A Sunday School Question?

In my church, the sunday school program for the 5-8th graders is so boring that it causes behavioral problems, probably just because the kids are so antsy and want to be entertained. ( I know you still have to LEARN but i'd like to go about this in a fun way). They have a lesson plan that they're supposed to abide by, but it's so dull and I want to give some ideas at a meeting on how to try to solve the behavioral problem by changing the curriculum.

So now, I was wondering if there were any ideas on how to go about this? It's kind of a desperate situation because if conditions don't improve they will cancel the sunday school class! I've thought of personalizing the room, fixing it up, getting a television and a vhs/dvd set, (although that might be difficult), and bribing them with candy...does anyone else please have any ideas?? it's a very desperate situation!!

Thanks so much and God Bless!!

there's no way to seperate the boys and girls because there are only 2 girls in the class lol!

These children especially boys will listen only for about 10-15 minutes and after that chaos. Try giving them scriptures and they are to discuss in a group and after that a spokesperson stands and explain.
Try giving them scriptures after a sunday school and tell them that there will be a debate the next time and they will be divided in two, boys verses girls.
You could show them a short movie That goes with your lesson plan.
Try giving them assignments for the next sunday school and those who do them continuously for a certain period to receice a medal.
A certificate to all who never missed a sunday school for a certain period.
A gift to the person who attends the most in a year.
A general discussion on certain topics with scriptures led by the teacher.

Definitely redecorate the room, but don't give them candy. That won't help anything. What needs to be done is a complete re-examination of your curriculum. Is it possible that you could get some new material? Maybe by a different company? How many kids are in the class? Is it possible to separate the boys from the girls? A lot of times boys and girls have different learning styles, and could benefit from different teachers and teaching methods. Some children are more physical learners, so planned physical activity worked into the lesson plan may help these kids.

When I was that age we did a little taste testing of biblical foods. I still remember drinking goats milk.. that still sounds like fun.

Work with the young people, don't be their entertainers, be their informal educators. Help them to empower themselves to take ownership and responsibility for the group. Let them have power..real power. This is a low process but with high rewards.

Teach them the spiritual truth.
See Acts 3:1. (Answer; who, what, when, where, how; then why (Proverbs 22:28). When did Christ death on the cross occur; and was it a landmark event?

Is there any way to seperate the class into two classes? 5th-8th is a large age span. Get the children involved to make them feel like it is their class. Present the lesson in various ways. I have preschool and kindergarten, but you can adapt to the needs of your age group. Today, I taught the lesson with the children acting out the story. Also, try to find practical applications from their lives. Perhaps you could have a special guest come in sometimes. Reward positive behavior. At that age, you could get their input.