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

Divisions of The Bible Stepping Stones

I am excited to share this with y'all!!    I bought these stepping stones back at Christmas time.  

I bought them as a gift for myself/my KIDDOS!!!    

As soon as they came up in my AMAZON recommendations I knew I "needed" them and what I was going to do with them.  

Just for clarity, I bought two sets and bought them as an "OPEN BOX" warehouse deal.  I have look them up since then and they are more expensive that what they were when I bought them.    

This is what they are called on Amazon:  Kids Balance Stepping Stones, 5pc Stackable Wave Blocks Indoor and Outdoor Exercise Coordination and Stability, Rainbow Crossing River Stone for Children Boys Girls

As soon as they arrived in the mail, I did some altering to them.  I used a Sharpie Marker and wrote a Division of the Bible on Each Stone.   

LAW, HISTORY, POETRY, MAJOR PROPHETS, MINOR PROPHETS, GOSPEL, HISTORY, PAUL'S  EPISTLES, GENERAL EPISTLES AND PROPHESY.  



























The KIDDOS use them to review the divisions of the the Bible and  which books go in which division of the Bible!!   Example:  If I say "RUTH" one of the KIDDOS will go and stand on the OLD TESTAMENT "HISTORY" stone. 

They are great for an Early Arriver Activity and a General Review. 

 I have even used them as a PLACE for the Kiddos to stand.  For EXAMPLE:  I would say, "Molly please go stand on GOSPELS."  The KIDDOS have really enjoyed using these as a way of learning and reviewing!!  

The stepping stones are perfect for stacking too!!  They don't have to be left laying around,  If you want to stack them up and put them in the corner of the room they are easy to stack.   







The KIDDOS love to stack them in the correct order!  This makes them a multi-purpose learning tool!!!  

I'm always looking for fun ways to teach the KIDDOS things they need to know.  If I come up with something, see something or am shown something, I try to share the ideas with others.  Please know, I DO NOT receive any compensation for sharing this product!!  I'm simply sharing the product, because I have found it to be beneficial in teaching BIBLE truths, stories, or facts.  


Blessings,


Ronda

REVIEW TIME!!! Creation-Tower of Babel

Today was our FIRST of two REVIEW DAYS!!  I, personally feel that REVIEW days are so beneficial.    It lets me ascertain the KIDDOS progress.  I want to make sure they understand what they have been learning.  I want to make sure they can tell me the stories in order.  I want to make sure they remember their MEMORY VERSES and I want to FILL in any "holes" in their understanding. 

One of the ACTIVITIES we did was to have the KIDDOS pick an item out of the box and tell us what story it relates to and why it relates to that story.    

But, in order to PICK something out of the box, the KIDDOS had to first answer a REVIEW QUESTION...I have about 50 different REVIEW QUESTIONS covering Creation-Tower of Babel.  :-)  

I pulled out my foam number line. This allowed the KIDDOS can put the DAYS of Creation on the correct number.  

Another Review Activity we did was  "PUT the BIBLE STORIES in sequential order" board.     This is a simple yet FUN activity for the KIDDOS.  

This is what the board looked like when the KIDDOS arrived.  I asked the KIDDOS if the stories were in correct order...I wished you could have heard their very loud and very authoritative, "NO!"

So we cleared the board....btw, it is strips of velcro on the BOARD.   For the KIDDOS to get to help put the stories into correct order they had to answer one of my many. many  REVIEW questions.  

REVIEW VISUALS are easy...I just use our PAST EXPLORER JOURNAL ACTIVITIES.  Since they are always on display---it makes it so convenient.  

The KIDDOS TAKE HOME project was a very simple Memory Verse/Story REVIEW "GAME."   The idea behind this is for the KIDDOS to be able to MATCH the MEMORY VERSE to the CORRECT STORY.   MOST of my KIDDOS are NOT independent readers....so, it will be a game where PARENTS read the verse and the KIDDOS match the correct picture to the verse.

   

During class time the KIDDOS will be using my cookie sheets...I purchased a bunch of these at the Dollar Tree. We use them ALL the time.  They are great for magnetic games, individual activities, puzzles, etc.    

I wanted to show you the magnets....to help keep cost down, I cut each little magnet in half.  The worked great!!!  They did not fall off the pans!!!  Save your pennies where you can.  :-)

I have these FUN zipper baggies...so, each KIDDO got one to put their pieces in for easy transport.  I did have one KIDDO who wanted to take home my cookie pans....until I told him he could put them up on his refrigerator and helps his brother's and sister's learn the Bible Stories and Memory Verses in order.   

I will share their EXPLORER JOURNAL ACTIVITY soon.   

Blessings, 

Ronda





Sorry for the delayed posting of our Explorer Journal Activity.  The KIDDOS will be making these and adding them to their Explorer Journal.  

I made the stickers by printing them on cardstock and then running them through my sticker maker. This will be a quick and fun activity for the KIDDOS.  They LOVE stickers!!