Here is a list of many of the sites that the Social Networking Ministry of the Department of Christian Education visits when searching for ideas and resources.
Orthodox Sites
1. Ancient Faith Ministries: http://www.ancientfaith.com/ [1]
This site offers a mix of audio and publishing ministries to Orthodox Christians. Ancient Faith has talk radio, Orthodox Christian music, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and even an online bookstore. Podcasts of particular interest to parents and teachers include:
a. “Be the Bee” http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/bethebee
[2]Short bits about the Faith; geared to teens/young adults
- b. “Tending the Garden of our Hearts: Family Meditations for Great Lent” http://www.ancientfaith.com/specials/tending_the_garden
[3]A daily podcast offering readings and stories and lessons for every day of Great Lent and Holy Week 2018.
- c. “Tending the Garden of our Hearts: Meditations for Orthodox Families” http://ancientfaith.com/ [4]
A weekly podcast series of short meditations aimed at enriching and invigorating the family’s experience of Orthodoxy.
- d. “Raising Saints” http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/raisingsaints
[5]Ideas and encouragement for anyone helping children to learn more about their Orthodox Faith
- e. “Readings From Under the Grapevine” http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/grapevine
[6]Recordings of Orthodox Christian and other quality children’s literature
- f. “Saint of the Day” http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/saintoftheday
[7]A short reading each day featuring the life of one of the saints commemorated on that day
- g. “Life Hacks” http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/orthodoxlifehacks
[8] A podcast for young people, by young people.
2. Antiochian Orthodox Department of Christian Education: http://ww1.antiochian.org/christianeducation [9]
Our website offers a variety of links to online resources. We also offer the following online ministries:
a. AODCE’s Creative Arts Festivals: http://ww1.antiochian.org/festivals [10]
Information and lesson plans for the current Creative Arts Festivals; includes the Creative Festivals, Bible Bowl, and Oratorical Resources.
b. AODCE’s Gospel Program: http://ww1.antiochian.org/christianeducation/letusattend [11]
Two audio files are available with each Sunday’s Gospel reading – one for the younger children and one for the older children. Illustrated handouts are available at five levels, with discussion questions.
c. AODCE’s Facebook pages:
Antiochian Department of Christian Education, Orthodox Christian Parenting, Orthodox Christian Sunday Church School Teachers, and Orthodox Christian Church School Directors. (We also have less active but still helpful pages: Orthodox Christian Small Church Schools and Orthodox Christian Homeschooling)
d. AODCE’s parenting blog: https://orthodoxchristianparenting.wordpress.com/
[12]This blog consists of a variety of regular blog posts. The posts range from parenting ideas to book reviews to a featured saint and more.
e. AODCE’s SCS teachers blog: https://orthodoxchurchschoolteachers.wordpress.com/
[13]Ideas for Sunday Church School teachers are posted regularly on this blog. Blog posts contain lesson ideas, craft suggestions, classroom management and lesson plan guidance, and much more.
f. AODCE’s Mustard Seed blog: https://orthodoxmustardseed.blogspot.com/
[14]Dedicated to providing resources specifically for small Orthodox Christian Church schools.
g. AODCE’s Baby Homecoming blog: https://orthodoxbabyhomecoming.wordpress.com/
[15]A blog for parents who have babies or are expecting a baby soon.
h. AODCE’s Pinterest site: https://www.pinterest.com/aodce/
[16]Find a variety of boards featuring everything from Orthodox photos to articles and resources to quotes from the church fathers to learning activities for kids on our Pinterest site.
3. Department of Christian Education of the Orthodox Church in America: http://dce.oca.org/ [17]
The DCE offers a myriad of helpful resources for parents and teachers. Here are a few:
a. Focus Units: http://dce.oca.org/page/focus/ [18]
Lesson plans for parents and teachers. Units on Pascha, the Nativity, the Orthodox Family, and more here:
b. Mini Units: http://dce.oca.org/page/mini/ [19]
Mini units of study based upon timely pertinent subjects, conducive to parish-wide involvement and national interest.
c. Bulletin Inserts: http://dce.oca.org/page/bulletins/ [20]
See a variety of downloadable and printable bulletin inserts here,
d. Find free printable activity books here: http://dce.oca.org/page/activity-books/ [21]
Subject: Saints
e. More resources here: http://dce.oca.org/page/resources/ [22]
4. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education https://www.goarch.org/departments/religioused/ [23]
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese offers a variety of helpful educational tools, including downloadable curriculum and many other ideas for helping children learn about the Faith.
