WHAT IS AN EXPLORER JOURNAL?

What is an EXPLORER JOURNAL?




Each of my KIDDOS have one of these Binders in our classroom.  We call them Explorer Journals.  

Inside you will find several plastic sheet protectors that we place our activities in with each lesson. 



























Just a reminder, each of our lessons are a two week lesson.  The first week we introduce the lesson, learn the songs that goes with the lesson, teach the memory verse, do a take-home (craft style) project, and play a review game.  


























The second week of the LESSON is when we REVIEW.   This week is important as it gives me opportunity to correct any misunderstandings.  It  also, gives opportunities for the KIDDOS who missed class the first week to "CATCH UP."  

This is also the week that the KIDDOS say their SAY the MEMORY VERSE from MEMORY and we do an ACTIVITY we add to the KIDDO'S EXPLORER JOURNAL.

The EXPLORER JOURNALS stay in the classroom for the duration of our topic. 

By collecting their activities in an EXPLORER JOURNAL it give the KIDDOS a special BOOK to look back through and remind them of all the LESSONS they have learned. 





























If their activity has a moving part, a textured part, etc. I will cut the plastic sleeve so that the KIDDOS can make their activities still do what they did prior to placing them in a plastic sleeve.   






























I enjoy presenting the KIDDOS their EXPLORER JOURNAL at the end of our topic in a special way.  I love to invite the parents to our classroom for a "conference."  During this time we show the parents the KIDDOS EXPLORER JOURNALS and the KIDDOS get to tell their parents all about what they made and what the LESSONS were all about!!  The parents seem to treasure these EXPLORER JOURNALS and those activities did not end up lost, torn up, left behind in the building, or ruined in the floorboard of the car. 























I feel these EXPLORER JOURNALS are a very special addition to our KIDDOS learning and retaining the LESSONS learned.  

BTW, this EXPLORER JOURNAL belongs to one of my KIDDOS.  I LOVE looking back at all the different activities we have done!!  Today, I had a spare moment and had her walk through the entire book with me...she was able to recall EVERY STORY!!! 

Hope you consider making some sort of Journal for saving your KIDDOS handiwork. 


Blessings,

Ronda

Life of CHRIST---Angel Gabriel's Announcement

 I am so excited about this "NEW MATERIAL."  I have been working on LESSONS on the LIFE OF CHRIST for a while, now.  I am NOT done writing the LESSONS, but I feel I have enough LESSONS written that we can march forward in EXPLORING the LIFE of CHRIST!!!  

As always, I teach my lessons based upon the DO YOU KNOW? plan.  That is what I call the WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHERE? WHY? AND HOW Is this important to me?  way of learning.  If my KIDDOS can answer these questions, then I know they LEARNED the LESSON and can hopefully GROW in their relationship with GOD.  

Please remember, I teach young KIDDOS.  They range from 4 1/2 year old to 7.  They move in to my class as a PRE-Kindergartner and move out of my class when they finish 1st grade.  This is a precious age!!!  They are truly little sponges and SOAK up everything they are being taught!! 

We have our first LIFE of CHRIST Card up on our "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN." Timeline Wall.    It is the Angel Gabriel Visiting with Mary. 

The KIDDOS were given their new MEMORY VERSE.  I love this VERSE and think it is a great verse for KIDDOS to memorize!! Truly a FAITH building Memory Verse.  We sang this verse to the tune:  "If you're happy and you know it..."

If you would like to hear how we sang it click here.  Memory Verse Song Luke 1:37

To help my KIDDOS remember the lessons they have learned, I love to have a song that goes with each lesson. Please understand, these are songs by me.  Some are to traditional tunes while other songs are to tunes, I have made up.   It is amazing how quick the KIDDOS can recall lessons when you start singing a song.  Singing is an AMAZING teaching tool!!!  

If you would like to hear this song click here.  Good News Song, by RONDA DUVALL

I love having a WORD WALL in our classroom. I love teaching KIDDOS new words!!!  It is wonderful to see their understanding and vocabulary GROW from the time they enter my classroom. One of my favorite things is hearing the KIDDOS react during the sermon.  I love it when my hubby, our preacher, uses a word that the KIDDOS just learned in class.  Several of the KIDDOS sit near us and I love hearing their little gasps, giggle, or wow!!!  

