God Made the World
God Made the Plants • Lesson 4
God Made the World
Bible Point Bible Verse
God made the world (adapted from Genesis 1:1).
Growing Closer to Jesus Children will n learn about creation and how plants grow, n learn that God made the world, and n thank God for the world.
Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis
n God made the plants.
Genesis 1:1-19
Today’s verses focus on the creation of plant life on earth. From the garden plants that bring us vegetables to the bushes that flower with roses to the small trees that bring us fruit and on to the giant redwoods that tower above tall buildings, our God created them all. Help your children think about the huge variety of plant life God created to meet the needs of the humans he loves.
Prayer • Read Psalm 96:12. • Look at a flower up close. Smell its fragrance. Thank God for the wonder of the plant life he created. • Pray: Dear God, thank you for the abundance of plants you’ve created to make our lives better. Help me to always be thankful for… Help me to show the children I teach…
It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.
Before the Lesson n Collect items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed in the chart on the next page. n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 45
Lesson 4
This Lesson at a Glance Arrival Activities Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until everyone arrives.
What Children Will Do
Classroom Supplies
Welcome Time—Receive a warm welcome from the teacher and Cuddles the Lamb.
Name tags (p. 8), marker, tape or safety pins, CD player
Option 1: Sorting Creation—
Nature items such as sticks, leaves, and grass blades
Option 2: Little Seeds—Plant seeds.
Paper cups, potting soil, spoons, fast-growing seeds, water, marker, newspaper
Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as
CD player
Bible Song—Sing a song about
Bible, CD player
God Made the World—
Flashlight, water-filled spray bottle, fragranced hand lotion, scissors, tape
Creation Song—Sing a song about God’s creation.
CD player
Interactive Bible Bulletin Board—Review the Bible Point
Tree, plant, and flower patterns (p. 54); scissors; tape
Sing It Out—Sing a song about
CD player
Bible Craft—Sponge paint leaves taped to construction paper.
Construction paper, large leaves, tape, sponges, paint, marker, paint shirts
Sort items from nature by size and shape.
Learning Lab Supplies
they help clean up the room.
Bible Story Time
the Bible.
Interact with sensory items on the StoryBoard as they hear the Creation story from Genesis 1:1‑19.
Bible Activities
with Cuddles the Lamb as they create a bulletin board together. God’s creation.
Bible Game—Pretend to grow as flowers and trees.
Closing
Snack-n-Song—Say a prayer,
and have a snack.
CD player, graham crackers, juice, cups, napkins
*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.
46 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
Arrival Activities n Welcome Time SUPPLIES: name tags (p. 8), marker, tape or safety pins, CD player • Play “God Is So Good” from the CD (track 2) as children are track 2 arriving. • Use Cuddles the Lamb to help you greet each child by name and with a warm smile. • Tape or pin a name tag to each child’s clothing. • Say: Today we’re going to learn that God made the world. • Place Cuddles out of sight so the children won’t be distracted by him during the next activity.
Understanding the Social/ Emotional Development of Your Toddlers and 2s Toddlers and 2s… • play beside—but not with— other children (parallel play). • are possessive about toys and are reluctant to share. • have tantrums when they’re frustrated. • can chew food well. • can drink from cups and eat with spoons. • need adult help in socialization.
n Option 1: Sorting Creation
• imitate adults.
SUPPLIES: nature items such as sticks, leaves, and grass blades Set out items from nature such as sticks, leaves, and grass blades for the children to sort by size and shape. Remind children that God made these items from nature and that God made the world.
• often say “no” in response to questions.
n Option 2: Little Seeds SUPPLIES: paper cups, potting soil, spoons, fast-growing seeds, water, marker, newspaper Set out small paper cups, water, potting soil, large spoons, and fastgrowing seeds such as radishes, sunflowers, or marigolds. With a permanent marker, write each child’s name on a cup. To make cleanup easy, cover the area with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth. Have each child spoon some potting soil into a cup, put two seeds in the soil, and cover the seeds with more soil. Help children pour small amounts of water in their cups. As they plant their seeds, remind children to ask God to help their seeds grow, and then remind them that God made the world. Set the cups aside, and remember to send them home with the children at the end of the lesson.
n Pick-Up Time SUPPLIES: CD player track 3
As Arrival Activities draw to a close, gently mention that it will soon be time to clean up. Encourage children to help you pick up things in the room as you lead them in singing “Let’s Pick Up All Our Things.” Use the CD (track 3) and sing the song to the tune of “Looby Loo.”
Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things And put them all away.
Everyone here can help. Everyone here can help. Everyone here can help. Let’s put it all away.
Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things. It’s time to stop our play. Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 47
Lesson 4
Bible Story Time n Bible Song SUPPLIES: Bible, CD player Say: Who made the world? God made the world! How do track 4 we know that? The Bible tells us in Genesis 1. Show children the Bible. The Bible is God’s special book. The Bible tells us about God. Let’s learn a song about the Bible. Using the CD (track 4), lead children in singing “God’s Special Book” to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” This is God’s special book. Yes, it’s God’s book you see! I learn about all God has done, And his love for me! (Repeat.) Bible!
n Bible Story: God Made the World SUPPLIES: flashlight, water-filled spray bottle, fragranced hand lotion, scissors, tape Before class begins, please check to make sure the sensory items are still attached securely so the children can touch them without danger of pulling the items off or putting them into their mouths. Be sure to have a bottle of fragranced hand lotion ready. Pull out the remaining scratch-and-sniff fruit sticker from Sensory Packet 1. Remove remaining heaven stickers and the “Jesus and Family” figures from the Learning Lab. Cut out the Jesus figure and the boy figure for this week’s lesson. Tape a craft stick to the back of each figure to create puppets. Panel 1 Set the spray bottle and lotion beside you. Hold the StoryBoard. Say: We’re going to hear a Bible story about how God made the world. Have a helper turn off the lights. In the beginning, it was dark. Then God made the light. Unfold Panel 1 of the StoryBoard, and shine a flashlight behind it to light up the sun-, moon-, and star-shaped holes. God made the sun. God made the moon. God made the stars. Have a helper turn the lights back on. Choose two or three children to each place a star sticker from Sensory Packet 1 on Panel 1 of the StoryBoard. (You can hand out all the remaining star stickers this week.)
48 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
Let’s pretend we’re the sun and moon that God put in the sky. When I say “moon,” lie down and pretend to sleep. When I say “sun,” stand up and say, “Good morning!” Alternate saying “moon” and “sun,” and have children pretend to sleep and then wake up. After a few repetitions, say: God made the moon to shine at night, and God made the sun to shine in the daytime. Let’s see what else God made. Panel 2 Reveal Panel 2 of the StoryBoard, which shows sky, clouds, raindrops, and water. Say: Oh, look at all the wonderful things God made. What do you see? Encourage children to name the items God made, such as the sky, the clouds, and the water. Let children touch each picture as it’s named. Then ask: • What do the clouds feel like? (Soft; fluffy.) • Where is the sky? (Above us.) Choose two or three children to each place a heaven sticker from the Learning Lab on Panel 1 of the StoryBoard. (You can hand out all the remaining heaven stickers this week.) • What is water like? (Wet; cool.) Say: We can touch water and pretend it’s raining. Say the following rhyme as you spray a bit of “rainy” mist above the children’s heads.
Sprinkle, sprinkle falling down, Raindrops, raindrops dance around. After repeating the rhyme a few times, say: Isn’t it nice to know that God made the clouds and rain? What else do you think God made?
