GOD CAN MAKE CREATIVE USE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES

Click HERE to view a testimony of how God made creative use of learning disabilities for these two television personalities! 

EASY-TO-MAKE HAND PUPPETS FOR USE WITH CREATION STORY OR NOAH & THE ARK

Materials Needed:  Colored construction paper, wiggle eyes, crayons, scissors, tape.

Activity:  Children make an animal of their choice.  It becomes a puppet by folding a piece of construction paper lengthwise. 

DISCIPLESHIP PRINCIPLES FOR KIDS

Two-in-One

15 songs and 15 lessons!

Would you like your preschool and early elementary children to know that they can walk and live like Jesus; that God is creator of the universe; that God made everyone special; that daily prayer brings a closer relationship with God; that obedience to God is imperative; that God blesses sharing; that God will help them find their way in life; the Christian life gets deeper and better; that God will help them grow in their faith?

All of these imperative discipleship principles and more can be found in the interactive 15 Singable Songs curriculum.  Lessons include Bible stories, Bible life and customs, crafts, games, snack ideas, object talks, devotions, skits, and music. 

A split-track CD is included so you are not only getting 15 outstanding lessons but also 15 unforgettable songs including: Walk like Jesus, God Did, Sharing Comes Round Again, Little is Much, Big Steps for Little Feet, Running for the Prize, It is Good, No One Else I Know, Hip Hip Hooray, Superman, Matilda the Gorilla and others.

Click HERE to order. 

"GRAMMA'S HOUSE" - GRANDPARENT'S DAY SONG

"Gramma's House" (Sing Through the Year album by Mary Rice Hopkins) is the perfect song for Grandparents Day:  "There's one place I can kick off my shoes -- at Gramma's house!  She never gets mad though there's mud on my feet -- she laughs at my jokes, I sure like my grandfolks!"

Click HERE to listen to a song clip.

Click HERE to order.

SONG TO ACCOMPANY BIBLE STORY OF JESUS HEALING MAN AT POOL OF BETHESDA (John 5:1-18)

After hearing the story about Jesus healing the man at the pool of Bethesda found in John 5:1-18, children enjoy singing "Bethesda" from Miracle Mud album by Mary Rice Hopkins.

The song begins:

Way down in Jerusalem there's a place where people would go

A wading pool called Bethesda where the healing waters flowed

People were healed as the waters started turning

So the sick hurried to get in except one man who lie there hurting

Until he heard from a friend . . .

MOTHER'S DAY ART PROJECT

Materials Needed:  Large colored construction paper, coffee filters, colored markers, glue, photographs of the children.

SERVING MOM -- MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT

Materials Needed: Small plastic cups (3″ tall), colored construction paper confetti, glue, “Happy Mother’s Day” label, seven strips of paper for each child, and colored pencils.

Activity: The children put glue on the cup and sprinkle on the paper confetti. The “Happy Mother’s Day” label is glued on the front. Children write various things they will do for their mothers. Brainstorm and share ideas such as: dust, sweep the front sidewalk, wash four inside windows, clean my room, empty wastebaskets, clean out the car, go to bed without complaining, do homework promptly, etc. These are placed inside the cup. Have children explain to their moms they can pull out one slip each day for a week.

MOTHER'S DAY MONEY BOUQUET CRAFT

Materials Needed: Foam sheets in various colors, wiggle eyes, glue, clear Scotch tape, construction paper, empty toilet paper rolls, tissue paper in various colors, craft wire, scissors, Sharpies, and heart patterns.

Preparation: For younger children, pre-cut the hearts and pre-make the tissue paper flowers. (Click here for instructions.) Older boys and girls can create their bouquets.

Activity: Wrap construction paper around the empty toilet paper tube and glue or secure with clear tape. Glue on the eyes and make the face on the larger heart which is approx. 4" x 4" in size. Attach to the tube with clear Scotch tape. Insert the flowers. Children may take the bouquet home and add money for the project to be a Mother's Day Money Bouquet.

ROLLED 'EM AWAY - Easter Song

ROLLED 'EM AWAY from "Come Meet Jesus" album

Words and Music by Mary Rice Hopkins

(Click on song title to hear music clip.)

 

 

Jesus rose up through the clouds
He lives today without a doubt
Satan's got no power now
In Jesus' name I'll sing it out

Chorus 1:

Now He rolled, rolled, rolled the stone away
He has risen from the grave
Life in Him has come today
Now He rolled, rolled, rolled the stone away
Rolled, rolled it away

The angel said, "Have no fear"
He brought good news of good cheer
He made His message very clear
Jesus' light is everywhere

(Repeat Chorus)

Jesus was God's only Son
On a cross He said, "It is done"
He took my sins one by one
Now life in Him has begun

Chorus 2:

Now You rolled, rolled, rolled my sins away
Because you live
I can say you live inside my heart today
Now you rolled, rolled, rolled my sins away
Rolled, rolled them away

Copyrighted by Big Steps 4 U Music. ASCAP. All rights reserved. Inernational copyright secured.

BABY DEDICATION SONG - "HOLD HER IN YOUR LOVING HANDS"

“Hold Her in Your Loving Hands” was written specifically for baby dedications. 

The song begins:

Lord, You've given this child to us
You've put her in our care
Help us guide her, in You we'll trust
As You know the joy we share

Click on song title to hear a clip.

The song can be found on Sleep Little One album. 

Click HERE to order.

The album contains 14 lullabies

 which are perfect to play in your church nursery and at home.

TEACH CHILDREN TO CARE BY PRAYING FOR OTHERS

Make a list of people in your church who are home bound, ill, or bereaved. After praying for these individuals in your class, let the children make cards that might say: “We prayed for you in our class today.”

"UP & DOWN" - BIBLE VERSE MEMORIZATION ACTIVITY

The entire class says the Bible verse in unison with this twist — on the first word everyone stands; second word everyone sits; third word, stand; fourth word, sit; and so on. This can be played a number of times in a row before the children will tire.

YOUR CHALLENGE AS A CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

Accept the challenge to be an adventurous, daring, dedicated, zestful children's teacher - teaching from the natural outflow of what God has done in your life and making a significant difference in lives tomorrow.   Stretch your mind to think and learn in fresh, new ways.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REVIEW

The primary purpose of Bible games is to review Bible facts, verses and concepts. 

Educational experts tell us that one-third of our teaching time should be spent in review! 

Application of knowledge is important for utilization.

 Reviewing helps learning become a meaningful part of a child's life.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON REVIEW QUESTIONS

Review questions fall into two basic categories:

1. Bible truth: facts, truths and verses

2. Bible application: applying truths and concepts to life. Encourages children to use the facts he knows and apply to life in problem solving. Examples: Is it all right to cheat on a test if you have been sick and could not study? What would you do if your best friend told a lie about you.

CHILDREN LEARN BY DOING

After 30 days, students remember: 

10% of what hear

15% of what see

20% what hear and see

40% of what they discuss

80% of what they do

DAYS OF CREATION ART PROJECT

Let children illustrate each day of creation.

7 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY TELLING BIBLE STORIES

1. Let your nervousness be a plus.

Breath deeply before starting. A certain amount of tension will help make your story telling come alive.

2. Have everyone's attention before starting.

Wait quietly. Never raise your voice to speak above the noise.

3. Be natural.

Stand or sit in a natural position. Do not force or overdo gestures. Meaningless gestures only distract.

4. Look directly at the children, including all members of the group.

Don't look over the heads or out the window! Take in the whole group.

5. Hold your Bible when telling a Bible story.

6. Banish backtracking.

If you leave out a vital point, find a way to work it in. Saying, "Oh, I forgot" and backtracking interrupts the flow. You don't want to interrupt the flow of the story in any way.

If you loose someone's attention, pause and wait.

Eyeball the pupil distracting. Communicate non-verbally.

