Wise Men Visit Baby Jesus

We are making progress in our Lesson about the LIFE of JESUS CHRIST.  Due to so many of our KIDDOS being out of town for the Holidays we "paused" our  study.  We used the last month to REVIEW past lessons, Bible Facts and more.  I am so glad that reviewing is a very important part of learning.  

This weeks lesson is about the WISE MEN coming to visit Baby JESUS.  This is a FUN lesson!!  The KIDDOS get to use several of their SENSES with this lesson!!!  

We added NEW CARDS to our DO You Know?  Wall.  My expectation is for the KIDDOS to be able to answer each of these by the end of the lesson.  

We added a NEW story CARD to our "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN for MAN" wall.    Please note, I have more than three WISE MEN on our story CARD.  The reason for this is that the BIBLE does NOT reveal how many WISE MEN came to visit BABY JESUS.  Therefore, I am very careful NOT to say there was three WISE MEN.    I know there was 3 GIFTS and we will cover that here in a minute.  However, the number of gifts does not necessarily mean the number of guest.    

Speaking of the THREE special gifts....I want the KIDDOS to KNOW what these special gifts were.  So, therefore we used these as our WORD WALL words.  

We have a NEW Memory Verse to learn for this lesson.  We are memorizing a portion of Matthew 2:2.  This is what the Wise Men tell Herod.    To hear the Memory Verse Song click on the link and it should open the Facebook Page of HOBT.  Matthew 2:2 Memory Verse Song

The KIDDOS had a new song to learn.  It goes along with the Three gifts the WISE MEN brought to Baby JESUS.  To hear the song click on the link to open the Facebook Page for HOBT.  WISE MEN CAME TO SEE JESUS song by Ronda L. Duvall

For a visual aid,  I decided to make the 3 Special Gifts.   The KIDDOS LOVED seeing the 3 Special Gifts!!  I used unique boxes, essential oils and candy gold.  I am happy with how they turned out and they were very helpful in teaching this lesson.  

The KIDDOS TAKE HOME activity was a WHEEL...The KIDDOS added the stickers for the 3 GIFTS and the FOAMY star Sticker to the font.  

Our REVIEW GAME was a Board Style Game.  THIS was SOOOO fun to play!!!  The goal is for the KIDDOS to collect the 3 GIFTS!!  They collect them by landing on the "GIFT" and then answering a question from the LESSON.  They enjoyed this game!!!

Next week will be our REVIEW week.  The KIDDOS will be doing the EXPLORER JOURNAL ACTIVITY.  They will color, add the "gold coins, the "myrrh" and some Frankincense oil to their activity page.  These will then be placed in their EXPLORER JOURNAL.   

This was a fun and exciting lesson to teach.  The KIDDOS enjoyed learning this lesson!!  

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

SETH, a BLESSING to us ALL.

We have a NEW LESSON this week!!!  The KIDDOS will be learning all about SETH.  Seth is such an important BABY!!!!  After all, JESUS will be one of SETH'S descendants!!!  So, not only was SETH a blessing to ADAM and EVE, he was a BLESSING to YOU and ME!

We have new informational cards up on our DO YOU KNOW? Wall.  These are the BASIC questions I expect the KIDDOS to be able to answer at the end of the LESSON.  Who? What? When? Where? Where in the BIBLE? Why? and How is this important to me?  

We have a PICTURE CARD of "BABY SETH" up on our "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN"  timeline. 

The KIDDOS will have a NEW song to sing for this lesson.    This song comes from my BIBLE SONGS for CHILDREN, songbook/CD collection.  

I wanted a MEMORY VERSE that tied in with the LESSON.  I thought this one would be great!!!  It allowed me the opportunity to talk to the KIDDOS about how if we live GODLY lives we can have an effect on others.  

We sing it to the tune: Ten Little Indians. 

My visuals for this lesson are really simple...I decided to go with a PICTURE attached to my handy, dandy photo frame.  This visual is simple clipart from Printmaster. 

This is the KIDDOS TAKE HOME project.    They will each have their very own "SETH" to take home with them....CRIB, BLANKET and RATTLE included!!!  :-)

  

These are soooo easy to make, all you need is baby socks, blue fleece, ribbon, pringles singles containers (these were donated to me...I have a TON of them...LOL)  And, the rattle...just for fun!!!  

The socks came from Dollar Tree...3 pair for $1.00...that is SIX baby Seth's from one pkg of socks.  The Rattles came from the Dollar Tree...from the BABY SHOWER section.  The fleece blankets  came from the Dollar Tree. I found them in their BABY section.   I bought 1 blanket and I HAVE a BUNCH of LEFTOVER FLEECE!!! Oh, I filled each sock with white RICE....used a rubber band to give it a "head," tied a knot in the sock and rolled it over to form the bonnet.  Hope these instructions are clear.   :-)  

During Class time the KIDDOS will glue on the eyes, decorate the crib with "IT'S a BOY" stickers, and wrap him up and put him in his bed.  FAST, SIMPLE and the KIDDOS WILL LOVE IT!!  

Our REVIEW GAME is a simple one. 

The KIDDOS will REMOVE a RATTLE from BABY SETH, by answering the question PRINTED on the RATTLES.  

Then, we will play the game in reverse--the KIDDOS will add the RATTLES to BABY SETH by answering the questions on the RATTLES.  

BTW, the RATTLES are stuck on with VELCRO DOTS.  

Next week will be our REVIEW week.  The KIDDOS will be making these to add to their EXPLORER JOURNALS!!  

To give this activity a PUNCH...the KIDDOS will be gluing on flannel blankets and gluing on a tiny baby bottle into EVE'S hand.  

Seth is such an IMPORTANT Bible Character...OUR SAVIOR comes though SETH'S family!!!!  I want the KIDDOS to REALLY UNDERSTAND SETH'S importance in Bible History. 

Blessings,

Ronda