Panel 3 Unfold Panel 3 of the StoryBoard, which shows grass, land, flowers, plants, bushes, and trees. Say: God made the grass, and God made the trees. Allow the children to touch the brown corrugated paper. Then God made the land. He made the dirt and sand. Allow children to touch the sandpaper. God made the plants. Help the children pull the ribbon through the StoryBoard. God put the fruit in the trees. God made the world so beautiful! Let’s smell the beautiful fruit God made. Add the remaining fruit sticker to the Storyboard, and let children scratch and sniff the sticker. Say: Now let’s all pretend that we’re little flowers that God made. We start all cozy snuggled down in the dirt as a seed. Show the children how to squat down, tuck their heads, and hug their knees. Then say: God sends the warm sunshine, and the flowers start to grow. Lead the children in lifting up their heads and slowly starting to stand up as you continue. God sends sweet rain for the flowers to drink, and the flowers grow up more and more! God made the beautiful flowers grow, and God made them smell wonderful. Stand up as tall as you can like pretty flowers. Lead the children in holding their hands up above their heads and wiggling their fingers.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 49
Lesson 4
Put a little hand lotion on each child’s hand. Say: Now you smell like a beautiful flower, too. Ask: • What color of flowers do you like? (Blue; red; yellow.) • Where do you see flowers? (In a garden; in my yard; in the mountains.) Say: God made all the red flowers, all the blue flowers, and all the yellow flowers. God made flowers to grow all over. Thank you, God, for all the flowers. God made the world because he loves you.
Important: Put away the StoryBoard out of reach of children.
Hold up the Jesus-figure puppet you made before class. Say: God sent his Son, Jesus, to the world because he loves you! Make sure each of the boys and girls can see the Jesus puppet. Say: Hold up your hand if you can see the Jesus puppet. Then set aside the Jesus puppet and pick up the boyfigure puppet. Jesus loves boys and girls. Jesus loves all the children of the world. Hold up your other hand if you can see the child puppet. Then hold up both puppets. Thank you, God, for making the world! And thank you, God, for sending Jesus. Let’s clap our hands really high over our heads to tell God “thank you” for making the world. Clap your hands over your head with the children. Now let’s thank God for all he’s made by singing a beautiful song. Put the Jesus and boy figures back in the Learning Lab for later use.
n Creation Song SUPPLIES: CD player track 5
Using the CD, lead children in singing “God Made All the World” (track 5) to the tune of “Ten Little Indians.”
God made the land and God made the sea (make waves with your hands); Made the sun so we can see (shade your eyes with your hand); Made the moon and stars we see. (Open and close fingers to “twinkle.”) God made all the world. (Put hands out in front of you.) God made the plants and God made the trees (lift hands above your head like a growing tree); Made the flowers and their leaves. (Pretend to smell a flower.) God made the grasses all with ease. (Fold hands and wiggle fingers.) God made all the world. (Put hands out in front of you.) God made the clouds up in the sky (make a big circle over your head with your arms); Made the wind to help things fly (push hands away from your mouth); God made everything up high. (Stand on your tippy-toes.) God made all the world. (Put hands out in front of you.)
50 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
Say: We’ve been learning that God made the world. And we know that God made the plants, flowers, and trees. Let’s add plants and trees to our bulletin board.
Bible Activities n Interactive Bible Bulletin Board SUPPLIES: tree, plant, and flower patterns (p. 54); scissors; tape Before class, photocopy the plant, tree, and flower patterns. Be sure there’s a pattern for each child. Cut out the patterns. You may wish to decorate the cutouts with markers or crayons.
Bring out Cuddles the Lamb. Go through the following script, and then put Cuddles away out of sight of the children.
Cuddles: Hi! I am so happy to be here. What did you learn today? Teacher: We learned that God made the world. Can you help us make a bulletin board of things God made?
Cuddles: I like to be a helper. What are we going to do? Teacher: We’re going to have fun with some of God’s creation! He made many wonderful
things, and I have pictures of some of them. Each one of you will get a turn putting a picture on the bulletin board. Cuddles will help us.
As you hand a flower, plant, or tree shape to each child, have Cuddles ask the child what it is. For example: Cuddles: What are you putting on the bulletin board? Child: A flower. Cuddles: Who makes flowers? Child: God does. Help the children tape the plant, flower, or tree shapes to the bulletin board or on a wall. As children add these items, have them each say, “God made [name of item].” Lead the children in saying, “Thank you, God, for [name of object].” Have the children point to the shapes they’ve placed on the bulletin board. Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 51
Lesson 4
n Sing It Out SUPPLIES: CD player track 5
Using the CD, lead children in singing “God Made All the World” (track 5) to the tune of “Ten Little Indians.” The lyrics are on page 50. Say: We’re so thankful that God made the world. Let’s paint special pictures to remind us that God made plants, flowers, and trees.
n Bible Craft SUPPLIES: construction paper, large leaves, tape, sponges, paint, marker, paint shirts Place a piece of construction paper in front of each child. Using a marker, write each child’s name on his or her paper. Have each child select a large leaf from leaves you’ve placed on the table. Put tape on the back of the leaves, and stick them to the papers. Direct the children to sponge paint all over their papers and the leaves. When the children have finished, remove the leaves, and outlines of the leaves will remain on the papers. As children work, comment on the leaves and their different shapes. Say: God made the world. God made leaves. Set aside the finished leaf pictures to dry. Have the children help you clean up the table.
n Bible Game Paint and young children can either be the recipe for a huge mess or a great learning experience. Whenever you have children paint, make sure they wear paint smocks or large paint shirts. Little measures (like just putting a little paint in a pie tin for kids to use) can save you from big disasters. Adding some liquid soap to paint makes cleanup easier.
SUPPLIES: none Have the children spread out. Say: Let’s pretend to be little seeds. We’ll grow into flowers, trees, and bushes when we’re watered. First we’ll get down on the floor and curl up into little balls. Are you curled up tight? I’ll walk over to you and “water” you. After I water you, stand up and go water someone else. Pretend to pour water on a child. Then have that child stand up. Help that child water another child and then crouch back down. Keep the game going until everyone has been watered and children lose interest. With God’s help, you grew into beautiful plants! Thank you, God, for helping the plants to grow! Then say: Now we’ll pretend we’re little flowers and tiptoe to the snack table.
Closing n Snack-n-Song SUPPLIES: CD player, graham crackers, juice, cups, napkins Have children sit down at the snack table. Say: We’ve learned track 6 how God created the world. Let’s say thank-you prayers See p e 5. ag
52 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
to God for all the things he has made for us. Encourage children to finish the sentence “Thank you, God, for…” by naming things God has created. Close by saying: God made the world. Thank you, God, for all the wonderful things you have made. In Jesus’ name, amen. Help children clean their hands. Give each child a graham cracker and a half-filled cup of juice. When children have finished their snack, sing “This Is the Way God Made the World” with the CD (track 6). Have children take their crafts and plant cups home. This is the way God made the world, Made the world, made the world. This is the way God made the world— The land, the sky, the sea. God put the moon up in the sky, In the sky, in the sky. God put the moon up in the sky. The moon is way up high. (Reach up and pretend to place the moon in the sky.) The sun is shining big and bright, Big and bright, big and bright. The sun is shining big and bright. God’s sun gives us light. (Hold hands in a big circle.)
The trees are moving in the breeze, In the breeze, in the breeze. The trees are moving in the breeze. God made the big, tall trees. (Hold arms up like branches and sway back and forth.) The flowers are growing big and tall, Big and tall, big and tall. The flowers are growing big and tall. God’s flowers are for us all. (Pretend to be small; then “grow up” like a flower.) This is the way God made the world, Made the world, made the world. This is the way God made the world— The land, the sky, the sea.
For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.
n Fruit and Vegetable Printing You’ll need a paper plate, a paper towel, poster paint, a few small apples or potatoes, a knife, forks, and paper. Fold a damp paper towel, and place it on the paper plate. Pour a small amount of paint onto the paper towel. Cut the potatoes or apples in half. Push a fork into each apple or potato half to serve as a handle. Help the children dip the apples or potatoes into the paint and then “stamp” onto paper. Let children keep printing until their papers are filled with prints.
n Categorizing Creation Have the children sort and categorize a variety of fruits and vegetables by shape, size, and color. Discuss their unique characteristics to help the children appreciate God’s creativity.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 53
Patterns
54
Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
God Made the World
Bible Point Bible Verse
God made the world (adapted from Genesis 1:1).
