So Sad: Israel Goes Into Assyrian Captivity

This weeks lesson brings us to the END of the Nation of Israel.  This is a HARD but NECESSARY lesson.  

The KIDDOS NEED to know that GOD KEEPS ALL of HIS PROMISES!  We have learned a LOT of lessons over the past several weeks.  We started with the DIVISION of KINGDOM and will end with Israel going into Assyrian Captivity.  (We have FOCUSED on the NORTHERN NATION of Israel during this study.  We will be learning about the SOUTHERN NATION of JUDAH soon.)

 If you FOLLOW me on FB, I mentioned that I had MOVED some things around...well, I MOVED out MAP and REVIEW BOARD over to the WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? and HOW? WALL.  This wall is DIRECTLY behind me--when I am actually sitting in the "TEACHER'S" Chair.  I refer to this WALL a WHOLE LOT---so, I decided it would make it SOOOOO much easier on ME to have the MAP and REVIEW BOARD on the SAME WALL.  

We have a NEW CARD to add to our "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN FOR MAN" wall.    It is a CARD that LIST ALL the Kings of Israel.

 

We have a NEW word for our WORD WALL!  The word CAPTIVITY.  I want the KIDDOS to understand the word CAPTIVITY. 

We will be adding an ARROW to our MAP.  The ARROW represent the Nation of Israel being carried off to ASSYRIA. 

The KIDDOS Memory Verse is Deuteronomy 5:7.  In the story I am telling I point out that Israel NEVER had a godly King and ALL their Kings worshiped IDOLS.  They left the LORD'S COMMANDMENTS.  I want to remind the KIDDOS that GOD gave them the COMMAND to NEVER have any other god!  (SHOWING GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN---UNFOLDING.)

We will be SINGING two THEME related songs for this lesson.  We have sung the KINGS OF ISRAEL song in the past. BUT, we have a NEW SONG for the KIDDOS with this lesson.    The KIDDOS will learn the song, "IT IS SO SAD TO SAY."  It is sung to the tune:  Farmer In The Dale.

Please FORGIVE the use of MY PICTURE. 

OK---COMING UP with a "TAKE HOME" project was a WEE BIT HUGE challenge!!  I was NOT really sure what I was going to do....BUT, I knew I wanted it to have something to do with KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDS!!!  (Israel failed and were carried away---WE DO NOT WANT TO FAIL!)    So, I was at the DOLLAR TREE and I saw these really cool picture frames.  My wheels began spinning....and THIS is what I ended UP deciding to do...

The KIDDOS will get a picture of themselves with the verse Psalm 119:127 printed as a border around their picture.  They will color the WORDS and VERSE REFERENCE---I am going to let the KIDDOS  use Color Pencils to make the coloring a bit easier and "more special."   In the smaller frame I have removed the glass and in its place added sparkly paper and cardboard....the KIDDOS will GLUE (using glue dots---makes it go so much faster) a LITTLE BIBLE with a FOAM HEART  STICKER onto the cardboard.  LITTLE BIBLES came from MARDEL.    I think the KIDDOS will LOVE this project!!!  They always LOVE getting a picture of themselves and the fact that the LITTLE BIBLE can be opened is REALLY FUN!  I have a plan for visitors---I have a few BLANK PICTURES...They just have the verse printed on it...VISITORS will DRAW a picture of themselves.  I  try to be prepared for up to 3 visitors.  :-)

Our REVIEW GAME is a TIC TAC TOE game.  We will have two teams:    CROWNS and CASTLES!  The KIDDOS will answer a question from the lesson...if they answer correctly they will place a CROWN or CASTLE down....THIS will be a TEAM effort! 

I printed, laminated and cut out the Crowns and Castles.  The "BOARD" is a set of FOAM FLOOR BLOCKS.  I have used these FOAM FLOOR BLOCK for SEVERAL different games!!! 

