1. Welcome to the Girls in Action ® training presentation

2. In the Summer of 2004, the Children’s Resource Team of the WMU ® began an evaluation of the GA ® curriculum. As 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.

3. The research phase culminated with a month-long pilot project that included GA leaders and girls from approximately 60 churches across North America. The research phase culminated with a month-long pilot project that included GA leaders and girls from approximately 60 churches across North America. Based on their responses and our research, WMU created a new design for the GA curriculum. Based on their responses and our research, WMU created a new design for the GA curriculum. WMU listened and responded to what girls and leaders said they wanted. WMU listened and responded to what girls and leaders said they wanted.

4. WMU is excited to announce the launch of a new line of Girls in Action resources in September 2007!

5. The New Design is… Grounded in Scripture learning and application Grounded in Scripture learning and application Fun Fun Interactive Interactive Easy to use Easy to use Active Active Simple to implement Simple to implement Inspiring to girls, leaders, and parents Inspiring to girls, leaders, and parents

6. Another way to explain it is… Relevant Redesigned Ready to Use

7. What’s new: Redesigned publications: GA Leader, GA Leader Kit, and GA World Redesigned publications: GA Leader, GA Leader Kit, and GA World Bimonthly delivery of all resources, starting September/October 2007 Bimonthly delivery of all resources, starting September/October 2007 Fresh, vibrant designs for today’s children and leaders Fresh, vibrant designs for today’s children and leaders Easy-to-use session plans for all groups Easy-to-use session plans for all groups More ideas and features from real GAs and leaders More ideas and features from real GAs and leaders

8. What’s the same: WMU’s commitment to age-appropriate, learner-focused missions education WMU’s commitment to age-appropriate, learner-focused missions education Fun, hands-on activities to help girls learn about missionaries and missions work around the world Fun, hands-on activities to help girls learn about missionaries and missions work around the world Content that challenges children to understand and be involved in the mission of God Content that challenges children to understand and be involved in the mission of God

9. Presenting the new line of GA curriculum resources…

10. GA Leader The essential planning resource for GA The essential planning resource for GA Replaces Aware Replaces Aware 48 pages 48 pages Bimonthly Bimonthly Recommended for every GA leader Recommended for every GA leader

11. GA Unit of Study Each month, GA Leader provides plans for GA groups to learn about a different missions area. Each month, GA Leader provides plans for GA groups to learn about a different missions area. Each month’s unit includes plans for four weekly sessions and one Live Action Project. Each month’s unit includes plans for four weekly sessions and one Live Action Project. Sessions provide ideas for leading all GAs, grades 1–6, with options for prereaders and preteens. Sessions provide ideas for leading all GAs, grades 1–6, with options for prereaders and preteens.

12. Unit Structure Each session introduces girls to a different aspect of missions, providing them with a holistic understanding of the missions area by the end of the month. Each session introduces girls to a different aspect of missions, providing them with a holistic understanding of the missions area by the end of the month. Each session builds upon the previous weeks’ sessions to help girls grow in their understanding and application of Scripture, discipleship, and missions. Each session builds upon the previous weeks’ sessions to help girls grow in their understanding and application of Scripture, discipleship, and missions.

13. Session One This session introduces the biblical basis of the month’s topic. It answers the question: What does the Bible say?

14. Session Two This session introduces the culture or missions need described in the unit. It answers the question: What is the need?

15. Session Three This session includes in-depth details about the missions work or ministry featured in the unit. It answers the question: What is being done to meet the need?

16. Session Four This session includes three options: WorldVentures, and two experiential activities to reinforce the information in the unit. It answers the question: What else do I need to know to personalize and apply my learning?

17. Live Action Project Each month, a Live Action Project provides a hands-on ministry idea related to the unit. It answers the question: How can I help meet this need or a similar need in my community?

18. A Glimpse of the GA Session 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)

19. Sample Session Layout

20. Explore Explore (10–15 minutes) Explore (10–15 minutes) Active, hands-on introductory activity Active, 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 preteens Includes options for prereaders and preteens (Choose the best option for your group.)

21. Explain Explain (15–20 minutes) Explain (15–20 minutes) Story and reinforcement activity for younger girls (grades 1–3) Story and reinforcement activity for younger girls (grades 1–3) Story and reinforcement activity for older girls (grades 4–6) Story and reinforcement activity for older girls (grades 4–6) (Choose the story that is best for your age group.)

22. Experience Experience (20 minutes) Experience (20 minutes) Three activities that will give girls hands-on, creative experiences related to the material they are learning Three activities that will give girls hands-on, creative experiences related to the material they are learning Activities include games, cooking, crafts, and drama Activities include games, cooking, crafts, and drama Options for prereaders and preteens Options for prereaders and preteens Girls can participate in activities in large or small groups Girls can participate in activities in large or small groups (Choose the best activities for your group.)

