Explorer Journal....The Ten Commandments

The 10 Commandments has been a wonderful lesson for the children. We focused a lot on the history around the giving of the Commandments...and then the meaning of each Commandment and then the fact that God has given us commandments to live by and keep.




For the kiddo's Explorer Journal activity we did a coloring and gluing activity. The kiddos had to color the picture of Moses on Mount Sinai...and then glue on his beard and hair, and then glue on the 10 Commandments "stone tablets." The stone tablets were made from foamy sheets available at your local hobby store or Walmart.






We review the story by using my Mount Sinai diorama. The children loved this interactive way of reviewing the story. I had laid my NUMBER Commandments down around the diorama. This made it easier for the children to remember which commandment was which.



We also sang the TEN COMMANDMENT rap and rhyme song several times. (They LOVED this song.)

The Ten Commandments

We have been studying the story of the 10 Commandments for the last two weeks. There is soooo much information on the Mount Sinai story that I decided we needed to take it a bit slower. So, here is some of what I did with the children during this study.

We focused on the fact that the Hebrews were told to move and camp at the basin of Mount Sinai. We talked about how they were to prepare for something AWESOME. We talked about Moses going up the Mount...and how the Hebrews were NOT supposed to come near or touch Mount Sinai.

We then focused on what was happening to Mount Sinai. The rumbling thunderous sounds and the lightning. We talked about the cloud being on top of Mount Sinai and God speaking to Moses. I taught the children about the 10 Commandments. How, they were written on stone. We then spent most of the class time talking about each commandment and it's meaning for the Hebrews. We talked about how if we love God we will keep all of HIS commands today.
Jn, 14:15

We also covered the fact that Moses was up on the Mount for 40 days, (However, I did not go into the golden calf story....that is for next Sunday.) I did explain that God gave Moses more that just the 10 Commandments. HE gave Moses the instructions for the Hebrews daily life and the instructions for the tabernacle.

The children enjoyed this lesson very much.

As their "Take Home" activity we made a "Mount Sinai." It is made out of paper...folded into a triangle box. We added stickers (I made them from my computer and sticker maker machine.) of Moses, #10, 40 days, and Clouds and lightning, The children had to tell me what each sticker had to do with the story. We also glued a cloud (cotton) on the top of Mount Sinai,



As a visual aid I used the "Stone" tablets seen above. I had made these several years ago and they are still a wonder visual. I also, use a Mount Sinai, diorama that I made several years ago, The paper dolls are from www.makingfriends.com. I printed and laminated them a long time ago. I reuse them when ever I need to tell the story of Mount Sinai. The children LOVED this interactive visual.







The Memory Verse for the week was John 14:15










The review game was a Match the Picture represetation to the correct commandment. This was a bit of a challenge....but, they enjoyed it.







These numbers each represent a commandment. The children really enjoyed these VISUALS. They seemed to help the kiddos remember the commandments a bit easier.

Wednesday's Explorer Journal Activity....Moses Strikes the Rock

Our Wednesday Evening Bible Class is a time I really enjoy. It allows me the opportunity to review what we learned on Sunday and make sure the children really understand the lesson.



This Wednesday we will review the story of Moses striking the rock at Horeb, as God commanded, and water gushing forth and providing the Hebrews with plenty of water to drink. The children enjoyed the visual aid (see previous post) of the Water coming out of the rock when we hit it...so, I will be allowing them to strike the rock and and see the water come out again.



We will do our Explorer Journal Activity. The students will color their picture and then add the water and the rod. The water is a copy on blue paper that has been glued to a foamy sheet (available at all craft stores, Dollar Tree, Walmart, etc.) and cut out. The rod is a small dowel piece.






We will also say our Memory Verse and add a sticker to our Explorer Back Pack, for saying the MV.



If time permits we will play the "Rod, Rock, and Water" review game. (View Last Post to see game.)

Moses Strikes the Rock

This has been a very busy week. I decided the original IDEA I had for the students Sunday Take Home activity was NOT coming together the way I wanted. So, I decided to change directions and DO something different. I must say, I really do like the NEW idea much better.

On Sunday we will be learning about God telling Moses to strike the rock...and the rock sending forth water. With that we will focus on God never leaving us to FEND for ourselves...God has always provided for HIS followers and HE does provide for US.

The Take Home activity ended up being a 3D Diorama of Moses Striking the Rock. The Children will color and glue all the pieces together. To make this a little more fun....I decided to add crape paper to the "water" gushing out of the rock. I think the kids will enjoy this activity.




As a Visual Aid, I made a Rock Mound....ran a straw through it and will pour water down the back as the children gently strike the rock....This was made out of a kitchen funnel, 2 bags of rocks from Dollar Tree, a Straw from the hospital cup my daughter received on her recent stay, foam core board (for the back drop) and a printed picture of a rock mountain. I believe the students will really enjoy this visual aid.




