Asa a LOYAL KING

This SUNDAY we begin EXPLORING the KINGS of JUDAH!!!  When the KIDDOS arrive I have a "SURPRISE" waiting for them.  Hanging on the back of each of my KIDDOS chairs is a NEW Bible Class Bag!!! 

I have placed new cards in our "DO YOU KNOW" Pocket Chart.  I am always PLEASED when the KIDDOS can answer these QUESTIONS.  I feel it is so important for the KIDDOS to understand the WHO?  WHAT? WHEN? WHERE?  WHY?  and HOW is this important to me? to every lessons I teach. 

We will have a NEW word to add to our "WORD WALL."    I want the KIDDOS to understand what it means to be LOYAL.  I want the KIDDOS to understand the ASA was LOYAL to GOD.

We have TWO new PROPHETS to add to our WALL of PROPHETS.  We have Azariah and Hanani.  Both of these Prophets/Seers have interaction with King Asa!!

OUR MAP has JERUSALEM placed on it.  Most of our lessons will be happening in the city of Jerusalem...so, we wont have a BUNCH of places to add to our MAP...but, as we learn of other places we will make sure to add them.

We have TWO NEW SONGS to learn this week.  The KIDDOS have heard the KINGS of JUDAH song before...BUT the ASA WAS LOYAL is a NEW SONG for the KIDDOS. 

The KIDDOS MEMORY VERSE comes directly from the TEXT of this LESSON.  I LOVE this verse....WHAT a COMFORT this verse provides to those who are LOYAL to GOD!!!   

I did make a small adjustment to the size of our MEMORY VERSE cards.    I found these 4X6 Magnetic Photo Pockets at the Dollar Tree.  I thought they would be GREAT for the KIDDOS to TAKE home and put on the FRIDGE.  That way each week the KIDDOS can take home their MEMORY VERSE and place it in the pocket on the FRIDGE.  That will give it a PROMINENT place in their HOME and make it even easier for the KIDDOS to review it with their parents.

The KIDDOS "TAKE HOME" project is an EASEL style EARTH with EYES.  It is made from Card Stock. 

 The KIDDOS will COLOR the WORLD and stick on the GOOGLY eyes.

As a EXTRA "TAKE HOME" I am going to let the KIDDOS make a 3D ball with eyes. 

The componets to  this activity are a Laundry Soap Bottle Lid.  (I told you I save EVERYTHING.)  A condiment bowl, An Earth Ball (I bought these at the Dollar Tree) and Stick On GOOGLY eyes. 

These are all PRE MADE....EXCEPT the GOOGLY EYES.  The KIDDOS will just PEEL and STICK the eyes on!!  The BALL is being left LOOSE.   It just SITS in the little cup.  So, the KIDDOS can still Play with the Ball.  I THINK they turned our really cute!!

Our REVIEW GAME is King Asa's Loyal Heart, BINGO.  The way this will be played is simple.  EACH of the SQUARES is an ANSWER to the REVIEW QUESTIONS I will be asking the KIDDOS.  Every CARD has the exact same pictures---they are just rearranged.  NOTICE the "

" BINGO MARKERS,"  they are HEARTS!!!!  I bought those back during the Valentine Season at the Dollar Tree.  I LOVE it when a THEME comes together so easily. 

Next week will be our REVIEW WEEK.  The KIDDOS will be making this LOYAL HEART activity to add to their "EXPLORER JOURNAL."    They will color their heart and add GEMS to the CROWN.   

But, this HEART has something SPECIAL going on...The HEART is actually a POCKET!!  The KIDDOS will put "things" into the POCKET that help KEEP ones HEART LOYAL to GOD.

Each of these activities  will help our HEART be LOYAL to GOD:  "PRAY DAILY,"   "PAY ATTENTION IN WORSHIP,"  "READ BIBLE,"   "GO TO BIBLE CLASS."

We are going to be BUSY over the next "QUARTER."    I am so excited about the KIDDOS learning so many LIFE LESSONS from the KINGS of JUDAH. 

Blessings,

Ronda

Classroom Changes Preparing for NEW MATERIALS!!!

