University Christian High School

University Christian High School in 

Hickory, North Carolina

opened the doors to their 

new building in the Fall of 2017.

It is an innovative 

partnership of space and resources

with Lenoir Rhyne University 

and this LCMS Lutheran High School,

 as well as the

St. Andrew Lutheran Church 

campus next door.

We were blessed to tour the campus 

during the Convention days In May.

The painting inside the entrance to the 

University Lutheran High School campus.

The Lenoir- Rhyne Bear 

stands outside the school grounds on campus.

University Christian High School 

are the barracudas.

Principal Bill Unverfehrt 

has led with vision 

and a servant-leader heart.

We give thanks for his perseverance

 to bring this dream to life 

in Catawba County, North Carolina.

 To God Be the Glory!

Follow them on Instagram HERE:
universitychristianhighschool

Give them a LIKE and FOLLOW 
on Facebook HERE:
uchshickory

UCHS website HERE:
uchigh

A Lutheran School and Technology

   Danielle Altieri and Alison Nack

An Interview with 2 Technology Educators

1. What are some fun technology connections 

that you are seeing in your Lutheran school?

This year, the Robotics Club is available to our elementary school grades in addition to our Middle School students which gained a lot of interest. The students work together to program robots to complete tasks. The Middle School Robotics team competes in competitions in North Carolina.

In the classroom, our students use Google for Education to create websites, amazing presentations, digital art, and research papers. The students also learn how to touch type so they can be efficient when working on technology.

The second grade class used a really fun app on the iPad’s named ChatterPix Kids. We used it to bring U.S. symbols to life. The students draw a picture, then upload the picture of their drawing into the ChatterPix Kids app. Then, use the app to record the student voice giving factual information about the symbol. The app makes the symbol drawing look like it is speaking and has the student’s voice. The students enjoyed the entire process and especially once their symbol came to life.

There are also many educational websites to use in the classroom that provide virtual tours with in-depth information using videos, pictures, and maps. It is like going on a field trip without ever leaving your classroom. For example, to experience a virtual tour of the battles of the Civil War, go visit the following website: virtual-tour.civilwar

Virtural Reality is gaining popularity. Our school is planning to incorporate Google Expeditions in the near future.

2.  What is the greatest challenge for the integration 

of Technology practices in your school?

Finding time to teach teachers the new technology is the greatest challenge. We have found that making part of a teacher workday as a “technology training” time is helpful.

3.  How would it be most effective for parents and teachers

to work as a TEAM with technology usage in the school?

The school needs to select the best technology to use. Then offer training for the parents that is effective and easy to learn. For instance, we created Screencasts trainings for parents to watch at their leisure(while at soccer practice, at home, etc…) to learn our new school information system. We also sent Screencasts to teachers to explain specific topics. If parents or teachears needed more help, then additional in person training was offered.

Thanks to 

Danielle Altieri and Alison Nack

for this "field report"

from Resurrection Lutheran School 

in Cary, North Carolina.

Education and Technology

I came across this chart awhile back.

I would have to learn much 

to be back in the classroom as educator.

Even the educators I shared this 

with felt behind the learning curve.

When I shared this with a few Pastors 

who also serve as educators 

in their church community?

They just shook their heads.

It is pretty easy to feel that

 educational technology 

has simply passed us by.

But, there might be one or two 

that you could quickly 

learn the ins and outs.

Probably our children-

(or grandchildren) 

could help us out.

Maybe just check out the sites

 and see what they are about.

We have to start somewhere-

before they all change again.

Which ones are you familiar with?

Which ones are you proficient in?

 Perhaps a staff could each take one

 and share what they learn?

As the Southeastern District- LCMS 

looks at ways to "go fishing",

we just might need to get 

retooled and reschooled.

Mackenzie Sottini-Visual Faith Practices in the Classroom

Lutheran Educator-

Mackenzie Sottini

Teacher Mackenzie Sottini

 describes one of the Lenten practices in her

Resurrection Lutheran School classroom.