Zines: https://www.goarch.org/-/introducing-the-zines [24]
Especially helpful and many include parent companions.
PRAXIS: http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/praxis
[25]This Orthodox Christian professional educators’ magazine benefits teachers, Sunday Church School teachers, and parents alike. Some issues are archived and immediately accessible on the website.
5. GOARCH’s Center for Family Care: http://www.family.goarch.org/ [26]
Find support for Orthodox Christian family life at this website. It also features ideas for how to live the Faith in the context of family life.
6. Orthodox Christian Education Commission: http://www.orthodoxchristianed.com [27]
7. American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA: http://www.acrod.org/ministries/religioused/ [28]
8. Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA: http://www.orthodoxchristianed.org [29]
9. Family Camp at the Antiochian Village: https://avcamp.org/other-programs/family-camp/ [30]
Experience camp life together as a family for Memorial Day weekend.
10. Curriculum, bookstores and family resources:
Antiochian Village bookstore: http://store.antiochianvillage.org/home.php [31]
Orthodox Marketplace: https://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/ [32]
11. Orthodox Christian Camps: http://orthodoxcamps.org/directory [33]
Links to each jurisdiction’s Orthodox Christian camps. There are over 50 camps in the United States and Canada.
12. International Orthodox Christian Charities: https://www.iocc.org/ [34]
IOCC, in the spirit of Christ's love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to respond.
13. Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC): https://www.ocmc.org/resources/sunday_schools.aspx [35]
OCMC is the official missions agency of the Assembly of Bishops. It is their mission to make disciples of all nations. Adult, middle and elementary school lesson plans can be found at the bottom of this page.
14. Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage: https://www.projectmexico.org/ [36] Building hope for boys without families and families without homes.
15. FOCUS North America: http://focusnorthamerica.org/ [37]
A national movement of Orthodox Christians, united in faith and joined by a desire to provide action-oriented and sustainable solutions to poverty in communities across America.
16. YES (Youth Equipped to Serve): https://focusnorthamerica.org/programs/yes/ [38]
YES, a program of FOCUS North America, provides opportunities for junior high students, high school students, college students, and families to participate in formative weekends of service that aim to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and bring participants to an awareness of Christ in themselves and others.
17. Orthodox Christian Network: http://myocn.net/
[39]The OCN was commissioned by SCOBA to be a media witness for Orthodox Christians throughout North America. The OCN features podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and more.
The Children’s Word: http://myocn.net/orthodox-christian-news/orthodox-christian-childrens-newsletter/
[40]This OCN-published children’s bulletin can be downloaded and printed weekly. Each issue is free and will help children learn about the Gospel lesson of the week, or a saint, etc.
18. Helpful parenting prayer: http://www.serfes.org/orthodox/nuturerofchildren.htm [41]
The Akathist to the Mother of God “Nurturer of Children”
19. Illumination Learning: http://illumination-learning.com/main/
[42]This site calls itself “a collection of Orthodox Christian resources for family-centered catechesis.” It includes sections on connecting church and home; handbooks; a list of helpful Orthodox resources, and much more.
20. Orthodox ABC.com: http://www.orthodoxabc.com/
[43]Orthodox ABC offers printable pdfs that feature lessons on the basics of the Orthodox faith.
21. Orthodox Children’s magazine: “Little Falcons” http://www.littlefalcons.net/
[44]From the website: “Little Falcons is perhaps the best magazine for young people in the Orthodox Church… it succeeds by being fun, educational, interesting, while teaching… Orthodox piety.” Each issue features an aspect of The Faith, including articles, stories, activity pages, and pictures. Many back issues are available, as well.
22. New Martyr Magazine: http://newmartyrpublishing.com [45]
From the website: “We are a quarterly magazine for Orthodox kids to get them excited about their faith and to feel united with other kids across the world. Included are colorful and fun comics, puzzles, stories and photographs that help children learn about their
faith. Also...an explanation about a festal Icon, and a story about a special saint.”
23. Orthodox Children’s Press: http://www.theorthodoxchildrenspress.com/ [46]
The site states, “We are a publishing company with a desire to provide Orthodox Christian children with books and goods that strengthen their faith and love of the Church.” The site also offers simple craft ideas for Orthodox kids.
