Attempting Something New...Trying to Share A Few Of My Songs.

The Songs We Sang For Our FIRST Lesson in the Divided Kingdom!!

Someone asked me for the "TUNE" to the songs we sang this past Sunday.  I was not sure of a NAME to these tunes...So, I decided to SHARE the songs with you all this way.  

All of my songs are acapella.  I try to write a song for every lesson we learn in class.  Sometimes the tunes are original and other times I use familiar tunes (nursery rhyme style).  I LOVE to sing with the KIDDOS and they learn so much through SONGS.    NOW, you are welcomed to laugh at my singing...I will NOT have my feelings hurt.  :)  My KIDDOS think I can sing and that is all that matters to me!!!  :)

THE KINGDOM WAS DIVIDED

   by Ronda Duvall

Just Click the arrow to listen

                                                      

A PROPHET IS A MESSENGER

   by Ronda Duvall

  Just Click the arrow to listen

I hope this is found to be useful.  I would really like feedback on the usefulness of being able to hear the songs I refer too....My darling husband is my TECH GUY....and without him NONE of this would have been possible.  

Blessings,

Ronda




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The Divided Kingdom

Sometimes it is HARD to get things rolling after coming off vacation.  This year was NO different.  Unpacking, cleaning, shopping, birthday parties, my youngest son needing staples in his head...you, know just the normal day to day responsibilities that come with being a wife and mom.  :)  

However, I have been working on some changes in the classroom...we have had PROMOTIONS...so, some of my KIDDOS have moved UP to the BIGGER KIDDOS class.  :(  It is hard to let them go and yet, I LOVE to hear from their new teacher just HOW SMART THEY ARE!!!!  YAY!!!!!      

But, back to my classroom...We are beginning a new section of our Exploring Bible History curriculum....Please understand, I am undertaking this writing process...it is NOT yet ready to be published...and it is a real labor of love.    

We are moving into the Exploration of the Divided Kingdom!!!  I am excited to teach this part of Bible History to these kiddos.    When I was talking to them last Sunday about our up and coming adventures....they seemed to be very excited.  

Our new bulletin board is a picture of a castle...DIVIDED and crowns on each side.  The crowns came from Dollar Tree!!!  I just wrote each KINGS name on the crown...and because I wanted to add some FUN to the wall, I just pushed up on the crowns and added a bottom staple...Makes the crown POP off the wall.    Please notice the SCEPTER at the top of JUDAH'S side.  I am going to be reminding them that the SCEPTER would NOT depart from JUDAH!!!  When GOD promises something HE ALWAYS keeps HIS PROMISES!!!   At the bottom of each side I added a command hook....Since we will be talking about the PROPHETS that carried GOD'S messages to the Kings and people...I wanted a place to put them.  This way when we learn about a Prophet...we will place him on the side to which he prophesied.  (The PROPHETS are just a PAPER DOLL cut out...with the name, message and who they prophesied too typed on it.)

 This will be a new song...The KIDDOS will sing it on SUNDAY as we begin LEARNING all about the Divided Kingdom.   I love having songs to go along with the topic....It really helps IMBED the LESSONS they are learning into their mind.  (One of my favorite things is this:  Stepping into the ladies room, after Bible Class and before Services and hearing one or more of the KIDDOS singing a song from BIBLE Class.  PRECIOUS!!!)

Because, my focus is always the WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHERE? WHY? AND HOW does this effect me? questions...These are the cards that will go in our DO YOU KNOW? card holder. 

The square picture of Rehoboam and Jeroboam will go on the "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN" timeline wall.  We refer to that wall a LOT when we go back and review the THEME of the BIBLE.  GOD'S PLAN is always moving forward towards the coming of JESUS...and OUR SALVATION today. 

The KIDDO'S Take Home project for this Sunday will be Rehoboam and Jeroboam Puppets....my KIDDOS have always enjoyed acting out the lesson...so, this is what I came up with....I am hoping they will be able to tell me which KING was from the NORTH and which one is from the SOUTH.  Hopefully, by the time they go home from class we will have that all figured out for them.  Young ones ofter struggle with Bible Time names....and keeping them straight when their names are so similar may cause a bit of a confusion. 

