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

Song for Jehoshaphat!!! Yes, I am excited!!!!!

Sometimes, thing work and sometimes they don't.  This week I was plagued by ONE BIG THING.  I did not have a song for King Jehoshaphat!!!  :-(  

How could that be????  I always want a song to go along with the lesson...I feel it REALLY helps the KIDDOS remember the story. 

So, I pondered.....My brain tossed about several tunes...I rearranged words...I was just NOT HAPPY with anything I was coming up with...so, I left it alone...thinking, (insert sad dramatic sigh) "well, we just wont have a song to go with this particular Bible Lesson."

But, today was a NEW day.  With everything ready for tomorrow (except the song) I spent most of the day fulfilling needs for my family.  You know the type that involves GROCERY SHOPPING.  :-) 

But, as I shopped I found myself humming this tune over and over again.  Apparently, I was humming it so much that my wonderful husband began whistling the same tune.  It was really  quite funny!! 

So, after the groceries were put away, I began putting the words together.  I am VERY happy with how it all came together....I can't wait to sing it with the KIDDOS tomorrow morning. 

Normally, I do NOT like accomplishing things for Bible Class---LAST MINUTE---but, I was happy with this!! 

If you would LIKE to hear this song...you can hit the play button.  I had to turn my speakers down---it seems really loud to me. 

Blessings,

Ronda

Asa a LOYAL KING

This SUNDAY we begin EXPLORING the KINGS of JUDAH!!!  When the KIDDOS arrive I have a "SURPRISE" waiting for them.  Hanging on the back of each of my KIDDOS chairs is a NEW Bible Class Bag!!! 

I have placed new cards in our "DO YOU KNOW" Pocket Chart.  I am always PLEASED when the KIDDOS can answer these QUESTIONS.  I feel it is so important for the KIDDOS to understand the WHO?  WHAT? WHEN? WHERE?  WHY?  and HOW is this important to me? to every lessons I teach. 

We will have a NEW word to add to our "WORD WALL."    I want the KIDDOS to understand what it means to be LOYAL.  I want the KIDDOS to understand the ASA was LOYAL to GOD.

We have TWO new PROPHETS to add to our WALL of PROPHETS.  We have Azariah and Hanani.  Both of these Prophets/Seers have interaction with King Asa!!

OUR MAP has JERUSALEM placed on it.  Most of our lessons will be happening in the city of Jerusalem...so, we wont have a BUNCH of places to add to our MAP...but, as we learn of other places we will make sure to add them.

We have TWO NEW SONGS to learn this week.  The KIDDOS have heard the KINGS of JUDAH song before...BUT the ASA WAS LOYAL is a NEW SONG for the KIDDOS. 

The KIDDOS MEMORY VERSE comes directly from the TEXT of this LESSON.  I LOVE this verse....WHAT a COMFORT this verse provides to those who are LOYAL to GOD!!!   

I did make a small adjustment to the size of our MEMORY VERSE cards.    I found these 4X6 Magnetic Photo Pockets at the Dollar Tree.  I thought they would be GREAT for the KIDDOS to TAKE home and put on the FRIDGE.  That way each week the KIDDOS can take home their MEMORY VERSE and place it in the pocket on the FRIDGE.  That will give it a PROMINENT place in their HOME and make it even easier for the KIDDOS to review it with their parents.

The KIDDOS "TAKE HOME" project is an EASEL style EARTH with EYES.  It is made from Card Stock. 

 The KIDDOS will COLOR the WORLD and stick on the GOOGLY eyes.

As a EXTRA "TAKE HOME" I am going to let the KIDDOS make a 3D ball with eyes. 

The componets to  this activity are a Laundry Soap Bottle Lid.  (I told you I save EVERYTHING.)  A condiment bowl, An Earth Ball (I bought these at the Dollar Tree) and Stick On GOOGLY eyes. 

These are all PRE MADE....EXCEPT the GOOGLY EYES.  The KIDDOS will just PEEL and STICK the eyes on!!  The BALL is being left LOOSE.   It just SITS in the little cup.  So, the KIDDOS can still Play with the Ball.  I THINK they turned our really cute!!

Our REVIEW GAME is King Asa's Loyal Heart, BINGO.  The way this will be played is simple.  EACH of the SQUARES is an ANSWER to the REVIEW QUESTIONS I will be asking the KIDDOS.  Every CARD has the exact same pictures---they are just rearranged.  NOTICE the "

" BINGO MARKERS,"  they are HEARTS!!!!  I bought those back during the Valentine Season at the Dollar Tree.  I LOVE it when a THEME comes together so easily. 

Next week will be our REVIEW WEEK.  The KIDDOS will be making this LOYAL HEART activity to add to their "EXPLORER JOURNAL."    They will color their heart and add GEMS to the CROWN.   

But, this HEART has something SPECIAL going on...The HEART is actually a POCKET!!  The KIDDOS will put "things" into the POCKET that help KEEP ones HEART LOYAL to GOD.

Each of these activities  will help our HEART be LOYAL to GOD:  "PRAY DAILY,"   "PAY ATTENTION IN WORSHIP,"  "READ BIBLE,"   "GO TO BIBLE CLASS."

We are going to be BUSY over the next "QUARTER."    I am so excited about the KIDDOS learning so many LIFE LESSONS from the KINGS of JUDAH. 

Blessings,

Ronda