by name and pretend to beSamuel waking up Eli.PRAYER TIME: Kids pray an echo prayer with actions.Activate Faith (25 minutes)GAME — THIS IS HOW I CAN PRAY: Kids play an imitation game.ART — MILK CARTON MEGAPHONES: Kids decorate milk cartonmegaphones and practice waking up Samuel.SNACK — MIDNIGHT SNACK: Kids wake up, look in therefrigerator, and eat a midnight snack.Open the Bible (10 minutes)GOD CALLS SAMUEL STORYTELLING: Kids hear today’s story,remember their own waking-up times, and count wake-uptimes.Send (5 minutes)GOOD-BYE TIME: Kids sing a closing song about today’s focus.PRAYER TIME: Kids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.WEEK 6 Hearing EarsGather (10 minutes)CENTER TIME: Kids pretend to sleep in their classroom, usekitchen timers or alarm clocks to wake up, and color Biblestory pictures.CIRCLE TIME: Kids are welcomed by name and think aboutdifferent ways of calling people.PRAYER TIME: Kids pray an echo prayer with actions.Activate Faith (25 minutes)MUSIC — GET UP AND DOWN TO PRAY: Kids follow the musicdirections to act out Hannah’s story.ART — STILL LIFE EARS: Kids draw pictures of ears by observinga friend’s ear.SNACK — SAMUEL’S NOISY SNACKS: Kids listen for the differentsounds that crunchy snacks make.Open the Bible (10 minutes)GOD CALLS SAMUEL STORYTELLING: Kids hear today’s story,wonder how God calls people today, and call each other ona telephone.Send (5 minutes)GOOD-BYE TIME: Kids sing a closing song about today’s focus.PRAYER TIME: Kids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 187

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Lesson At-A-Glance ChartWeek 1Lesson Focus: PrayingGather (10 minutes)Center TimeKids pretend with baby dolls and color Biblestory pictures.Circle TimeKids are welcomed by name and learn theASL sign for pray.Prayer TimeKids pray an echo prayer with actions.Spark ResourcesColoring Page Hannah Prays fora Child ANoneNoneSuppliesSmall table, battery-powered teacandles, small tablecloth, baby dolls,baby doll clothes, baby blankets, babystroller, baby bottles, bibs, cradles,blank paper, markers or crayonsWedding bell or other weddingdecoration Various invitationsto parties, showers, weddings,graduations, etc.NoneOpen the Bible(10 minutes)Hannah Prays for a Child StorytellingKids hear today’s story, wonder about sadprayers, and pray like Hannah.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneActivate Faith (25 minutes)GAME — This Is How I Can PrayKids play an imitation game.ART — Praying HandsKids mix modeling dough and make prayinghandprints.SNACK — Scooping PrayersKids fill up scoop chips with prayers and funingredients.Spark ResourcesNoneSpark Story BibleNoneSuppliesNoneThick shampoo, washable tempurapaints in skin tones, glue, flour, mixingbowl, waxed paper, measuring cups,newspaper, masking tape, paint shirtsScoop corn chips, shredded cheddarcheese, mild salsa, cottage cheese,serving bowls, serving spoons, smallplates, napkins, cups, water or milkPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 189

Lesson At-A-GlanceChart Week 1Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeKids sing a closing song about today’s focus.Prayer TimeKids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleFamily PagesSuppliesNoneBaby dollVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filledwith ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.190 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Week 1Gather (5 minutes)Center TimeYou may choose to set up one or both of these creative play centers where kids canplay as they arrive in your classroom. Have helpers in each center to help childrenwith the activities. Kids can stay in one center or travel to more than one.Happy BabiesSet Up: Set up a small altar or devotional table with a tablecloth and lightedbattery-powered tea candles. Gather the baby dolls and the baby supplies andcreate a nursery near the devotional table.The first week, kids enjoy free play at this center. You may introduce the storyof Hannah Prays for a Child this first week. Our story today is about a womanwho prays for a baby. By the second week, kids may begin to reenact the storyof Hannah without prompting. See how kids incorporate their own ideas intoa reenactment. Notice and comment if kids bring elements of the story intotheir play. Your playing sounds like our story about Hannah. By the third week,deliberately ask the kids to reenact the story. Their reenactment will tell you howwell they know the story and what parts of the story are still unclear to them.Coloring CenterProvide copies of Coloring Pages Hannah Prays for a Child A, blank paper, andmarkers or crayons for each kid. Be sure to write their names on their drawingsbefore they move to Circle Time.When all kids have arrived and have had time to participate in at least one center,say to the kids, Clap your hands and sing, “It’s Time to Hear a Story” to the tuneof “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”Spark ResourcesColoring Page Hannah Praysfor a Child ASuppliesSmall tableBattery-powered tea candlesSmall tableclothBaby dollsBaby doll clothesBaby blanketsBaby strollerBaby bottlesBibsCradlesBlank paperMarkers or crayonsIt’s time to hear a story,A story, a story,It’s time to hear a story,So let’s clean up.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 191

Circle TimeSit in a circle on the floor and use this welcome ritual song each week to welcomeeveryone to your group. Sing this song to the tune of “She’ll be Coming ‘Round theMountain” while clapping with spirit.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome to our class today,Where we’ll sing and dance and pray.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesWedding bell or otherwedding decorationVarious invitations to parties,showers, weddings,graduations, etc.Spoken. Welcome, all my friends. Welcome, welcome. Today we welcome[Name], [Name] , and [Name]. Today we welcome [Name], [Name] and[Name]. Continue until everyone in the room is welcomed. Reserve a specialwelcome for visitors and new kids. We have a [or some] new friend(s) today.Today we welcome our new friend(s) [Name(s)].After welcoming all to your group, talk about today’s story. Our story today iscalled Hannah Prays for a Child. I wonder what happens in Hannah Prays for aChild. Pause to hear kids’ thoughts. A woman named Hannah prayed for a baby.Show me how you pray. Watch and listen as kids show you folded hands, kneeling,or recite popular table prayers. We can use our hands to pray. Fold your hands.Some people get ready to pray by folding their hands. Make the ASL sign forpray. My hands just said pray in sign language. Make the sign again. Let’s all havetalking hands that say pray. Make the sign again. I bet it’s time to pray!Prayer TimeIt’s time to pray! Make the ASL sign for pray. Listen and repeat my words—thisis an echo prayer. Make the ASL sign for thank you before you make each of theactions.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re sad. Make a sad face.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re happy. Make a happy face.Thanks for calling us,Use hand as a telephone.Thanks for calling us,Repeat (with other hand).Thanks for calling us,Repeat (change hands again).Again and again and again!Amen.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNonePrayThank You192 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Open the Bible (10 minutes)Hannah Prays for a Child StorytellingSet Up: Have your Spark Story Bible and any kids’ Bibles ready and available in thestorytelling area. Mark your Bible with a bookmark to easily find today’s story.Take out your Spark Story Bible and open to Hannah Prays for a Child on pages118–121. Read the story out loud and point to the corresponding pictures. Look forSquiggles, the caterpillar, in each picture. Ask kids what they think Squiggles isfeeling or doing. Encourage them to make a face or move like Squiggles.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BiblesSuppliesNoneShow kids page 119 in your Spark Story Bible. Look at Hannah praying. What wasHannah praying for? (a baby) What is Hannah doing in this picture? (crying,praying) How do you think she feels? (She is sad because she could not have a baby.)In this picture, Hannah is kneeling as she prays. We can use our bodies in allkinds of ways to pray. What are some ways we can move our bodies to pray?Pause for kids’ responses. Let’s make our bodies look like Hannah in this picture.Kneel with outstretched arms. Tears are optional.If kids are comfortable doing so, let them remain in a prayer posture while you readthe story from the Spark Story Bible.Ask the following questions, allowing time for kids to answer:Why was Hannah sad? (She didn’t have a baby.)God answered Hannah’s prayer. When has God answered your prayers?Activate Faith (25 minutes)game: This Is How I Can PrayGather kids in a circle standing up. Choose one kid to stand in the middle of thecircle. As the group chants, the kid in the middle chooses a way to pray. This prayeridea may be serious, silly, typical, or brand new. The rest of the kids imitate thisway to pray. When the chant is finished, the kid in the middle picks someone newto lead the chant. Remind kids to choose someone who hasn’t had a turn yet.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNoneThis is how I can pray.See if you can pray my way.This is how I can pray.Who will be the next to play?Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 193

