Finding Visual Aids In UNIQUE Places,

I HAVE to share this with you.  I am an AVID Garage Sale Shopper!!!  It is one of MY favorite pastimes. 

During the Summer, my daughters and I go to Garage Sales every Friday Morning....If the weather permits!  You would be AMAZED at what we find...but, my FAVORITE part is getting to spend quality time with my girls.  We laugh---A LOT!!!  We talk about life--A LOT!!!!  And we have great fun helping each other find BARGAINS!!!  

I want to encourage you to go to Garage Sales or Thrift Stores with your mind on BIBLE CLASS!!  You will be SHOCKED at what you find!!  If you are LOOKING for VISUAL AIDES, CRAFT SUPPLIES, BINDERS, etc....TRY SHOPPING GARAGE SALES!!!  

For example, a few weeks ago--I bought Ten, One Inch, Red Binders in BRAND NEW CONDITION, for 25 cents a piece.  All, but one still had the Office Depot Label on them...Original price was $3.99 for ONE!!!  I was excited---to say the least.  I thought about writing a post then---about the Value of Shopping Garage Sales, but decided against it at the time....But, after what I found today, I decided I NEEDED to share with you this AMAZINGLY CHEAP or maybe I should say, ECONOMICAL, way of shopping for needed BIBLE CLASS items.  

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day here in Oklahoma.  My daughters and I were ready to hit the Garage Sales about 8:30 AM.  Not to early---but, not to late.  By 10:30, we had bought clothes, shoes, puppets (my daughter, Sarah is a music teacher, at one of the local schools, and she uses PUPPETS in her classroom.)  books, a few decorative items for my daughter's new house--but, I had NOT found my "FIND of the Day!"  (That is what I call my really special Garage Sale Purchase.)  But, then we happened upon this HUGE, very MESSY Garage Sale.  With a bit of apprehension (this sale was CROWDED!!), we decided to park the car and join in the fun...boy, did they have a TON of stuff.  We could have been there ALL day and not seen everything!!!  Well, we decided to divide and conquer...if we found something we thought one of us wanted we would find each other some how.  :)

As, I was looking a some games, my Daughter said, "Hey MOM, look at this."  I truly felt like I heard the BIRDS SINGING and FELT the SUN SHINING BRIGHTER---OK, probably NOT. But, I was so EXCITED!!!!!  I asked the lady, in charge of the sale, the price of the RAMS horn.  She said, "HOW about $5.00?"  I replied, "Would you take $4.50?"  She said, "SURE."  I was THRILLED!!!!  I had my "FIND of the DAY!"    

You see, back when I was teaching on Joshua/Jericho...I wanted a Rams Horn.  Could not find one!  Then when I was teaching on Gideon...I wanted a Rams Horn.  FOUND one at the Local Bible Bookstore..but, it was more than $75.00.  I could not justify paying that much for a Rams Horn that I wanted the KIDDOS to be able to TOUCH and attempt to PLAY.  So, I did not buy one.  

I know I am not currently teaching any lessons that would call for a  Rams Horn...But, when I need one I NOW HAVE ONE!!!!  :)

So, my encouragement to you is to give Garage Sales and Thrift Stores a try!  Keep BIBLE STORIES in your mind at all times.  Even if you are NOT teaching Bible Class, PLEASE think about those who are teaching and keep your eyes out for GREAT CHEAP,  I mean INEXPENSIVE Visuals.  I KNOW they will appreciate you doing so.  

Blessings,

Ronda

Using Toys to Teach Bible Stories.

I have to tell you all a story.  My hubby and I went shopping at Toys-R-Us the other day.  You see, my 7 year old son had been saving his "commission" (that is what my kiddos "earn" by doing their chores) to buy a new LEGO set.  Well, we found the LEGO set and I decided to look around.  When I went around the corner I saw something that literally made me squeal with excitement.    Well, my curious hubby came around the corner to see what I was so excited about...And, there I was standing with an "Animal Planet" Playset in my hand.    I looked at my hubby (I am sure I had my sad "puppy" eyes going on...) and said, "I would really, really like to have 3 of  these... and MOTHER'S Day is coming up."    He lovingly looked into my eyes and asked, "Why?"    I quickly responded....."I LOOOOOOOOVE the Tents!!!!  I would use them for my Patriarchs."  That was the MAIN reason behind my desire....but, then I went on and explained that the animals could be used for the Creation Story, Noah's Ark, Daniel and the Lions, and the Trees could be used for SOOO many stories...One as the "Tree of Life" one could be the "BROOM Tree" that Elijah sat under....etc.  And, look there is an "EXPLORER!"   I can use those for my "Exploring Bible History" theme.    So, my loving hubby---laughing as I "JUSTIFIED" my desire for these....said, "YES!!!!"