23. Express Express (10 minutes) Express (10 minutes) Review of unit Scripture verse Review of unit Scripture verse Prayer about what girls have learned, and for an MK featured in GA World with a birthday during the week Prayer about what girls have learned, and for an MK featured in GA World with a birthday during the week

24. Sessions with Flexible Options Options include: Just for Prereaders: idea boxes that explain how to adapt an activity for prereaders Just for Prereaders: idea boxes that explain how to adapt an activity for prereaders (1–2 graders) Just for Preteens: idea boxes that explain how to adapt an activity for preteens Just for Preteens: idea boxes that explain how to adapt an activity for preteens (5–6 graders) Stories: for both younger and older girls Stories: for both younger and older girls

25. Here is how it works… Review the sample session plans. Review the sample session plans. Follow the highlighted area to view what options best fit the age group. Follow the highlighted area to view what options best fit the age group. Choose the activities, options, and stories that work best for your group. Choose the activities, options, and stories that work best for your group.

26. Blended 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. 1 4 3 2

27. Grades 1-2 Choose the younger story. Choose the best experience(s) for your girls. 1 4 3 2 Consider using the prereader options.

28. Grades 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. 1 4 3 2

29. Grades 5-6 Choose the older story. Choose the best experience(s) for your girls. 1 4 3 2 Consider using the preteen options.

30. More to GA Leader Missionary Profiles Missionary Profiles The first page of each curriculum unit will contain a profile of the missionary or ministry featured in the unit. The first page of each curriculum unit will contain a profile of the missionary or ministry featured in the unit. This information will give leaders more in- depth understanding of the month’s topic. This information will give leaders more in- depth understanding of the month’s topic. Leaders can share information from this profile with girls throughout the month, as desired. Leaders can share information from this profile with girls throughout the month, as desired.

31. Preteen Page Preteen Page Includes unique and age-appropriate experiences just for fifth- and sixth-grade girls in GA-ministry projects, sleepovers, etc. Includes unique and age-appropriate experiences just for fifth- and sixth-grade girls in GA-ministry projects, sleepovers, etc. Includes tips for talking with preteens about serious issues, and information to help leaders understand the world of today’s preteens. Includes tips for talking with preteens about serious issues, and information to help leaders understand the world of today’s preteens. GA Leader

32. Family Missions Focus Family Missions Focus A reproducible page for leaders to give to parents to help reinforce missions learning A reproducible page for leaders to give to parents to help reinforce missions learning at home. This page will share with parents what girls will learn during the month, and includes suggestions for ways families can learn about and do missions together. This page will share with parents what girls will learn during the month, and includes suggestions for ways families can learn about and do missions together. GA Leader

33. Activity Pages Activity Pages Reproducible activity pages are now in GA Leader. Reproducible activity pages are now in GA Leader. Pages contain games, fact strips, crafts, and other reproducible items. Pages contain games, fact strips, crafts, and other reproducible items. Leaders are free to make unlimited copies of each activity page. (These pages replace the black-and-white items from the Aware Resource Kit.) Leaders are free to make unlimited copies of each activity page. (These pages replace the black-and-white items from the Aware Resource Kit.)

34. GA Leader Leadership Helps Leadership Helps Hot Topic: multiple articles in each issue addresses a topic of interest to GA leaders Hot Topic: multiple articles in each issue addresses a topic of interest to GA leaders Ideas from GA Groups Ideas from GA Groups GA Leader Spotlight GA Leader Spotlight Live Action Project Idea Swap Live Action Project Idea Swap Much more… Much more…

35. Reflections on GA Leader Take a moment and reflect on the new Take a moment and reflect on the new GA 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 GA? How will this affect the girls experience in GA?

36. GA Leader Kit The essential resource kit for GA The essential resource kit for GA Combines Aware Resource Kit and Picture Set Combines Aware Resource Kit and Picture Set 12 posters 12 posters Bimonthly Bimonthly Recommended for every GA group Recommended for every GA group

37. GA Leader Kit Includes colorful photo montages of missionaries, people, ministries in action, and cultural settings. Includes colorful photo montages of missionaries, people, ministries in action, and cultural settings. Includes interactive games, activities, maps, and banners referred to in weekly GA sessions. Includes interactive games, activities, maps, and banners referred to in weekly GA sessions. Combines the best of the Aware Resource Kit and Aware Picture Set. And it’s easier to use! Combines the best of the Aware Resource Kit and Aware Picture Set. And it’s easier to use!

38. GA Leader Kit Details Month One Posters 1–3: game, fact cards, banner, or activities Posters 1–3: game, fact cards, banner, or activities Posters 4–6: missionary photographs Posters 4–6: missionary photographs Month Two Posters 7–9: game, fact cards, banner, or activities Posters 7–9: game, fact cards, banner, or activities Posters 10–12: missionary photographs Posters 10–12: missionary photographs

39. Reflections on GA Leader Kit Take a moment and reflect on the new Take a moment and reflect on the new GA Leader 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 GA? How will this affect the girls experience in GA?