art: Praying HandsSet up: Cover a table with newspaper. Tape the newspaper down so that it doesnot move around as kids work. Tear off pieces of waxed paper for each place at thetable. Place all ingredients and the mixing bowl on the table.Invite kids to put on paint shirts. Introduce this art project by holding up theSpark Story Bible open at page 119. We have a picture of Hannah praying. Sheis using her hands to pray. How is Hannah using her hands? Pause to see kidsdemonstrate. Today we are going to make praying hands using art clay. Thisart clay is made from shampoo! Pause for kids’ reactions. We will mix shampoo,paint, glue, and flour together. Who would like to help measure and mix theclay’s ingredients? Make sure every kid plays a role in creating today’s art clay.Here’s the basic recipe. Double or triple it to meet your group’s needs.• Flour, ¾ cup (180 ml)• White glue, ¼ cup (60 ml)• Shampoo, ¼ cup (60 ml)Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesThick shampooWashable tempura paints inskin-tone colorsGlueFlourMixing bowlMeasuring cupsWaxed paperNewspaperMasking tapePaint shirtsWhen the clay is mixed, ask kids to scoop up a ball of clay and put it in a smallbowl.Next, help kids choose a paint to match their skin tone by holding up their handagainst various paint bottles to find the one that is the closest match. Whatevercolor kids choose, show them how to put a squirt or two on the art clay and workthe paint into the ball by kneading, squishing, and pounding the clay.Then help kids make clay hands. Write kids’ names on their waxed paper, and setthe hands on a shelf or table to begin drying. Drying will take a few days. Handsmay be left at church for the week or sent home to dry.snack: Scooping PrayersBefore serving any food, always check with caregivers for kid who have food allergies.Provide an alternative if necessary.Set up: Set out ingredients and supplies.Gather at the snack table. Explain today’s scooping snack. Today we have to dosome scooping. First we need to get our scooping supplies ready. Here are yourjobs today: table setters, drink deliverers, chip helpers, scoop helpers. Assignjobs to groups of kids. Each group or two should have an adult helping them ifpossible. Have kids set the table with small plates and napkins, deliver drinksto each place, and fill a serving bowl with chips. Salsa, cottage cheese, and theshredded cheddar cheese need serving bowls, as well as serving spoons. Have kidsplace all the serving bowls at the end of the table.Gather kids at the table. Before we begin scooping, let’s pray. Say a well-knowntable grace. Then begin passing the chips. Everyone, take a handful of chips. Thenpass the salsa, cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese. Put some of these yummytoppings on your plates. Then you can use your scooping chips to scoop up theSpark ResourcesNoneSuppliesScoop corn chipsShredded cheddar cheeseMild salsaCottage cheeseServing bowlsServing spoonsSmall platesNapkinsCupsWater or milk194 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

toppings. Wait for kids to fill their plates. Let’s all try scooping together and whenwe do, let’s give our scoop a prayer. Show kids what you mean. I’m scooping upsalsa and thanking God for my mom. Crunch. Crunch. Let’s all try scooping up aprayer!Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeUse this Good-bye Time song as a ritual every week. Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb.”Gather kids together on the floor. Let’s remember something about our storytoday. Pause for kids’ thoughts. Our story today had a lot about prayer.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHere’s a song about our story. Listen first and then sing with me. Sing the versesonce through, then have kids repeat.When I’m sad, I can pray,I can pray, I can pray.When I’m sad, I can pray.I can pray today!When I’m thankful, I can pray,I can pray, I can pray.When I’m thankful, I can pray.I can pray today!Prayer TimeGather kids together on the floor, sitting in a circle if possible. Cradle the baby dollin your arms. We will each have a turn to cradle the baby. When it’s your turnto cradle the baby, I want you to tell us and God one thing you are thankful for.I’ll go first. Cradle the baby doll, and thank God for someone or something. Passthe baby doll gently to your circle neighbor. Gently cue your neighbor to cradle thebaby and share a blessing. When everyone in the circle has had a turn, end with aquiet Amen.Spark ResourcesFamily PagesSuppliesBaby dollIf your group hasn’t received this rotation’s Family Page, send one home with eachfamily.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 195

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Lesson At-A-Glance ChartWeek 2Lesson Focus: Happiness and BabiesGather (10 minutes)Center TimeKids pretend with baby dolls and color Bible storypictures.Circle TimeKids are welcomed by name and show happinessover baby dolls.Prayer TimeKids pray an echo prayer with actions.Spark ResourcesColoring Page Hannah Prays for aChild BNoneNoneSuppliesSmall table, battery-poweredtea candles, small tablecloth,baby dolls, baby doll clothes,baby blankets, baby stroller, babybottles, bibs, cradles, blank paper,markers or crayonsBaby dollsNoneOpen the Bible(10 minutes)Hannah Prays for a Child StorytellingKids hear today’s story, think about answeredprayer, and do an answered prayer happy dance.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneActivate Faith (25 minutes)MUSIC — Get Up and Down to PrayKids follow the music directions to act outHannah’s story.ART — Baby BlanketsKids decorate small baby blankets and rememberbaby Samuel.SNACK — Feeling Faces and FrostingKids decorate one happy face cookie and one sadface cookie.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleNoneSpark Story BibleSuppliesNonePlain flannel or fleece material,preschool scissors, adult scissors,wide bric-a-brac, wide lace, glue,glue pots, assorted paintbrushes,assorted baby blanketsSugar cookies, squeeze-tubefrosting in assorted colors, milkor milk substitute, small plates,napkins, clean-up towels, cupsPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 197

Lesson At-A-GlanceChart Week 2Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeKids sing a closing song about today’s focus.Prayer TimeKids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleFamily PagesSuppliesNoneBaby dollVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filledwith ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.198 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Week 2Gather (5 minutes)Center TimeYou may choose to set up one or both of these creative play centers where kids canplay as they arrive in your classroom. Have helpers in each center to help childrenwith the activities. Kids can stay in one center or travel to more than one.Happy BabiesSet Up: Set up a small altar or devotional table with a tablecloth and lightedbattery-powered tea candles. Gather the baby dolls and the baby supplies andcreate a nursery near the devotional table.The first week, kids enjoy free play at this center. You may introduce the storyof Hannah Prays for a Child this first week. Our story today is about a womanwho prays for a baby. By the second week, kids may begin to reenact the storyof Hannah without prompting. See how kids incorporate their own ideas intoa reenactment. Notice and comment if kids bring elements of the story intotheir play. Your playing sounds like our story about Hannah. By the third week,deliberately ask the kids to reenact the story. Their reenactment will tell you howwell they know the story and what parts of the story are still unclear to them.Spark ResourcesColoring Page Hannah Praysfor a Child BSuppliesSmall tableBattery-powered tea candlesSmall tableclothBaby dollsBaby doll clothesBaby blanketsBaby strollerBaby bottlesBibsCradlesBlank paperMarkers or crayonsColoring CenterProvide copies of Coloring Pages Hannah Prays for a Child B, blank paper, andmarkers or crayons for each kid. Be sure to write their names on their drawingsbefore they move to Circle Time.When all kids have arrived and have had time to participate in at least one center,say to the kids, Clap your hands and sing, “It’s Time to Hear a Story” to the tuneof “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”It’s time to hear a story,A story, a story,It’s time to hear a story,So let’s clean up.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 199

