Art Extra
Lydia
Grades 1-2

Good News Collage
Kids create a collage of recycled newspaper to remind them how we can spread the good news.

Spark Resources:
•    None

Supplies:
•    Newspaper
•    Items that portray different ways of communicating (old magazines, letter-writing materials, pictures of ways to communicate, pages from a TV listing guide)
•    Glue sticks
•    Cardboard
•    Scissors
•    Markers

Set Up:
Collect an assortment of items that the kids can cut up and use in their collages that portray different ways of communicating. Set out the collage supplies on the worktable.

Instructions:
Today, we heard all about a woman named Lydia, whom Paul met in another country. Paul told Lydia that Jesus loved her. When Lydia learned the good news about Jesus, she shared it with her family, her friends, and the people who worked for her. How do we share news with people today? Allow all answers. Right! We call them on the phone or send an e-mail or letter. There are lots of ways to share news today. Let's get started on a great art project. Each of you will create a "Good News Collage" that shows all the ways that we can spread the good news!

1. Encourage kids to examine all of the items you have collected. Talk about the different ways to share news and which ways the kids use most.
2. Let kids choose some items for their collages, perhaps using a piece of newspaper as the background material and adding other cutouts or pieces to it.
3. I like the choices you've made and the designs you are creating. Way to go!
4. When kids are pleased with their designs, encourage them to write the focus message somewhere on their collage: "We can spread the good news!"

I hope you can find a good place to hang your Good News Collage. When you admire your artwork, remember that we can spread the good news!

If you have less time . . .
Give kids paper and markers and let them create a design or mini poster of their own to share the good news.

If you have more time . . .
Locate a large bulletin board or other display area in your church building and request permission to use it. Create a "Good News" board to share with the congregation. Cover the entire display area with newspaper, then have kids make a collage of the items they have cut out that portray how we can spread news today. Label the board "Good News" and allow the entire congregation to enjoy it.