Our review game is called "Rod, Rock & Water"....we will play this as a class....Moses will move closer to the rock with flowing water, as the children answer questions for the story.




I am looking forward to Sunday...I am looking forward to my students learning this AMAZING story.

Blessings,

Ronda

Star Studded Story Memory....

Decided to make this REVIEW System for the kids. At the end of class we have a few minutes that I use to review the lesson.

This way of reviewing involves the children picking a star wand...and then they have to answer the question on the star.

We did this activity for the first time this past Sunday. The children responded very well to this activity. They enjoyed
picking the stars out of the container and then answering the questions.

To make this I used my color printer...printed out the stars with the
questions on them. Glued them to foam...and attached them to a
(dowel rod) wand.

The Star Holder....was made from a pringles can...I just wrapped it in paper...with the words STAR STUDDED STORY MEMORY...on it.

This was a quick and easy, yet effective review system to make.

Explorer Journal....Manna and Quail

As you know we use Wednesday nights to review the lesson we learned on Sunday.

So, we will be reviewing the story of Moses and the Hebrews at Marah, Elim and in the Wilderness of Sin. Of course that is the stories of the Bitter Water made Sweet....the 70 palm trees and 12 wells and the story of God providing the Manna and Quail. We will be doing our EXPLORER JOURNAL activity, spend time saying our Memory Verse...and playing our "Gathering Manna and Quail" game. Wednesday Night class period seems to go sooo fast.

On Sunday, for the Bitter Waters made Sweet story...I mixed a bit of vinegar in some water...and let them drink it. Their little faces were soooo adorable...all puckered up. I made sweet water by mixing a little sugar in the water. They preferred the sweet water, of course. We pointed out that only God can turn bitter water to sweet, by throwing a tree into the water. We will review this story... and I will allow any that want to try the waters again to do so.

We will again look at Elim being a great place to camp....Nice shade from the palms and 12 wells of water.

Then we will review how God provided Manna and Quail for the Hebrews. We will discuss how the Manna would become wormy if left till morning. We will focus on how we must follow all of the Commands of God...every last "little" Command is important. We will again talk about how God ALWAYS provides for His children...and how Jesus is our Bread of Life.

Our Explorer Journal Activity will be a Manna activity. The kiddos will add "manna" that I cut out of white foamy sheets. We will color and then glue on the "manna."

Then we will play the review game...We will gather up "manna" and quail by answering questions from our story.

WOW, we have a lot of ground to cover on Wednesday. I love review nights...it really allows me to know what the children really grasped from Sunday's lesson.

Blessings,

Ronda

Manna and Quail

Wow what a week...

We had a nice "Stay-cation" vacation. We were able to get a few things done around the house we needed to do...plus, sleeping in was nice.



However, this week I have be going full speed ahead...Prepping for the Bible Story where God provides food for the Hebrews. I decided to make a Ronda version of "manna." I used a pie crust cut into small circles...the children will make a "manna" basket and collect "manna" to go in their basket.





I have also made a jar of "manna" left till morning...I filled the jar with my "manna" and gummy worms. I am excited about this...I know the boys in my class will LOVE this part of the story.

I am also, briefly covering the events at Marah...where Moses tosses the tree into the water and it becomes sweet...and the story of Elim.....where they camped and had plenty of water and shade.





My main focus will be on how God always provides for HIS children and how HE sent the "Bread of Life" HIS son for us.

We will be playing a review game...where the children will either gather "manna" or quail...they will answer a question and then I will tell them it is night or morning....and they will have to gather
the correct item.




I will be adding a few pics of other ideas soon...over vacation the creative juices were still flowing...and I did manage to work on a few Bible Class ideas.

Blessings,

Ronda

The Workshop Went Well

As you know I conducted a Bible Class Teacher's Workshop this past Saturday. It is such a blessing to be a part of the Workshop...I love seeing the excitement and dedication in the ladies that attend one of the Workshops.






Sharing ideas helps encourage all of us. It was a fun filled day. I pray the ladies were as benefited as I was. Now, my prayer is, they take what they learned and use it to teach little ones.











The pictures are of a few of the tables I had set up at the Workshop.

Blessings,

Ronda

Workshop

I love Getting ready for Bible Class Teachers Workshops.


This Workshop is in El Reno, OK. I have spent MOST of this week spending time prepping for the Bible Class Teachers Workshop. It will be held at the Elm Street church of Christ on Saturday.

I love the Workshops. I am greatly encouraged when ladies want to RAISE THE BAR on their teaching of the Bible. It is a great opportunity for ladies to get together, learn and share ideas on teaching children the most important subject that can ever be taught: The Bible.

I pray that the ladies will benefit from this ALL Day event.




