Welcome to the

Girls in Action®

training presentation

In the Summer of 2004,In the Summer of 2004,

the Children’s Resource Team of the the Children’s Resource Team of the WMUWMU®®

began an evaluation of the GAbegan an evaluation of the GA®® curriculum. curriculum.

As a part of this year and halfAs a part of this year and half

research project, WMU surveyed GAs,research project, WMU surveyed GAs,

GA leaders, children’s ministers, parents, GA leaders, children’s ministers, parents,

and state WMU leadership. and state WMU leadership.

The research phase culminated with a The research phase culminated with a month-long pilot project that included month-long pilot project that included GA leaders and girls from GA leaders and girls from approximately 60 churches across approximately 60 churches across North America. North America.

Based on their responses and our Based on their responses and our research, WMU created a new design research, WMU created a new design for the GA curriculum.for the GA curriculum.

WMU listened and responded to what WMU listened and responded to what girls and leaders said they wanted.girls and leaders said they wanted.

WMU is excited to WMU is excited to announce the launch of a announce the launch of a

new line of new line of

Girls in Action resources in Girls in Action resources in September 2007!September 2007!

The New Design is…The New Design is…

Grounded in Scripture learning and Grounded in Scripture learning and applicationapplication

FunFun InteractiveInteractive Easy to useEasy to use ActiveActive Simple to implementSimple to implement Inspiring to girls, leaders, and parentsInspiring to girls, leaders, and parents

Another way to explain it is…

•Relevant

•Redesigned

•Ready to Use

What’s new:What’s new: Redesigned publications: Redesigned publications: GA Leader, GA Leader,

GA Leader GA Leader Kit,Kit, andand GA World GA World BimonthlyBimonthly delivery of all resources, delivery of all resources,

starting September/October 2007starting September/October 2007 Fresh, vibrant designs for today’s Fresh, vibrant designs for today’s

children and leaderschildren and leaders Easy-to-use session plans for all Easy-to-use session plans for all

groupsgroups More ideas and features from real GAs More ideas and features from real GAs

and leadersand leaders

What’s the same:What’s the same: WMU’s commitment to age-WMU’s commitment to age-

appropriate, learner-focused missions appropriate, learner-focused missions educationeducation

Fun, hands-on activities to help girls Fun, hands-on activities to help girls learn about missionaries and missions learn about missionaries and missions work around the worldwork around the world

Content that challenges children to Content that challenges children to understand and be involved in the understand and be involved in the mission of Godmission of God

Presenting Presenting the new line of GA the new line of GA

curriculum resources…curriculum resources…

GA LeaderGA Leader

• The essential planning The essential planning resource for GAresource for GA

• Replaces Replaces AwareAware

• 48 pages 48 pages

• BimonthlyBimonthly

• Recommended for Recommended for every GA leaderevery GA leader

GA Unit of StudyGA Unit of Study

Each month, Each month, GA LeaderGA Leader provides plans for provides plans for GA groups to learn about a different GA groups to learn about a different missions area. missions area.

Each month’s unit includes plans for four Each month’s unit includes plans for four weekly sessions and one Live Action Project. weekly sessions and one Live Action Project.

Sessions provide ideas for leading all GAs, Sessions provide ideas for leading all GAs, grades 1–6, with options for prereaders and grades 1–6, with options for prereaders and preteens. preteens.

Unit StructureUnit Structure

Each session introduces girls to a different Each session introduces girls to a different aspect of missions, providing them with a aspect of missions, providing them with a holistic understanding of the missions area holistic understanding of the missions area by the end of the month. by the end of the month.

Each session builds upon the previous Each session builds upon the previous weeks’ sessions to help girls grow in their weeks’ sessions to help girls grow in their understanding and application of Scripture, understanding and application of Scripture, discipleship, and missions.discipleship, and missions.

Session OneSession One

This session introduces the biblical This session introduces the biblical basis of the month’s topic. basis of the month’s topic.

It answers the question: It answers the question:

What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

Session TwoSession Two

This session introduces the culture or This session introduces the culture or missions need described in the unit.missions need described in the unit.

It answers the question: It answers the question:

What is the need?What is the need?

Session ThreeSession Three

This session includes in-depth details This session includes in-depth details about the missions work or ministry about the missions work or ministry

featured in the unit.featured in the unit.

It answers the question: It answers the question:

What is being done to meet What is being done to meet the need?the need?

Session FourSession Four

This session includes three options: This session includes three options: WorldVentures, and two experiential WorldVentures, and two experiential

activities to reinforce the information in activities to reinforce the information in the unit. the unit.

It answers the question: It answers the question:

What else do I need to know to What else do I need to know to personalize and apply my personalize and apply my

learning?learning?