40. GA World The essential student guide for GA The essential student guide for GA Replaces Discovery and GA World Replaces Discovery and GA World 40 pages 40 pages Bimonthly Bimonthly Recommended for every girl in GA Recommended for every girl in GA

41. GA World Girls will receive GA World every two months, for use during GA and at home. Girls will receive GA World every two months, for use during GA and at home. To keep the second month a surprise, leaders are encouraged to seal the second month pages together with GA stickers.* To keep the second month a surprise, leaders are encouraged to seal the second month pages together with GA stickers.* *available from WMU

42. GA World for All Ages Each issues includes mission stories, fun activities, ideas, and stories about GA groups. Each issues includes mission stories, fun activities, ideas, and stories about GA groups. GA Leader plans will reference different pages in GA World for different age groups. GA Leader plans will reference different pages in GA World for different age groups. GA World is designed to inspire all girls in grades 1 – 6! GA World is designed to inspire all girls in grades 1 – 6!

43. GA World Features Meet the Missionaries Meet the Missionaries Fun information about the missionaries, volunteers, or ministry, girls will learn about during the month in GA. (one per month) Fun information about the missionaries, volunteers, or ministry, girls will learn about during the month in GA. (one per month) Get Crafty Get Crafty Instructions for making a craft project related to each month’s missions area. Instructions for making a craft project related to each month’s missions area. What’s Cooking? What’s Cooking? Tasty recipes from each month’s missions focus area. Tasty recipes from each month’s missions focus area.

44. GA World Features More Missions More Missions Articles, activities, fun facts, quizzes, journaling space, and much more. Many of these activities will be used in weekly GA sessions, as described in GA Leader. Articles, activities, fun facts, quizzes, journaling space, and much more. Many of these activities will be used in weekly GA sessions, as described in GA Leader. MK Mini-Mag MK Mini-Mag Each month, girls will pull out from GA World a page containing profiles of four MKs with birthdays during the month. Girls can fold this page into a “mini-mag” to remind them to pray for the MKs. Each month, girls will pull out from GA World a page containing profiles of four MKs with birthdays during the month. Girls can fold this page into a “mini-mag” to remind them to pray for the MKs.

45. GA World Features MK of the Month MK of the Month A more in-depth look at one of the MKs featured in the month’s mini-mag. A more in-depth look at one of the MKs featured in the month’s mini-mag. Calendar Pull-Out Calendar Pull-Out Each month, girls will pull out from GA World a calendar page. Each date on the calendar will contain a fun fact, prayer request, or ministry action girls can take on that day. Each month, girls will pull out from GA World a calendar page. Each date on the calendar will contain a fun fact, prayer request, or ministry action girls can take on that day.

46. GA World Features GA Group Spotlight GA Group Spotlight Includes photographs of a GA group, information about the group’s activities, and other fun information. Includes photographs of a GA group, information about the group’s activities, and other fun information. Making a Difference Making a Difference A story about a GA, Acteen ®, or adult missions leader who is making a difference in the world. A story about a GA, Acteen ®, or adult missions leader who is making a difference in the world. Creative Corner Creative Corner Contains jokes, drawings, and photographs from GAs. Contains jokes, drawings, and photographs from GAs.

47. GA World Features Ask an Acteen Ask an Acteen A national Acteens panelist will respond to a question sent in from a GA. Topics may range from “everything about being a teenager” to “getting along with your little brother.” A national Acteens panelist will respond to a question sent in from a GA. Topics may range from “everything about being a teenager” to “getting along with your little brother.” Just GAs Just GAs Letters and photos from GA groups around the country. Letters and photos from GA groups around the country.

48. Reflection on GA World Take a moment and reflect on the new Take a moment and reflect on the new GA 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 GA? How will this affect the girls experience in GA?

49. Subscriptions to Aware, Aware Resource Kit, Aware Picture Set, Discovery, and GA World will automatically transfer to the redesigned GA materials. To order additional copies of the new materials, or for questions concerning your subscription, please call WMU customer service at 1-800-968-7301. Subscriptions

50. Thank you! I hope that this has been very informative for you. If you have questions, please email me at meaker@wmu.org. I hope that this has been very informative for you. If you have questions, please email me at meaker@wmu.org.meaker@wmu.org I will address your questions through the 2007–2008 FAQ section on www.gapassport.com. I will address your questions through the 2007–2008 FAQ section on www.gapassport.com. www.gapassport.com To learn more, contact your state GA consultant. Visit www.gapassport.com for contact information. To learn more, contact your state GA consultant. Visit www.gapassport.com for contact information.www.gapassport.com

51. Thank you! Thank you for ministering to girls through missions education! Thank you for ministering to girls through missions education! You are very important to us, but even more important to the girls whose lives you are shaping and preparing to live a missional lifestyle. You are very important to us, but even more important to the girls whose lives you are shaping and preparing to live a missional lifestyle.

52. How to Involve Children in Missions The essential training resource for GA The essential training resource for GA Recommended for every GA leader Recommended for every GA leader Information on how to start and strengthen GAInformation on how to start and strengthen GA Articles to help leaders teach childrenArticles to help leaders teach children And More!And More!