Seven Ones of Ephesians 4

Recently my KIDDOS were working hard to earn their Bible Badge for knowing the Seven Ones of Ephesians 4:4-6. To see our   Bible Badges Display Board just click on the link.  

When memorizing these important Bible Facts, I like to help my KIDDOS by coming up with a song and an 3D visual aid. 

You can hear the song and see a fun visual aid by clicking this link

I purchased all the Paper Mache Numbers at Hobby Lobby.  I waited for them to go on sale at 50% off.  I had originally thought I would be buying WOOD numbers....but, when I found these I was excited!!!  They are light weight and it was easy to glue the pictures to them. 

 

After the KIDDOS earned their BADGE, we added these to our Bible Bucket Reviews...this becomes an Early Arriver Activity.  (EAA)  This allows independent review time!!  I love it when the KIDDOS pick up a Bible Bucket Review and PRACTICE reciting FACTS they already had memorizing.  

I am thrilled to say ALL my KIDDOS memorized the Seven Ones of Ephesians 4!!!  Keep in mind, I teach PK-1st Graders.  That means they are 4 1/2 years old to 7 years old!   It always amazes me HOW much these KIDDOS can memorize and retain!!  They work hard, practice, recite, repeat, and then we REVIEW!!!  Just because, they earned a BADGE, does not mean we wont go back over the information from time to time!!  

I believe in making learning Bible Facts "fun" and "exciting."  Kiddos can MEMORIZE so much if we just give them the opportunity to do so!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

Toddler Class Updates!!!

I LOVE seeing PROGRESS and EXCITEMENT build in both the KIDDOS and the TEACHERS!!!  

I recently mentioned that our congregation has had an EXPLOSION of KIDDOS, which created a WONDERFUL "problem."  We had to EXPAND our classes!!!!  We ended up needing to split the Nursery Class and thus creating a TODDLER Class!

The Teachers and KIDDOS LOVE the BUCKET system!!!  We are still EXPANDING the BUCKET LESSONS, adding more and more BIBLE STORY BUCKETS!!!  With that being said, we are going to go get two more bookcases!!!  We LOVE how this system has been working!!!  

The teachers have been busy adding VISUALS to the walls.  So, I thought I would SHARE with you some of the progress.  

They recently put up the NEW TESTAMENT Bible Characters!!!  

The Teachers have added MORE and MORE items to the "DAYS OF CREATION" wall!  I LOVE it!!!

As you can tell, we USED what we had...we just turned a bookcase on its side...that gave the teachers and KIDDOS a nice storage area for puzzles, games and extra needed items

The KIDDOS LOVE the "Choo Choo Train/Bible Song."  Knowing how much they LOVE that song, the teachers decided to hang a TRAIN on the wall---the train has POCKET CARS and in the POCKETS are Laminated Cards with the Books of The Bible Printed on them.    

During "CARPET TIME," the KIDDOS will get to put the BOOKS in the correct BOX CAR.  The Teacher will be very HANDS ON during this activity!!!  

I LOVE this KID FRIENDLY Bible.  It has very IMPORTANT information coded on it...These are Bible FACTS that the teachers review with the KIDDOS each class period!!

NOTICE that we even have "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN" on the wall in this Bible Class room.  It allows the teachers to mention the TIME PERIOD and GOD'S PLAN as they review.  (Of course this is done a very SIMPLE level.) I love that the KIDDOS see these displayed in EVERY classroom!!  

I LOVE this IDEA!!!  Each FISH has a BUBBLE. The teachers have REVIEW QUESTIONS for the KIDDOS.  Such as, How many books are in the BIBLE? What did GOD make on day 4?  etc. When the KIDDOS are able to answer the questions they get to add a FUN little sticker to their FISHES Bubble. The KIDDOS LOVE THIS!!!

The teachers have a wall prepared for the KIDDOS---they are getting ready to FOCUS on NOAH'S ARK!!!  I LOVE the 3D!!

I LOVE the progress they are making with this class!!!  We are BLESSED to have dedicated and motivated teachers!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

A FEW more BUCKET BIBLE LESSONS for the Toddler Class

As you are aware we have begun a new Bible Class for the Toddler age group.  We decided to use a BUCKET system for the KIDDOS Bible Stories.

I shared a few of the BUCKET BIBLE STORIES  when I posted about our NEWEST Bible Class.

But, as I promised we had more to COME.  This BUCKET is the beginning of an Abraham Bucket.  The descendents of Abraham are like the STARS of Heaven.  The stars came from Dollar Tree.  

We will also be adding a wooden number "3" to stand for the THREE SPECIAL Promises GOD made to Abraham.  (I have the 3's but, they need to be sanded and painted.)