I ALWAYS have mixed emotions at the END of a "QUARTER."  I  LOVE looking back over EVERYTHING we LEARNED.   I am EXCITED about the "NEW" material we will be LEARNING.  YET, I am a wee bit sad when I am TAKING down VISUAL and PACKING AWAY things that we USED/MADE.    

BTW, These PICTURES are to show you the MESS I make and have to CLEAN UP when it is time to change "Quarters." 

 The BLUE tub is my STORAGE tub for the items on the TABLE.  I STORE my items for a particular SECTION of the BIBLE together in a TUB.  I LABEL all my tubs with a SHARPIE Marker.  My DREAM is to one day get all my tubs COLOR CODED with LABELS.  (I plan on doing that when I have FREE TIME.)  :-)

 I LOVE seeing all this in one place.  Since I ALWAYS prepare for VISITORS I normally have LEFTOVERS.  So, I STORE those for FUTURE CLASSES.  

 AS OF NOW....this is my Labeling System.  NOT fancy, but it works.  

Those BIG BINDERS are my written LESSONS.  Currently this  is my method of  storing the lessons I am writing for my CURRICULUM. 

The MAP wall is ALL CLEARED!!!  It LOOKS SOOOOO EMPTY!!!!!!!  I removed all the Explorer Journal Samples.  :-(   It is SO hard on me to REMOVE those....they provide me a QUICK way to review with the KIDDOS.

Here is the PILE of the EXPLORER JOURNAL ACTIVITIES.  We learned SO much this past "QUARTER!!!!"

CHANGES are hard on me...SO CONFLICTED, LOL.  I can't wait to share with you what we are learning this next SUNDAY.  I am sooooo excited!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

New Bible Class Bags!!!

We are beginning  a NEW "QUARTER" this upcoming SUNDAY.  I am already so excited about getting the opportunity to teach the KINGS of JUDAH to the KIDDOS.  I LOVE to start out a NEW "QUARTER" with a LOT of FANFARE!!        When we start a new "QUARTER" we don our EXPLORER HATS and sing our "WE ARE BIBLE EXPLORERS..." SONG.  We "TRAVEL" around the room and view all the exciting changes.  We do a BRIEF,but very exciting overview of WHAT WE ARE GONG TO BE LEANING!!!!  It is truly a special time.    

To make this even MORE special, I wanted to give the  KIDDOS a "SPECIAL BAG" for their Bible Class items.    In the past, I  have had the KIDDOS decorate their own canvas bag. This is always a FUN activity...but, it is also TIME CONSUMING.  I try to use EAA Time for activities like DECORATING a BAG...but, when you have a few "LATE ARRIVERS" it makes it much more difficult to complete during class time. 

Since I have a WHOLE new crop of KIDDOS and I know that KIDDOS love to decorate their OWN BAG, I was considering doing the CANVAS BAGS again.  But, when I went to the DOLLAR TREE, to buy some new canvas bags (THEY HAVE THEM IN ALL SORTS OF COLORS FOR THE SPRING!!), I happened to see these NYLON, BACK PACK bags.

I really LIKED these BAGS.   Then I began to think....HUM, (that is how I think)..."I have NEVER done BACKPACKS for the KIDDOS!!!!"  So, I quickly tossed several of these backpacks into my buggy.  (YES, I know it is called a SHOPPING CART...but, I have ALWAYS called it a BUGGY.)  :-)  I bought blue for the boys and pink for the girls.  

I decided to  do the decorating of these bags.  I wrote the KIDDO'S names on the Back Packs, DREW a BIBLE and Wrote the PURPOSE for the BACK PACK.  I used METALLIC Sharpie Markers.  I think they turned out really SWEET.  I hope the KIDDOS LIKE them!!!  (If the KIDDOS want to further decorate their bags they can color on them outside of class time.) 

The purpose for these BAGS is simple.  When the KIDDOS leave my classroom they often have several things to carry.  They have a MEMORY VERSE card, their TAKE HOME project, their "I CAN TAKE NOTES DURING WORSHIP" sheet, etc.  So, my hope is that this will expedite the getting things from our CLASSROOM to home and back again.  A TEACHER CAN HOPE!!!!!!  :-)

Starting a NEW QUARTER is so exciting and RECEIVING a SPECIAL BAG with their NAME on it should REALLY EXCITE the KIDDOS.  I know I am excited!!!  

