OWL Be WISE and ATTEND BIBLE Class. Attendance Chart/Bulletin Board

I love the changing of Seasons.   I do not know about you, but, I feel RENEWED and REJUVENATED with a CHANGE in the SEASONS!!!  My favorite Season is AUTUMN!!   I seem more structured and more organized during the FALL.  

I try to change out our ATTENDANCE Board each quarter.  Sometimes, I may be a few weeks behind the actual beginning of a quarter--but, I always have the best of intentions.  :-)

This quarter, I WAS READY!!!!  I knew what I was going to do!!!  OWLS are everywhere!!!   They seem to be a popular classroom theme.  So, since I have never done an OWL themed Attendance Board, I decided it was time to do one!!  

What made this Attendance Board so easy to make was that MOST of it comes from a BULLETIN Board set that I purchased at MARDEL.    The OWLS and the BORDER were my "NEW" purchases.  The LEAVES are from our supply room...I have had them for YEARS!!!!  

The TREES are from CLIP ART!!   I just printed them out FULL PAGE!!  I did print them on Cardstock for stability purposes.   The KIDDOS will be adding OWL stickers and LEAVES stickers to their TREE.   

I LOVE the BRIGHT COLORS of this Attendance Board.  I SMILE every time I walk into our Classroom and see it.  

Just KEEPING things real!!!  The BLUE poster paper---the one I covered the bulletin board with---well it was TO SHORT!!!  So, I just added extra OWL BORDER to MAKE UP the Difference!  I LIKE IT!!!  And, I was NOT about to run out an buy more POSTER PAPER for all of 6 INCHES.  I believe in MAKING DUE when we can.  :-)

Have you changed out your Attendance Charts for the FALL?  Do you get EXCITED with "LITTLE" changes.  Hope this Attendance Bulletin Board makes you SMILE!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

Save The Header Cards From Purchased Visuals!!

When you buy a BULLETIN BOARD SET or a VISUAL AID PACKAGE they sometimes come with FREEBIES!!!    

What I mean is the HEADER Card.  You know the card that normally has a hole in it and is hung on the display.  

When you open the package make sure to SAVE the header cards!!!  They can provide you with wonderful SMALLER visuals....They are PERFECT for Review GAMES. You can make them into GAME PIECES (MARKERS TO HOP AROUND A GAME BOARD.)  You can add magnets to them and use them for TABLE TOP DISPLAYS---JUST USE A COOKIE SHEET.  You can glue them to flannel and use them on a FLANNEL BOARD.    You can turn them into FINGER PUPPETS. 

THE POSSIBILITIES are ENDLESS!!!  I will even cut out the small pieces that advertise OTHER visuals from the same company. 

I recommend LAMINATING any and all visuals.  If it is worth MAKING or BUYING you should LAMINATE it!!!  So, when I BUY a visual that comes with a header card I LAMINATE the HEADER CARD right along with the VISUALS!  :-)

This is another set that was purchased for one of our teachers.  We went ahead and laminated the SMALL Header Card....These will be great for a magnet board or a file folder game. 

If you are going to spend money on VISUAL DISPLAYS, I say GET EVERY BIT OF YOUR MONEY'S WORTH!!!!  

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

Five Minutes Till the Bell Rings!!!

Hi there!!  I know some are wondering WHAT to do with those LAST few MINUTES of CLASS TIME.  Just so you know,  I seem to RUN out of TIME every SUNDAY!!!  I would LOVE to have BIBLE CLASS run 15, 20, 30 more minutes. :-)  But, realistically speaking I would probably STILL run out of time!!!  I know ME!  

