3-5 Supplemental Curriculum: Learning Centers

Coloring utensils, pencil, glue
Cut shapes to represent each day of creation: Examples: black square for darkness, white for light, blue wave, plant, sun, moon, animal shape, outline of girl and boy, hammock or rocking chair, etc. for rest
Paper strips approx. 4cm wide and 30 cm long - 1 per caregiver and child
Two 6cm recycled cardboard squares per caregiver and child
Rubber bands, one for each caregiver and child
Number line on long strip of horizontal cardboard with the numbers 1-10 or 20
Counting pieces: bottle caps, blocks, stones, etc. stored in a small recycled plastic container or box
Bible open to Genesis 1

Directions:

The caregiver and child create “God’s story” of Creation in a small storybook format.* Each folded section represents one day of Creation as explained in Genesis 1.
Fold strip accordion style (back and forth) into 7 sections, creasing the same amount on each fold.
Draw a small picture of each day of creation in the squares (optional: use precut shapes to glue on each folded section).
For book’s covers, glue squares on front and back pages.
Use a rubber band or piece of yarn/ribbon to hold book together.
Color the cover, or write the title, “God’s Story of Creation” with child’s name.
Count the 7 folded sections. Find the number 7 on the number line.
Choose counting pieces and count to 7 matching numbers. Example: 1 stone on the 1, 2 stones on the 2, group of 3 stones on the 3, etc.

* Accordion story book style adapted from: Family Fun Crafts, Editor: Deanna F. Cook, New York, NY: Disney Editions. 1997. P.75

Learning Center #2 Title: “Wrong Choices” (Genesis 3)

Topic 1: God’s Story in the Old Testament

Link to GRC: SE Yr. 1, #23, 34, 38; SP Yr. 1, #4

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify that Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

2) Detect that God’s heart was broken by their wrong choices.

Materials:

Piece of brown, gray or black paper (recycled brown bags or packaging paper-approx... 23cm x 30cm) to roll into tube creating a “tree of life” approx. 5cm in diameter and 30cm long
Green paper for cut leaves (optional; scraps of green fabric, green magazine pages, etc.)
Glue, clear tape
Bright paper for “forbidden fruit”
Safety scissors
Clean recycled sturdy paper cups or recycled yogurt containers (if available) to make the base of the tree
Bible open to Genesis 3

Directions:

Read (or tell) the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.
With help, cut out bottom of the cup.
Roll tube with brown/black/gray paper.
Hold the cup upside down and place the rolled tube into the cut-out hole.
Using scissors, cut branches down from the top of the tree-cuts about 12cm long.
Use crayons or markers to draw “bark” on the tree.
Cut leaves from available materials, glue on tree.
Create a “forbidden fruit” and cut from bright paper and glue on the “tree of life”.
Caregiver discusses good and wrong choices, and how Adam and Eve made a wrong choice to eat the forbidden fruit.
Talk together and give examples of “good choices” and “bad choices.” Examples: brushing teeth –good choice; running into street—bad choice, etc.
God knows what is best for each of us and delights when we make “good choices” and it makes God sad when we make “wrong choices” because He loves us and wants the best for us.

Craft adapted from:Press, Judy. Around the World Art and Activities. Nashville, TN. Williams Press, 2000, p.24-25

Learning Center #3: Title: “God Keeps His Promises – Noah” (Genesis 6-9)

Topic 1: “God’s Story in the Old Testament

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #5, 6; SP Yr.2, #6, 7; CO Yr. 1, #9

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Recognize colors of rainbow and numbers 1-6.

2) Practice fine motor skills.

3) Conduct a scientific experiment to create a small rainbow.

Materials:

Coloring utensils: colors of the rainbow-red, yellow, green blue, orange, purple
Printout of math rainbow activities (See printouts in Unit 2 Resource folder)*
Number line
Clear, clean recycled jar with wide mouth
Water, clean if possible
Small mirror or piece of mirror duct-taped around sharp edges for safety
Flashlight with batteries
Room with white walls, (optional: large piece of white paper to place above experiment to see rainbow)

Directions:

Read (or tell) the story of Noah’s Ark in Genesis 6-9.
Math Activity #1: Caregiver and child identify numbers on rainbow.
- Caregiver looks at key for number colors and child chooses correct colors to match the key.
- Caregiver and child color the picture together.
Math Activity #2: Caregiver and child identify and count as many numbers as possible in order.
- Caregiver calls out a number (1-20 on worksheet) and child colors that circle with any color from the rainbow colors.
- Child calls out a number from the worksheet and caregiver colors the circle with any color. Take turns and display colorful rainbow when all numbers have been called and colored.
Science Activity: “Making a rainbow”*
- Fill glass jar with water, and place small mirror inside at an angle
- Turn off lights or go in a dark corner of room
- Child and caregiver take turns directing the flashlight toward the mirror in the jar and experiment with moving the flashlight up and down the mirror to make a reflection until a rainbow is seen above on the wall or ceiling
- Hold a piece of white paper above the jar to see the rainbow on the paper

* PDF Math Activities: Website: www.makinglearningfun.com , How to Make a Rainbow Science activity: Website: www.squidoo.com

Learning Center # 4: Title: “God Sends a Deliverer- Moses “ (Exodus 14-17)

Topic 1: God’s Story in the Old Testament

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #12-14; SP Yr. 2, #12, 14, 15

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Recognize and use directional words

2) Practice large motor balance and walking

3) Reinforce the Bible story of Moses leading the Israelites through the wilderness from Exodus 14-17.