24. Phyllis Onest: http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/pmo.htm
[47]Phyllis Onest’s website offers resources for Orthodox Christian educators, including sections for parents, teachers, and clergy.
25. Orthodox Schools/Homeschooling
a. St. Raphael School, a live online Orthodox school for our home schooling families, offers a liberal arts curriculum, Orthodox catechism, and Biblical Greek courses. Visit their website for more information: http://www.raphaelschool.... [48]
b. St. Constantine School This new Antiochian Orthodox School in Houston, TX, is now accepting applications for all grade levels, kindergarten through undergraduate college. To apply or find more information about classical Christian education at TSCS and their experienced, motivated educators, please visit the website: http://www.saintconstantine.org/ [49]
c. St. Sophia Orthodox Christian Academy The Saint Sophia Orthodox Christian Academy is located in Johnstown, PA, and serves students from the Greater Johnstown region. Saint Sophia Academy exists as a mission and ministry of the Orthodox Parishes of the Greater Johnstown area and is committed to providing a quality classic or traditional academic learning experience for its students, one that is grounded within the life, beliefs and content of the Orthodox Church. For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Sophia-Orthodox-Christian-Academy-257004924315942/ [50]
d. St. Emmelia Homeschool Conference The conference offers workshops for both experienced and beginning homeschoolers alike, with simultaneous activity sessions for children ages 3 and up. Visit the website for more information: https://www.saintemmeliaconferences.com/ [51]
26. Vacation Church School Programs
Greek Archdiocese: The Twelve Great Feasts https://www.goarch.org/-/vacation-church-school [52]
Why & How to Create a Church Summer School: https://oca.org/the-hub/projects/new-life-in-the-summer-summer-church-school [53]
27. Various Orthodox parenting/teaching blogs:
- a. http://charmingthebirdsfromthetrees.blogspot.com/ [54]About the blogger: “I am an Orthodox Christian woman who is happily married to an Orthodox priest. I am a mama to three little ones and I enjoy trying to create a peaceful and lovely life for my sweet family.” The blog includes many ideas of ways to help children learn.
b. http://craftycontemplative.com/ [55] About the blog: “Orthodox Christian faith, family, and finger painting… This blog documents my struggle to create a home environment and lifestyle that leads my family to a place of prayer.”
c. http://craftyincoffeeland.blogspot.com/ [56] About the blog: It consists of photos that chronicle the adventures of an Orthodox family.
d. http://www.creativehandscreativeminds.com/ [57] About the blogger: “I have taught drawing, art history and history classes to children in my local homeschool community. This blog is a place to share some of the projects I have done with my own children and with children of various ages in the classes I have taught.”
e. http://fooldaily.blogspot.com/ [58] About the blog: Artist-and-homeschooling-mom Laura Wilson offers a blog of comics related to Orthodox family life, with topics ranging from the lives of the saints to homeschooling.
f. http://manymercies.blogspot.com/ [59] About the blogger: “...I am a designer & homeschooling mother; convert to the Orthodox Christian faith, making our home a little church. I'm bookmarking resources and sharing what I have.” This blog includes many free printables that can help children learn about their faith.
g. http://orthodoxeducation.blogspot.com/ [60] About the blogger: “I am a mother to three busy children and a graduate of Pratt Institute (BFA) and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary (M.Div.)... I am thankful for the online chance to share Orthodox ideas to keep our children engaged and wish your families many blessings.”
h. http://orthodoxeducation.blogspot.com/ [61] features a variety of Orthodox activities that families and teachers can use to help children learn about their faith.
i. http://www.orthodoxmom.com/ [62] About the blog: “... a place where parents [can] meet and talk about all the mishaps and triumphs of raising children within the Orthodox Faith.”
j. http://orthodoxsundayschoolresources.tumblr.com/ [63] About the blog: “This blog was created by a young Orthodox Christian girl from Greece in order to share with all the Orthodox Sunday School teachers and Orthodox parents material useful for a Christian education (Orthodox coloring pages, stories, handcrafts, songs, etc.).”
l. http://www.sttheophanacademy.com/ [64] About the blog: This blog offers ideas for homeschooling from and Orthodox family with five children.
m. https://orthodoxpebbles.com/ About the blog: This blog is a teaching resource for young Orthodox Christians (preschool & early elementary).
n. https://raisingorthodoxchristians.com/ About this blog: Kristina Tartara shares great ideas for parents and educators to help children learn about the Faith.
o. https://tending-the-garden.com/ [65] About this blog: Downloadable documents that go with the weekly podcast on AFR. Search this site for daily posts from Great Lent 2018.
p. https://www.orthodoxcatechismproject.org/home [66] About this site: A resource focused on Orthodox Christian education and formation, providing ready access to necessary tools for use in home and the church school classroom.
