God Made Me
Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Garden
of Eden Section for further ideas (including a snack recipe) to supplement
this or purchased plans.
Introduction:
No matter what their faith, parents and caregivers struggle every day to
instill a sense of self confidence in their children. As Christians, we
are blessed with the knowledge that God made each and every one of us. We
are special because we are children of God. This knowledge will help our
children throughout their entire lives -- it is a message that should be
reinforced constantly.
As well, preschoolers and early primaries begin to notice that they can do
some things better than their peers and vice versa. It will be good for
your children to realize that God has made each of them different and
unique. Each is special in God's eyes and yours.
The message: God made me. God loves me.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the
God Made Me Take Home
Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the
message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the
children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like
to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering a Mini
Book (preschool-Kindergarten version), Mini
Book (Kindergarten-Grade School version), Story
Sequencing Cards, Coloring Pages
or Printable Activity
Sheets for children who aren't interested in participating in the
group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need
something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone
time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the mini books, story
sequencing cards, coloring pages or
activity sheets with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help
in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week
with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate
the effort!
Description
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Time Allotted
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Supplies
|
 |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have
the children use crayons, markers, yarn and whatever other materials
(such as wiggly eyes or buttons) you have available to personalize their
name tag. Sing the Learning our Names
song |
10 to 15 minutes |
Self Portrait
tags, yarn, crayons, markers, safety pins or tape. |
| |
Craft time!
Preschool thru Grade 1: Giant People. Take a large piece
of paper (you can buy it in rolls, relatively inexpensively). Have
the children trace each other on the paper. Have the children use
crayons, markers, yarn and buttons to personalize their images.
Have the teacher write "God made _____" in large letters
across the top of the images. Hang them up in the church or the
classroom. An alternative craft idea is to provide similar collage
materials but to let them draw themselves on a piece of construction
paper. This is a less expensive option.
Grade 2 and 3: Make picture frames. There are many ways
to make your own frames. You can use recycled cardboard (old
cereal boxes), popsicle sticks, craft foam or paper templates. |
15 to 30 minutes
depending on your
adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: large roll of paper, glue,
crayons, markers, yarn, buttons, etc
Grade 2 and 3: popsicle sticks, glue, markers, paint, stickers,
stamps, etc |
| |
Bible Story Time:
Preschool: You can read an abbreviated version of the Garden of
Eden story, but I like reading the God
Made My face rhyme a number of times for this age group.
(read it once, then read it a second time showing the actions, then read
it a third time doing the actions with them)
Kindergarten and Grade 1: Read the Children's
Version of the Adam and Eve story. (or read from your own store
bought children's bible)
Grade 2 and 3: it's tough to know when it's the right time to
start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a
children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is
a good age to introduce the King
James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes |
Our mini books [1]
[2], Story
Sequencing Cards, or Coloring Pages
can be distributed to the children so they are able to
read along. Print the pages, staple them together in order and let
the kids know when to turn the page. The handouts can be taken
home to color in. |
| |
Closing:
Optional: depending on the time remaining, allow the children
to brainstorm about some of the things God did to make each of us
special.
Reiterate the "God Made Me" message. (different color
eyes, hair, skin, skills, etc)
Preschool and Kindergarten: I
am Special song (with actions)
Grade 1 thru Grade 3: The
Adam and Eve Song (you can hand out the words or hang them up somewhere.
The verses are very repetitive, so the kids will catch
on to them easily)
Standard ending song: for example
We love to learn together,
together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.
substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc
(to the tune of The More We Get Together) |
5 to 15 minutes |
Words to:
I am Special
The
Adam and Eve Song
standard ending song
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