I LOVE these tents!!!!  They are NOT hard plastic....they are soft!!!  Perfect for little hands.  

When I see the three tents sitting together I get so excited and  immediately think. "ABRAHAM," "ISAAC,"  and "JACOB."  Don't You? 

This is how I will be using these TENTS.  I have had these BIBLE TIME finger puppets for more than 20 years....my daughters that are 24 and 23 years old PLAYED with these when they were toddlers.    I LOVE how the men and tents GO together.   After all, the Patriarchs NEED their TENTS!  I hope these makes you SMILE too!!

So, for the rest of the PLAYSET.....These Trees are GREAT!!!!  Because, my sweet hubby bought me 3 sets, I have three of these trees to use!!!!!  YAY!!!

All those Animals, Boats and Explorers are currently "resting" in one of my storage tubs....We will put them to use in the future.  

So, my point to this POST is....THINK ABOUT BIBLE CLASS all the time!!!!  If you have Bible Stories running through your head...you will be AMAZED at what you find that will help you TEACH the story more effectively.   If you are a Thrift Store shopper or a Garage Sale shopper....take time to look in those "CHEAP" toy boxes.  Before, you throw out your Kiddo's toys, that they no longer play with, ask yourself, "Can I use this to teach a Bible Story?"   And, If you find yourself at Toys-R-Us,  wanting to buy these sets...FYI I found them near the LEGOS.  :)

Blessings,

Ronda

 

Beach Ball Review Game.

I just wanted to share a FUN, and EASY to make Review Game.  I figured this would be a great time to share this idea since I saw a bunch of Beach Balls on display at Walmart and the Dollar Store.  So,  I figure they are pretty easy to find in your area too. 

I need to give you a word of caution....the kiddos are going to LOVE this review game!!!!!  They will probably ask to play this game over and over again!! 

As you can tell, I used a Sharpie to draw shaped spaces on the ball.  Then I coded the ball with various Bible questions.   Then filled the ball with air.  Then we were ready to play our REVIEW game.  

This is how we play this Review Game.  I gently toss the beach ball to one of my Kiddos.  When they catch the ball I will say, "Right Hand" or "Left Hand."  Whatever question their corresponding hand is on is the question I will ask them.  Then they toss the beach ball back to me.    

This is a GREAT game for all ages....I love the fact that Kiddos that are still learning Gross Motor Skills can play this, as well as the Kiddos that have advanced Gross Motor Skills.  I have even caught our BIGGER KIDDOS back in my classroom playing the "BEACH BALL Game."  :)

It is fun to take everyday items and put them to use in Bible Class....I especially love it when the KIDDOS enjoy learning Bible Facts, Principles, Stories, and Values.  

Blessings,

Ronda

Cubby Shelving Unit and Word Wall.

I LOVE finding bargains that fill a desire I have had for my Bible Class Room.  I recently found this shelving unit for $8.00 at a local Thrift Store.  I was extremely excited.  I had wanted the kiddos to have their own CUBBY (storage) and this perfectly fulfilled the desire.  I could hardly wait to get it into our classroom. I labeled each square with the kiddo's names.   

The top of the shelving unit added some needed storage space near the door of our classroom.    We now store our "EXPLORER JOURNALS,"  our "WE LISTEN DURING WORSHIP" pages and GLOBE on top of the Cubby Unit.    

I love having this near the door.....It also has given us a "WALL" near the white board...which is nice.  It helps keeps the kiddos in one area while we are doing "Carpet Time" activities.    As you can see, the back of the shelving unit was PERFECT for our "WORD WALL."  I love the fact that our "WORD WALL"  is at the KIDDO'S eye level.   

Here is a close up of the "WORD WALL."  I LOVE THIS!!!!  And, for $8.00 this small shelving unit fills so many of our needs!!!! 

Keep your eyes opened and always ask yourself, "Could this fill a need, want, or desire in my Bible Class?"  You will be amazed at what your find at places like Garage Sales, Thrift Stores and Dollar Tree.   

Blessings,

Ronda