The pictures are showing some of the pre packing I have to do before a Workshop. My biggest concern is will it all fit in my van. I tease my husband and tell him I am going to have to buy a trailer someday.








Blessings.

Ronda

Pharaoh's Fatal Following

Why did Pharaoh NOT learn his lessons? We are going to talk about how we should NEVER harden our hearts towards God and his commandments. We need to always obey!!! We are going to talk about how catastrophe always seems to happen to those who do NOT listen and obey God.


As our activity we are going to be making Pharaoh's chariot. We are making them out of a Laundry Soap Scoop, Buttons, Horses purchased at Dollar Tree, stickers made from my clip art program, and an Egyptian Pharaoh Pen.....I purchased these at the Office Supply Store.








I am looking forward to another exciting Sunday....filled with lessons from God's Word. I know the children will love Reviewing the story of the Red Sea Crossing....and looking at it from the the Egyptians standpoint.


Hope you are enjoying this website. email me with your questions.

Blessings,

Ronda

We "Crossed" The Red Sea

On Wednesday Evening we review the lesson on the Hebrews Crossing the Red Sea. This will be a 4 Part lesson. 2 Sunday's and 2 Wednesday's. That is because I wanted the children to know how God led them through the Red Sea and how disobedience will cause catastrophe. So the first 2 parts are all about how God provided safety for the Hebrews. How God led and protected the Hebrews. How God brought them safely across the Red Sea on Dry Land.

Next Sunday and Wednesday we will focus on Pharaoh's WRONG CHOICE and determination to recapture the Hebrews and how it led to the downfall of Him and his army.

This is a picture of our Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. The children loved following me around the room as we sang "God Led the Hebrews." I wrote this song for this lesson and lessons to follow. We will have a lot of "wandering in the wilderness" stories that we can use these also. I also allowed each of the students to take a turn at holding up either the Pillar of Cloud or Pillar of Fire as we followed them around the room and sang. They loved being the LEADER!!!





This Wednesday Explorer Journal Activity was a Picture of Moses and the Hebrews crossing the Red Sea. The children colored their picture, added Moses's Rod, and the Pillar of Cloud. They all really seemed to enjoy the activity.







For our review time we "Crossed" the Red Sea...I had a bunch of blue balloons in the classroom. If a child answered the question correctly they had the opportunity to be "MOSES" and raise the rod (I have one in the classroom...it is an old broom handle) and begin crossing the Red Sea on Dry Ground. The children LOVED this....all children seem to LOVE balloons...and I thought this would make the easiest "RED SEA" possible.


Hope you are enjoying this website. Come back often. Email me with questions.

Blessings,

Ronda

The Red Sea Story

I will be a the first to admit that this has been a busy week. We have had appointments, Bible classes, school conferences, and so much more going on this week. That made for an extremely busy week. So, I had to make my time management a MUST!

This Sunday and next we will be leaning about the RED SEA story. I am soo excited about this story. I love how God manifests HIS AWESOME power to the Hebrews and the Egyptians. God will fight the battle if we let HIM. We must have faith.

Our "Take Home" activity is a Red Sea Diorama type Activity. It is easily constructed out of sandpaper, foam core board, and card stock. There is very little expense to this activity, yet it packs a big punch in the ability to learn the story. I know the children will love that they get to have their OWN "RED SEA" to take home with them. During class they will have to color the Hebrews, fish and crab...then glue them on their 'RED SEA." Since time is an issue, I pre-made the "RED SEAS" for each student.







Our memory verse this week is from Hebrews 11. It is a simple verse and I came up with a song to help ease the memorization of the verse.






Our REVIEW activity is a Balloon Made RED SEA. The children will move a balloon (pretending to be Moses.) by answering a question from the story. After all the balloon have been moved and the "Dry Land" is visible we will all walk through our version of the "RED SEA." I am looking forward to seeing their excitement about this lesson.






Blessings,

Ronda

The Passover story will NOT be Passed Over by this Preschool Class.

I will be the first to admit that the Passover story is not an easy story to teach to Preschoolers, There is death, sacrifices, blood, darkness, etc. It kind of makes this a hard story to teach.

Yet, if you look at the story you see how much GOD loves HIS people. You see how important the story of Passover is when studying and learning about the death of Jesus...our PASSOVER LAMB.

I will admit the TYPE/ANTI TYPE story is extremely deep for the children.....so, my focus will be on the History of the Hebrews Obedience, Protection, and Deliverance. We will learn how they DID ALL that God commanded and were saved! This is still the commandment today. " “If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15

Our activity for today is a "Hebrew's Door." The door (made of cardstock) will be colored by the children. They will glue on buttons for a door handle. They will then color the "inside of the door." Because, inside is "Hebrews" enjoying their Passover feast. They will add stickers for the lamb and bitter herbs. They will glue on unleavened bread. Then they will get to PAINT the "blood" (red paint) on the door post and lintel. The kiddos will love the painting part of the activity. Every Preschooler I know LOVES to paint.

