Objectives of Life Focus

• To help children focus on some of the important 'non-material' issues of life such as: the value and maintenance of interpersonal relationships; the pace of basic morality; the need for self management; the acquisition of various social skills; and the awareness of social dimension.
• To enhance the well-being of children and support them in meeting their personal needs for worth, acceptance, security and relief of stress.
• To provide a Christian values programme that enhances the value of the New Zealand Curriculum Framework and particularly links with the underlying concepts, strands and processes of the Health and Social Studies curricula.
• To offer a weekly 30-minute programme for children in years 3-8, generally to combined class groupings of 50 -120 children.
• To provide New Zealand material for New Zealand schools.

What is Life Focus?

Life Focus is an officially recognised CEC Curriculum that has been developed to meet the need for a Religious Education (Bible) in Schools programme which can be used in larger groups. To explain Life Focus to school leaders and teachers, the following are available:

• A booklet containing a full explanation of Life Focus for Principals and Boards of Trustees ($5.00)
• A Leaders guide with detailed instruction for teachers of the Life Focus Curriculum ($6.00)
• Also, each unit pack is available in clearfile folders for easy reference and storage. Includes lesson outlines, story texts and visual aids.

Structure & Content of Life Focus

The curriculum is divided into seven general subjects, which are repeated in each of the four years. These are published in seven individual unit packs for each year.

1. Taha Wairua - An Introduction (5 weeks)
   Introduces children to the spiritual dimension and includes examples of spiritual and general well-being resulting from the acknowledgment of Christian principles.
2. Making Responsible Choices (5 weeks)
   Encourages children to make responsible choices in some basic behavioural areas, as an aid to self management.
3. Following the Golden Rule (3 weeks)
   Encourages children to demonstrate caring and compassion (aroha) and to develop a sense of responsibility for the well-being of others.
4. Learning from the Example of Others (5 weeks)
   Challenges children to consider the example of significant men and women in history, as a means of building their own self esteem and encouraging them to set and achieve realistic personal goals.
5. Communication (3 weeks)
   Investigates the Christian understanding of communication with God.
6. People Helping People (5 weeks)
   Encourages children to help others in need, including making any attitudinal changes necessary to bring this about.
7. Christian Festivals (4 weeks)
   Explains the origins of the Christmas and Easter festivals, and their meaning and significance to the Christian community.

Presenting the Life Focus Curriculum

• Life Focus can be presented by one teacher of by a small team.
• Helpers are also required to assist in overseeing the children. A ratio of one adult per school class is the ideal (some may be supervising class teachers).
• The story method of teaching is used extensively, with personal life application to the children being woven into the story. This requires presentation by teachers who enjoy creative story telling (this method will not suit everyone).
• Teaching is reinforced through the use of songs. The 'Sing Out' CD or cassette has 26 songs available for teachers.
• One photocopiable worksheet is provided with most units. Weekly Children's Papers are not used because of financial and physical restraints when working with large groups.
• Life Focus is a fully visualised programme using flashcards, flannelgraph, videos etc. Most are provided in the Unit Packs, while others need to be purchased separately. Time is required to prepare the visuals for use.

Cost of Life Focus