But, I want to show you something that I have on the wall, RIGHT next to the DOOR.  Because, I believe in using EVERY LAST SECOND for teaching, I refuse to give up the time when we are WAITING on MOM or DAD to come get the KIDDOS from the classroom.  (I do not think it is WISE to release KIDDOS without proper supervision---KIDDOS LOVE TO RUN in the CHURCH building---so, I tell all my KIDDOS parents that they need to RETRIEVE their KIDDOS from the classroom.)  If NOT, I think I might just KEEP them ALL!!!!!  :-)  

OK--enough of my procedures.  Here is what I really wanted to SHARE with you.  I have this STAR chart hanging right next to the door and right under the LIGHT SWITCH.  (NOT PLANNED--but, it WORKS with this THEME!!!) I titled this area, "BIBLE KNOWLEDGE SHINES BRIGHT!"   I coded the BIG POCKETS  with "LIVED During the OLD TESTAMENT."   "LIVED During the NEW TESTAMENT."    Then I placed a bunch of BIBLE PEOPLE Picture Cards (they came from the Dollar Tree) in the pockets.

While Waiting on the Parents, I will PULL a CHARACTER out of the Pockets and tell the KIDDOS something about the LIFE of that Character---BTW, the back of the cards do have information on the character on the front---but, I just TELL the KIDDOS things I can quickly recall.  I then ask them if that person lived in the OLD or NEW TESTAMENT TIME PERIOD.  The one that answers correctly gets to put it in the correct pocket!!!  We have CLEARED this chart SEVERAL TIMES through the past 5 YEARS!!!  But, the KIDDOS NEVER seem to get BOARD with this.  It is not "PLAYED" every SUNDAY...Due to the fact that I generally am NOT READY for the BELL to RING...but, every once in a while I will actually have a few moments waiting on the parents to get to the door and that is when I get to "PLAY" this with the KIDDOS.  I do like to do this activity---It is amazing to see how many BIBLE PEOPLE they can PLACE into the RIGHT TIME PERIOD!!!  

BTW, I just wanted to tell you I have a departure procedure for my classroom!!! I tell the KIDDOS---"YOU have to answer my question in order for me to open the door for your parent."  I then ask them a question  about the lesson....(within the earshot of MOM or DAD) and when they answer the question I open the door and let them out!!!  BTW, I am blessed to have a DUTCH door!!!  I open the "TRAP" door---(the KIDDOS named the top half of the door the "TRAP DOOR."---I don't know why?) so that the PARENTS get to see and hear their KIDDOS answering their EXIT QUESTIONS!!!   

Although I use this as a REVIEW at the End of Class Time, this could very easily be an EAA--Early Arrivers Activity too!   I encourage you to use EVERY LAST SECOND for a TEACHING OPPORTUNITY!!!!!  Bible Class is so important!!! 

Blessings

Ronda

Bible Detectives!!!!

We are starting something NEW.  This is an opportunity for all of OUR KIDDOS, that attend Bible Classes here at our congregation, to expand their Bible Knowledge!!!

We are going to encourage all of our KIDDOS to be BIBLE DETECTIVES!!!  

We have an area in our classroom hallway that is PERFECT for displaying this BOARD.    It is in a central location and very easy for ALL parents, visitors and students to see.  

Detective Notebook and Special Pencil. 

Each KIDDO will be given a Detective Notebook and Pencil.  Then they will go to the board and jot down the BIBLE Question for the week.  

Date, Question, Answer and Reference. 

They will have a WEEK to FIND the Answer....On WEDNESDAY following the posting of the NEW Question....we will post a CLUE that will help the KIDDO find the answer.  That way if they are STUMPED by the question...they know they will get a bit of help on Wednesday Evening. 

We plan on making the Bible Questions RANGE in difficulty.  We want our little ones to be able to participate...so, we will have a few "easier to answer questions"...but, since we want to challenge our older Kiddos we will have some questions that will put their Detective Skills to WORK.  

The area that we will be posting the questions is simply a laminated piece of yellow cardstock paper.  Makes it easy to CHANGE the question.  We simple write on it with an Erasable White Board Marker.  

 

We want this to be FUN and Educational.  We know that FACTS are very Basic Learning Skills ...but, if we can get the KIDDOS searching the Scriptures for answers then we will be helping to establish a LIFE PRINCIPLE.  

