BUZZed

I didn’t except to like Group’s latest curriculum, Buzz. In fact, I was downright oppositional to the concept when first learned of it. A few years ago, I was at Group Publishing with dozen’s of other ministry leaders at a Large Church Summit. Chris Yount-Jones talked in general terms about a new curriculum they were using that would eliminate the need for teacher preparation. I translated that statement into “encourages sloppy and uncommitted teachers.”

In the meantime, I had done some thinking about video curriculum and how the falling price of video editing technology was impacting children’s ministry.  I came to the conclusion whether or not to use video, and how much of it, is only one of the points we  need consider. There’s a metaphor that video and more specifically video editing presents that is primary: non-linear editing. Children regularly use free or inexpensive editing software to edit their own movies. The software allows them to make choices about regarding which pieces of the video that want to use and in which order.

Most curriculum meanwhile is strictly linear (that’s why we teachers use “outlines”.)

I’ve field tested Buzz twice and had two of my most seasoned volunteers use it. What  I love about the cirriculum is that it embraces a non-linear principle. The curriculum offers five directions that the learning experience can move in. Children make that choice, randomly, by using fun game pieces. A directions is chosen, the teachers reads the card, and the class does what ever is on the card. There’s still an outline to Buzz ( it opens with sharing, moves to the randomized experience, and closes with prayer and application time), but the outline is hidden within the game-feel and is much more loose and “loopy.” Children feel a sense of control over the flow of the experience.

A couple of things that I’d like to see in future Buzz kits…

1) Video: Video clips could be incorporated on some of those cards.  A card could instruct the class to watch a 5-minute clip and discuss it.

2) Simpler music: The Pre-K, Kindergarten curriculum had a piggy back-song about the animals in creation. We were supposed to sing along with the disc. However, the song was wordy– ostriches, lions, elephants, etc.  The children couldn’t keep up. I had to have them drop out and just listen to the disc.

But those are minor squabbles. My first impression of Buzz is that this is the first truly original approach to children’s ministry curriculum since video curriculums appeared on the scene. The industry zigged and Group has countered with an exceptional “zag.” We’ll be Buzzing at my church come Fall.