Triumphial Entry

We love to act out stories from the Bible!!  I could not find a stick horse, so we used a bulletin board set horse.  I cut big leaves out of construction paper.  You can see my sweater on the ground for the coats.

 After teaching the text, we acted this out 3 times so that each child could be Jesus.  As the kids waved the leaves, they loudly said, "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Another class favorite!

Day 4 - Sun

My son brought this home from pre-school.  It was S is for Sun.  When I saw it, my Bible Teacher hat came on and I thought it would be perfect for Day 4 of creation.  The center circle is construction paper and the rays are handprints.  In the center circle, you can put googly eyes and let the kids draw a smile.  I would also put a strip of paper with the verse on it.  So fun!  Don't forget the baby wipes to get the acrylic paint off the kids hands.

Glowing Paint

Last year I began an obsession with glow-in-the-dark paint!!!  So this past year, we did lots of crafts with glowing paint.  When out lesson was Acts 9 - Saul on the road to Damascus, I knew that glow paint was in store for my darlings!

After teaching the lesson, I gave each child a Q-tip that was cut in half.  I used a paper plate and put a small glob (about a quarter in diameter) of each of 4 colors of glowing paint.  I enlarged a picture of Saul laying on the ground with the bright light blinding him.  I mounted the pictures on black construction paper.  The kids glow painted the light rays beaming down on Saul. Then on the black borders, they added more squiggles and dots in glow paint.  I brought in a black light and our creations were awesome!!!

Stephen - Acts 6 and 7

Acts 6 and 7 is such a great passage to act out!  After teaching the lesson, we acted out this passage 3 times... so each child could be Stephen!  This was a HUGE hit and the kids told the story of Stephen 3 times that night.  

 Before class, I waded up a bunch of newspaper into balls.  Those were our rocks during the stoning.

 When we acted it out, "Stephen" started out before the Sanhedrin and each "Stephen" told the story of Israel's history to Jesus dying on the cross.  Then a guard took "Stephen" outside, where the rest of the "Jews" were waiting with their newspaper wads.  It was very important for "Stephen" to remain in character and say the words, "Forgive them...."

 This was a wonderful learning night!

At the end of class, the kids did a self-portrait worksheet that had the sentence starter, "_______ will be bold like Stephen."

Day of Pentecost Headband

Here is sweet J modeling a cut-up sentence headband!  We made these for the Day of Pentecost lesson. To make a cut-up sentence, choose your verse.  Type it out in a medium-sized font.  Before class, cut the sentence into 1-2 word chunks and place in a baggie.  Make enough baggies so that each child gets one baggie.  At the end of the lesson, take the key verse on index cards and have the kids help you sequence the verse.  Then give each child their own set and have them put the verse in order.

To make this specific headband... At the beginning of class, have the kids paint their own flame.  Some of the kids also added glitter to their flame.  As the flames were drying, I taught the lesson.  At the end of the lesson we sequenced Acts 2:38 together and then the kids did it individually.   I sent the kids back to their tables and staples the flame in the middle of the headband.  Then I had the kids glue on  their verse cut-up sentence on the sentence strip.   Before gluing, fit the sentence strip to the kids head and draw a line.  Then draw an X on the rest of the end of the sentence strip so that they will not glue here since it will be covered when the headband is stapled.

It was a treat to see all these flames leaving class and telling their parents all about the Day of Pentecost!

T-chart with Post-its

Here is one method of chart to use in your classroom!  Our students had a BLAST doing this and the lesson made such an impact on their learning.  Anytime the children can be involved in creating an interactive wall chart, they will have ownership and that lesson will really "stick."  This is sweet J sticking one of his responses.

 And the finished product!

Here's how to do this in your class...

Use when: comparing two things

Materials: butcher paper, markers, pencils, post-its, pencils

Instructions: Before class, write the topic and two categories at the top of the butcher paper.  Teach the lesson.  Discuss answers for each category.  Give each child (at least) 4-6 post-it notes.  Have them go back to the table and write (at least) 2-3 responses for each category.  Let the kids stick them on the butcher paper.  After all the kids have stuck their responses, gather the kids back on the carpet and allow the kids to share what they put on the chart.

Sample: Praise 

Telling God how good He is Thanking God for all He’s done

• powerful * my BFF
• God rocks! * family
• strong * friends
• awesome * home
• mighty                          * forgiveness