Since we will be talking about Rehoboam NOT listening to WISE counsel...I thought this would make for an applicable MEMORY VERSE.  We will sing it to the tune "If your happy and you know it..."  I am certain they will have it memorized before leaving the classroom. 

Because we will be talking about the PROPHET Ahijah I have a PROPHET picture setting on the table...BUT, that is NOT ALL...I want them to understand what a PROPHET really was...HE WAS GOD'S MESSENGER!!!  So, we will also add the word PROPHET to our Word Wall.  We will also sing one of my songs...."A Prophet Is A Messenger."

We will have several PROPHET CARDS and Sing the Song several times during these lessons.......the KIDDOS will surely know what a PROPHET of GOD is by the time we are through with the Lessons on the Divided Kingdom.  :)

Our Review Game for this week is "Ahijah's Robe."  The Kiddos will answer a question from the lesson...then they will be allowed to "rip" a piece of the coat from the puzzle....and then place it in the NORTHERN Pile or the SOUTHERN Pile.  The Robe Puzzle has already be cut apart...that way they can easily "RIP" or pick up a piece.  We played something similar to this back when we were studying Moses.  I let the KIDDOS pull off pieces to the GOLDEN CALF...and the LOVED RIPPING down the altar...So, I am hoping they will LOVE RIPPING up Ahijah's Coat.  :)

Next Sunday we will REVIEW the LESSON from this week...and do our Explorer Journal Activity.    I struggled to come up with the Take Home and Explorer Journal Activity for this lesson...But, I know the KIDDOS will enjoy this one for sure.  It involves getting to use GLITTER and SEQUINS!!! 

The KIDDOS will color the Rehoboam and Jeroboam and add a SPLIT CROWN that will open to reveal the First Two Kings of the Divided Nation....They will get to glam up the crown with the GOLD GLITTER and their choice of sequins.  I think they turned out cute and help reinforce the fact that the KINGDOM WAS DIVIDED!!!  

Hope you join us as we EXPLORE the Divided Kingdom.   My Kiddos LOVE being Bible Explorers!!!!  

Blessings,

Ronda

REVIEW WEEK---Milk Carton Chute

Our Review Week is coming up soon.  We ALWAYS have a BIG REVIEW at the end of a QUARTER.  I normally PULL out something from each PAST lesson to display on REVIEW SUNDAY.  I will post pics of our REVIEW SUNDAY soon. 

But, in preparation for REVIEW Sunday, I made a simple and yet FUN Review Game for the KIDDOS.  I was reminded about these easy to make Card Chutes while cruisin on Pinterest.  I had FORGOTTEN all about these...  The funny thing is, I remember making these way back when I was in the Third Grade.  (Thank to Mrs. McMillan.)  When we made these were used them to practice our Times Tables!!!  However, we will be using THIS Milk Carton Card Chute to Review Bible Questions on the First Three Kings of Israel! 

The construction of this is fairly easy...and if you are a follower on Pinterest just look at my board on Bible Class...I pinned the instructions on the construction of the Chute there.  To make the chute you will need, a Carton, Cardstock, and Tape or Glue.  You can cover your Chute with Paper, Duct Tape, Paint, Contact Paper, etc. Then print out or hand write your QUESTION cards.  Making sure the cards will fit through the chute.  I hand wrote the answers on the back of each card with a sharpie...I have not mastered the double sided printing thing to well, yet!!  :)

BTW, I think this would make a great EAA.

To use this REVIEW Game I let the children "draw" a card from the box....then they had to tell me the answer...place it in the Chute and see if they were right.  If they did not know the answer then all the KIDDOS would "help" the one that did not know the answer...and then check to see if they were correct.  The KIDDOS love any type of REVIEW that is NOT just me asking questions...and this seems to give them OWNERSHIP of their REVIEW...They pull the question card.  They answer.  They check.  (I do have to help with reading the cards for my KIDDOS that are not reading yet.)