This is the JOSEPH Bucket!!  Each of the KIDDOS will get a BOOK to look through as the teacher tell them the story of Joseph and sings songs about Joseph.    (These books came from Dollar Tree--they are a "Lift-A-Flap" book.)

This is the TOWER of BABEL Bucket.  The KIDDOS will get a few blocks to build up and knock down as they sing the song about the Tower of Babel.

We altered the Ezra/Nehemiah Bucket.  I found these small sand sculpture walls at the DOLLAR TREE.  So, we decided they would be FUN for the KIDDOS to "Hammer, Saw or Screw" together. 

This is the Queen Esther Bucket.  These came from the Dollar Tree.  They used to hold bubble solution....it has all be poured into a special container and saved for other purposes.  I LOVE these little queens.  They are PERFECT for this age group to be able to HOLD and "WALK" as they sing and learn about Queen Esther. 

This is the David Bucket.  These are SHEEP puppets.  They came from Dollar Tree.  These will be fun for the KIDDOS to use when they are singing songs about David.  

This is the DONKEY BUCKET.    These will be used during the telling of Balaam's Donkey.  They will also use these when learning about Jesus!  We purchased the Donkeys at Dollar Tree. 

This is the ZACCHEUS  BUCKET.  The trees are from Hobby Lobby.  The little men are from Oriental Trading Company.  We just glued them into the tree. 

Hope these ideas are helpful to those of you that teach the TODDLER AGE GROUP.  

Blessings, 

Ronda

Toddler Class...a FUN New Adventure for ages 2-4!!!

We have had an EXPLOSION of KIDDOS recently!!  This is such an exciting time for our congregation.  We have a "CRADLE ROLL" class....This class has normally had about five KIDDOS...and recently blossomed to nine KIDDOS.    This created a "problem" because our Cradle Roll Table only sits eight KIDDOS.  

 

This is a wonderful "PROBLEM" to have.  It did cause a bit of, "WHAT shall we do to solve this 'PROBLEM?'"  moments.  So, the elders decided it would be best to divide the CRADLE ROLL class and move out the Toddlers and form a NEW class for the TODDLER AGE.    I am SO excited about this NEW CLASS. 

Several of us volunteered to help "SET" up and DECORATE the NEW Classroom.  The teachers wanted to make sure the classroom was an EXCITING PLACE for their KIDDOS.  Please understand this is a WORK in PROGRESS.  We began working on the room after Wednesday Evening Services....and due to the weather we have yet to really complete it....but, I think I LOOKS pretty good and the KIDDOS were SUPER excited this past SUNDAY!!!

I hope you noticed the SHELVES behind the table.  (BTW, one of our elders built the table!  I LOVE IT!!)  Those shelves house MOST of the CURRICULUM for this class.    

We are calling these:

"BUCKET BIBLE LESSONS."    

 

Each of the shallow BUCKETS have a DIFFERENT BIBLE LESSON in it.  I will do my best to explain our PLANS for these lessons.  By the way, the buckets came from DOLLAR TREE.   

When the KIDDOS first arrive the teachers will use these two buckets.  The KIDDOS will "DRIVE" to Bible Class as they sing "This is the way we DRIVE to Class."  --using the steering wheels.  Then they will use the clocks and sing, "It's Time For Bible Class."  (I collected these vehicles years ago via McDonalds Toddler Toys.)

Then they will use the Planes, Boats and Vehicles to sing, "Did You Come to Class today in a BOAT?"  

(The boats came from Dollar Tree.  The Airplanes came from Walmart Baby Section.)

Then the teachers will use this BUCKET and pass our the ROOSTERS.   The KIDDOS will sing, "BOOSTER, BOOSTER..."  (The roosters came from DOLLAR TREE--years ago.  The Pot Holder Rooster came from a garage sale.)

Then the teachers will use this BUCKET.  They will use the TRAINS as they sing, "Choo-Choo Train Bible Song."   Then the KIDDOS will be handed a BIBLE...they will sing SEVERAL songs about the Bible.  Especially "READ YOUR BIBLE and PRAY EVERY DAY."  The teacher will also use this VISUAL to demonstrate the TWO TESTAMENTS and the number of BOOKS in each Testaments. (The trains came from Walmart.  I have collected these Bibles from Garage Sales and Thrift Stores.  We made the Bible Visual.)

If the teacher chooses to teach about CREATION or Adam and Eve they will use this bucket.  Each KIDDO will get an EARTH when they are singing about CREATION.  Each KIDDOS will get an ADAM and EVE when they sing about ADAM and EVE.  (I have collected these EARTH BALLS from Garage Sales and Thrift Stores.  I drew and colored the Adam and Eve Puppets.)

