Categories
children's ministry

Why atmosphere is important in the classroom

I read this blog post from the Washington Post this morning entitled Smart design + school = health. It described beautifully why atmosphere is important in the classroom. The final quote stood out to me:

We really focused on what kids need. What I see in that space are kids gravitating to that atmosphere because they know it’s for them, about them. Everything is tailored to their needs.”

Dina Sorensen, project designer, VMDO Architects
Categories
Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon School Cartoons single panel cartoon webcomic

Bestselling Report Cartoon

Do you remember all that writing we did in school? I would like to have thought they were bestselling papers. That thought inspired this bestselling report cartoon.

Bestselling Report Cartoon: A student says to a teacher, "Pretty good report, isn't it? Do you think I can make some serious moolah with this?"

It would have been nice if that third-grade report on bees and honey made it on the New York Times Best Sellers list. But I feel it is best that the report is buried deep in a landfill.

Categories
Illustration Friday

Tall Teacher Cartoon

When you are a teacher, you soon learn kids love to use you as playground equipment. It’s especially true in preschool classes. One day, my son was in a class and a kid wanted to hang from his arms. So that inspired this tall teacher cartoon.

Tall teacher cartoon: One child says, "You're tall enough to be a great teacher."

I drew this for Illustration Friday in 2012. That week’s word was “tall.” When I read it, I thought of times when my son has volunteered to teach. He’s a tall guy, and some of the small kids love for him to hold out his arm as they swing from it. The kids love a tall, strong, gentle guy. And who doesn’t love the monkey bars?

Categories
Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons church cartoons gag cartoon School Cartoons single panel cartoon webcomic

Mopped-up Fun

When you work with kids, you know it’s going well when the janitor gets to deal with some mopped-up fun. That idea inspired this cartoon.

Mopped-up fun cartoon. A janitor says, “I always know the preschoolers' class had an exciting morning in here when you ask for a mop.”

When I am leading large group activities on a Sunday morning, I smile when I realize the game is going to require blue tarps on the floor. I know the kids will get excited and the morning will be memorable. Bring on the rain ponchos, goggles, and a mop!

Categories
Adobe Illustrator Bible cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon Proverbs School Cartoons single panel cartoon webcomic wisdom

Wisdom and Talking Cartoon


Being quiet has its advantages. When we slow down and listen to others, we can be perceived as knowledgeable without saying a word. This concept and a proverb led to this wisdom and talking cartoon.

Wisdom and talking cartoon: A boy says,  "Everyone thinks I am wise until you call on me and I have to open my mouth!"

There are several Bible verses that speak about this. But for me, James 1:19 has helped me greatly over the years. If only it was easy to apply to everyday living! Social and traditional media encourages us to spout off whatever comes to mind. After all, a blog with no content isn’t very compelling, is it?