Circle TimeSit in a circle on the floor and use this welcome ritual song each week to welcomeeveryone to your group. Sing this song to the tune of “She’ll be Coming ‘Round theMountain” while clapping with spirit.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome to our group today,Where we’ll sing and dance and pray.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesBaby dolls, 1 per every 3 kidsSpoken. Welcome, all my friends. Welcome, welcome. Today we welcome[Name], [Name], and [Name]. Today we welcome [Name], [Name], and[Name]. Continue until everyone in the room is welcomed. Reserve a specialwelcome for visitors and new kids. We have a [or some] new friend(s) today.Today we welcome our new friend(s) [Name(s)].Hold a baby doll in your arms. Smile lovingly at the baby doll. Sing to the baby doll.We will read about Hannah again today. Hannah waited a long time for babySamuel. When baby Samuel came, Hannah was so happy she kissed him. Shesang to him. Hannah held Samuel while he slept. Let’s take turns holding somebaby dolls. Let’s see how you can show your happiness and love to the babies.Pass around the baby dolls so each kid has a turn to hold a baby doll. Some kidsmay need prompting.Prayer TimeIt’s time to pray! Make the ASL sign for pray. Listen and repeat my words—thisis an echo prayer. Make the ASL sign for thank you before you make each of theactions.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re sad. Make a sad face.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re happy. Make a happy face.Thanks for calling us,Use hand as a telephone.Thanks for calling us,Repeat (with other hand).Thanks for calling us,Repeat (change hands again).Again and again and again!Amen.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNonePrayThank You200 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Open the Bible (10 minutes)Hannah Prays for a Child StorytellingSet Up: Have your Spark Story Bible and any kids’ Bibles ready and available inthe storytelling area. Mark your Bible with a bookmark so that you can easily findtoday’s story.Take out your Spark Story Bible and open to Hannah Prays for a Child on pages118–121. Read the story out loud and point to the corresponding pictures. Look forSquiggles, the caterpillar, in each picture. Ask kids what they think Squiggles isfeeling or doing. Encourage them to make a face or move like Squiggles.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneShow kids page 120 in your Spark Story Bible. How do you think Hannah isfeeling? (happy) How about baby Samuel? (he’s happy, too) Baby Samuel is God’sanswer to Hannah’s prayer for a baby. God listened to Hannah’s prayers backthen, and we know that God listens to all of our prayers today. Sometimes Godanswers prayers in ways that we hope for. Sometimes God answers prayersin ways we do not expect. When God listens to your prayers, how do you feel?(happy, smiley, etc.) When God listens to my prayers, sometimes I just want todance. Pause. I have an idea. Let’s all dance a prayer happy dance. Get up andstart dancing. Dance for a few minutes, and then collapse on the floor. Hannah’sbaby made her happy. I wonder what makes you happy. Pause to hear kids’thoughts.Now let’s listen to Hannah’s story with a happy ending from our Spark StoryBible.Ask the following questions, allowing time for kids to answer:Who was the priest who saw Hannah praying at the temple? (Eli)Where is a place that you like to pray?Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 201

Activate Faith (25 minutes)music: Get Up and Down to PrayGather kids together on the floor. Make sure you have enough safe floor space forthis activity. Open your Spark Story Bible to page 119. Hold up the page for kids tosee. Hannah is down on her knees crying and praying to God for a child. Let’s getdown on our knees and sing a movement song about praying. Follow my actions.Sing this song to the tune of “Go In and Out the Window.”Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneGet down and up to pray,Get down and up to pray,Get down and up to pray,Like Hannah did before.Shed a tear and pray,Shed a tear and pray,Shed a tear and pray,Like Hannah did before.Laugh and dance and praise,Laugh and dance and praiseLaugh and dance and praise,Like Hannah did before.Begin on your knees and then stand up.Begin on your knees and then stand up.Begin on your knees and then stand up.Kneel and pretend to cry.Kneel and pretend to cry.Kneel and pretend to cry.Stand, dance, and praise God with open arms.Stand, dance, and praise God with open arms.Stand, dance, and praise God with open arms.202 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

art: Baby BlanketsSet up: Cut fabric into squares. (Size depends on how much fabric is available.) Setup two tables. On one, place fabric and decorative ribbon supplies. On the other,pour glue into pots and place them between places so that a glue pot is accessibleto every two kids. Scatter the paintbrushes in the middle of the table.Gather kids at the supply table. Show them the baby blankets. Discuss their babyblankets at home. If you have a story about one of the blankets, share it. Thentalk about today’s story. Hannah prayed for a child. Hannah had a baby boy. Thebaby boy made her very happy. He was a gift from God. Pause for kids’ thoughts.Babies receive gifts when they are born. What do you think would be a goodbaby gift? Pause for kids’ responses. The gifts can be something the baby playswith like a toy, or it could help keep the baby warm, like a blanket. Today let’smake some little baby blankets to remind us of God’s gift of Samuel. Show kidshow to cut a piece of material or decorative ribbon. Then show kids how to usethe paintbrush to attach the ribbon to material as an edging or as a decoration. Letthe blankets dry on a labeled piece of construction paper. Kids can keep the babyblankets for their dolls at home or give as a decorative gift to a family with a newbaby.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesPlain flannel or fleece materialPreschool scissorsAdult scissorsWide bric-a-bracWide laceGlueGlue potsAssorted paintbrushesAssorted baby blanketsMarkersnack: Feeling Faces and FrostingBefore serving any food, always check with caregivers for kid who have food allergies.Provide an alternative if necessary.Set up: Set each table place with a small plate, napkin, and cookie. Set the frostingtubes in the middle of the table.Gather at the snack table and sit down. Hold up a cookie. Today we are makingcookie faces. I’m going to make a face right now that looks like Hannah when shewas sad. Quickly make a sad face on your cookie using frosting. Hold it up for kidsto see. Hannah was sad, but then she was happy because baby Samuel came. Iwonder how I can make my cookie face happy. Pause to hear kids’ thoughts. Thenwipe off the mouth of your cookie and set the frosting aside for eating later. I’mgoing to make a smiling, happy face now. Use the frosting to make your cookiesmile, and show the kids. Happy and sad are feelings. We all have feelings.Sometimes we are sad, and sometimes we are happy. Let’s all make some feelingfaces with frosting now. As kids work, pour today’s beverage. Deliver the beveragewith help as kids finish their work. Be prepared for kids to sample the cookie andthe frosting. When most kids are done, say table grace and eat! As you eat, talkabout all the different feelings in today’s story.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesSugar cookiesSqueeze-tube frosting inassorted colorsMilk or milk substituteSmall platesNapkinsClean-up towelsCupsPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 203

Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeUse this Good-bye Time song as a ritual every week. Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb.”Gather kids together on the floor. Let’s remember something about our storytoday. Pause for kids’ thoughts. Our story today was full of happiness and babies.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHere’s a song about our story. Listen first and then sing with me. Sing the versesonce through, then have kids repeat.When I’m sad, I can pray,I can pray, I can pray.When I’m sad, I can pray.I can pray today!When I’m thankful, I can pray,I can pray, I can pray.When I’m thankful, I can pray.I can pray today!Prayer TimeGather kids together on the floor, sitting in a circle if possible. Cradle the baby dollin your arms. We will each have a turn to cradle the baby. When it’s your turnto cradle the baby, I want you to tell us and God one thing you are thankful for.I’ll go first. Cradle the baby doll, and thank God for someone or something. Passthe baby doll gently to your circle neighbor. Gently cue your neighbor to cradle thebaby and share a blessing. When everyone in the circle has had a turn, end with aquiet Amen.Spark ResourcesFamily PagesSuppliesBaby dollIf your group hasn’t received this rotation’s Family Page, send one home with eachfamily.204 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Lesson At-A-Glance ChartWeek 3Lesson Focus: GiftsGather (10 minutes)Center TimeKids create with soft modeling clay andcolor Bible story pictures.Circle TimeKids are welcomed by name and have ababy shower.Prayer TimeKids pray an echo prayer with actions.Spark ResourcesColoring Page Hannah Prays fora Child CNoneNoneSuppliesSmall table, battery-powered tea candles,small tablecloth, baby dolls, baby dollclothes, baby blankets, baby stroller, babybottles, bibs, cradles, blank paper, markersor crayonsAssorted baby items, self-adhesive giftbows, baby doll, basketNoneOpen the Bible(10 minutes)Hannah Prays for a Child StorytellingKids hear today’s story, wonder aboutpromises, and count gifts in today’s story.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesGift box, baby dollActivate Faith (25 minutes)GAME — Wake Up, Samuel!Kids take turns waking up Samuel andbeing Samuel.ART — Gift Wrapping PaperKids make wrapping paper for gifts.SNACK — Surprise Gift MuffinsKids make muffins for gifts and forthemselves with a hidden surprise inside.Spark ResourcesNoneNoneNoneSuppliesNoneLarge rolls of craft paper; assorted paintstamps; washable tempura paint; emptyfrozen dinner trays; adult scissors; paintsmocks or old t-shirts; newspaper, tarps, orplastic coverings; ragsStrawberry jam, muffin mix, mixing bowl,mixing spoons, nonstick cooking spray,muffin pans, spoons, small plates, cups,milk, egg, oil, napkins, oven or microwave ,water or milkPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 205

