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Children are divided into three age groups: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten; Lower Elementary (grades 1-3); and Upper Elementary (grades 4-5); Junior Youth (begins at grade 6). The curriculum is divided into story units. Examples include: God Makes a World; Adam and Eve; God Calls Abraham and Sarah; and Jesus is Born. Each unit is taught for three or four weeks. Each week the children gather for storytelling, then experience two separate rotation activities which help them learn the primary message of the unit in different ways.
In the Amazing Bible Race, there are reading assignments, fun quizzes and challenges, along with community service projects and field trips. Teams work together to solve weekly challenges, encourage each other, and build community as all "race" toward each leg's goal.
In addition to the Amazing Bible Race, our youth are integrally involved in the planning of our monthly youth worship service. Youth help write the prayers, select and perform music, research and present the Bible lessons, and lead the service.
For more information about our Educational Programs, contact Margo Williams, Christian Formation Director, by phone at the church (301-774-6999), or email: Margo.Williams@stjohnsolney.org
Classroom Locations Sunday School classes are held in the gym and in rooms 407, 408, and 409. Click here for a map.
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Nursery
Care is available Sundays for children through age 2. Two
Nursery Care Attendants are available each Sunday, to watch, play
with, and read to our infants and toddlers. Parents sign
in and sign out at each visit, and pagers are available to assure
parents that they will be contacted if needed. Parents are
welcome to remain with children in the Nursery at any time.
"Come
Join the Circle" is the name of our rotational style
Sunday School for children in pre-school through the elementary
grades. This style of Sunday School is designed to make use
of the multiple intelligences and learning styles that all children
have, including: linguistic, musical, logical, spatial, kinesthetic,
interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist and existentialist.
The Amazing
Bible Race is a scavenger hunt through
the Bible, which ends up being read in its entirety over six 12-week
legs. Teams with participants from all over the country end
up "competing" to see who can advance the fastest with
the greatest comprehension. Our Junior and Senior
Youth will be checking in with Team leaders about their
"racing" progress on Sundays.
Our
group accrues points as they complete their readings, and at the
end of the official Race, the top ten point-getters nation-wide will
receive $500 toward a mission organization of their choice or toward
their youth mission program. 
A Confirmation
program for High School age youth is regularly held, usually
beginning in Autumn. There is an initial parent/student meeting,
after which interested youth are registered. Please email Margo
Williams (below) for current information. Confirmation normally
takes place in the Spring, at Washington National Cathedral.