Using the resource from her church,

this Cary, North Carolina teacher

 reads to her 5th grade students from 

Lenten Psalms and they "listen"

for words that "jump out to them."

The students are using  a calendar 

that can be downloaded and printed here:
lenten-path-2018

As they reflect on their "word of the day" 

they fill in part of the palm branch

 and color in the space.

The students keep their 

calendars in a file folder.

All the calendars look different,

because each journey is different.
What do words of LENT look like?

 This same Lent resource has centering
 and discussion about discipleship.
These young students
are also talking about, 
 thinking and praying
 about their personal walk
 with Jesus.
What does that look like?

What is wanted?
What is needed?
What are the priorities?
Where do I need guidance? 

What are distractions in my life? 

They will have the visual stories to tell
and share in this classroom,
in their homes and in their 
connected relationships.

Thanks for sharing this glimpse
 into your classroom,
for Lutheran Schools week.

Advent in the Classroom

This sharing comes from

 Resurrection Lutheran School 

in Cary, North Carolina.

"Several of us from Resurrection Lutheran School

 in Cary, NC.

 attended the Visual Faith seminar on Prayer Art 

during the Southeastern District-

 All Church Workers Conference 

in Williamsburg. 

 I was inspired by the beautiful cards 

created when thinking of one verse 

or one word in the verse.

We created the attached art 

using the word "rejoiced"  from the verse

 "They saw the star and they rejoiced"  

Matthew 2:10

The cards were drawn by a preschool, 1st, 5th,

 and 8th grade classes.

  It was interesting to see the different 

interpretations and images.

Thank you for your inspiration and creativity."

Chris Johanson

1st grade 

Resurrection Lutheran School

Donna Lee- Visual Faith Teacher- Part 1

Donna Brauch Lee- 

Visual Faith Coach and Teacher

Tending the Flame Workshop Presenter- 2017

Donna came to Tending the Flame in 2016 

and sat in on a workshop about Visual Faith.

Then she went home and out of that flame

 the Lord started a bonfire.

After a meeting with her pastor, 

Rev. Dave Guelzow 

at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church

 in Hickory, NC., 

they came up with a plan to turn an 

underused room into a Visual Faith Center.

This began a year of creating Visual Faith tools 

and resources to join the current curriculum- 

that tied together theology, art and faith life living.

The stories of the students became alive with color

 and interactive processes 

that told the story 

of God's faithfulness in their lives.

This post we will share ideas 

about how to use paper bags 

as Faith Art Journals.

This could be used for any parochial school setting, 

Confirmation class, Sunday School, 

VBS program, or enrichment activity.

What a great activity for 

family faith life in the home!

It is just plain old lunch paper bags 

bought at Costco or your favorite grocery store.

You can add in smaller sizes 

and colors and get those at Michael's.

Here she used a Faith Visual

 and cut it out for the cover.

Washi tape or colored duct tape 

make fun decorations. 

Add ribbons.

The paper bags can be put together

 to make a vertical flip book.

OR-

Folded in the middle 

and hole-punched 

and secured with yarn, or ribbon.

 You can print off Bible verse cards, 

add in and color Bible verse cards to color.

Or make it the spot 
for memory work for students.

The top left is a journal for remembering 

your birth and baptism story.

We can celebrate what we remember.
Some of the visuals can be 
downloaded for free here:
Heb 12 and Psalm 51
The small Bible verse cards 
can be found here on Amazon:
Psalms-Color-Cards

It could also be a Thanksgiving journal

 for students to record the things 

they give thanks for with a heart of gratitude.
There are many free printables on Pinterest.
 Recycled greetings cards
can add much variety to these projects.
Donna will be sharing her ideas 
and learning experiences at the 
SED President's Conference 
next week- Oct. 18-20, 2017
 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

More of Donna's Visual Faith tools 
will be shared in upcoming posts.