Lesson At-A-GlanceChart Week 3Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeKids sing a closing song about today’s focus.Prayer TimeKids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleFamily PagesSuppliesNoneBaby dollVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filledwith ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.206 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Week 3Gather (5 minutes)Center TimeYou may choose to set up one or both of these creative play centers where kids canplay as they arrive in your classroom. Have helpers in each center to help childrenwith the activities. Kids can stay in one center or travel to more than one.Happy BabiesSet Up: Set up a small altar or devotional table with a tablecloth and lightedbattery-powered tea candles. Gather the baby dolls and the baby supplies andcreate a nursery near the devotional table.The first week, kids enjoy free play at this center. You may introduce the storyof Hannah Prays for a Child this first week. Our story today is about a womanwho prays for a baby. By the second week, kids may begin to reenact the storyof Hannah without prompting. See how kids incorporate their own ideas intoa reenactment. Notice and comment if kids bring elements of the story intotheir play. Your playing sounds like our story about Hannah. By the third week,deliberately ask the kids to reenact the story. Their reenactment will tell you howwell they know the story and what parts of the story are still unclear to them.Spark ResourcesColoring Page Hannah Praysfor a Child CSuppliesSmall tableBattery-powered tea candlesSmall tableclothBaby dollsBaby doll clothesBaby blanketsBaby strollerBaby bottlesBibsCradlesBlank paperMarkers or crayonsColoring CenterProvide copies of Coloring Pages Hannah Prays for a Child C, blank paper, andmarkers or crayons for each kid. Be sure to write their names on their drawingsbefore they move to Circle Time.When all kids have arrived and have had time to participate in at least one center,say to the kids, Clap your hands and sing, “It’s Time to Hear a Story” to the tuneof “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”It’s time to hear a story,A story, a story.It’s time to hear a story,So let’s clean up.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 207

Circle TimeSit in a circle on the floor and use this welcome ritual song each week to welcomeeveryone to your group. Sing this song to the tune of “She’ll be Coming ‘Round theMountain” while clapping with spirit.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome to our group today,Where we’ll sing and dance and pray.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesAssorted baby items, 1 per kidSelf-adhesive gift bows, 1 perkidBaby dollBasketSpoken. Welcome all my friends. Welcome, welcome. Today we welcome[Name], [Name], and [Name]. Today we welcome [Name], [Name], and[Name]. Continue until everyone in the room is welcomed. Reserve a specialwelcome for visitors and new kids. We have a [or some] new friend(s) today.Today we welcome our new friend(s) [Name(s)].Set up: Before today’s session, peel off the protective covering of the self-adhesivebows. Have today’s props ready in a basket near you in the Circle Time area.Hold the baby doll in your arms. In our story, Hannah got a gift. Who remembersHannah’s gift? Pause. Hannah received the gift of a baby, baby Samuel. Pause.Did you know that when people have babies, we give the mommies and daddiesand babies gifts? Pause. We shower the baby with gifts. As you talk, give eachkid a baby item and a bow. Today let’s pretend to give Hannah and baby Samuelsome gifts. Sit down with the baby doll. I’ll be Hannah, and my baby is Samuel.Pause. Let’s put our bows on our baby items and bring the gifts to the baby. Haveanother adult demonstrate putting a bow on the item and bringing the gift to thebaby. As you receive each gift, say, Thank you! Thank you for showering us withbaby gifts!208 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Prayer TimeIt’s time to pray! Make the ASL sign for pray. Listen and repeat my words —thisis an echo prayer. Make the ASL sign for thank you before you make each of theactions.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re sad. Make a sad face.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re happy. Make a happy face.Thanks for calling us,Use hand as a telephone.Thanks for calling us,Repeat (with other hand).Thanks for calling us,Repeat (change hands again).Again and again and again!Amen.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNonePrayThank YouOpen the Bible (10 minutes)Hannah Prays for a Child StorytellingSet Up: Have your Spark Story Bible and any kids’ Bibles ready and available inthe storytelling area. Mark your Bible with a bookmark so that you can easily findtoday’s story. Place the baby doll inside a gift box wrapped festively.Show kids the wrapped gift box. Have you ever received a gift? Tell me about it.Listen to stories about kids’ gifts. Hannah receives a wonderful gift from God.What do you think that gift is? (a baby) Take the baby doll out of the gift box andhold it gently. God gives Hannah a baby—what a precious gift! God knows thatHannah will treat this gift very carefully.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesGift boxBaby dollTake out your Spark Story Bible and open to Hannah Prays for a Child on pages118–121. Read the story out loud and point to the corresponding pictures. Look forSquiggles, the caterpillar, in each picture. Ask kids what they think Squiggles isfeeling or doing. Encourage them to make a face or move like Squiggles.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 209

Have you ever made a promise? Tell me about it. Listen to kids’ promise stories.Hannah makes an important promise in today’s Bible story. Hannah promisesher son will serve God for the rest of his life. That is quite a promise!Ask the following questions, allowing time for kids to answer:What name did Hannah give to her baby son? (Samuel)What are the names of some babies who you know?Activate Faith (25 minutes)game: Wake Up, Samuel!To play this turn-taking game, make a circle on the floor. Choose an adult to be thefirst Samuel. Samuel pretends to sleep in the middle of the circle. Clap and sing thispiggyback song while trying to wake up Samuel. Chant the words together, or singthe words to the tune of “Goodnight Ladies.”Wake up, Samuel, wake up, Samuel.Wake up, Samuel, God is calling you.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNoneIf Samuel refuses to wake up, say or sing these words.Who will wake Samuel? Who will wake Samuel?Who will wake Samuel? So he can hear God’s call?Choose a child to gently wake up Samuel by shaking a shoulder or whispering inSamuel’s ear. Then say or sing these words.[Name] will wake up Samuel, [Name] will wake up Samuel, [Name] will wake upSamuel, so he can hear God’s call.Play until everyone who wants one to be Samuel has had a turn.210 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

art: Gift Wrapping PaperSet up: You will need lots of floor space for today’s activity. If your room iscarpeted, arrange to use a tile-floored room, or else provide tarps, newspaperor plastic coverings for the floor. Cut craft paper into sheets large enoughfor wrapping a medium-sized gift. Make individual painting areas by placingnewspaper on the floor with a piece of craft paper on top of the newspaper. Makesure each painting place has space to walk around it. Nearby, set up a kid-sizedpaint center with paint bottles, stamps, rags, trays, and smocks.Gather kids at the paint center. Ask everyone to put on a paint shirt. We’ve beentalking about gifts today. Samuel was a gift to Hannah. Today, let’s make somewrapping paper to wrap gifts in. Here’s how we can do it. Begin by showing kidshow to pour the paint into the trays. Show kids how to use one tray compartmentper color. Then demonstrate how to use the paint stamps. Put the stamp in thepaint tray. Lift the stamp out of the paint and press it on the paper. Lift up thestamp and stamp again. When you are done with a stamp, use a rag to wipe itoff, and place it back on the table for other kids to use.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesLarge rolls of craft paperAdult scissorsAssorted paint stamps, 2 perkidWashable tempura paintEmpty frozen dinner trays, 1per kidNewspaper, tarps, or plasticcoveringsPaint smocks or shirts, 1 perkidRags, a few per kidSend kids off to work. Be ready to support their work in various ways. Leave paperon the floor to dry if possible.snack: Surprise Gift MuffinsBefore serving any food, always check with caregivers for kid who have food allergies.Provide an alternative if necessary.Set up: Prepare the table for making today’s muffins by setting out all theingredients. If using an oven, warm it up to the temperature indicated on the muffinmix package. Make sure you have an adult who can take the muffins to the kitchenand bake them. Plan to play a game or a music activity during the baking time.Gather at the snack table. Baby Samuel was a gift to his mother, Hannah. In ourstory today, God kept waking up Samuel, and Samuel kept waking up Eli. Samueland Eli were confused and then surprised and then amazed. God is surprisingin many ways. Today we are going to make some surprise muffins so we canremember that God sometimes surprises us with amazing gifts!With kids, mix up the muffin mix according the package’s directions. Spray themuffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. Show kids what the surprise is. Thesurprise gift in our snack is that in the middle of each muffin will be someyummy strawberry jam. Let me show you how to make the surprise. Fill onemuffin form only halfway with muffin batter. Take a spoonful of jam and drop iton top of the batter. Cover the jam with some more batter. Support kids takingturns spooning the batter into the muffin tins, adding the surprise, and addingsome more batter. When all pans are full, send the muffins off for baking. Whilemuffins are baking, wash hands again, especially if you used raw egg. Also, cleanup the snack table with kids’ help. When the table is clean again, ask kids to setSpark ResourcesNoneSuppliesStrawberry jamMuffin mixIngredients listed on muffinmix such as milk, water,egg, and oilMixing bowlMixing spoonsNonstick cooking sprayMuffin pansSpoonsSmall platesCupsNapkinsOven or microwaveWater or milkPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 211