Our TAKE HOME project was a paper plate angel. His name is GABRIEL. We traced each of our KIDDOS hands onto peach paper. (We were able to trace most of the KIDDOS hands last Wednesday evening. However, we had a few new KIDDOS hands to trace this class period. So, my classroom helper did this for me right as KIDDOS arrived for Bible Class.)  

The KIDDOS colored Gabriel's Clothing, Glued on his Wings, and glued on his head.  After we completed this, the KIDDOS were able to PRETEND to be Gabriel and told Mary she was going to have a baby boy, named JESUS.  

Our REVIEW GAME is a fun one!!  The KIDDOS had to answer questions from the LESSON for an opportunity to Pin The Wings on Gabriel.  It is play much like Pin the Tale on the Donkey. However, before they attempt to Pin on Gabriel's Wings, they had to answer a question from the Lesson correctly.  

Next Week is our REVIEW week.  That is when the KIDDOS make something to add to their EXPLORER JOURNAL.  So, after we review the lesson, the KIDDOS will be adding THIS page to their Explorer Journal.    The speech bubble and wings are actually 3D!!  They will color the picture then add the 3D items to the pic.  We store these in their Explorer Journal until we finish the Topic We are Studying.  I LOVE seeing the KIDDOS EXPLORER JOURNALS grow!!!  It also, makes a great and easy way to review PAST LESSONS!!!

Well, now I want to show you around the ROOM!!!  We have SEVERAL VISUALS for this STUDY!!!   Plus, I love getting IDEAS from seeing other's classrooms.  

This is our current, INFORMATION WALL!!! It is filled with INFORMATION the KIDDOS will be learning!!!!  It also, has our MAP on it!!  We will circle areas and cities of importance!!!  

Our KIDDOS will be memorizing the 12 APOSTLES, The Basic Theme of each GOSPEL book, the BEATITUDES, the GOLDEN RULE and so much more!!!  This INFORMATION WALL is a great resource for the KIDDOS!!

This Bethlehem Village was a gift from a friend!!!  It needed some repair work done on it....and I was happy to do it!!    I feel BLESSED to have this as a teaching tool It is an AWESOME VISUAL AIDE!!  The KIDDOS LOVED seeing the ANGEL come and talk to MARY!!! Of course, I had my helper bring Mary and the Angel to me at my teaching table....as, Mary was not in Bethlehem at this time....she was in Nazareth.  

This is a WIDE shot of our TEACHING TABLE. The KIDDOS gather here for the STORY and ACTIVITIES. 

See, those EXPLORER HATS....We put them on and Reminded the KIDDOS they are now BIBLE EXPLORERS!!!

This is another WIDE shot of our room.  In the far left corner of the picture you will see a Fisher Price Little People set.  I was given that, as a gift from my mother.  It was the last Christmas, prior to her passing away.  I love knowing that my MOM knew I would use this TOY to teach KIDDOS about the Birth of Christ.  I have found a few extra WISE MEN to go with this set....Since we are unsure of how many Wise Men came to visit JESUS, I always use more than three!!  

Here is a WIDE SHOT of our CIRCLE TIME area. From this area we SING SONGS, REVIEW LESSONS, READ STORY BOOKS, PLAY our REVIEW GAME and VIEW our WORD WALL WORDS.  

I have several KIDDOS that are Early Arrivers. Therefore, I love having various EAA, that stands for Early Arrivers Activities. This Weeks EAA were,  BOOKS about the LIFE of CHRIST or Play Time at the Activity Table.  I am always amazed to see which KIDDO chooses which EAA. They are never consistent....so, that assures me the need to CHANGE up EAAs.  

This is our door...the KIDDOS call it a TRAP door....because of it being able to OPEN in the MIDDLE.  (Dutch Door)  I love having this style door.  It is great at KIDDO pick up time!!!!  

Mary and Joseph are adorning our door.  It is a great place to decorate....just as the KIDDOS are getting up and gathering their "stuff" to leave...I can point to MARY or JOSEPH and ask the KIDDOS questions about the lesson.   

Right next to the DOOR, I have a place for the WEEKLY NEWS LETTER.  I love sending home a NEWSLETTER.  It gives the parents insight into WHAT we are doing, learning and focusing on during Bible Class.  It is truly a great communication tool!!!