Growing Closer to Jesus Children will n learn about creation and how plants grow, n learn that God made the world, and n thank God for the world.
Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis
n God made the plants.
Genesis 1:1-19
Today’s verses focus on the creation of plant life on earth. From the garden plants that bring us vegetables to the bushes that flower with roses to the small trees that bring us fruit and on to the giant redwoods that tower above tall buildings, our God created them all. Help your children think about the huge variety of plant life God created to meet the needs of the humans he loves.
Prayer • Read Psalm 96:12. • Look at a flower up close. Smell its fragrance. Thank God for the wonder of the plant life he created. • Pray: Dear God, thank you for the abundance of plants you’ve created to make our lives better. Help me to always be thankful for… Help me to show the children I teach…
It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.
Before the Lesson n Collect items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies listed in the chart on the next page. n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 45
Lesson 4
This Lesson at a Glance Arrival Activities Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until everyone arrives.
What Children Will Do
Classroom Supplies
Welcome Time—Receive a warm welcome from the teacher and Cuddles the Lamb.
Name tags (p. 8), marker, tape or safety pins, CD player
Option 1: Sorting Creation—
Nature items such as sticks, leaves, and grass blades
Option 2: Little Seeds—Plant seeds.
Paper cups, potting soil, spoons, fast-growing seeds, water, marker, newspaper
Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as
CD player
Bible Song—Sing a song about
Bible, CD player
God Made the World—
Flashlight, water-filled spray bottle, fragranced hand lotion, scissors, tape
Creation Song—Sing a song about God’s creation.
CD player
Interactive Bible Bulletin Board—Review the Bible Point
Tree, plant, and flower patterns (p. 54); scissors; tape
Sing It Out—Sing a song about
CD player
Bible Craft—Sponge paint leaves taped to construction paper.
Construction paper, large leaves, tape, sponges, paint, marker, paint shirts
Sort items from nature by size and shape.
Learning Lab Supplies
they help clean up the room.
Bible Story Time
the Bible.
Interact with sensory items on the StoryBoard as they hear the Creation story from Genesis 1:1‑19.
Bible Activities
with Cuddles the Lamb as they create a bulletin board together. God’s creation.
Bible Game—Pretend to grow as flowers and trees.
Closing
Snack-n-Song—Say a prayer,
and have a snack.
CD player, graham crackers, juice, cups, napkins
*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.
46 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
Arrival Activities n Welcome Time SUPPLIES: name tags (p. 8), marker, tape or safety pins, CD player • Play “God Is So Good” from the CD (track 2) as children are track 2 arriving. • Use Cuddles the Lamb to help you greet each child by name and with a warm smile. • Tape or pin a name tag to each child’s clothing. • Say: Today we’re going to learn that God made the world. • Place Cuddles out of sight so the children won’t be distracted by him during the next activity.
Understanding the Social/ Emotional Development of Your Toddlers and 2s Toddlers and 2s… • play beside—but not with— other children (parallel play). • are possessive about toys and are reluctant to share. • have tantrums when they’re frustrated. • can chew food well. • can drink from cups and eat with spoons. • need adult help in socialization.
n Option 1: Sorting Creation
• imitate adults.
SUPPLIES: nature items such as sticks, leaves, and grass blades Set out items from nature such as sticks, leaves, and grass blades for the children to sort by size and shape. Remind children that God made these items from nature and that God made the world.
• often say “no” in response to questions.
n Option 2: Little Seeds SUPPLIES: paper cups, potting soil, spoons, fast-growing seeds, water, marker, newspaper Set out small paper cups, water, potting soil, large spoons, and fastgrowing seeds such as radishes, sunflowers, or marigolds. With a permanent marker, write each child’s name on a cup. To make cleanup easy, cover the area with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth. Have each child spoon some potting soil into a cup, put two seeds in the soil, and cover the seeds with more soil. Help children pour small amounts of water in their cups. As they plant their seeds, remind children to ask God to help their seeds grow, and then remind them that God made the world. Set the cups aside, and remember to send them home with the children at the end of the lesson.
n Pick-Up Time SUPPLIES: CD player track 3
As Arrival Activities draw to a close, gently mention that it will soon be time to clean up. Encourage children to help you pick up things in the room as you lead them in singing “Let’s Pick Up All Our Things.” Use the CD (track 3) and sing the song to the tune of “Looby Loo.”
Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things And put them all away.
Everyone here can help. Everyone here can help. Everyone here can help. Let’s put it all away.
Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things. Let’s pick up all our things. It’s time to stop our play. Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 47
Lesson 4
Bible Story Time n Bible Song SUPPLIES: Bible, CD player Say: Who made the world? God made the world! How do track 4 we know that? The Bible tells us in Genesis 1. Show children the Bible. The Bible is God’s special book. The Bible tells us about God. Let’s learn a song about the Bible. Using the CD (track 4), lead children in singing “God’s Special Book” to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” This is God’s special book. Yes, it’s God’s book you see! I learn about all God has done, And his love for me! (Repeat.) Bible!
n Bible Story: God Made the World SUPPLIES: flashlight, water-filled spray bottle, fragranced hand lotion, scissors, tape Before class begins, please check to make sure the sensory items are still attached securely so the children can touch them without danger of pulling the items off or putting them into their mouths. Be sure to have a bottle of fragranced hand lotion ready. Pull out the remaining scratch-and-sniff fruit sticker from Sensory Packet 1. Remove remaining heaven stickers and the “Jesus and Family” figures from the Learning Lab. Cut out the Jesus figure and the boy figure for this week’s lesson. Tape a craft stick to the back of each figure to create puppets. Panel 1 Set the spray bottle and lotion beside you. Hold the StoryBoard. Say: We’re going to hear a Bible story about how God made the world. Have a helper turn off the lights. In the beginning, it was dark. Then God made the light. Unfold Panel 1 of the StoryBoard, and shine a flashlight behind it to light up the sun-, moon-, and star-shaped holes. God made the sun. God made the moon. God made the stars. Have a helper turn the lights back on. Choose two or three children to each place a star sticker from Sensory Packet 1 on Panel 1 of the StoryBoard. (You can hand out all the remaining star stickers this week.)
48 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
Let’s pretend we’re the sun and moon that God put in the sky. When I say “moon,” lie down and pretend to sleep. When I say “sun,” stand up and say, “Good morning!” Alternate saying “moon” and “sun,” and have children pretend to sleep and then wake up. After a few repetitions, say: God made the moon to shine at night, and God made the sun to shine in the daytime. Let’s see what else God made. Panel 2 Reveal Panel 2 of the StoryBoard, which shows sky, clouds, raindrops, and water. Say: Oh, look at all the wonderful things God made. What do you see? Encourage children to name the items God made, such as the sky, the clouds, and the water. Let children touch each picture as it’s named. Then ask: • What do the clouds feel like? (Soft; fluffy.) • Where is the sky? (Above us.) Choose two or three children to each place a heaven sticker from the Learning Lab on Panel 1 of the StoryBoard. (You can hand out all the remaining heaven stickers this week.) • What is water like? (Wet; cool.) Say: We can touch water and pretend it’s raining. Say the following rhyme as you spray a bit of “rainy” mist above the children’s heads.
Sprinkle, sprinkle falling down, Raindrops, raindrops dance around. After repeating the rhyme a few times, say: Isn’t it nice to know that God made the clouds and rain? What else do you think God made?