The little POCKET on the bottom right of the board will house PAST Questions (we will write the past questions on those little Magnifying Glasses)...that way if a KIDDOS misses a question they have the opportunity to go back and add the question to their Detective Notebook.  

We are excited about this activity....ALL the teachers are going to participate as well...We are asking them to submit various Bible Questions to be added to the Board.  

NOW,  just some technical info.  The Blue Board is a Science Project Board...I purchased it at Hobby Lobby with a 40 % off coupon.  The Detective Dog, Magnifying Glasses and Border all came from a Classroom Bulletin Board Poster Kit that I purchased at Mardel (school supply store.)  The little box on the bottom right corner came from Dollar Tree.  The words "Bible Detective" were printed from my computer graphics program.  The little Detective Notebooks are from Dollar Tree (4 for $1.00)...I just printed a Label and recovered the front of each Notebook.  The pencils came from Dollar Tree.  I had the Yellow Cardstock Paper in my supplies.  

Hope this might inspire you to challenge the KIDDOS that attend your congregation....Help them LEARN to LOVE EXPLORING their BIBLE!!!  The BIBLE holds all the ANSWERS to LIFE!!!  Let's get the KIDDOS SEARCHING their BIBLE today!!!!

Blessings,

Ronda

Another Ealry Arrival Activity E. A. A. Drawing the Days of Creation.

This will be their EAA (Early Arrival Activity) this Sunday.  Because, I like to REVIEW information, facts and lesson the Kiddos have learned in the past, I decided this would be a FUN one.  We are going to to review the Days of Creation.  

Here is the plan....The Early Arrivers will Roll the Die that is sitting on their personal DRY ERASE Board.  Whatever number they ROLL is the DAY they will draw.  For example:  if they roll a 4 they will draw what GOD made on that day...the SUN, MOON and STARS.  

I LOVE having my classroom ready to GO!!!  Normally, I make a special trip to the church building on Saturday....just to finalize anything I feel the need to do...BUT, today I am confident that I will not need to change anything for this Sunday....(I THINK...LOL)

*BRUSHING UP ON BIBLE FACTS are ready.

* Lesson is opened and ready to be taught.

* WORD WALL words are ready to be explained.

* "Take Home" is ready to be completed.

* Song Book is ready for use.

BTW, The hula hoops in the floor are part of our REVIEW game for Sunday.... Please check back to see what we are going to be doing with them!!!

 

The personal WHITE Boards are one of my KIDDOS favorite thing to use.  I had these cut from one of those HUGE pieces of white laminated boards that you buy in the Bathroom Wallboard Section of Lowes.  The worker there was sweet enough to cut that HUGE board down into these squares for me.  When I explained the purpose for ALL those cuts----well, they did not even charge me the cutting fees!!!   Due to the fact that I got SEVERAL of these boards we have shared them with all the classes here at the church building.  The OLDER KIDDOS use them for TRIVIA games, Map drawings, Bible Pictures Styles Games, etc.    

I love letting the KIDDOS draw Bible Stories...and I LOVE the fact that they LOVE to draw on these boards.  My only suggestion is this....KEEP A CAMERA HANDY!!!  YOU and the KIDDOS will want to remember their BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK!!!   

Blessings,

Ronda

New Theme for The Classroom.

We're WILD about Bible Class!!!!!!!!

I am so excited.  Life seems to be getting back to a "normal" state.  My husband says it is just the "NEW NORMAL."  I love my hubby...he keeps me grounded when life gets nutty.  

I have been spending the last few days  updating my Bible Classroom!!

I decided to use a JUNGLE theme.  On the Door I included pictures of my students.  They LOVE seeing their pics. being used in a visual.  I think it helps give them the feeling of being IMPORTANT!!!  Which they are very important to me!!!  I found the little frames at our local Dollar Tree. Placed pictures of my students in them and attached them to the door using COMMAND HOOK.  I LOVE COMMAND HOOK!!! 