Blessings,

Ronda

We Want To Get "CAUGHT" In Bible Class!! Attendance Charts

As, I said in my previous POST, a NEW QUARTER brings NEW CHANGES.  My KIDDOS will be learning about the Life of CHRIST over the next several months.  It will take us more than a quarter to get though all the lessons I want to teach....so, we will take our time.  However, with that being said, I wanted to share with you THIS quarters Attendance Chart!!!  They are LITTLE EXPLORERS in a BOAT!!!   They have a fishing pole and a hook.  ( I lovingly made each of those "fish hooks" from aluminum foil!!!)  The KIDDOS will add a FISH Sticker each time they come to Bible Class.  I love using Attendance Charts like this....they can be used for Sunday AM and Wednesday PM classes.  We use bigger fish stickers on Sunday and the smaller fish stickers on Wednesday.    I am happy that this goes along with the Explorer Theme and the Life of CHRIST Theme!!!!    Remember, we are to be FISHERS of MEN.


Blessings,


Ronda

Abraham "GET UP and GO."

Do You KNOW?  Wall.

BULLETIN BOARD

We have begun our EXPLORATION of the Patriarchs.  I am excited.  The KIDDOS are excited, too. They LOVE new adventures!!!

The KIDDOS "NEW" Explorer Journals are READY!!  These are used to keep their Explorer Journal Activities.  The KIDDOS get to take them home at the end of the study.  

Our "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN" timeline had Abraham and Sarah added to the PATRIARCHAL time period.  

I went with something very simple for our TABLE TOP Visual.    I am using one of the toy tents my hubby bought me...using-toys-to-teach-bible-stories   with "Abraham" and a laminated number 3 that highlights the 3 SPECIAL promises that GOD made to Abraham.  We will be talking about those 3 SPECIAL promises  a LOT!!!  :-)

  

NOW, on to the BIG 3D visual!!!!    I am so excited to get to use this TENT!!!  I bought it several years ago.  I LOVE the colors and thought it would be GREAT to use when I taught on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  I found the tent on clearance at Target.  It is supposed to go on top of a twin bed....  but, I think it is perfect for this lesson!!!  

Just for fun, I added a blow up palm tree, I purchased it at Dollar Tree several years ago.  

**The KIDDOS had SO MUCH FUN getting in the TENT as we REVIEWED our lesson.  We took pictures of each of the KIDDOS.  

This is one of the KIDDOS favorite songs to sing....we normally sing this song at the beginning of a NEW Quarter....we put on our EXPLORER HAT and march around the room singing, "WE ARE BIBLE EXPLORERS..."

The KIDDOS will be learning several songs about Abraham.  I like to start with this one...it is SHORT and easy for the KIDDOS to remember.  I LOVE to hear them SING!!

This is the KIDDOS Memory Verse...we sang it to the tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb.    I will share the KIDDOS  NEW Memory Verse Tracking System, soon!!!!  

The KIDDOS  Take Home project is a NUMBER THREE...it highlights the SPECIAL Promises GOD made to Abraham.  The KIDDOS  colored their 3 attached Abraham with a brad and glued the 3 to a paint paddle.    The KIDDOS would hold them up every time I asked, "HOW MANY SPECIAL PROMISES DID GOD MAKE TO ABRAHAM?"   Then I would have them tell me the PROMISES!!  They did really well.  

Our REVIEW GAME is a MATCH GAME.  I used stars with pictures of various things that went along with the story.   

We PLAY this as a CLASS REVIEW...the KIDDOS answer a question from the lesson....one KIDDO gets to turn over a set of stars....if they match, we stack them together and leave them laying out on the floor...competition at this age in NOT a great motivator.  

The KIDDOS Explorer Journal Activity is very simple and is BASED on their Memory Verse. The KIDDOS colored some of the stars, added 3D stars and then glittered some of the stars....BTW, the GLITTERING was their FAVORITE!!!  We keep it under control by giving each KIDDO a cookie pan...we then guide them with their GLITTERING SKILLS. :-)  

We have had a few other changes in the classroom...so, I will share pics.    I normally have a star pocket chart under the light switch....but, I want the KIDDOS to work on their CHRONOLOGY of Bible Events in Genesis....so, I decided to hang up our GENESIS VELCRO BOARD....that way if we have a few minutes, waiting on parents to pick up KIDDOS, we can PUT the STORIES in ORDER.  There is something about VELCRO the KIDDOS LOVE!!!   

I decided to move our REVIEW GAME CRATES from under the white board to the area right by the KIDDOS cubbies.... they are "out of the way and yet easy to access....so, for now, that is where they will be staying.  

I LOVE the "BACK to SCHOOL" time of the year!!!  It always seems to inspire me to make changes in my BIBLE CLASS ROOM!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda