HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD: PROBLEM SOLVER

Today is FAMILY FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY. It is my prayer that this post will be something that you can use or share with a friend.
.
It’s been 34 years since I started teaching. I am a teacher to those with special needs. Many would say that I am a Special Education teacher. I do have many stories. Yet, there are a few stories over the years that have repeated themselves time and time again. Same theme. Different students. Same ending.
.
Usually, when students get to me, they have already had their fair share of failure. They need a quick dose of hope. They need multiple pats on the back. They need someone to believe in them.
.
There are several things that I have kept in my teacher “bag of tricks” over the years that just work across the board. In fact, one activity consistently changes “I can’ts to I can’s”. I witnessed it happen dramatically a few years ago when a young elementary boy came to our school with a terrible background and bi-polar disorder. The transformation was dramatic the day he realized that he could learn something quickly and have repeated success.
.
Many parents have come to me, saying what a difference this one activity has made in their whole family unit. Their child has come home excited about it! They've tried it at home and see the benefits of a DAILY PUZZLE TIME!
.
You know, my friend, life is a puzzle. A puzzle is one of those things that can be used to teach life skills! DAILY PUZZLE TIME is a great way for FAMILY FELLOWSHIP!
.

.
PUTTING A JIGSAW PUZZLE TOGETHER

.

CONTENT: Put a jigsaw puzzle together that ends up looking like the picture provided.
.
.

.
TIPS BEFORE BEGINNING:
· Consult the picture whenever you are confused.
· Be patient and don't get too frustrated if it's hard.

This may take a few days or even weeks;

you can leave the puzzle on the card table until you are finished.

.

PROCESS:

.

1. STRAIGHT EDGES FIRST - INCLUDING 4 CORNERS: This sets up a framework for getting started. Having a border is foundational!
2. CATEGORIZE REMAINING PIECES-PUT THINGS IN GROUPS: Separate all the remaining pieces into groups according to their characteristics, like, texture or color.
3. LINK PIECES in EACH GROUP TOGETHER! Putting pieces together in different categories should form different images. Look at the picture to see where each image goes and put it there.
4. FILL IN THE GAPS: Make all the other images shown on the box. Use all your pieces!
5. CONNECT! Connect the images by matching colors and textures.

.

PRODUCT: A completed jigsaw puzzle that is a clear representation of the picture.

.

.

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS OF JIGSAW PUZZLES:

.

a. BRAIN FUNCTION-Development of logical thought that leads to problem solving skills: reasoning, deduction, analyzing, sequencing...necessary for reading.

b. SENSORY MOTOR INTEGRATION: eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness...necessary for reading.

c. VISION DEVELOPMENT: exercise of the eye that strengthens the eye muscle...necessary for reading.

d. STUDY SKILLS: There's a puzzle available on almost any topic and if not, you can email in your picture in to different companies and have it made into a puzzle. Think of something that is important for your child to learn in school this year and get some puzzles along the same theme, whether it be, the world, the USA, nature, the abc's, shapes and colors, the life cycle, Bible Themes...you get the picture! Be sure the puzzles you get are age appropriate. Don't start out with 100 piece puzzles...that will just lead to discouragement. There are 6 piece, 20 piece, 25 piece, 40 piece....

.

.

.

LIFE SKILL APPLICATIONS OF JIGSAW PUZZLES:

.

CONTENT: Know the purpose of what you are doing! Tips before starting: look back at your purpose often...be patient with yourself...allow plenty of time.

.

PROCESS:

1. FIRST THINGS FIRST - PRAY AND COME UP WITH A PLAN: In every problem or puzzle in life, there's always a good starting point.
2. CATEGORIZE: Breaking a project down into smaller tasks according to categories makes it seem less overwhelming.
3. LINK THINGS TOGETHER: Do one small task at a time and then assemble the little tasks where they need to be within the big project.
4. FILL IN THE GAPS: look for any finishing touches, little details that need to be taken care of.
5. MAKE CONNECTIONS: Remember who and what your content / purpose was for doing this process and make the appropriate connections.

.

PRODUCT: Should be a clear representation of the purpose intended.

.

.

OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM / PUZZLE:

Do you know that you and I have a huge problem that GOD has solved for us? Since GOD is all love and truth, He cannot stand the opposite. That goes against His nature! You and I have messed up! There is only one way to come back to God's family and be in His good grace. Please know that our wonderful Heavenly Father, long ago, designed a solution for this puzzle / problem. He has given us boundaries, rules, order, links, connection...He fills in all the gaps with JESUS! JESUS is the solution to the puzzle, our ETERNAL PROBLEM SOLVER..... There are many posts on this blog that talk about His love for us and how one gets into relationship with Him as His child. Here's one of my favorites: http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2008/09/find-us-faithful-because-our-redeemer.html

.

I pray that today's post blesses your future FAMILY FELLOWSHIP in many ways!