/ Outreach

VBS Blastoff!

VBS RATINGS
Our reviewers looked at 14 categories in each VBS. The top score given in any category is a 10. Each category is given a value that equals a percentage of the overall score of 100. Curriculum kits are then ranked by their cumulative scores. For specific criteria in each category, see the "VBS Evaluation Checklist."

VBS EVALUATION CHECKLIST
Give this checklist to your review team for evaluating VBS curricula. As your team considers each curriculum, mark "yes" or "no" for each statement.

Yes No
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Student-focused instead of teacher-focused.
Learning activities evoke kids' emotions.
Learning experiences are focused through debriefing.
Kids work together in pairs or teams.
Kids learn without bribes.

CONTENT
Strong Bible basis.
Organized with a lesson sequence that makes sense.
Learning activities focus on life application.

DIRECTOR MATERIALS
Enough material with good pacing.
Pre-planning tips.
Staff-training tips and meeting plans.
Staff-recruiting ideas.
Overviews of each class.
Overview schedule.
Overall supply chart.

TEACHER MATERIALS
Helpful, easy to understand and easy to use.
Age-level insights.
Durable and usable.
Alternatives for activities.

STUDENT MATERIALS
Age-appropriate for ability level and safety considerations.
Engages kids' minds instead of just keeping them busy with fill-in-the-blank activities.
Relates to kids' world.

PUBLICITY HELPS
Up-to-date, colorful, and appealing.
Easy-to-use and durable.
Variety.
Schedule with innovative publicity ideas.

TEACHER AIDS
Creative.
Helpful.
Easy-to-use.
Convenient and readily available.

THEME
Captivates kids.
Well-executed throughout.

ART
Up-to-date, colorful, and appealing.
Includes multicultural kids and kids with disabilities.

CRAFTS
New and creative.
Easy-to-pull off.
Connect to the lesson, Bible story, or theme.
Usable, purposeful, and lasting.

MUSIC
Catchy tunes.
Easy words.
Fun.

GAMES
Noncompetitive and cooperative.
Active and fun.
Connect to the lesson, Bible story, or theme.

SNACKS
New ideas.
Easy-to-get ingredients and inexpensive to make.
Flexible ideas with well-written instructions.
Connect to the lesson, Bible story, or theme.
Easy for kids to prepare.

If you marked yes to most of these criteria, you're well on your way to choosing a top-notch VBS. If you marked more no's than yeses, don't give up. Keep looking. There's a great curriculum out there for you.

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