Popular preacher and storyteller Donald Schmidt breaks open two dozen stories in this book of Bible Wonderings. His unique and comfortable style engages the imagination and immediately makes you feel that you are a part of the story. You find yourself making friends with the biblical characters, and often want to continue the story beyond the printed page. Along the way these retellings invite you to do your own Bible wondering and question some of your presuppositions. Whether you have a little or a lot of biblical knowledge-even if you have never read the Bible at all, or are a confirmed skeptic-Bible Wonderings offers an exciting new way to experience your faith story. The study guide makes Bible Wonderings a great resource for Bible study groups or for personal devotion. A lectionary index makes it easy to use the stories in worship. "Turn a kaleidoscope even a little, and you see a new set of patterns and colors fall into place. In this book of wonderings, Donald Schmidt turns these stories of scriptures at slightly different angles, and the result is a fresh seeing and hearing of the Word. Bring your own sense of wonder and openness to this book, and see where it may lead you." John Indermark, author of Parables and Passion: Jesus' Stories for the Days of Lent (Upper Room Books)

God seeks our attention and relationship in so many ways. Figuring out how to notice, listen, and respond to God as we move through the daily exercises of our life is the stuff of our spiritual journey. For centuries we have practiced and shared some of our favorite and most fulfilling methods for relating with God and allowing that partnership to inform and transform our lives. Some methods work better than others. Probably the best for each of us are ones we tailor to meet our individual needs. In Wednesday Wonderings Gary Nelson invites the reader into his own spiritual journey through the lens of the camera he carries with him. He has experimented with many methods and discovered that the camera lens often provides him one of the best means to notice, listen, and respond to God. The camera offers the opportunity to wonder about life lived in relationship with God and others. Through the process this pastor and pastoral counselor's devotions, called Wednesday Wonderings, offer helpful insights for life and an invitation for all of us to find our own means to wonder.

Here in these pages the extraordinary rage and power of Patchen's imagination, and the virtuosity of his technique, were never more striking-their impact is indeed breathtaking. His new universe is exciting and spirit-cleansing. the light streaming from the hand and heart of this poet-artist illuminates the darkness, the sordid and confused pettiness of our day-to-day existence.

This how-to guide to teacher research and inquiry takes educators from 'Where do I Begin?' through publishing results, with detailed attention to every step in between. It covers questioning, sharing insights and processes, research methods, analysing data, developing reports, and communicating findings to the ecucational community.

Powerful tools for facilitating teachers' professional development and optimizing school improvement efforts! Combining professional learning communities (PLCs) and action research, this step-by-step guide provides coaches, workshop leaders, and staff developers with strategies, activities, and tools to develop inquiry-oriented PLCs. The authors present essential elements of a healthy PLC, case studies of inquiry-based PLCs, and lessons learned for improving coaching practices. Sample projects and reflection prompts will help readers: Organize, assess, and maintain high-functioning, inquiry-oriented PLCs Facilitate the development of study questions Enable PLC members to develop, analyze, and share research results Lead successful renewal and reform efforts

The practical strategies in this insightful book show teachers how to give struggling readers the help they really need. Struggling Readers delivers advice on teaching that targets students' needs, and offers kids opportunities to read texts that they can and want to read. It highlights explicit instruction and guided practice in comprehension. The book also, and perhaps most importantly, illustrates ways to help students build confidence in themselves as readers, writers, and thinkers.

Reading is all about understanding. How do we know our kids are getting it—and what do we do when they don't get it? Authors Juli Kendall and Outey Khuon believe that small group comprehension lessons have a key role to play in advancing students' understanding of texts. Making Sense: Small-Group Comprehension Lessons for English Language Learners , they provide answers to many common questions asked by teachers of ELL. It is an easy-to-use, practical resource for ELD, ESL, and ESOL teachers.The book's five main sections are geared to the stages of language proficiency, and lessons span kindergarten through grade 8. The authors outline 52 lessons that teach students how to make connections, visualize, infer, and determine importance. Each lesson follows a four-part teaching framework: Start Up/Connection: Helping students build background and use prior knowledge to connect to the lesson Give Information : Explicitly telling students what they are going to learn and why they are learning it Active Involvement : Students practice what they are learning while the teacher monitors and adjusts instruction accordingly Off-You-Go!: Opportunities for students to practice what they learned with peers or independently. Making Sense will appeal to experienced teachers seeking to expand their repertoire of lessons, as well as new teachers just beginning the adventure of teaching comprehension to English language learners.

The Being With course is an introduction to Christianity with a difference. At its heart is the idea that God’s greatest desire is to be with us in Jesus. Grounded in the conviction that we already have a wealth of understanding of truth, beauty and goodness that signify God’s presence in our lives and everyday experiences, it aims to enable participants to discover dimensions of this presence and to live abundantly with God, with one another and with creation. This Leaders’ Guide provides: • an introduction to the theological perspective underpinning the course; • an explanation of its structure and an overview of each session; • practical guidelines for leading a group; • complete materials for hosting its ten 90-minute sessions in person or online. The sessions focus on the themes of Meaning; Essence; Jesus; Church; Bible; Mission; Cross; Prayer; Suffering and Resurrection. Drawing on the practices of Godly Play, the course uses storytelling, wondering and reflection to encourage and welcome the insights that each person brings. The Being With course was devised and created by Samuel Wells and Sally Hitchiner. It is one of many initiatives of St Martin-in-the-Fields, alongside HeartEdge, the Nazareth Community, the classical music and arts programmes and work with those experiencing homelessness. Located in London’s Trafalgar Square, St Martin’s is a community of hope, transforming church and society through commerce, culture, compassion and congregational life.