the table with small plates, napkins, and cups of water or milk. Wash hands again ifnecessary.Pass the warm muffins around, share a table blessing, find the surprise gift inside,and talk about how God’s gifts can be surprising!Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeUse this Good-bye Time song as a ritual every week. Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb.”Gather kids together on the floor. Let’s remember something about our storytoday. Pause for kids’ thoughts. Our story today was about gifts.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHere’s a song about our story. Listen first and then sing with me. Sing the versesonce through, then have kids repeat.When I’m sad, I can pray,I can pray, I can pray.When I’m sad, I can pray.I can pray today!When I’m thankful, I can pray,I can pray, I can pray.When I’m thankful, I can pray.I can pray today!Prayer TimeGather kids together on the floor, sitting in a circle if possible. Cradle the baby dollin your arms. We will each have a turn to cradle the baby. When it’s your turnto cradle the baby, I want you to tell us and God one thing you are thankful for.I’ll go first. Cradle the baby doll, and thank God for someone or something. Passthe baby doll gently to your circle neighbor. Gently cue your neighbor to cradle thebaby and share a blessing. When everyone in the circle has had a turn, end with aquiet Amen.Spark ResourcesFamily PagesSuppliesBaby dollIf your group hasn’t received this rotation’s Family Page, send one home with eachfamily.212 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Lesson At-A-Glance ChartWeek 4Lesson Focus: SleepingGather (10 minutes)Center TimeKids pretend to sleep in their classroom, usekitchen timers or alarm clocks to wake up, andcolor Bible story pictures.Circle TimeKids are welcomed by name and hunt for sleepytime items.Prayer TimeKids pray an echo prayer with actions.Spark ResourcesColoring Page God CallsSamuel DNoneNoneSuppliesSleeping bags, pillows, blankets,preschool-size cots, wind-upalarm clocks or kitchen timers,teddy bears, flashlights, blankpaper, markers or crayonsTravel eyeshades, blanket,pacifier, glass of water, night-light,storybooks, pillow, stuffed animal,pajamas, bathrobe, toothbrushNoneOpen the Bible(10 minutes)God Calls Samuel StorytellingKids hear about Samuel and Eli, wonder whathappens next, and roll out blankets.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesBlankets, sleeping bagsActivate Faith (25 minutes)MUSIC — I’m Gonna ListenKids sing a traditional American spiritual with newwords.ART — Bedtime StorybookKids dictate this weeks stories into a bedtimestory as a group and illustrate it.SNACK — Bedtime SnackKids eat a bedtime snack.Spark ResourcesNoneSpark Story BibleSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneWhiteboard or chart paper,markers and crayons, stapler, oilcrayons (optional)Crispy rice cereal, milk or milksubstitute, spoons, bowls, napkinsPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 213

Lesson At-A-GlanceChart Week 4Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeKids sing a closing song about today’s focus.Prayer TimeKids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleFamily PagesSuppliesNoneBaby dollVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filledwith ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.214 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Week 4Gather (5 minutes)Center TimeYou may choose to set up one or both of these creative play centers where kids canplay as they arrive in your classroom. Have helpers in each center to help childrenwith the activities. Kids can stay in one center or travel to more than one.Good Night and Good MorningSet Up: In a cozy corner of the room, set up a sleeping area with today’s supplies.As kids investigate these props, wonder aloud what kind of props these are. Iwonder what we should do with these sleeping bags, books, alarm clocks, andeverything else. See what kids think should be happening, and then supporttheir play by playing along with them and retrieving additional props. As kidssleep, wake up, and make up their own stories, remind them of the stories you arereading. In our story today about Samuel, Samuel, and Eli wake up a lot. I wonderhow we can use today’s story in our pretend play.Coloring CenterProvide copies of Coloring Pages God Calls Samuel D, blank paper, and markersor crayons for each kid. Be sure to write their names on their drawings before theymove to Circle Time.Spark ResourcesColoring Page God CallsSamuel DSuppliesSleeping bagsPillowsBlanketsPreschool-size cotsWind-up alarm clocks orkitchen timersTeddy bearsFlashlightsBlank paperMarkers or crayonsWhen all kids have arrived and have had time to participate in at least one center,say to the kids, Clap your hands and sing, “It’s Time to Hear a Story” to the tuneof “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”It’s time to hear a story,A story, a story.It’s time to hear a story,So let’s clean up.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 215

Circle TimeSit in a circle on the floor and use this welcome ritual song each week to welcomeeveryone to your group. Sing this song to the tune of “She’ll be Coming ‘Round theMountain” while clapping with spirit.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome to our group today,Where we’ll sing and dance and pray.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Spoken. Welcome, all my friends. Welcome, welcome. Today we welcome[Name], [Name], and [Name]. Today we welcome [Name], [Name], and[Name]. Continue until everyone in the room is welcomed. Reserve a specialwelcome for visitors and new kids. We have a [or some] new friend(s) today.Today we welcome our new friend(s) [Name(s)].Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesTravel eyeshadesBlanketPacifierGlass of waterNight-lightStorybooksPillowStuffed animalPajamasBathrobeToothbrushSet up: Before circle time today, place the supplies around the room for kids to find.After today’s welcome ritual, pretend to sleep, and then wake up. Oh! I wassleeping. Yawn. I want to go back to sleep. I need my blankie, though. I wonderwhere it is. Hmmm . . . Pause. What do you need to go to sleep? Pause to hearkids’ thoughts. I have an idea—let’s find sleeping stuff. Let’s stand up and gofind things we need for sleeping. Go on a mini scavenger hunt. Gather items, andgo back to the circle time area and talk about all the things we use for sleepingor getting ready to sleep. Then talk about today’s story. Today we will hear twostories—the story about Hannah and a story about how Samuel was sleeping.Prayer TimeIt’s time to pray! Make the ASL sign for pray. Listen and repeat my words—thisis an echo prayer. Make the ASL sign for thank you before you make each of theactions.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re sad.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re happy.Thanks for calling us,Thanks for calling us,Thanks for calling us,Again and again and again!Amen.Make a sad face.Make a happy face.Use hand as a telephone.Repeat (with other hand).Repeat (change hands again).Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNoneThank YouPray216 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Open the Bible (10 minutes)God Calls Samuel StorytellingSet Up: Have your Spark Story Bible and any kids’ Bibles ready and available inthe storytelling area. Mark your Bible with a bookmark so that you can easily findtoday’s story. Create a circle using folded blankets and rolled up sleeping bags.Take out your Spark Story Bible and open to God Calls Samuel on pages 122–125.Read the story out loud and point to the corresponding pictures. Look for Squiggles,the caterpillar, in each picture. Ask kids what they think Squiggles is feeling ordoing. Encourage them to make a face or move like Squiggles.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesSleeping bagsBlanketsInvite kids to sit on the blankets and sleeping bags. Hold up page 123 of the SparkStory Bible. Samuel and Eli are sleeping on the floor. We are sitting on someblankets and sleeping bags. Now let’s sleep on the floor like Samuel and Eli.Roll out blankets and sleeping bags and get comfy. When everyone is lying ontheir tummies or sides, continue the conversation about today’s story. I wonderwhether Samuel will wake up soon. What do you think? Pause for kids to respond.I wonder whether Eli will wake up soon. What do you think? Listen and discusskids’ thoughts on the story of Samuel. Kids may continue lying down, or sit up ifthey prefer, as you read today’s story from the Sparks Story Bible.Ask the following questions, allowing time for kids to answer:Who did Samuel wake up after he heard his name called? (Eli)Who calls your name and wakes you up?Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 217