28. Orthodox Games:
http://store.ancientfaith.com/childrens-books-and-gifts/ [67] Search through this children’s section for a variety of games and puzzles.
https://www.goarch.org/games [68] Children can explore their faith while having fun!
https://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/esss/category/games [69] Board games and story cubes.
https://www.easterngiftshop.com/Item/Flash50 [70] Learn about 50 Saints.
- Games on Sporcle
https://www.sporcle.com/games/jwgibson/orthodox_bible
[71]https://www.sporcle.com/games/popestcyril/first_seven_ecumenical_councils_and_eighths
[72]https://www.sporcle.com/games/dclark8/names-of-orthodox-patriarchates
[73]https://www.sporcle.com/games/Tootsnsuch/eastern-orthodox-leaders
[74]https://www.sporcle.com/games/gazzso/quick-pick-orthodox-bibles-books [75]
Other (Non-Orthodox, But Useful) Sites
1. Crayola: http://www.crayola.com/
[76]This thorough arts/crafts website offers art and craft ideas, free printables, and lesson plans. Parents and teachers will find this site helpful to use with children of all ages.
2. Danielle’s Place: http://www.daniellesplace.com/index.html
[77]This website is full of educational ideas, including crafts and printables. The site also includes a section on Bible games, one on Bible crafts, and one for VBS craft ideas.
3. DLTK Kids (Bible section): http://www.dltk-bible.com/
[78]The Bible part of the DLTK Kids website offers craft ideas and other resources based on the Bible.
4. Family Education.com: http://www.familyeducation.com/
[79]This huge site is filled with articles and helpful advice for a variety of family-related things. Of particular interest to the educational aspects of parenting is this page, which offers educational printables at so many ability levels: http://printables.familyeducation.com/ [80].
5. Help Teaching: http://www.helpteaching.com/free-printable-worksheets.htm
[81]This members-only site offers thousands of printables as well as a test maker. Non-members can still use the test maker but are limited to 10 questions per test.
6. Kids Sunday School.com: http://www.kidssundayschool.com/
[82]This colorful, well-organized Christian Education website features lesson plans, object lessons, craft ideas, activities, printables and more! Preschool and grade school leveled. Members of the site have access to everything; some parts are free to the public.
7. Making Friends: http://www.makingfriends.com/
[83]This website offers craft ideas (including making things from recycled items) and free reproducibles, including Bible-themed activities.
8. Ministry to Children.com: http://ministry-to-children.com/
[84]This website features lesson plans, object lessons, and printable coloring pages for Bible stories; all offered for free!
9. Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/ [85] and http://www.scholastic.com/parents/
[86]Each of these sites offers articles, lessons, and ideas on many topics of interest to grownups and the kids with whom they work. Information is offered at a variety of age levels, from birth to grade 8.
10. Sunday School Kids.com: http://www.sundayschoolkids.com/
[87]Sunday Church School teachers will find a variety of ideas, resources, and printables at this site.
11. Super Teacher Worksheets: https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/index.html
[88]For a fee, visitors to this website can become members and have access to thousands of printable worksheets. Some of the worksheets are available for free to anyone, however; and the worksheet generator is especially helpful for creating review activity sheets for Sunday Church School!
12. Teacher Help.org: http://www.teacherhelp.org/bible_lessons.htm#.VU0EgpI4nTY
[89]This website is a compilation of links to other sites that can be useful to Sunday Church School teachers who are teaching their students about the Bible.
13. Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com
[90]Worksheets & resources that can be sorted by grade, subject and price – lots of free stuff.
14. Youth Ministry Resources: http://www.teensundayschool.com/
[91]This site offers lessons, activities, games, etc. for those working with teens. Members of the site have access to everything; some parts are free to the public.