Next week we will REVIEW this lesson and the KIDDOS will do their EXPLORER JOURNAL Activity.  For this activity I decided to use a MAP.  The KIDDOS will add the ARROW first.  I have attached DOUBLE STICK FOAMY DOTS to the arrows.  So, they are sort of 3D!  Then the KIDDOS will get to attach an "ISRAELITE" that can be moved from ISRAEL to ASSYRIA. 

I will do my best to EXPLAIN how I accomplished this activity.  I started out be printing my map onto cardstock.  I then used a hole punch and punched two holes into the cardstock.  One near "Israel" and one up by "Assyria."  Then I used an exacto knife and cut out the arch shape.  That is where the KIDDOS will put their Israelite. 

NOW, about those little Israelites.  I bought these from Oriental Trading.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/he-lives-finger-puppets-a2-36_4142-12-1.fltr?Ntt=lives+finger+puppets

I do NOT receive any FUNDING, COMPENSATION or PERKS from Oriental Trading Company.  I am posting this link as a service to my readers. 

This is what I did to these FINGER PUPPETS.  I started off using my hole punch and punched a hole in the BACK of each of these...Then I punched a hole through a MILK CAP.  (I told you I SAVE everything---you NEVER know when you will NEED IT!!!)     I threaded a GOLD BRAD through the Milk Cap and into the BACK of each of the "Israelites."  I folded the Brad down inside the cavity of the Finger Puppet.  The MILK CAP serves as a WASHER that allows the PUPPET to be slid up and down on the MAP.    I am THRILLED with how these turned OUT!!!!! 

This is how the BACK of the Activity Looks.

I LOVE the way it looks from the FRONT!

Teaching the DIVIDED KINGDOM to 4-6 year olds is NOT without its challenges!!!  BUT, It has been so much FUN teaching them these AMAZING LESSONS!!!!  They have learned sooo much and always AMAZE me with their ability to apply and remember what they have learned.  

 

It is truly a BLESSING BEING a BIBLE CLASS TEACHER!  I am THANKFUL to GOD for allowing me the opportunity to teach  KIDDOS HIS WORD! 

Blessings,

Ronda

A BIG FISH Story. Jonah the Prophet

 I am so EXCITED about this LESSON.  I know the KIDDOS will LOVE this one!!!!   It is a WONDERFUL story and teaches the KIDDOS so many attributes of GOD.  HE is ALL KNOWING.  HE is ALL POWERFUL.  HE is ALWAYS PRESENT!    GOD is TRULY AMAZING!!!!  This is a GREAT story to TEACH the WONDERFUL NATURE of GOD!  It is also an opportunity to TEACH about OBEDIENCE, RESPONSIBILITIES and the NEED NOT to be PREJUDICE and REPENTANCE.   

I will be TAKING LOTS OF PICTURES this SUNDAY!   

Each KIDDO will be allowed to get into the "WHALE" and we will TAKE their PICTURE! 

I am thinking the PICS might be fun for the KIDDOS to give their MOMS for Mother's Day in MAY!! 

This was super EASY to MAKE!!!  I used a KID size Pop Up PLAY TENT.  I draped it with a KING SIZE blue sheet (blue sheets are WONDERFUL to keep in your supply room!!)  added the eyes (made the eyes out of felt and attached them with DUCT tape) and gathered the back to look like a tail.  WALLA!!!!  Easy Peasy WHALE!!!

I want to make sure the KIDDOS understand what it means to REPENT.  So, we will be adding the word "REPENT" to our WORD WALL!

We have added JONAH to our "GOD'S AWESOME PLAN for MAN" wall.  This wall is a type of TIME LINE.  It allows the opportunity for the KIDDOS to SEE the BIBLE stories that we have already learned.  It is a wonderful REVIEW TOOL. 

The KIDDOS memory verses for this lesson is  2 Corinthians 7:10.  I thought it was appropriate for this lesson.  I want the KIDDOS to understand what TRUE REPENTANCE means to GOD.  We will sing this to a "Ronda Original" tune.  

NINEVAH

This week we will be adding several NEW places to our MAP WALL.  NOW, if you look closely you will NOTICE I somehow did NOT include a NINEVEH in this PICTURE.  BUT, never fear, once I realized my GOOF...I took one more picture.   BTW, if you notice I put our PAST LESSONS, EXPLORER JOURNAL ACTIVITY, up around the MAP.  This is a GREAT WAY to quickly REVIEW!  our PAST LESSONS.  It HELPS me REMIND the KIDDOS of these LESSONS!  

 

IT also lets PARENTS "PEEK" in and SEE some of the activities the KIDDOS have been doing on the weeks when the KIDDOS do NOT take home their ACTIVITY.  Remember, I COLLECT all the "EXPLORER JOURNAL" ACTIVITIES and place them in their "EXPLORER JOURNALS."  The KIDDOS take those JOURNALS home at the END of a QUARTER.    

The KIDDOS "TAKE HOME" Activity this week begins with a SMALL "milk" jug. These jugs actually came with FRUIT PUNCH in them.   I have collected these for a LOOONG time.  The are such a SWEET size and will work perfectly for the KIDDOS.  However, I have made these before with the GALLON size!!  Those are fun too!!!  But, I had these little finger puppets from ORIENTAL TRADING and the GALLON one would have been HUGE in comparison.  

I spray painted them gray.  I then made a "TAIL" out of GRAY foam and hot glued it to the CAP.  During CLASS the KIDDOS will ADD the eyes.  (To expedite this, I have stuck Double Stick FOAM dots to the back of the eyes.  That way it is a PEEL and STICK activity!)  

NOW, about those LITTLE JONAHS.  I had ordered a BUNCH of sets of Nativity Finger Puppets from Oriental Trading...I KNOW these are supposed to be "JOSEPH"  but, for me they are JONAH!!!  So, this is what I did.   I  POKED a small hole in the top of the heads of each of these "JONAHS" and threaded a cord through them and tied it off.   KEEP READING and you will understand WHY!!!  :-)

I have a small hole in the Whale's (GREAT FISH) mouth.  I threaded the other end of the thread through that hole.  That way the KIDDOS get to CATCH Jonah with their GREAT FISH (Whale.) 

I think he is so cute sitting in there!!!

 

I KNOW the KIDDOS are going to LOVE catching JONAH!!!!  We will sing a song as we CATCH JONAH.     If you want to SEE me CATCH JONAH---watch the short video right here.  :-)

This is the SONG we will be singing as we CATCH Jonah with our GREAT FISH (WHALE.) 

 

GOD'S Prophets have been busy!  We have learned a LOT of LIFE lessons through these Prophets.  I LOVE placing the PROPHETS with the KINGS that were REIGNING during the time the PROPHET PROPHESIED.    I want the KIDDOS to see the CONTINUITY of the BIBLE.  Even though we are leaning from the book of Jonah...I want the KIDDOS to know that Jonah was PROPHESYING during the time/life of Jeroboam II

Our REVIEW GAME this week is called "Jonah Is Overboard."  I have had this little "BIBLE TIME" man for a REALLY LONG TIME.  I think he came from a VELCRO SET...but, I got him FREE at a YARDSALE!!!  His clothes are very spongy and the ROUGH side of VELCRO STICKS to him really well.  So, that got me to thinking....I wanted a TOSS JONAH type activity.

The KIDDOS will answer a question for an opportunity to TOSS Jonah at the BOARD...and when he STICKS they have to answer another question!!! 

Next week we will REVIEW this LESSON!!!  The KIDDOS will SAY their MEMORY VERSE and they will make their "EXPLORER JOURNAL" Activity.    I wanted the KIDDOS to have a WHALE (GREAT FISH) that they could POKE JONAH in and out from.  So, this is what I came up with....Jonah is actually on a brad---I colored the brad GRAY with a Sharpie---after all, I could not stand a GOLD brad on my GRAY Whale.  

 Jonah actually ROCKS in and OUT of the WHALE.  I am really happy with the way this turned out....HOWEVER, I may add a "handle" that the KIDDOS can grab so that it is easier to move Jonah in and out.    If I deem it is necessary, I will take another picture and SHARE it with you.  

Blessings,

Ronda