Live Action ProjectLive Action Project

Each month, a Live Action ProjectEach month, a Live Action Project provides a provides a hands-on ministry idea related to the unit. hands-on ministry idea related to the unit.

It answers the question:It answers the question:

How can I help meet this need or How can I help meet this need or a similar need in my a similar need in my

community?community?

A Glimpse of the GA A Glimpse of the GA Session LayoutSession Layout

Explore (10–15 minutes)Explore (10–15 minutes) Explain (15–20 minutes)Explain (15–20 minutes) Experience (20 minutes) Experience (20 minutes) Express (10 minutes)Express (10 minutes)

Sample Session LayoutSample Session Layout

ExploreExplore

Explore (10–15 minutes)Explore (10–15 minutes) Active, hands-on introductory activityActive, hands-on introductory activity GA Motto, GA Pledge, and GA Verse(s)GA Motto, GA Pledge, and GA Verse(s) Includes options for prereaders and Includes options for prereaders and

preteenspreteens

(Choose the best option for your group.)(Choose the best option for your group.)

ExplainExplain

Explain (15–20 minutes)Explain (15–20 minutes) Story and reinforcement activity for Story and reinforcement activity for

younger girls (grades 1–3)younger girls (grades 1–3) Story and reinforcement activity for Story and reinforcement activity for

older girls (grades 4–6)older girls (grades 4–6)

(Choose the story that is best for your age (Choose the story that is best for your age group.)group.)

ExperienceExperience

Experience (20 minutes)Experience (20 minutes) Three activities that will give girls Three activities that will give girls

hands-on, creative experiences related hands-on, creative experiences related to the material they are learningto the material they are learning

Activities include games, cooking, crafts, Activities include games, cooking, crafts, and dramaand drama

Options for prereaders and preteens Options for prereaders and preteens Girls can participate in activities in large Girls can participate in activities in large

or small groups or small groups (Choose the best activities for your group.)(Choose the best activities for your group.)

ExpressExpress

Express (10 minutes)Express (10 minutes) Review of unit Scripture verseReview of unit Scripture verse Prayer about what girls have learned, Prayer about what girls have learned,

and for an MK featured in and for an MK featured in GA World GA World with with a birthday during the weeka birthday during the week

Sessions with Flexible Sessions with Flexible OptionsOptions

Options include:Options include: Just for PrereadersJust for Prereaders: : idea boxes that idea boxes that

explain how to adapt an activity for explain how to adapt an activity for prereaders prereaders

(1(1––2 graders)2 graders) Just for Preteens: Just for Preteens: idea boxes that explain idea boxes that explain

how to adapt an activity for preteens how to adapt an activity for preteens

(5(5––6 graders)6 graders) Stories:Stories: for both younger and older girls for both younger and older girls

Here is how it works…Here is how it works…

Review the sample session plans.Review the sample session plans. Follow the highlighted area to view Follow the highlighted area to view

what options best fit the age group.what options best fit the age group. Choose the activities, options, and Choose the activities, options, and

stories that work best for your group.stories that work best for your group.

Blended GroupsBlended Groups

Choose the story that your girls

will most relate to, or split the group for story

time.

Choose the best

experience(s) for your

girls.

11

44

33

22

Grades 1-2Grades 1-2

Choose the Choose the younger story.younger story.

Choose the Choose the best best

experience(experience(s) for your s) for your

girls.girls.

11

44

33

22

Consider using Consider using the prereader the prereader

options.options.

Grades 3-4Grades 3-4

Choose the story that your girls

will most relate to, or split the group for story

time.

Choose the best

experience(s) for your

girls.

11

44

33

22

Grades 5-6Grades 5-6

Choose the older Choose the older story.story.

Choose the Choose the best best

experience(experience(s) for your s) for your

girls.girls.

11

44

33

22

Consider using Consider using the preteen the preteen

options.options.

More to More to GA LeaderGA Leader Missionary ProfilesMissionary Profiles

The first page of each curriculum unit The first page of each curriculum unit will contain a profile of the missionary or will contain a profile of the missionary or ministry featured in the unit. ministry featured in the unit.

This information will give leaders more This information will give leaders more in-depth understanding of the month’s in-depth understanding of the month’s topic. topic.

Leaders can share information from this Leaders can share information from this profile with girls throughout the month, profile with girls throughout the month, as desired.as desired.

Preteen Page Preteen Page Includes unique and age-appropriate Includes unique and age-appropriate

experiences just for fifth- and sixth-experiences just for fifth- and sixth-grade girls in GA-ministry projects, grade girls in GA-ministry projects, sleepovers, etc.sleepovers, etc.