Activate Faith (25 minutes)music: I’m Gonna ListenGather kids together on the floor. Who learned to listen in our story today?(Samuel) Samuel learned to listen to God. Today I want you to listen to thislistening song and then sing it with me. Ready, set, listen! Sing the song throughonce. Then repeat it, welcoming kids to join you.I’m gonna listen when the Spirit says listen!I’m gonna listen when the Spirit says listen!I’m gonna listen when the Spirit says listen!And obey the Spirit of the Lord!Point to your ears.Repeat.Repeat.Lift your hands and arms up tothe sky.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNoneRepeat adding new adverbs such as “sing,” “pray,” and “sleep.”art: Bedtime StorybookSet up: Have coloring supplies ready for kids to use on the floor. Set up the chartpaper in the storytelling area. Have the Spark Story Bible handy.Gather kids in a circle on the floor. Hold up pages 122–123 of the Spark Story Biblefor all to see. Today we’re going to make a big Bedtime Storybook. Let’s remembertoday’s story. Tell me about our story. Encourage kids to recall today’s story, GodCalls Samuel. Do not reread the story. What happened first in today’s story?Write down kids’ words as they say them. This method is called story dictation.Do not change the words kids give you. Write one or two sentences on a pagebefore flipping the chart to the next page. Write the sentences either on the topof the page or the bottom so there is plenty of room for illustrations. Then whathappened in our story today? Again, write down kids’ words and flip the chartover to the next page. Keep asking what happens next until kids retell the entirestory in their own words. Reread what you have written.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesWhiteboard or chart paperMarkers and crayonsStaplerOil crayons (optional)Our story is wonderful! It’s missing something, though. Do you know what?Pause for kids’ responses. It’s missing pictures! Pass out markers and crayons,or use oil crayons for a more polished look. I have some coloring supplies here.Find a friend or two. I’ll give each group of friends a page of our story and youcan draw the pictures that match the words. As you hand each group their sheetof paper, read the words so that each group knows what to draw. If you have tileor a hardwood floor, have kids work on the floor. Use kid-sized tables if you havecarpeted floors.When kids are finished, put the story together and staple it. Have kids lie down andlisten while you read it aloud, and then pretend to fall asleep.218 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

snack: Bedtime SnackBefore serving any food, always check with caregivers for kid who have food allergies.Provide an alternative if necessary.Set up: Place all snack supplies on the table.Gather at the table with washed hands. Ask for a few helpers to set the table,giving each kid a bowl, spoon, and napkin. I think it’s time for a bedtime snack. Iwonder if Samuel ever had a bedtime snack before going to sleep. Pause for kids’thoughts. Hold up the cereal box. I have some cereal today for a bedtime snack.This cereal is special because if we listen, we will hear cereal sounds. Pour thecereal in each bowl with some milk or milk substitute. Ask kids to listen to theircereal while they wait for everyone to be served. Say a table grace. Reread HannahPrays for a Child and God Calls Samuel as bedtime stories while kids enjoy theirbedtime snack.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesCrispy rice cerealMilk or milk substituteSpoonsBowlsNapkinsSend (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeUse this Good-bye Time song as a ritual every week. Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb.”Gather kids together on the floor. Let’s remember something about our storytoday. Pause for kids’ thoughts. Our story today was about sleeping.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHere’s a song about our story. Listen first and then sing with me. Sing the versesonce through, then have kids repeat.Samuel was a listener,Listener, listener.Samuel was a listener.He heard God calling him.We can listen like Samuel,Samuel, Samuel.We can listen like Samuel.We can hear God’s call.[Name] can listen like Samuel,Samuel, Samuel.[Name] can listen like Samuel.He/She can hear God’s call.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 219

Prayer TimeGather kids together on the floor, sitting in a circle if possible. Cradle the baby dollin your arms. We will each have a turn to cradle the baby. When it’s your turnto cradle the baby, I want you to tell us and God one thing you are thankful for.I’ll go first. Cradle the baby doll, and thank God for someone or something. Passthe baby doll gently to your circle neighbor. Gently cue your neighbor to cradle thebaby and share a blessing. When everyone in the circle has had a turn, end with aquiet Amen.Spark ResourcesFamily PagesSuppliesBaby dollIf your group hasn’t received this rotation’s Family Page, send one home with eachfamily.220 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Lesson At-A-Glance ChartWeek 5Lesson Focus: Waking UpGather (10 minutes)Center TimeKids pretend to sleep in their classroom, usekitchen timers or alarm clocks to wake up, andcolor Bible story pictures.Circle TimeKids are welcomed by name and pretend to beSamuel waking up Eli.Prayer TimeKids pray an echo prayer with actions.Spark ResourcesColoring Page God Calls Samuel ESpark Story BibleNoneSuppliesSleeping bags, pillows, blankets,preschool-size cots, wind-upalarm clocks or kitchen timers,teddy bears, flashlights, blankpaper, markers or crayonsNoneNoneOpen the Bible(10 minutes)God Calls Samuel StorytellingKids hear today’s story, remember their ownwaking-up times, and count wake-up times.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneActivate Faith (25 minutes)GAME — This Is How I Can PrayKids play an imitation game.ART — Milk Carton MegaphonesKids decorate milk carton megaphones andpractice waking up Samuel.SNACK — Midnight SnackKids wake up, look in the refrigerator, and eat amidnight snack.Spark ResourcesNoneNoneNoneSuppliesNoneEmpty plastic milk cartons, adultscissors, thick rubber bands, foamstickers, self-sticking pompoms,assorted ribbon, preschoolscissors, permanent markerOatmeal cookies, milk or milksubstitute, cups, small plates,napkins, flashlights, large emptybox or play kitchen refrigeratorPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 221

Lesson At-A-GlanceChart Week 5Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeKids sing a closing song about today’s focus.Prayer TimeKids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleFamily PagesSuppliesNoneBaby dollVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filledwith ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.222 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Week 5Gather (5 minutes)Center TimeYou may choose to set up one or both of these creative play centers where kids canplay as they arrive in your classroom. Have helpers in each center to help childrenwith the activities. Kids can stay in one center or travel to more than one.Good Night and Good MorningSet Up: In a cozy corner of the room, set up a sleeping area with today’s supplies.As kids investigate these props, wonder aloud what kind of props these are. Iwonder what we should do with these sleeping bags, books, alarm clocks, andeverything else. See what kids think should be happening, and then supporttheir play by playing along with them and retrieving additional props. As kidssleep, wake up, and make up their own stories, remind them of the stories you arereading. In our story today about Samuel, Samuel and Eli wake up a lot. I wonderhow we can use today’s story in our pretend play.Coloring CenterProvide copies of Coloring Pages God Calls Samuel E, blank paper, and markers orcrayons for each kid. Be sure to write their names on their drawings before theymove to Circle Time.Spark ResourcesColoring Page God CallsSamuel ESuppliesSleeping bagsPillowsBlanketsPreschool-size cotsWind-up alarm clocks orkitchen timersTeddy bearsFlashlightsBlank paperMarkers or crayonsWhen all kids have arrived and have had time to participate in at least one center,say to the kids, Clap your hands and sing, “It’s Time to Hear a Story” to the tuneof “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”It’s time to hear a story,A story, a story.It’s time to hear a story,So let’s clean up.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 223

Circle TimeSit in a circle on the floor and use this welcome ritual song each week to welcomeeveryone to your group. Sing this song to the tune of “She’ll be Coming ‘Round theMountain” while clapping with spirit.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome to our group today,Where we’ll sing and dance and pray.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneSpoken. Welcome, all my friends. Welcome, welcome. Today we welcome[Name], [Name], and [Name]. Today we welcome [Name], [Name], and[Name]. Continue until everyone in the room is welcomed. Reserve a specialwelcome for visitors and new kids. We have some [or a] new friend(s) today.Today we welcome our new friend(s) [Name(s)].Hold up page 122–123 of the Spark Story Bible for all to see. Point to Samuel wakingup Eli. Samuel is waking up Eli. Pause to hear what kids’ notice. Then, lie downand whisper. Let’s pretend I’m Eli. Choose a kid to be Samuel. [Name], would youplease pretend to be Samuel, and wake me up? Lie down and pretend to sleepuntil you are woken up. Repeat, if time allows, with different kids playing the rolesof Eli and Samuel. Samuel wakes up Eli a lot in our story today.Prayer TimeIt’s time to pray! Make the ASL sign for pray. Listen and repeat my words—thisis an echo prayer. Make the ASL sign for thank you before you make each of theactions.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re sad. Make a sad face.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re happy. Make a happy face.Thanks for calling us,Use hand as a telephone.Thanks for calling us,Repeat (with other hand).Thanks for calling us,Repeat (change hands again).Again and again and again!Amen.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNonePrayThank You224 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Open the Bible (10 minutes)God Calls Samuel StorytellingSet Up: Have your Spark Story Bible and any kids’ Bibles ready and available inthe storytelling area. Mark your Bible with a bookmark so that you can easily findtoday’s story.Take out your Spark Story Bible and open to God Calls Samuel on pages 122–125.Read the story out loud and point to the corresponding pictures. Look for Squiggles,the caterpillar, in each picture. Ask kids what they think Squiggles is feeling ordoing. Encourage them to make a face or move like SquigglesSpark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHave you ever woken up in the night many times? Pause to hear about kids’wake-up stories. Maybe it was because someone else was making noise, orbecause there was a storm, or because you were really excited for the nextmorning. Samuel woke up many times in this story. Each time he thought wasEli, until Eli told him to do something. How many times do you think God wakesup Samuel in this story? Let’s count them as we read the story together. As youread these parts of the story, keep track on your fingers of how many times Samuelis called on.Ask the following questions, allowing time for kids to answer:How many times did God wake up Samuel? (four)What would you do if you heard someone’s voice calling you in the middle of thenight?Activate Faith (25 minutes)game: This Is How I Can PrayGather kids in a circle standing up. Choose one kid to stand in the middle of thecircle. As the group chants, the kid in the middle chooses a way to pray. This prayeridea may be serious, silly, typical, or brand new. The rest of the kids imitate thisway to pray. When the chant is finished, the kid in the middle picks someone newto lead the chant. Remind kids to choose someone who hasn’t had a turn yet.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNoneThis is how I can pray.See if you can pray my way.This is how I can pray.Who will be the next to play?Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 225