Panel 3 Unfold Panel 3 of the StoryBoard, which shows grass, land, flowers, plants, bushes, and trees. Say: God made the grass, and God made the trees. Allow the children to touch the brown corrugated paper. Then God made the land. He made the dirt and sand. Allow children to touch the sandpaper. God made the plants. Help the children pull the ribbon through the StoryBoard. God put the fruit in the trees. God made the world so beautiful! Let’s smell the beautiful fruit God made. Add the remaining fruit sticker to the Storyboard, and let children scratch and sniff the sticker. Say: Now let’s all pretend that we’re little flowers that God made. We start all cozy snuggled down in the dirt as a seed. Show the children how to squat down, tuck their heads, and hug their knees. Then say: God sends the warm sunshine, and the flowers start to grow. Lead the children in lifting up their heads and slowly starting to stand up as you continue. God sends sweet rain for the flowers to drink, and the flowers grow up more and more! God made the beautiful flowers grow, and God made them smell wonderful. Stand up as tall as you can like pretty flowers. Lead the children in holding their hands up above their heads and wiggling their fingers.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 49
Lesson 4
Put a little hand lotion on each child’s hand. Say: Now you smell like a beautiful flower, too. Ask: • What color of flowers do you like? (Blue; red; yellow.) • Where do you see flowers? (In a garden; in my yard; in the mountains.) Say: God made all the red flowers, all the blue flowers, and all the yellow flowers. God made flowers to grow all over. Thank you, God, for all the flowers. God made the world because he loves you.
Important: Put away the StoryBoard out of reach of children.
Hold up the Jesus-figure puppet you made before class. Say: God sent his Son, Jesus, to the world because he loves you! Make sure each of the boys and girls can see the Jesus puppet. Say: Hold up your hand if you can see the Jesus puppet. Then set aside the Jesus puppet and pick up the boyfigure puppet. Jesus loves boys and girls. Jesus loves all the children of the world. Hold up your other hand if you can see the child puppet. Then hold up both puppets. Thank you, God, for making the world! And thank you, God, for sending Jesus. Let’s clap our hands really high over our heads to tell God “thank you” for making the world. Clap your hands over your head with the children. Now let’s thank God for all he’s made by singing a beautiful song. Put the Jesus and boy figures back in the Learning Lab for later use.
n Creation Song SUPPLIES: CD player track 5
Using the CD, lead children in singing “God Made All the World” (track 5) to the tune of “Ten Little Indians.”
God made the land and God made the sea (make waves with your hands); Made the sun so we can see (shade your eyes with your hand); Made the moon and stars we see. (Open and close fingers to “twinkle.”) God made all the world. (Put hands out in front of you.) God made the plants and God made the trees (lift hands above your head like a growing tree); Made the flowers and their leaves. (Pretend to smell a flower.) God made the grasses all with ease. (Fold hands and wiggle fingers.) God made all the world. (Put hands out in front of you.) God made the clouds up in the sky (make a big circle over your head with your arms); Made the wind to help things fly (push hands away from your mouth); God made everything up high. (Stand on your tippy-toes.) God made all the world. (Put hands out in front of you.)
50 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
Say: We’ve been learning that God made the world. And we know that God made the plants, flowers, and trees. Let’s add plants and trees to our bulletin board.
Bible Activities n Interactive Bible Bulletin Board SUPPLIES: tree, plant, and flower patterns (p. 54); scissors; tape Before class, photocopy the plant, tree, and flower patterns. Be sure there’s a pattern for each child. Cut out the patterns. You may wish to decorate the cutouts with markers or crayons.
Bring out Cuddles the Lamb. Go through the following script, and then put Cuddles away out of sight of the children.
Cuddles: Hi! I am so happy to be here. What did you learn today? Teacher: We learned that God made the world. Can you help us make a bulletin board of things God made?
Cuddles: I like to be a helper. What are we going to do? Teacher: We’re going to have fun with some of God’s creation! He made many wonderful
things, and I have pictures of some of them. Each one of you will get a turn putting a picture on the bulletin board. Cuddles will help us.