7. When you come to the end of the story, STOP!

PRACTICE TELLING YOUR BIBLE STORIES!

If you want the boys and girls in your class to sit on the edges of their seats and be engaged in the Bible stories you tell, PRACTICE!

a. Read the story over and over.  spend TIME with it!

The purpose is to absorb the story until it become second nature to you - so you can tell it from your HEART, not just by rote. Read the story as a whole. Read it from different Bible translations. Lose yourself in it. Think as you read - picture the story; set the scenes clearly in your mind.

b. Think about the characters

(1) What do they look like?

(2) What are their respective traits?

(3) Why do they say what they do?


c. Tell the story aloud to yourself over and over IN FRONT OF A MIRROR!

Do not concentrate on memorizing word for word -- although you should always know your first and last lines by heart for a comfortable start and finish. Become familiar with it so you can tell the story the story from your HEART, rather than read it.

6 TIPS FOR CHOOSING BIBLE STORIES TO TELL

(1) Does the story have a strong point, idea or theme?

(2) Do the characters appeal to the age group?

(3) Is the vocabulary appropriate for your age level?

(4) Is the length suited to the age? (Rule of thumb: attention span is about one minute more than the age)

(5) Is the story sprinkled with quotation marks, indicating back and forth dialogue?

(6) Does it hold your interest? If so, it will probably hold the pupils attention!

Constantly be on the lookout for stories which you enjoy. If you enjoy them, the boys and girls in your class will enjoy them! Collect them. Categorize them.

NUMBER HOP - BIBLE VERSE REVIEW GAME

Scatters number sheets on the floor. Play music (or simply say "walk, walk, walk") as children step from one number to another, trying not to touch the floor. When music stops, each child freezes on a number. Teacher draws a number from a bag and reads it. The child standing on that number, and the children standing on the preceding two numbers say the verse together.

HIDE AND SEEK BIBLE VERSE REVIEW GAME

On Styrofoam cups, write one word of the Bible verse on each cup. 

Select half of the class to hide the cups. 

The other class members find the cups and place them in the correct order.

ECHO BIBLE MEMORIZATION GAME

Teacher says verse.  Class echoes.

Everyone with blue eyes says the scripture and all others echo.

Everyone wearing something black says the verse and all others echo.

Everyone who plays soccer says the verse an all others echo.

Everyone who plays a musical instrument says the verse and all others echo.

MAGIC NUUDLES CREATIVE ART

Magic Nuddles can be used to illustrate Bible stories!  

Just moisten, set, and create.  

Click HERE for more information.

HEALTHY SANDWICH

 Recipe for 1

1/2 medium apple - chopped

1/8 cup raisins

1/8 cup cheddar cheese - grated

1/8 cup pecans (optional) - chopped

Miracle Whip or mayonnaise as needed.

Mix together thoroughly.

Serve on wheat bread, hamburger buns or pita pocket.

COLOSSIANS 3:23 BIBLE VERSE SONG

(Tune: Happy Birthday)

Whatever you do,

Work at it with all your heart

As working for the Lord,

And not for men.

PSALM 136:1 Bible Verse Song

 (Tune: God Is So Good)

Give thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord

Give thanks to the Lord

For He is good.

"SPIDER WEB" Bible Verse Memorization Activity

Post the Bible verse so all can see.  

Repeat it together several times.

Ask children to stand in a circle. 

Toss a ball of yarn to a child.  That person and the teacher say the verse together.

That child wraps the yarn around a finger and tosses the ball of yarn to another child.  The teacher, child # 1 and this child say the verse together.

Continue until a web is formed.

PAPER BAG PUPPETS BIBLE VERSE REVIEW ACTIVITY

Ask each child to make a sack puppet. Features may be drawn on the sack with markers or crayons, or cut from construction paper and glued to the sack.

A simple puppet stage can be made by standing behind a desk or table covered with cloth, or hanging a curtain from a spring rod in the doorway.

Choose 3 children at a time to go behind the puppet stage and quote the verse together in unison through their puppets.