art: Milk Carton MegaphonesSet up: Before this activity, cut the bottom off clean milk jugs. If you want a cleancutline, place a thick rubber band around the bottom of the jug and cut next to therubber band. Place the jugs, preschool scissors, ribbon, pompoms, and stickers inthe middle of a kid-sized worktable.Gather kids around the worktable. Hold a milk jug to your lips from the cap end.Announce today’s activity. Today we are making megaphones. Pause. Tell meabout megaphones. Pause to hear kids’ thoughts and giggles. A megaphonehelps us to hear. Pause. I am using a megaphone made from a milk jug. Continuespeaking through the megaphone. In our story today, who woke up? (Eli, Samuel)God kept calling Samuel, and Samuel woke up. Samuel kept calling Eli, and Eliwoke up. Pause. Sometimes we need help waking up and hearing. Invite kids toshare ways in which they are helped to wake up. Sometimes we need an alarmclock to wake up. Sometimes we need our mom to gently shake us or kissus so we wake up. And, sometimes we may need a megaphone! Pause. Let’smake some megaphones. Help kids make their own megaphones. Decorate withribbon hanging from the milk carton jug handle and covering the megaphone withpompoms and stickers. Write kids’ names on their megaphones using a permanentmarker. Then have fun waking each other up!Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesEmpty plastic milk jugsAdult scissorsThick rubber bandsFoam stickersSelf-sticking pompomsAssorted ribbonPreschool scissorsPermanent markersnack: Midnight SnackBefore serving any food, always check with caregivers for kid who have food allergies.Provide an alternative if necessary.Set up: Place supplies in the pretend refrigerator.Gather kids in the Circle Time area. If possible, dim or turn off the lights. Eli andSamuel woke up in the middle of the night. When I wake up in the middle of thenight, sometimes I feel hungry. How about you? Pause to hear kids’ thoughts. If Ieat in the middle of the night, I call it a midnight snack. Pause. I wonder if Eli orSamuel was hungry the night God woke up Samuel. Pause.Let’s all pretend to sleep. Lie down. Now let’s pretend to wake up. Yawn andstretch. Oh! I’m hungry. Where’s my flashlight? Turn on your flashlight. Pause.I know! Let’s go get a snack. Get up. I need to wash my hands first. Take kidsto a nearby sink and wash hands together. Use your flashlight to find your way.Try to whisper a lot as if other people are sleeping in the house. Let’s go to therefrigerator. Travel to the “refrigerator.” Open the refrigerator. Yummy! There’ssome cookies and milk in here. Let’s eat some cookies and milk. With kids help,set up a snack table, and sit down to eat your midnight snack. Whisper a tablegrace such as Thank you, God, for waking us up! Enjoy your snack. Talk about Godwaking up Samuel, and Samuel waking up Eli.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesOatmeal cookiesMilk or milk substituteCupsSmall platesNapkinsFlashlightsLarge empty box or playkitchen refrigerator226 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeUse this Good-bye Time song as a ritual every week. Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb.”Gather kids together on the floor. Let’s remember something about our storytoday. Pause for kids’ thoughts. Our story today was about waking up.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHere’s a song about our story. Listen first and then sing with me. Sing the versesonce through, then have kids repeat.Samuel was a listener,Listener, listener.Samuel was a listener.He heard God calling him.We can listen like Samuel,Samuel, Samuel.We can listen like Samuel.We can hear God’s call.[Name] can listen like Samuel,Samuel, Samuel.[Name] can listen like Samuel.He/She can hear God’s call.Prayer TimeGather kids together on the floor, sitting in a circle if possible. Cradle the baby dollin your arms. We will each have a turn to cradle the baby. When it’s your turnto cradle the baby, I want you to tell us and God one thing you are thankful for.I’ll go first. Cradle the baby doll, and thank God for someone or something. Passthe baby doll gently to your circle neighbor. Gently cue your neighbor to cradle thebaby and share a blessing. When everyone in the circle has had a turn, end with aquiet Amen.Spark ResourcesFamily PagesSuppliesBaby dollIf your group hasn’t received this rotation’s Family Page, send one home with eachfamily.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 227

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Lesson At-A-Glance ChartWeek 6Lesson Focus: Hearing EarsGather (10 minutes)Center TimeKids pretend to sleep in their classroom, usekitchen timers or alarm clocks to wake up, andcolor Bible story pictures.Circle TimeKids are welcomed by name and think aboutdifferent ways of calling people.Prayer TimeKids pray an echo prayer with actions.Spark ResourcesColoring Page God Calls Samuel FNoneNoneSuppliesSleeping bags, pillows, blankets,preschool-size cots, wind-upalarm clocks or kitchen timers,teddy bears, flashlights, blankpaper, markers or crayonsTelephone, dinner bell,megaphoneNoneOpen the Bible(10 minutes)God Calls Samuel StorytellingKids hear today’s story, wonder how God callspeople today, and call each other on a telephone.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesAssorted old telephones, basketActivate Faith (25 minutes)MUSIC — Get Up and Down to PrayKids follow the music directions to act outHannah’s story.ART — Still Life EarsKids draw pictures of ears by observing a friend’sear.SNACK — Samuel’s Noisy SnacksKids listen for the different sounds that crunchysnacks make.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleNoneNoneSuppliesNoneConstruction paper, pencils,clipboardsLarge fish crackers, apple slices,large pretzel sticks, small plates,napkins, serving bowls, water,cups, apple slicer or table knife,cutting boardPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 229

Lesson At-A-GlanceChart Week 6Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeKids sing a closing song about today’s focus.Prayer TimeKids gently pass around a baby doll, and pray.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleFamily PagesSuppliesNoneBaby dollVisit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind 6 Coloring Pages to use during Gather Time and a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filledwith ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home.230 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

PRESCHOOLLEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Week 6Gather (5 minutes)Center TimeYou may choose to set up one or both of these creative play centers where kids canplay as they arrive in your classroom. Have helpers in each center to help childrenwith the activities. Kids can stay in one center or travel to more than one.Good Night and Good MorningSet Up: In a cozy corner of the room, set up a sleeping area with today’s supplies.As kids investigate these props, wonder aloud what kind of props these are. Iwonder what we should do with these sleeping bags, books, alarm clocks, andeverything else. See what kids think should be happening, and then supporttheir play by playing along with them and retrieving additional props. As kidssleep, wake up, and make up their own stories, remind them of the stories you arereading. In our story today about Samuel, Samuel and Eli wake up a lot. I wonderhow we can use today’s story in our pretend play.Coloring CenterProvide copies of Coloring Pages God Calls Samuel F, blank paper, and markers orcrayons for each kid. Be sure to write their names on their drawings before theymove to Circle Time.Spark ResourcesColoring Page God CallsSamuel FSuppliesSleeping bagsPillowsBlanketsPreschool-size cotsWind-up alarm clocks orkitchen timersTeddy bearsFlashlightsBlank paperMarkers or crayonsWhen all kids have arrived and have had time to participate in at least one center,say to the kids, Clap your hands and sing, “It’s Time to Hear a Story” to the tuneof “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.”It’s time to hear a story,A story, a story.It’s time to hear a story,So let’s clean up.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 231

