Story Sacks/Topic Boxes

Story Sacks focus on telling one particular Bible story through a wide variety of methods. They comprise of at least two story or picture books, props and/or dressing up clothes to act it out, colouring pages and worksheets, pictures, games, toys, and perhaps even a puppet. They also contain a Teachers Folder which gives details of items in the sack and ideas of how each can be used.

Story Sacks were first developed to help nurseries explore Christmas, which was quickly followed by Story Sacks for other festivals such as Easter and Harvest. P1-3 classes often use story sacks too, using relevant stories such as Noah, David and Goliath or the Lost Sheep. 

Story Sacks can be borrowed for a month at a time and are then brought back to the Church for sorting, replacing items and storing. Each sack includes a feedback form which teachers can fill in to say what they thought of a particular resource or to suggest other ideas. 

One school asked if we could make topic boxes for P4-7. After researching which would be the most relevant, Topic Boxes for heroes such as Moses, Ruth and Esther were made. Topic Boxes include books, DVDs, puzzle books and lesson plans. 

How can you start this yourself?

• Find out if your local school uses story sacks, or if they would like them to be provided.

• Have a look at a story sack and/or topic box to get ideas of what to include.

• Work out which would be the most relevant stories.

• Look in Christian bookshops, pound shops and newsagents to find relevant resources for sack. (Charity shops can also be very helpful.)

• Decide if they are going to be a sack, a box or what will hold the resources.

• Work out how much you are willing to spend on a specific resource - once you start you will find lots of items you would like to include.