Another GREAT thing about this REVIEW GAME.....My family is taking a VACATION!!!!  We are going to Myrtle Beach, SC.  This makes an EASY GAME for my substitute teacher to play with the KIDDOS.  Plus there are TONS of REVIEW Questions.  I love REVIEWS that are fun...and they help me know if the KIDDOS are MISSING anything from their understanding of past lessons.  It is a great way to show me what I need to "RECOVER," "REEXPLAIN," or "REEMPHASIZE,"  before we MOVE on to "NEW" material.

How this works:  Put Card in top of Chute....And it will SLIDE out the bottom with the Answer Showing.

The View From The Back Deck of My Father-In-Laws Home

While posting this I am sitting in the Mountains of North Carolina.  Spending a bit of time with my husband's family.  It is BEAUTIFUL here....The mountains are GLORIOUS, the SKY is so BLUE and the STARS seem so close I could almost REACH out and touch them.  GOD'S creation is AMAZING!!!!!! 

Hope you are having a WONDERFUL Summer. 


Blessings,



Ronda

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

Solomon Shares His Wisdom Through The Proverbs

This weeks lesson is ALL about Solomon Sharing His Wisdom through the Proverbs.  We will take brief looks at SEVERAL Proverbs....I really would LOVE to spend about 12 weeks on the PROVERBS....but, since I am trying to FOCUS on writing lessons for the KIDDOS focusing on GOD'S AWESOME PLAN for MAN....we only spend 2 weeks on the Proverbs.  (HOWEVER, ONE OF THESE DAYS I WANT TO WRITE AND ENTIRE LESSON SERIES, FOR THE KIDDOS, JUST ON THE PROVERBS.)   The PROVERBS are FILLED with wonderful LIFE LESSONS.  If you have never studied the PROVERBS then may I suggest you do.  I LOVE the book of Proverbs. 

I have our Do You Know? Wall ready to go...By the end of class time I want the KIDDOS to be able to ANSWER ALL THESE Questions.

We will be singing this SONG this Sunday for sure...Since we are focusing on Solomon Sharing His Wisdom with Us through the Proverbs.

For our TAKE HOME activity we will be making a SCROLL.  I used one of my favorite Proverbs for this project.   I love that it teaches that KIDDOS need to TREASURE the COMMANDMENTS taught with in the Bible.

      

These scrolls are made from BROWN construction paper and dowels.  I just ran the paper through the copier to get the WORDS and IMAGE on to it.  Then I ADDED the dowels to the top and the bottom.  (Remember, I do NOT believe crafts should take up a LOT of class time so, I do much of the preparation before class time.)

During class time the KIDDOS will COLOR the Scroll, Distress the paper (CRUMPLE IT UP) to make it look OLD and then roll it up like a Scroll.  Simple to make and yet very effective...I know they will LOVE having their very own SCROLL.  Simple things IMPRESS the KIDDOS!!!!

Our Memory Verse come from the book of PROVERBS!!!  I LOVE the fact that this verse teaches WHERE WISDOM comes from....It will allow me to REINFORCE the lesson we had on Solomon's Wisdom...and how we can have WISDOM too!!!  (We will sing this Memory Verse to a rough version of The Turkey In The Straw.)

Our REVIEW Game this week will be FUN.  We will gather on the carpet for this game....EACH of the KIDDOS will have a "YES" and "NO" paddle.  I will pull out cards and read them to the KIDDOS....If it is a BIBLICAL Proverb the KIDDOS will hold up their "YES" Paddle....If it is not a BIBLICAL Proverb the KIDDOS will hold up their "NO" Paddle.   

I have made up some pretty SILLY NON-BIBLICAL Proverbs... For example:   "Sandwiches are best eaten SOGGY."   I figured we could have a few LAUGHS while playing this game.  :) 

Next week we will REVIEW this LESSON and do our EXPLORER JOURNAL ACTIVITY.  For this Activity the KIDDOS will add SCROLLS of PROVERBS to their Activity Page....I feel like this one is best explained by the pics.  I did want the scrolls to be a bit 3D so the KIDDOS will attach them to the 3D double stick foam stickers...I have the stickers on the page already...that way the KIDDOS can spend their time coloring and then just PEEL and STICK their SCROLL on....I did use BRIGHT CARD STOCK for this activity....JUST FOR FUN!  The KIDDOS love it when I use COLORED Card stock...It is just those little touches that excite them.  :)

Once the KIDDOS complete this activity we will tuck it safely into the EXPLORER JOURNAL.  Since we are quickly approaching the end of a quarter the KIDDOS will be taking home their EXPLORER JOURNALS soon.  They are getting excited about SHARING their EXPLORER JOURNALS with their family.  