BTW, Jeremiah is no longer in my class....but, since he is my son...and he saw what I was making for all my KIDDOS...and he asked me very, very nicely.  I MADE HIM A BAG TOO.  :-)

Blessings,

Ronda 

Working on the Resource Room at the Church Building

It has been a busy few weeks...We have been working on IMPROVING the Resource Room/Library at the church building.  I LOVE organizing....it Just makes me SMILE!!  

Our congregation uses Discovering God's Way Curriculum for all of our classes except for mine. I am being allowed to  WRITE my Curriculum as I teach.  I am so thankful that the elders have allowed me the freedom to Write and Teach my Own material.  I feel very blessed!!! If you are interested in the DGW Curriculum it is available via this link.  http://religioussupply.org/dgw/ 

We have color coded each bag with labels.  The top DOT label tell us, at a glance, the AGE GROUP and the bottom dot lets us know what YEAR that material is for.  Those DOTS are being placed on ANYTHING that GOES along with the MATERIAL.  That way the TEACHERS can FIND VISUALS, ACTIVITIES, etc.  They just need to MATCH the DOTS!!!!  

Just to let you know....The bags over by the FILE CABINET are ABEKA Flash A Cards.  They are beautiful visuals and are suitable for ALL AGE GROUPS.  (Some of my sets are missing as they are currently in USE in classrooms.)  

Border Paper ahh...for me it is a LOVE/LOVE LESS relationship.  We have had it stored in boxes....I do NOT like storing it like that! It is HARD to see.  We had it rolled up an put in a container....I did NOT like that...Have you ever tried to use border paper that WONT STOP CURLING UP?  

I LIKE this way of STORING/DISPLAYING our selection of border paper.  It is easy to see and is really OUT of the way.  This little wall is right behind the door!  

 

We are working on boxing and labeling all the various craft supplies.  I bought all the white lidded boxes at the Dollar Tree.  Since I need MORE BOXES, This is  a WORK in progress!!! 

I LOVE storing TEACHING supplies in these plastic shoe boxes....However, without LABELS I think it would be HARD for us to FIND things we need.  These boxes do NOT have art supplies in them...these have items TEACHERS might need for teaching a lesson. 

We have a shelf FILLED with KIDDO friendly BIBLE STORY BOOKS and COLORING BOOKS.  These are nice to have when you have to SUB for a class with just a few minutes notice.

This area houses several Bible Review Games and Various Supplies for the Teachers. 

We have a variety  of Material: Flannel, Satin, Old Table Clothes, Sheets, Fleece, Fur, etc. 

OH, that SORTER that has various colored construction paper on it---I bought that at a Garage Sale for $3.00!!!!  

We also have a Scrap Paper Box....this is great when KIDDOS get in a drawing mood!!! 

We have the FLANNEL GRAPHS organized in ZIP LOCKS and stored on that ROD.  Just above the Flannel Graphs is a place for Yarn.  Above that is a BUNCH of TEACHER IDEA BOOKS!!!  (I have a book fetish!!!  I LOVE Teacher Idea Books...especially if they are COPYABLE.)

We are making PROGRESS....SLOW and STEADY PROGRESS...but, PROGRESS none the less.  

I am THRILLED to have this CART!!!!!  One of our elders built this for me right after we moved here.  He  even put it on wheels, which makes it easy to move around.  I have these OVER SIZED items stored in LARGE (self made) ENVELOPES.  I just took 2 pieces of Poster BOARD and stapled them together down the side and on the bottom.  Added a LABEL and called it DONE.  I did put them in "BIBLICAL" order. 

Here are some close ups of the LABELS on the "OVER SIZED ENVELOPES." 

Sadly, that AWESOME POSTER about the life of Moses is to BIG to fit into the CART...so we gave it a HOME behind the cart.  It is safe and easy to see. 

This is truly an ongoing project...We are still FILING, FILING, and FILING!!!  That BLUE BASKET, you saw up on the table is VARIOUS ITEMS than need to be filed!  When that is done we have 2 more HUGE STACKS of VISUALS, FLANNEL GRAPH, MAPS, ETC.  to go through and find them a home.