As you hand a flower, plant, or tree shape to each child, have Cuddles ask the child what it is. For example: Cuddles: What are you putting on the bulletin board? Child: A flower. Cuddles: Who makes flowers? Child: God does. Help the children tape the plant, flower, or tree shapes to the bulletin board or on a wall. As children add these items, have them each say, “God made [name of item].” Lead the children in saying, “Thank you, God, for [name of object].” Have the children point to the shapes they’ve placed on the bulletin board. Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 51
Lesson 4
n Sing It Out SUPPLIES: CD player track 5
Using the CD, lead children in singing “God Made All the World” (track 5) to the tune of “Ten Little Indians.” The lyrics are on page 50. Say: We’re so thankful that God made the world. Let’s paint special pictures to remind us that God made plants, flowers, and trees.
n Bible Craft SUPPLIES: construction paper, large leaves, tape, sponges, paint, marker, paint shirts Place a piece of construction paper in front of each child. Using a marker, write each child’s name on his or her paper. Have each child select a large leaf from leaves you’ve placed on the table. Put tape on the back of the leaves, and stick them to the papers. Direct the children to sponge paint all over their papers and the leaves. When the children have finished, remove the leaves, and outlines of the leaves will remain on the papers. As children work, comment on the leaves and their different shapes. Say: God made the world. God made leaves. Set aside the finished leaf pictures to dry. Have the children help you clean up the table.
n Bible Game Paint and young children can either be the recipe for a huge mess or a great learning experience. Whenever you have children paint, make sure they wear paint smocks or large paint shirts. Little measures (like just putting a little paint in a pie tin for kids to use) can save you from big disasters. Adding some liquid soap to paint makes cleanup easier.
SUPPLIES: none Have the children spread out. Say: Let’s pretend to be little seeds. We’ll grow into flowers, trees, and bushes when we’re watered. First we’ll get down on the floor and curl up into little balls. Are you curled up tight? I’ll walk over to you and “water” you. After I water you, stand up and go water someone else. Pretend to pour water on a child. Then have that child stand up. Help that child water another child and then crouch back down. Keep the game going until everyone has been watered and children lose interest. With God’s help, you grew into beautiful plants! Thank you, God, for helping the plants to grow! Then say: Now we’ll pretend we’re little flowers and tiptoe to the snack table.
Closing n Snack-n-Song SUPPLIES: CD player, graham crackers, juice, cups, napkins Have children sit down at the snack table. Say: We’ve learned track 6 how God created the world. Let’s say thank-you prayers See p e 5. ag
52 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s
God Made the Plants
to God for all the things he has made for us. Encourage children to finish the sentence “Thank you, God, for…” by naming things God has created. Close by saying: God made the world. Thank you, God, for all the wonderful things you have made. In Jesus’ name, amen. Help children clean their hands. Give each child a graham cracker and a half-filled cup of juice. When children have finished their snack, sing “This Is the Way God Made the World” with the CD (track 6). Have children take their crafts and plant cups home. This is the way God made the world, Made the world, made the world. This is the way God made the world— The land, the sky, the sea. God put the moon up in the sky, In the sky, in the sky. God put the moon up in the sky. The moon is way up high. (Reach up and pretend to place the moon in the sky.) The sun is shining big and bright, Big and bright, big and bright. The sun is shining big and bright. God’s sun gives us light. (Hold hands in a big circle.)
The trees are moving in the breeze, In the breeze, in the breeze. The trees are moving in the breeze. God made the big, tall trees. (Hold arms up like branches and sway back and forth.) The flowers are growing big and tall, Big and tall, big and tall. The flowers are growing big and tall. God’s flowers are for us all. (Pretend to be small; then “grow up” like a flower.) This is the way God made the world, Made the world, made the world. This is the way God made the world— The land, the sky, the sea.
For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.
n Fruit and Vegetable Printing You’ll need a paper plate, a paper towel, poster paint, a few small apples or potatoes, a knife, forks, and paper. Fold a damp paper towel, and place it on the paper plate. Pour a small amount of paint onto the paper towel. Cut the potatoes or apples in half. Push a fork into each apple or potato half to serve as a handle. Help the children dip the apples or potatoes into the paint and then “stamp” onto paper. Let children keep printing until their papers are filled with prints.
n Categorizing Creation Have the children sort and categorize a variety of fruits and vegetables by shape, size, and color. Discuss their unique characteristics to help the children appreciate God’s creativity.
Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Toddlers & 2s 53
Patterns
54
Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Toddlers & 2s granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com