Materials:

3 or 4 sturdy chairs to climb over
3 or 4 large pieces of recycled cardboard (stones)
Two pieces of rope or tape to represent Red Sea
Table with a sheet over it (cave in the wilderness)
3 or 4 old pillows ( hills or mountains)
Bible or Bible storybook open to Exodus 14-17

Directions:

Set up obstacles for caregiver and child participation.
Review together the Bible story about Moses and the wilderness.
Re-enact traveling through the wilderness by helping each other go through the “obstacles” that are set up.
Help each other! Use directional words while participating in the activity. Example: Go “Up” over the chair, go “inside” the cave, jump “over” the stones, go “down” the mountain, hide “under” the ledge of the cave, etc.
- Climb over the rocky cliffs of the wilderness (chairs)
- Jump from stones to stone (cardboard pieces) as they cross streams
- Follow the narrow passage when God parted the Red Sea (walk on the rope or tape, single file for balance)
- Hide “inside” the cave from wild animals and to sleep
- Climb over hills (pillows) to reach the Promised Land
Ask Questions: How did it feel to have someone help you in the “wilderness”? How did Moses help the Israelites when they were scared or tired? What can you do to help each other every day in your home?

Learning Center #5: Title: “God Provides a Leader- King David” (1 Samuel 17: 31-51)

Topic 1: God’s Story in the Old Testament

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #17-19; SP Yr. 2, #18

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Combine knowledge of David, King of Israel with character trait of leadership.

2) Practice fine motor skills and create battle clothing of “leadership” in Bible times.

3) Determine at least one way he/she can be a godly leader, too.

Materials:

Recycled large brown paper bags/cardboard in child-size “armor” pieces
Coloring utensils/scraps of fabric, shiny foil pieces, colorful chalk to make designs, etc.
Safety scissors glue (heavier scissors if cutting cardboard pieces-adult supervised)
Twine or yarn
Bible open to 1 Samuel 17: 31-51

Directions:

Caregiver and child can recall the leadership of David, the King. For example, when he was a victor over Goliath and saved his people, the Israelites.
Cut a straight line up the center front of a paper bag, from the bottom to the top.
Cut a hole in the bottom of the bag. Make the hole big enough for a head to slip through.
Cut holes on each side of the bag about 10cm from the neck opening. This will allow the child’s arms to slip through the holes.
Decorate the bag with materials provided- glue foil, scraps of fabric, etc., and color designs
Alternate: If no brown bags are available: Cut two large pieces of cardboard to be the “front” and “back” of the armor. Attach the two pieces together by connecting the two pieces over the shoulders of the child with heavy string or twine. Decorate both sides of the “armor.” Child can slip the armor over his/her head.
Talk about how to be a leader in your community. Ask questions: Do leaders always go to battle? Who do you know is a good leader in your church and with your family? How was David a good leader with his troops, his kingdom, and his friend, Jonathan?
To finish the center, play “follow the leader” together with caregiver and child taking turns leading gestures, clapping, singing, jumping up and down, etc.

Learning Center #6: Title: “God’s Prophet—Jonah” (Jonah 1-2)

Topic 1: God’s Story in the Old Testament

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #25; SP Yr. 2, #25

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Determine at least 5 pairs of “opposites” words in vocabulary.

2) Practice body movements to demonstrate “opposites” words.

3) Practice small motor hand strengthening skills of cutting, coloring and dropping.

Materials:

Heavy paper flashcards with pairs of “opposites” written, one on each side: at least 5. For example: go/stop; up/down; in/out; cool/hot; bad/good etc. Blank cards to write additional vocabulary words if caregiver’s literacy skills allow
Safety scissors, crayons or markers, pencil, straightedge
Thin paper for flying fish. Examples: recycled newspaper or magazine pages
Bible open to Jonah 1-2

Directions:

1. Caregiver and child recall the story of Jonah and the whale (big fish) in Jonah 1-2. Jonah did the “opposite” of what God told him to do. This activity reinforces the concept of “opposites” and “obedience”. The flying “fish” reminds child/caregiver to listen to what God says in His Word.