This bucket goes along with the CREATION bucket.  However, we have several songs about FLOWERS...so, we gave the flowers their own bucket.  (Flowers came from the Dollar Tree.)

 This is the NOAH'S ARK Bucket.  The KIDDOS will get a TOOL when they sing songs about building the ARK.  Then they will get an ANIMAL when they are singing songs about the ANIMALS on the ARK.  Their are UNCOLORED ARK/RAINBOW fans in the bottom of this bucket.  The teachers plan to get them colored soon.  (The tools came from Oriental Trading Company.  The Animals came from a Noah's Ark Set. The Rainbow Fan came from Hobby Lobby.)

This is the MOSES BUCKET.  Each KIDDO will get a baby MOSES, BASKET and blanket.  Then they will sing songs about Baby Moses.  (The dolls came from HOBBY LOBBY....YEARS AGO.  Sadly, I cannot find them any longer.  But, I noticed the DOLLAR TREE has some sweet Baby Dolls in their GIRL'S Section.  The baskets are from an old EASTER EGG decorating kit.  The blankets were hand made.)

In the bottom of the MOSES BUCKET is FROGS.  The KIDDOS will have a frog as they sing songs about the PLAGUES on EGYPT.  (My sister gave me these frogs years ago!!)

This is the Joshua and Judges Bucket.  The HORNS are to be used when they sing songs about Joshua and Jericho.  The Palm Trees are for use during the songs about DEBORAH the Judge.  The finger PUPPET is RUTH.  (We are still working to expand this bucket with other stories.--I bought several DONKEYS today at the DOLLAR TREE so that they can use those while SINGING about Balaam.)  I will try to update pics at a later date.  (The Palm Trees came from Dollar Tree.  The HORNS came from Dollar Tree. The Finger Puppets came from Oriental Trading Company.)

This is the Jonah BUCKET.  Each KIDDOS will have a whale as they sing songs about Jonah. (The whales were a gift from my sister.  Again, they were given to me years ago.)

This is the Daniel Bucket.  Each KIDDO will get a Daniel and a Lion to  use as they sing songs about Daniel.  (The Daniel Finger Puppets came from Oriental Trading Company.  The Lions came from Walmart.)

This is the NEHEMIAH and EZRA BUCKET.  The KIDDOS will REBUILD the WALLS as they sing songs about EZRA and NEHEMIAH.  We already have a few new items to add to this bucket....I will take more pics soon.  (The Tools came from Oriental Trading Company.  The WALLS are from the set of Castle Blocks that I purchased to build the Temple and the City of Jerusalem.)

This is the LIFE of JESUS BUCKET.  There are several objects in this BUCKET.  There are: BABY JESUS.  GROWN JESUS. CROSSES.  JESUS with CHILDREN STICKS. (The teachers will be coloring these soon.)    This BUCKET will be used while singing songs about Baby Jesus.  Adult Jesus.  The Cross.  Jesus and Children.  (The Baby Jesus and Adult Jesus finger puppets came from Oriental Trading Company.  The Crosses came from Hobby Lobby.  The Jesus and Little Children sticks came from Hobby Lobby.)

We call this one LIVING for JESUS BUCKET.  There are HEARTS, Battery Powered Candles, Happy Face Balls, and Church Buildings.  We have songs that go with each of those items.  (Happy Face Balls came from Hobby Lobby.  The Foamy Church Buildings came from Hobby Lobby.  The Battery Powered Candles are from the Dollar Tree.  The Hearts are from Big Lots---they are about 15 years old.) 

This is a basket full of FUN FISH.  There are so many uses for these FISH.  However, on of the KIDDOS favorite songs is, "ALL GOD'S FISH ARE SWIMMIN IN THE WATER."   (The FISH came from Dollar Tree.  Several Years ago.)

This age group LOVES things that MOVE or MAKE noise.  THIS basket is full of TEACHING TOYS.  They are wind ups and (except the ROBIN.--she tweets when you hold her in your palm.) we have songs that go with each wind up toy.  (I have collected these WIND up toys for years.  I often find them at GARAGE SALES for pennies.)

These are fun for this age group.   The KIDDOS get to hold a songbook as they sing...They wont do this every week...but, they will do this once in a while.

(These came from Dollar Tree.  Several Years Ago.)

I LOVE these Bible Characters!!!  I am so happy to see them being put to use.  I think they make this classroom look FUN and EXCITING!! 

  

We have some other ideas and plans for this room.  I will try to post more pictures of this room and "BUCKET BIBLE LESSONS" as we EXPAND upon this idea. 

Blessings,

Ronda