They will have a new Memory Verse this week. We will say it several times and SING it several times before class period is over. Their new Memory Verse is Exodus 12:13.

We will also "PLAY" "Scrambled Plagues."
I have places an Ordinal Number of each plague and a picture of Moses and Pharaoh in each plastic egg. The children will answer questions and then get to pick an egg. They will open the egg....and then place the egg in the correct numberd spot in the egg carton. I know the children will LOVE this game.....and there was NO real expense to it. The eggs were leftovers from Easter. I had the egg carton in the fridge. I printed the pictures on my printer....and lamintaed them for stability and longevity. Cheap, Easy and Useful....my type of DO IT YOURSELF project.

Blessings,

Ronda

Working on Ideas that do NOT go along with my current topic.,

I love to work on Bible Materials. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to impress the Word of God upon the hearts and minds of children.

I write Bible songs, write materials, work on review games, work on visuals, and bulletin boards ideas all the time. I keep a notebook on me at all times. I am constantly sketching out ideas and plans. I may be teaching through the book of Exodus at the current time...but, I am always thinking about other Bible stories and facts. This helps keep the creative juices flowing.

I had these pieces of packing material in my "Treasure Closet." I knew I was going to make a Bible City or Tower out of them. I had saved them to show them at a Workshop that I was teaching, so I had not done anything productive with them.

The other day, I had a spare 10 minutes and decided to put them to uses. I went ahead and glued them together for the beginning stages of a Tower of Babel or Bible Time Temple. I have not decided completely yet. I know I have the stories of the building of the Temple coming in the future....So I am leaning towards them becoming a Temple. However, in the current state...they would make a great Tower of Babel....Just a little detailing needed.

This was a free VISUAL to make....The materials came in a box as packing materials. Normally, you would probably throw the packing materials away....but, think before you pitch it in the trash. Ask yourself, "Could this work for a visual aid, activity, review game, etc?"

If you are always thinking about Bible Stories it will help you come up with ideas to teach the stories.

Wednesday's Explorer Journal Activity....

As you know Wednesday Evening is time for reviewing what the children learned on Sunday Morning.

On Wednesday Evening, we do our Explorer Journal Activity. The Explorer Journal Activity this week is the 10 Plagues. The children will be coloring, gluing and sticking 3D items to the "Plagues Pyramid."

This activity will then be placed in their Explorer Journal....they take home their Explorer Journal the very last day of class. That way ALL their Wednesday Evening Activities are collected and compiled into one book. The parents LOVE this way of keeping up with their activities...and the kids love looking back at ALL they have learned. I find this to be a wonderful addition to my teaching plans.....no longer are activities lost, left in the church building, thrown in the floor board of the car, etc. Now they are collected into one binder for the children.

On Wednesday Evening the Children will be helping me put the plagues in chronological order. We will be using these NUMBER PLAGUES....I will have them all mixed up on the table and then by answering a question from the lesson they will get to move one Plague card around and help to get them in correct order. Since most of my students are able to recognize their numbers this should be a simple, yet challenging review game. I am looking forward to Wednesday Evening....the children were so excited about this lesson on Sunday and I know they will be excited about reviewing what they have learned. This is their opportunity to tell me the story and my opportunity to correct any misunderstandings. I LOVE REVIEW NIGHTS!!!!


Being a Bible Class Teacher is a Blessing. Put your whole heart into teaching young ones the Bible and you will reap an amazing reward.

Ronda

Sunday is a Coming.....and I can hardly wait!!!

Sunday is coming and I am so excited about this lesson on the plagues. I have my room ready and have made a few more items for the purpose of teaching this lesson.

I used clipart from phillipmartin.com to make a standing Pharaoh and Moses. I printed them, laminated them, and attatched them to toliet paper tubes. This will allow them to stand freely as I tell the story. I will be bringing in a glass bowl, filled with water and a vial of red food coloring. My plan is to drop the red food coloring in the water as I tell that part of the story. I will have my 3D Moses sort of "strike" the water as I drop the red food coloring into the bowl.

We will also be playing a Plague review game. It is a Pyramid shaped bean bag toss game. I will be having the students answer a question from the lesson. Then they will have the opportunity to toss the bean bag onto the Plague Pyramid. They will then have to tell me which plague they landed on an one "NUMBER Sequence" the plague is. I know they will love this...anytime they get to toss beanbags they get excited.

I decided to place frogs all over the room. That way when the kiddos walk into class they will know something exciting is about to take place. I always am looking for ways to peak their interst from the minute they walk into the door.

Hope the pictures are helpful. Hope you are enjoying teaching Bible class. Hope you will return to this website in the future.

Ronda