I also found the Monkey on the vines and other vinyl wall clings at the Dollar Tree too.  Those are simple to use just PEEL and STICK.  :)  

To go along with our JUNGLE THEME I made a new attendance chart.  The kiddos will add a JUNGLE animal to their attendance chart every time they come to class.    I LOVE new attendance charts. They just SCREAM..."fill me up with stickers by coming to class."

The kiddos saw the changes this past Wednesday Evening....can you say EXCITED!!!  Well, they were so excited....I love it when they are as excited as I am about changes in the classroom.  

To add to the JUNGLE THEME I decided to hang some "SWINGING" Monkeys from the ceiling.  They are just for FUN!  I think they add to the atmosphere.  

The Monkeys and vines came from Dollar Tree.  

I LOVE changing things up for the kiddos.....It keeps them excited!!!!  I know I am "WILD" about Bible Class....and always want the kiddos to be excited about Bible Class too!!!!

I have a few more FUN ideas in the works.  Keep checking back as I hope to post them soon.  

Blessings,




Ronda

Fruit of the Spirit Lesson 3 LOVE

Lesson three of our Fruit of the Spirit unit was a lesson on LOVE.  I used the verse John 3:16 as our main text.  We learned how God LOVES us soooo much that HE sent HIS Son JESUS to die for our sins.  

For our  "story time" I used a small story book that showed the basic life of Christ.  It started with his humble birth.  The book then showed a few highlights from HIS life...and then HIS death, burial and resurrection.  The book ended with a GIANT HEART that has the words, "BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU" on it.  It was a nice way to give a short chronological account of the life of Christ.

As our TAKE HOME project we made a type of mobile.  The kiddos LOVED the 3D earth that they got to glue to their mobile. They also got to stick on 3D foamy heart stickers.  The pictures really help you see what we made during class. 

The little globes came from a pencil sharpener that I had purchased a while back at Target.   I think they turned our darling!

Our memory verse was JOHN 3:16....We sang the verse to a little tune to help the kiddos get it memorized.  They ALL had it memorized before leaving the classroom!!!

The kiddos loved coloring the heart with the earth in the middle of it.  I explained that GOD'S love for the world...Is really GOD'S love for mankind

For our Activity/Review Game we play "Put the LIFE of CHRIST in order."  I had added a small picture ,that matched the pictures in the book we read during "story time," to Popsicle sticks.  Then used an old piece of Styrofoam placed each piece in order of events in the LIFE of CHRIST.  Then took them all our and mixed them up.  The kiddos had to answer a question from the lesson to pick a piece and place it in the styrofoam in the correct order.  They did a really good job getting them in the right order.  It was a challenge for the younger students and a BREEZE for my older student.  So, I had the older student "HELP" the younger ones...It was great fun!!!  It was also a very effective yet inexpensive way to review the lesson.

I wanted to encourage the kiddos to memorize the memory verses.  I decided that a basket would be perfect. If they can say the memory verse on Sunday, they get to add a new FRUIT to their basket.  They are so excited about "FILLING" their basket with the fruit stickers.  

Simple things make kids happy. 

On Wednesday Evening the kiddos had a puzzle with pizazz to make.  This project goes into their "Explorer Journal."  To make this the kiddos had to put the puzzle  (we had already cut each puzzle out) together first...then colored it however they wanted.  Then for a SPECIAL SURPRISE... or the PIZAZZ, as I like to call it....they got to glue on a wooden globe to the center of the heart!!!!  This gives this puzzle a SPECIAL touch. 

The children LOVED this...they all thought the GLOBE was really COOL.  I love it when something so simple makes them excited about their projects...and helps make the lesson more memorable for them.

I bought something NEW for my classroom...We do a lot of on the carpet activities...I had wanted to buy a large rug that had colored squares for each student....however, I could NOT afford to do this at the moment.  So, I decided to keep my eyes opened for ANYTHING that would accomplish the same desired effect at a much lower cost....Well, while shopping at ROSS recentely I noticed these great FOAM puzzle pieces....A light bulb went off and well...NOW, each of my students has their OWN SPOT to sit during our CARPET TIME activities.  :-) 

Blessings,

Ronda