Helpful Orthodox Books for Parents and Teachers
Annual Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints Calendar http://www.livesofthesaintscalendar.com [92]
This spiral-bound calendar offers the references for daily scripture readings, a brief story of one of the saints of the day, a list of all the day’s saints, and a quote from a church father.
Ascetic Lives of Mothers by Annalisa Boyd http://store.ancientfaith.com/the-ascetic-lives-of-mother [93]
Blueprints for the Little Church by Elisa Bjeletich and Caleb Shoemaker http://store.ancientfaith.com/blueprints [94]
Children in the Church Today by Sister Magdalen https://www.amazon.com/Children-Church-Today-Orthodox-Perspective/dp/0881411043 [95]
The Children’s Bible Reader by GOARCH https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Childrens-Illustrated-American-Society/dp/1585168270 [96]
Close to Home by Molly Sabourin http://store.ancientfaith.com/close-to-home/ [97]
Conversations with Children by Sister Magdalen https://www.stspress.com/shop/books/conversations-with-children-communicating-our-faith/ [98]
Following a Sacred Path: Raising Godly Children by Elizabeth White http://store.ancientfaith.com/following-a-sacred-path/ [99]
From God to You: The Icon’s Journey to Your Heart by John Kosmas Skinas http://store.ancientfaith.com/from-god-to-you [100]
Hear Me: A Prayer Book for Orthodox Teens by Annalisa Boyd http://store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayer-book-for-orthodox-young-adults/ [101]
Heaven Meets Earth: Celebrating Pascha and the 12 Feasts by John Kosmas Skinas http://store.ancientfaith.com/heaven-meets-earth [102]
Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home by Fr. Anthony Coniaris http://store.ancientfaith.com/making-god-real-in-the-orthodox-christian-home/ [103]
My Daily Orthodox Prayer Book by Anthony Coniaris http://www.light-n-life.com/my-daily-orthodox-prayer-book.html [104]
On the Upbringing of Children by Bishop Irenaius http://store.ancientfaith.com/products/On-the-upbringing-of-children.html [105]
Orthodox Christian Parenting - Cultivating God's Creation by Marie L. Eliades http://www.shop.zoepress.us/Orthodox-Christian-Parenting-Cultivating-Gods-Creation-978-0-9851915-0-4.htm [106]
Our Church and Our Children by Sophie Koulomzin https://www.amazon.com/Our-Church-Children-Sophie-Koulomzin/dp/0881412740 [107]
Parenting Towards the Kingdom by Dr. Philip Mamalakis http://store.ancientfaith.com/parenting-toward-the-kingdom/ [108]
Pictures of God: A Child's Guide to Understanding Icons by John Kosmas Skinas http://store.ancientfaith.com/pictures-of-god-a-childs-guide-to-understanding-icons/ [109]
Raising Them Right: A Saint's Advice on Raising Children by St. Theophan the Recluse http://store.ancientfaith.com/raising-them-right-a-saints-advice-on-raising-children/ [110]
Special Agents of Christ: A Prayer Book for Young Orthodox Saints by Annalisa Boyd http://store.ancientfaith.com/special-agents-of-christ-a-prayer-book-for-young-orthodox-saints/ [111]
Walking in Wonder: Nurturing Orthodox Christian Virtues in Your Children by E. White http://store.ancientfaith.com/walking-in-wonder-nurturing-christian-virtues-in-your-children/ [112]
What Do You See at Liturgy?
What Can I Do at Divine Liturgy?
My Orthodox Matching Game all by Kristina Kallas-Tartara https://www.etsy.com/shop/Philotheia [113]
When My Baba Died
When My YiaYia Died
When Mama Had Cancer all by Marjorie Kunch http://www.paschapress.com/services.html [114]
Everything Tells Us about God by Katherine Bolger Hyde http://store.ancientfaith.com/everything-tells-us-about-god/ [115]
When God Made You by Jane G. Meyer http://store.ancientfaith.com/when-god-made-you/ [116]
We Pray by Dainiel G. Opperwall http://store.ancientfaith.com/we-pray/ [117]
Paterikon For Kids (series: there are several) by various authors http://orthodoxchildrensbooks.com/eng/index.php/Paterikon-for-Kids-Set-1-20/English-Paterikon-for-Kids-1-20-Set/flypage-ask.tpl.html [118]
| Attachment | Size |
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| Online Resource List, June 2018 (PDF) [119] | 241.91 KB |