Blessings,

Ronda

KIDDOS Build "Solomon's Temple"

Just a quick post to show you why my KIDDOS AMAZE me.  

As you know we "PLAYED" a REVIEW GAME during our LESSON on Solomon Builds The Temple.    The "GAME" went like this:  I asked the KIDDOS a question from the LESSON and they'd answer.  If they got the answer correct they added a BLOCK to the "TEMPLE."  

I was soooo impressed with the TEMPLE that the KIDDOS built I decided I really needed to SHARE it with you.  

The first Sunday of our lesson...this is what they had accomplished.  Each KIDDO adding a block for each correct answer they gave.  I was impressed with this.....BUT WAIT.......

The following SUNDAY the KIDDOS COMPLETED their version of Solomon's Temple....and this is what it looked like!!!!!!!!

 

This PIC is a side view of the KIDDOS Temple.  The 3 blocks in the back, with the single block on top...well that is their version of the MOST HOLY PLACE!!! Inside they placed a cylinder block to represent the ARK of The Covenant.

This is the FRONT view....COLUMNS and ALL!!!!   If you stop to think about this process it just might AMAZE you too.  My KIDDOS range in age 4 to 8.  We have a split number of boys and girls.  They had to be able to ANSWER QUESTIONS from the lesson individually.  Then they had to have a bit of TEAM WORK...as the older ones really helped the younger ones figure out WHERE they should place the NEXT block (in order to make it look like SOLOMON'S Temple.)  Then they had to have patience with each other....Because, sometimes the one placing the BLOCK was just determined that they wanted the block to go a certain place.   I remind them that GOD wants us to WORK together to ACCOMPLISH HIS WORK....and so, we are SHOWING EACH other RESPECT by Listening to each other, Encouraging each other and Helping each other along.  So, not only did they have to know the FACTS from the LESSON...They also, had to put some Godly LIFE SKILLS to WORK!!!!  I LOVE it when a "GAME" is SOOOOOO much more than a "GAME!" 

Blessings,

Ronda

 

Puzzle Frames Review Game

As you know I LOVE shopping at the Dollar Tree.  When I walk through the doors of that store I can not stop thinking, "Bible Class, Bible Class, Bible Class."  Every aisle I  walk down I am asking myself, "What Do I See that I Can use in Bible Class?

 

One day while shopping at our  local Dollar Tree Store I saw these adorable Puzzle Shape Picture Frames.  I was soooo excited.  I immediately thought, "GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN."    Since GOD'S Plan For Man fits together JUST LIKE A PUZZLE.  Needless to say, I was THRILLED!!!  

I just added the pictures to make these little frames into a REVIEW Activity for the KIDDOS.    To "PLAY" this Review Game,  I scatter the puzzle pieces on the table and let the KIDDOS put GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN in order.  

Bonus...these are also magnetic.  So, I can place them on my magnetic board too.  

                                                         

    The Kiddos LOVE "PLAYING" with this PUZZLE.  

These little frames have so many possibilities.  You could use them for a Bible Class Bulletin Board that says "We Are A Perfect Fit."  Placing Pics of the Kiddos in the Frames.  Or you could use them as a Review System for any BIBLE FACT list....Days of Creation, Sons of Jacob, Plagues, 10 Commandments, Judges, Kings, Prophets, Apostles, Attributes of Love,  Fruit of The Spirit, etc.   You could also use them to TELL a BIBLE story...Showing that if you leave a PIECE of THE PUZZLE out it is an INCOMPLETE STORY. Then let the KIDDOS put the story in the correct order.  SOOOOO many possibilities!!!!!  

If you find yourself in a DOLLAR TREE....take time to BROWSE and think...  "BIBLE CLASS!"  

Blessings,

Ronda