The Fifth Grade Sunday School class consists of about 25 students. They come from over 15 different elementary schools, scattered over the West End of Henrico County.
Teachers are Bob and Marie Piper, who have been teaching this class for over 20 years, and Keith Fogg, who has been with them since 1993.
At the beginning of each class, the students receive assignments to work individually, beginning their introduction to the lesson. Typically, the assignment is a word puzzle of some type, requiring reference to the scripture verses for the day. This allows the students to work individually, but interact as their classmates arrive.
Following the introductory session, the class gathers in a large circle for a 30-minute lesson from the Smyth & Helwys literature, to illustrate Biblical truths, with student participation. Each class ends with a game pitting the boys against the girls.
The first Sunday of the month, the class plays Wheel of Scripture, based on the verses from that month's unit. The second Sunday, a Bible Drill occurs. The third Sunday has a game of manual dexterity, leading to group questions on the lesson. The fourth Sunday the class plays Bible Jeopardy, with categories from each week's topics.
Marie Piper holds a B.A. from Blue Mountain College in Missippi, a Master's in Religious Education from Southern Seminary, and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Louisville. She retired from a career of service to the community, including establishing the first Baptist Student Center at V.C.U. She remains extremely active in Baptist life, serving recently as WMU Director for the Richmond Baptist Association.
Bob Piper has a B.A. from the University of Richmond. Upon graduation from college, he entered the Army as a pilot, and flew 50 bombing missions in the European theater in World War II. After teaching flying for 10 years, he pursued a business career, developing early computer business applications. Bob now writes computer programs for the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He also teaches English as a Second Language at Second Baptist, and heads the Men's mission group.
Keith Fogg holds a B.A. from William and Mary, a J.D. from the University of Richmond Law School, and an L.L.M. in Tax from William and Mary. He heads the legal office providing advice to the I.R.S. for Virginia. He also teaches as an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School, in their graduate tax program.