IncludesIncludes tips for talking with preteens tips for talking with preteens about serious issues, and information to about serious issues, and information to help leaders understand the world of help leaders understand the world of today’s preteens.today’s preteens.

GA LeaderGA Leader

Family Missions FocusFamily Missions Focus A reproducible page for leaders to give A reproducible page for leaders to give

to parents to help reinforce missions to parents to help reinforce missions learning learning at home. at home.

This page will share with parents what This page will share with parents what girls will learn during the month, and girls will learn during the month, and includes suggestions for ways families includes suggestions for ways families can learn about and do missions can learn about and do missions together. together.

GA LeaderGA Leader

GA LeaderGA Leader Activity PagesActivity Pages

Reproducible activity pages are now in Reproducible activity pages are now in GA LeaderGA Leader..

Pages contain games, fact strips, crafts, Pages contain games, fact strips, crafts, and other reproducible items. and other reproducible items.

Leaders are free to make unlimited Leaders are free to make unlimited copies of each activity page. (These copies of each activity page. (These pages replace the black-and-white items pages replace the black-and-white items from the from the Aware Aware Resource Kit.) Resource Kit.)

GA LeaderGA Leader

Leadership HelpsLeadership Helps Hot Topic: multiple articles in each issue Hot Topic: multiple articles in each issue

addresses a topic of interest to GA addresses a topic of interest to GA leadersleaders

Ideas from GA GroupsIdeas from GA Groups GA Leader SpotlightGA Leader Spotlight Live Action Project Idea SwapLive Action Project Idea Swap Much more…Much more…

Reflections on Reflections on GA LeaderGA Leader

Take a moment and reflect on the new Take a moment and reflect on the new

GA LeaderGA Leader:: What are the major differences?What are the major differences? How will this affect planning?How will this affect planning? How will this affect the girls experience in How will this affect the girls experience in

GA?GA?

GA Leader GA Leader KitKit

• The essential resource The essential resource kit for GAkit for GA

• Combines Combines Aware Aware Resource Kit and Picture Resource Kit and Picture SetSet

• 12 posters 12 posters

• BimonthlyBimonthly

• Recommended for every Recommended for every GA groupGA group

GA Leader GA Leader KitKit

Includes colorful photo montages of Includes colorful photo montages of missionaries, people, ministries in missionaries, people, ministries in action, and cultural settings.action, and cultural settings.

Includes interactive games, activities, Includes interactive games, activities, maps, and banners referred to in maps, and banners referred to in weekly GA sessions. weekly GA sessions.

Combines the best of the Combines the best of the AwareAware Resource Kit and Resource Kit and AwareAware Picture Set. Picture Set. And it’s easier to use!And it’s easier to use!

GA LeaderGA Leader Kit Details Kit Details

Month OneMonth One Posters 1Posters 1––3: game, fact cards, banner, or 3: game, fact cards, banner, or

activities activities Posters 4Posters 4––6: missionary photographs6: missionary photographs

Month Two Month Two Posters 7Posters 7––9: game, fact cards, banner, or 9: game, fact cards, banner, or

activities activities Posters 10Posters 10––12: missionary photographs12: missionary photographs

Reflections on Reflections on GA LeaderGA Leader Kit Kit

Take a moment and reflect on the new Take a moment and reflect on the new

GA LeaderGA Leader Kit: Kit: What are the major differences?What are the major differences? How will this affect planning?How will this affect planning? How will this affect the girls experience in How will this affect the girls experience in

GA?GA?

GA WorldGA World• The essential student The essential student guide for GAguide for GA

• Replaces Replaces Discovery and Discovery and GA WorldGA World

• 40 pages 40 pages

• BimonthlyBimonthly

• Recommended for every Recommended for every girl in GAgirl in GA

GA WorldGA World Girls will receive Girls will receive GA WorldGA World every two every two

months, for use during GA and at home. months, for use during GA and at home.

To keep the second month a surprise, To keep the second month a surprise, leaders are encouraged to seal the second leaders are encouraged to seal the second month pages together with GA stickers.*month pages together with GA stickers.*

*available from WMU*available from WMU

GA WorldGA World for All Ages for All Ages Each issues includes mission stories, fun Each issues includes mission stories, fun

activities, ideas, and stories about GA activities, ideas, and stories about GA groups. groups.

GA LeaderGA Leader plans will reference different plans will reference different pages in pages in GA WorldGA World for different age for different age groups.groups.

GA WorldGA World is designed to inspire all girls in is designed to inspire all girls in grades 1grades 1––6!6!

