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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Fellowship of Christian Magicians! » » Theme effects for 4th-5th grade Sunday School (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

Scott Horn
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Dallas, TX
417 Posts

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I am going to be helping out in my churches "Sunday School" program. The kids are in a large group at the start, then break out for learning. This will be about 40-60 kids. I would like to present a themed effect about once a month and am looking for ideas / resources to apply Christian / Bible principles or stories to effects.

I don't have any "prop" effects and do mostly cards, but I do some rope, and general close up things some of which can work as "stand up" (TT and silk, Pen thru, coins across, torn and restored bill).

First question, can you do card effects for 4th - 5th graders.
Second, what stories go with the basic magic plots: vanishes, appearances, transpositions, restorations, etc.
MagicBus
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Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Hey, I'll toot my own horn (once again)- thanks for putting up with me. For someone looking for ideas, I humbly suggest that you go under the heading below "The Good News" on The Magic Café' and scroll down until you see the "Index for http://www.ChristianMagician.org" heading. Then click on that thread- you will see the complete trick by trick video index for http://www.ChristianMagician.org You can look through the posted INDEX and see if there is any trick(s) that interest you- then go over to http://www.ChristianMagician.org and view from the video programs already there any particular Gospel magic videos you are interested in watching. Also, FYI, there are two more brand new one hour Gospel magic programs (made for local cable tv here in SW Michigan- so this is not network television- just what a bunch of FCMers do over a few Saturday mornings having fun filming) that will be added to the site by this Christmas- currently in the editing stage. So I am excited about that as well. So hope that helps- a lot of effects there to chose from. Of course, http://www.GospelMagic.com and http://www.laflinmagicstore.com are excellent resources as well. We also have some written routines as well posted at http://www.ChristianMagician.org
Roger Magic Bus from rainy Kalamazoo
tbaer
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Inner circle
Pennsylvania
2016 Posts

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Scott, my personal advice would be to stay away from the card effects for that age group. MagicBus gave you some good resources, http://www.ChristianMagician.org has hours of gospel effects to watch. If you are doing this once a month, you will probably eventually have to purchase some props.

http://www.google.com/#q=kids+thought+by......8280bd02

Also check out this other link, should give you some more ideas.
mralincoln
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If I wasn't so busy, I'd have more than
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Scott:

Let me add to the advice you've already been given. I agree with tbaer that you probably will have to buy some props, but you also can probably get some good books that teach you tricks with everyday objects to start with--you can get them at the library or at your local magic shop--or, of course, order them online.

As far as story ideas--let me encourage you to read the stories in the Bible & the SS lesson that the teacher(s) will be teaching--and think about what effect will fit the story. Now, if you're the one doing the teaching, you can modify the props/effects/patter as you wish to fit the story. (For instance, vanishing a blank handkerchief can illustrate our sins being washed away. The appearance of a cane or wand could be combined with a vanishing rubber snake to illustrate Moses' rod transposition, etc.)

And, it may sound trite, but I'm serious--as you're studying the Bible & lessons, etc., pray for wisdom about how to illustrate it!

Just some thoughts . . .
robwar0100
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Scott,

I agree about the playing cards. At that age, it is about the visual stuff, not dexterity, manipulation and sleights.

I use Professor's Nightmare to teach about how the world categorizes sins, in that some are worse than others, but God sees all sin as the same.

I use Cut and Restored Rope to teach that sin separated us from God, but God sent His Son Jesus to restore that relationship and bring us back to God.

You can use a Torn and Restored Paper (wouldn't use a bill) to show that the world tries to tear us apart, but God will make us whole.

You can use your TT to say that in the beginning God created the world out of nothing, and you want to show them what the Bible means. Show hands empty, God spoke, and the universe appeared, represented by the silk.

Just some ideas.

I wish you well,

Bobby
"My definition of chance is my hands on the wheel," Greg Long.
revmike
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Annville, PA
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I will throw in my 2 cents - First of all, a Card Trick does not necessarily have to be a Card Trick if you understand what I am saying. There are many fine routines, secular and gospel that use playing cards but use them in a way that it seems it is no longer a "Card Trick"

Second. As long as your church will not be offended with the use of cards, I see nothing wrong with using an occasional, and I stress the word "occasional" card effect to illustrate a point.

You simply need to use your own judgment as to whether it is a good idea, and does the effect being done to illustrate your point or are you doing it simply because you like doing cards?

Generally speaking kids in 4th and 5th grade are familiar with playing cards

Wishing you the best on your ministry

Mike
The magic is not in our sleights and illusions, but instead in our ability to bring love and joy.
Nick Astle
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First trick I ever learned was a rope trick - the 3-into-1, which is not bad for trying to explain the Trinity (Three different ropes, but One God), or talking about how nothing and no one can separate us from the Love of God. Since you already do rope.

I definitely like robwar0100's suggestion on the Cut & Restore, in fact, I might need to "borrow" that! I have used it to talk about how God "restores" us when someone hurts us, and helps us to forgive those who hurt us.
guyactor
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Yes, visual effects are the best at this age. I've been researching and putting together magic for a week long camp of 3rd and 4th graders. Teachers in the past have tended to get a little to much into theology rather than keeping it at a level for this age. Some of what the Laflin site offers is great: http://shop.wholesalemagiconline.com/Gospel-Illusions_c8.htm Their ebook is fantastic and it very basic, yet gets a point across very clearly: It is the first one on the page: http://www.laflinmagicstore.com/products-page/downloadables/
EVENTUCATOR
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Quote:
On 2010-11-22 17:13, Scott Horn wrote:
I am going to be helping out in my churches "Sunday School" program. The kids are in a large group at the start, then break out for learning. This will be about 40-60 kids. I would like to present a themed effect about once a month and am looking for ideas / resources to apply Christian / Bible principles or stories to effects.

I don't have any "prop" effects and do mostly cards, but I do some rope, and general close up things some of which can work as "stand up" (TT and silk, Pen thru, coins across, torn and restored bill).

First question, can you do card effects for 4th - 5th graders.
Second, what stories go with the basic magic plots: vanishes, appearances, transpositions, restorations, etc.


Wot age are 4th - 5th graders? 7 - 12 Years?
I try not to 'COPY' miracles, I think it makes them look like 'Magic' and distracts from the real message.
'Vanishes' can be used to illustrate Your Sins Taken Away. 'Tear and repair' can be used to illustrate God's Word - the Bible - can not, will not, be destroyed. It will stand FOREVER.
Hope this helps???
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