Circle TimeSit in a circle on the floor and use this welcome ritual song each week to welcomeeveryone to your group. Sing this song to the tune of “She’ll be Coming ‘Round theMountain” while clapping with spirit.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Welcome to our group today,Where we’ll sing and dance and pray.Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesTelephoneDinner bellMegaphoneSpoken. Welcome, all my friends. Welcome, welcome. Today we welcome[Name], [Name], and [Name]. Today we welcome [Name], [Name], and[Name]. Continue until everyone in the room is welcomed. Reserve a specialwelcome for visitors and new kids. We have a [or some] new friend(s) today.Today we welcome our new friend(s) [Name(s)].Set up: Gather today’s supplies for easy access during Circle Time.In our story today, Samuel is called by God. The voice of God called Samuel. Iwonder if there are other ways for people to be called. Spread today’s suppliesout in front of you. I brought some calling things with me today. Pick up thetelephone. Do you think God calls on the telephone? Pause. Here’s a bell. Wecould use a bell to let everyone know it’s time for Circle Time. Pause. Here’sa megaphone. Speak into the megaphone. That’s a way of calling people andgetting their attention. We can even be called with hands. Show the ASL signfor “call.” This is the sign language sign for “call.” Let’s all try saying “call” withour hands. Say and sign “call” several times. God’s voice called Samuel. What aresome ways in which God might call us? Pause to hear kids’ thoughts.Call232 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Prayer TimeIt’s time to pray! Make the ASL sign for pray. Listen and repeat my words—thisis an echo prayer. Make the ASL sign for thank you before you make each of theactions.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re sad.Thanks for listening to prayers when we’re happy.Thanks for calling us,Thanks for calling us,Thanks for calling us,Again and again and again!Amen.Make a sad face.Make a happy face.Use hand as a telephone.Repeat (with other hand).Repeat (change hands again).Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesNonePrayThank YouOpen the Bible (10 minutes)God Calls Samuel StorytellingSet Up: Have your Spark Story Bible and any kids’ Bibles ready and available inthe storytelling area. Mark your Bible with a bookmark so that you can easily findtoday’s story. Place telephones in a basket.Take out your Spark Story Bible and open to God Calls Samuel on pages 122–125.Read the story out loud and point to the corresponding pictures. Look for Squiggles,the caterpillar, in each picture. Ask kids what they think Squiggles is feeling ordoing. Encourage them to make a face or move like Squiggles.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesSeveral old telephones(landlines and mobile)BasketWhen I hear the word “call,” I think of phones. How many of you talk on thephone with someone who calls you and your family? Pause for kids’ responses.In today’s story, God called Samuel—although God didn’t use a telephone! Bringout the basket of telephones. Let’s have some fun pretending God is calling uson the telephone. Pass out the telephones. Help kids enter this pretend play bymaking telephone ringing noises and pretending to listen and talk to God on thetelephone.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 233

Then tell kids to hang up and gather round to listen as you read the story from theSpark Story Bible.Ask the following questions, allowing time for kids to answer:Who called Samuel? (God)What would you do if God called you on the phone?Activate Faith (25 minutes)music: Get Up and Down to PrayGather kids together on the floor. Make sure you have enough safe floor space forthis activity. Open your Spark Story Bible to page 119. Hold up the page for kids tosee. Hannah is down on her knees crying and praying to God for a child. Let’s getdown on our knees and sing a movement song about praying. Follow my actions.Sing this song to the tune of “Go In and Out the Window.”Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneGet down and up to pray.Get down and up to pray.Get down and up to pray,Like Hannah did before.Shed a tear and pray.Shed a tear and pray.Shed a tear and pray,Like Hannah did before.Laugh and dance and praise.Laugh and dance and praise.Laugh and dance and praise,Like Hannah did before.Begin on your knees and then stand up.Begin on your knees and then stand up.Begin on your knees and then stand up.Kneel and pretend to cry.Kneel and pretend to cry.Kneel and pretend to cry.Stand, dance, and praise God with open arms.Stand, dance, and praise God with open arms.Stand, dance, and praise God with open arms.234 — Preschool Leader GuidesPreschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

art: Still Life EarsGather kids in a circle on the floor. Add a piece of paper to a clipboard. Ask for akid volunteer who will sit very still in the middle of the circle. Today we are goingto make some pictures. These are very special pictures called still life pictures.Our still life picture today is of a friend’s ear. Demonstrate how you look at thevolunteer’s ear and try to draw it on your paper. First I look at [Name’s] ear. Whatdo I see? Pause. I see an ear shape. It’s kind of oval. I think I’ll draw an oval shapeon my paper. Draw an oval shape. What else do I see? Pause for comments for thegroup. I see some lines or ridges inside [Name’s] ear. I wonder how I can drawthose ridges on my paper. I’m going to try it. Add some details to your drawing.Finish your drawing and hold it up for all to see. This is my still life drawing of anear. Ears are so important. What do we do with our ears? (hear, listen) We hearand listen with our ears. Ears are important for us to hear God’s call. Let’s getstarted on our still life drawings of hearing ears.Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesConstruction paper, 2 per kidPencils, 1 per two kidsClipboards, 1 per 2 kidsKids work in pairs today. Remind kids that each one will have a turn drawing andsitting still. Help kids find a friend and give the pair a pencil, paper, and a clipboard.Circulate as kids begin working. Make sure kids remember to change roles. Marktheir drawings with both names, indicating who is drawing and who is sitting still.Be prepared for a variety of detail. Some kids will be very detailed, and some kidswill draw only the basic shape.snack: Samuel’s Noisy SnacksBefore serving any food, always check with caregivers for kid who have food allergies.Provide an alternative if necessary.Set up: Place snack supplies on the table.Gather together at the snack table. Today we have a hearing ears snack. Whatdo you think a hearing ears snack is? Pause for kids thoughts. Let’s get readyfor a snack and find out more about our hearing ears snack. With kids’ help,set the table with cups of water, napkins, and small plates. Pour the crackers intoone serving bowl and the pretzel in another. Kids may help you cut up the appleslices. When ready, sit down and thank God for food and ears. Begin passing thefood. Ask kids to put apples, pretzels, and fish on their plates. Let’s listen for thesound these snacks make when we bite into them. Let’s try the crackers first.Tell me what you hear when you munch on the crackers. Pause for munching,thinking, and discussion. Continue in the same manner with the apples and thenthe pretzels. Ask some comparison questions. Which snack is the loudest? Whichsnack is quiet? What else do you hear?Spark ResourcesNoneSuppliesLarge fish crackersApple slicesLarge pretzel sticksSmall platesNapkinsServing bowlsWaterCupsApple slicer or table knifeCutting boardConnect this listening exercise to today’s focus and story. Who did Samuel thinkhe was hearing when God called him the first time? (Eli) Who did Samuel thinkhe was hearing when God called him the second time? (Eli) Who helped Samuelfigure out that he was hearing God? (Eli) Eli helped Samuel. Eli told Samuel tosay “God, I hear you.” Today we are practicing hearing. Let’s hear our snacksagain. Continue munching, hearing, and discussing.Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 235

Send (5 minutes)Good-bye TimeUse this Good-bye Time song as a ritual every week. Sing to the tune of “Mary Hada Little Lamb.”Gather kids together on the floor. Let’s remember something about our storytoday. Pause for kids’ thoughts. Our story today had a lot about listening ears.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesNoneHere’s a song about our story. Listen first and then sing with me. Sing the versesonce through, then have kids repeat.Samuel was a listener,Listener, listener.Samuel was a listener.He heard God calling him.We can listen like Samuel,Samuel, Samuel.We can listen like Samuel.We can hear God’s call.[Name] can listen like Samuel,Samuel, Samuel.[Name] can listen like Samuel.He/She can hear God’s call.Prayer TimeGather kids together on the floor, sitting in a circle if possible. Cradle the baby dollin your arms. We will each have a turn to cradle the baby. When it’s your turnto cradle the baby, I want you to tell us and God one thing you are thankful for.I’ll go first. Cradle the baby doll, and thank God for someone or something. Passthe baby doll gently to your circle neighbor. Gently cue your neighbor to cradle thebaby and share a blessing. When everyone in the circle has had a turn, end with aquiet Amen.Spark ResourcesFamily PagesSuppliesBaby dollIf your group hasn’t received this rotation’s Family Page, send one home with eachfamily.236 — Workshop Leader Guides Preschool Leader Guides, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School© 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.