GA WorldGA World Features Features Meet the MissionariesMeet the Missionaries

Fun information about the missionaries, Fun information about the missionaries, volunteers, or ministry, girls will learn about volunteers, or ministry, girls will learn about during the month in GA. (one per month)during the month in GA. (one per month)

Get CraftyGet Crafty Instructions for making a craft project related to Instructions for making a craft project related to

each month’s missions area.each month’s missions area. What’s Cooking?What’s Cooking?

Tasty recipes from each month’s missions focus Tasty recipes from each month’s missions focus area.area.

GA WorldGA World Features Features More MissionsMore Missions

Articles, activities, fun facts, quizzes, journaling Articles, activities, fun facts, quizzes, journaling space, and much more. Many of these space, and much more. Many of these activities will be used in weekly GA sessions, as activities will be used in weekly GA sessions, as described in described in GA Leader.GA Leader.

MK Mini-MagMK Mini-Mag Each month, girls will pull out from Each month, girls will pull out from GA World GA World a a

page containing profiles of four MKs with page containing profiles of four MKs with birthdays during the month. Girls can fold this birthdays during the month. Girls can fold this page into a “mini-mag” to remind them to pray page into a “mini-mag” to remind them to pray for the MKs.for the MKs.

GA WorldGA World Features Features MK of the MonthMK of the Month

A more in-depth look at one of the MKs A more in-depth look at one of the MKs featured in the month’s mini-mag.featured in the month’s mini-mag.

Calendar Pull-OutCalendar Pull-Out Each month, girls will pull out from Each month, girls will pull out from GA World GA World a a

calendar page. Each date on the calendar will calendar page. Each date on the calendar will contain a fun fact, prayer request, or ministry contain a fun fact, prayer request, or ministry action girls can take on that day.action girls can take on that day.

GA WorldGA World Features Features GA Group SpotlightGA Group Spotlight

Includes photographs of a GA group, Includes photographs of a GA group, information about the group’s activities, and information about the group’s activities, and other fun information.other fun information.

Making a DifferenceMaking a Difference A story about a GA, ActeenA story about a GA, Acteen®®, or adult missions , or adult missions

leader who is making a difference in the world.leader who is making a difference in the world. Creative CornerCreative Corner

Contains jokes, drawings, and photographs Contains jokes, drawings, and photographs from GAs.from GAs.

GA WorldGA World Features Features Ask an ActeenAsk an Acteen

A national Acteens panelist will respond to a A national Acteens panelist will respond to a question sent in from a GA. Topics may range question sent in from a GA. Topics may range from “everything about being a teenager” to from “everything about being a teenager” to “getting along with your little brother.”“getting along with your little brother.”

Just GAsJust GAs Letters and photos from GA groups around the Letters and photos from GA groups around the

country. country.

Reflection on Reflection on GA WorldGA World

Take a moment and reflect on the new Take a moment and reflect on the new

GA WorldGA World:: What are the major differences?What are the major differences? How will this affect planning?How will this affect planning? How will this affect the girls experience in How will this affect the girls experience in

GA?GA?

Subscriptions to Subscriptions to AwareAware, , AwareAware Resource Kit, Resource Kit, AwareAware Picture Set, Picture Set, DiscoveryDiscovery, and , and GA WorldGA World will automatically transfer to the redesigned will automatically transfer to the redesigned

GA materials.GA materials.

To order additional copies of the new materials, To order additional copies of the new materials, or for questions concerning your subscription, or for questions concerning your subscription,

please call WMU customer service at please call WMU customer service at

1-800-968-7301.1-800-968-7301.

SubscriptionsSubscriptions

Thank you!Thank you! I hope that this has been very I hope that this has been very

informative for you. If you have informative for you. If you have questions, please email me at questions, please email me at meaker@wmu.orgmeaker@wmu.org. .

I will address your questions through I will address your questions through the 2007the 2007––2008 FAQ section on 2008 FAQ section on www.gapassport.comwww.gapassport.com..

To learn more, contact your state GA To learn more, contact your state GA consultant. Visit consultant. Visit www.gapassport.comwww.gapassport.com for contact information.for contact information.

Thank you!Thank you!

Thank you for ministering to girls Thank you for ministering to girls through missions education!through missions education!

You are very important to us, but You are very important to us, but even more important to the girls even more important to the girls whose lives you are shaping and whose lives you are shaping and preparing to live a missional lifestyle.preparing to live a missional lifestyle.

How to Involve Children in How to Involve Children in MissionsMissions

• The essential training The essential training resource for GAresource for GA

• Recommended for every GA Recommended for every GA leaderleader

•Information on how to start Information on how to start and strengthen GAand strengthen GA

•Articles to help leaders teach Articles to help leaders teach childrenchildren

•And More!And More!