Welcome to Summer JAM!
In this special 10-lesson summer unit, we’ll be learning and singing our way through the Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Summer JAM can be done in three different ways.
A. Weekly 60 minute classes. Spend ten weeks over summer to learn about the Fruit of the Spirit. At the end, have littles sing in church or do a concert for their parents, followed by a play date.
B. Two weeks. 75 minute classes M-F. On the first Friday, host a play date after class. On the second Friday, host a concert and playdate.
C. One week. 120 minutes M-F. Add games and snacks to the schedule. On Friday, host a concert and play date.
Having the preschool choir sing in church is awesome. But, if that doesn’t fit, have them sing for their parents. Doing both would be super fun! Parents of littles need support, so the play dates are as much for the littles as they are for the parents to get to know each other.
Lesson 1
Jesus Session: Lesson One is Love. We learn to love because God first loved us.
TIP: This is the most important thing for them to learn. Jesus loves them!
Art Session: Each craft in this unit will be based on fruit. Because of its heart-shape, strawberry represents Love. The seeds can be made with any small white object: pompoms, buttons, felt, glitter glue, etc.
TEMPLATE: The template to all 10 crafts can be found in your downloads. There are three levels for every craft. A fun one that might be messy, a coloring page for those afraid of glitter (just kidding...sort of), and a midway craft of coloring pages plus an added element.
Music Session: Introduce “Fruit Salad”. Sing through the first section. Go over the words to the first section phrase by phrase and have the kids repeat them back to you. Next, sing the melody to that section on your choice of syllable. Once they are comfortable with both the lyrics and the melody, combine them.
For this special Summer JAM, I’ve included summer snack options for each fruit. This is completely optional. Here’s a recipe for strawberry ice pops. Or try one of the store-bought options to the right. (No, I am not an affiliate, they just look tasty.)
Lesson 2
Jesus Session: Joy! Our main focus is that while happiness comes from circumstances, joy comes from God. Lemons are bright and refreshing, like joy!
Art Session: We make lemon slices into lemonade. If glitter scares you, you could use white chalk.
Music Session: Separating melody and lyrics can be helpful in the beginning, but ultimately it’s the combination that helps them remember. Review the first section. Learn the next section. If you have time, sing another worship song. If you know one about joy, that would be perfect.
Today would be a great day to serve lemonade! Serve with straws matching the ones you used in the craft. Use small cups and cut the straws in half.
Lesson 3
Jesus Session: This lesson we learn about peace. We learn about being a peacemaker.
Art Session: Apple prints are fun to do. Just printing is fun, but they could turn them into people or other things too. I love using the real seeds as seeds!
TIP: Don't be afraid to ask for donations. A Sunday School group, small group, or worship team would probably love to help with supplying apples. Parents could do this too, but its great to ask other groups. It brings the needs of kid-Min to their minds and it gives them a small way to contribute, which makes them feel good too.
Music Session: Sing through “Fruit Salad.” Have the kids help form a circle and walk in the circle while singing. This changes things up and also forces them to concentrate more on the words.
Save half of the apples for snacks!
Lesson 4
Jesus Session: Patience we’re defining as waiting without complaining. God is certainly patient with us!
Art Session: These cute watermelon are simple and fun.
Music: Sing through all of “Fruit Salad.” Teach proper singing posture and sing again. If there’s time, sing a favorite worship song.
Slices or chunks of watermelon are fantastic on a warm summer day!
Lesson 5
Jesus Session: The Golden Rule is the essence of Kindness. Treat others like you want them to treat you.
Art Session: You could make branches for the cherries ahead of time.
Music Session: Talk to the kids about singing on a stage. Show them how to line up. Reinforce how they will be leading worship when they sing. Practice singing in the line or rows you will be singing in.
TIP: Here is a guide to lining up your choir, whether it is three kids or 100.
There are lots of tasty cherry snacks. Here’s a recipe for cherry frozen yogurt drops. Or of course, a bowl of cherries!
If you’re doing the two-week program, plan a play date for after class.
Lesson 6
Jesus Session: God is Good. All the time! Focusing on how Goodness as spelled out in Micah 6:8, we learn about justice, mercy, and walking humbly with God.
Art Session: These little oranges can be as creative as you like. get enough of them to make a the craft and to have as a snack.
Music: Sing a worship song. Then get into rows for “Fruit Salad.” Make a point of how individual worship and group worship is a little different than choir worship. In a choir, like sections of an orange, you are acting as one unit. That’s why we stand together and sing together (and dress similarly) and pay attention to the director.
Lesson 7
Jesus Session: Great is thy Faithfulness Oh God my Father!
Art Session: These bananas make me smile. I love the different textures created.
Music: Sing “Fruit Salad” in formation. Review parts that are tricky. Sing another worship song (not in formation) if you have time.
Yummy banana bread would be great today!
Lesson 8
Jesus Session: Gentleness is treating people with respect rather than yelling or being angry. Pears have to be handled with gentleness or they go bad.
Art Session: Today we make 3D pears. This one is a little tricky.
Music: Sing “Fruit Salad” in formation. Practice lining up and walking into those rows. Then sing. Then practice walking off. The more they practice this, the smoother it goes. A smooth lineup creates a calm and a confidence. Then relax for another worship song.
Pear slices are great. What other pear snacks sound good? let me know and I’ll add them!
Lesson 9
Jesus Session: Self-control could be rebranded God-control because it’s really about allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you to help you make good decisions.
Art Session: Be careful handling the pinecones.
Music: Talk about all the Fruit of the Spirit. Ask about favorites. Lean into understanding these Bible truths before singing. Then get into formation, line up, pretend to walk on stage, sing, pretend to walk off. Send home information for the parents for next week.
Pineapple is the yummiest! I would just serve straight-up fresh pineapple and pretend I’m on holiday! Or here’s a tasty smoothie recipe. Or check out these store-bought options.
Lesson 10
Jesus Session: Talk about ways to make our fruit grow. Remember that it’s the Fruit of the Spirit not the Fruit of Me! We grow the fruit as a result of listening to God.
Art Session: This week, the art and the snack are the same thing! Decorate group (or individual) fruit pizzas. Recipe here. make enough for the play date following class.
Music: Be calm. Smile a lot. Sing!
If the littles are singing for church, coordinate with the appropriate staff for what you need.
If littles are singing for parents/caregivers/families, invite them to come to class. Have littles line up and stand on stage. If you don’t have a stage, use masking tape to create a space.
The play date is an important feature for the kiddos and their parents. Choose a spot to host. If you have a playground or play area at your church, that would work well. If not, choose a nearby park. Have everyone meet there after they sing. Let them know start and end time (30-45 minutes is good). Serve the fruit pizzas and some drinks and let them play.