2. Caregiver and child sit opposite each other. Caregiver demonstrates a pair of “opposite” actions. For example, she jumps “up” and asks her child to do the opposite “down” (crouch down near floor). Continue to demonstrate different examples: stand/sit; laugh/cry; whisper/shout etc.

3. Caregiver and child look at opposite word pairs. When caregiver says one word, child thinks of the opposite. If literacy challenged, use pictures of items to demonstrate opposites. Child and caregiver take turns challenging each other. More ideas can be added by the caregiver and child.

Additional Activity for this center:

4. Cut a long strip of thin paper about 4cm wide and 28 cm long.

5. Cut a slit about halfway through, approx. 8cm from each end of the paper strip. *(See illustration in Unit 2 Resource folder)

6. Decorate the strip with crayons or markers.

7. Roll the strip around and slide the slits into each other. Pinch lightly in the center.

8. Reach up and “drop” the flying fish in the air and watch it twirl down. Talk about going “up” and “down,” Jonah was “in” the fish and “outside” the fish.

*“Flying fish “idea from: Mayesky, Mary. Creative Activities for Young Children, 3rd Edition. Albany, NY. Delmar Publishers, Inc. 1985. p. 476

Learning Center #1: Title: “Jesus and Me!” (Matthew 1 & 2)

Topic 2: Jesus is Our Savior: We are His Church

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #1, 26; SP Yr. 2, #27

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Recall how Jesus was born and how the child was born.

2) Practice small motor sculpting, gluing, and drawing to remember Jesus’s birthday.

Materials:

Pictures of babies or pictures of caregiver and child when the child was a baby

Small recycled cardboard boxes, one per caregiver and child
Recycled newspaper pages, magazine pages to strip into “straw” or dried grasses collected from outdoors
Small pieces of fabric or scraps of colorful paper for Jesus’ blanket
Play-doh or clay
Markers or crayons to decorate the box, “manger”
Bible open to Matthew 1 and 2

Directions:

Caregiver and child talk about the day the child was born. If possible, have pictures of babies available to describe and recall what babies need as newborns. Talk about when Jesus was born. Describe His bed and shelter.
Ask questions: How was Jesus’s bed the same or different than the child’s bed? Who was there in the shelter with Jesus? Who was with caregiver and child when she was born? Talk about God taking care of them.
With small cardboard box, create a manger. Define manger as a feeding trough for animals.
If possible, tear into thin strips recycled newspapers or magazine pages to create the “straw”.
Stuff box with “straw” or grasses collected.
Create baby Jesus with play-doh or clay. Roll head and body.
Use scrap of fabric or colorful paper to wrap around Jesus for His blanket.
Sing a familiar Christmas song or do the following finger play together:

The Wise Men traveled from afar, (look into the distance, with hand on forehead looking)
Following the Christmas star, (make a star by wiggling fingers of one hand in the air)
When it stopped they jumped for joy, (jump together)
And worshiped baby Jesus boy. (Fold hands in prayer)

Learning Center #2: Title: “A Little Boy’s Lunch” (John 6: 1-15)

Topic 2: Jesus is Our Savior: We are His Church

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #1, 33; SP Yr. 2, #35-36

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Practice cognitive skills of patterning and prediction.

2) Recall at least one example of Jesus and His miracles.

Materials:

1 copy of pattern grid (See patterns in Unit 2 Resource folder)*
Box or basket of cut out fish patterns and bread patterns (See Unit 2 Resource folder)*
1 copy of pattern examples to be copied with fish and bread pieces
Bible open to John 6: 1-15

Directions:

Caregiver and child recall how one small boy provided his lunch to the hungry crowd and Jesus performed a miracle by making more fish and more bread from the 5 loaves and fishes the boy provided.
Choose one of the pattern examples on a card. Start with #1 and choose more difficult ones as game is played, increasing difficulty.
With the fish and loaf pieces, make a pattern on the pattern grid that follows the example you have chosen. For example, Pattern #1 has fish, loaf, fish, loaf……….what comes next?
Caregiver and child play the game taking turns until they have mastered the pattern grids #1-5.
Talk about how Jesus cares that we are hungry and that we, too, like the little boy, can share what we have with others.

* PDF- Loaf and Fish pattern adapted from: Lively Bible Lessons for Moppets. Loveland, Colorado. Group Publishing, Inc., 2007. Permission granted for local church use

Learning Center #3 Title: “Jesus Heals a Blind Man” (Mark 8: 23-24)

Topic 2: Jesus is Our Savior: We are His Church

Link to GRC: PH Yr. 2, #4-5; SP Yr. 2, #33

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Pantomime or mimic what it would be like to be blind.

2) Practice fine motor skills of cutting and gluing.

3) List 2 reasons why it is important to take care of our eyes.

4) Recall at least 2 ways Jesus healed people when He walked on the Earth.

Materials:

1 Copy of “glasses” per caregiver and child (See printout in Unit 2 Resource folder)*
Light cardboard to trace “glasses”
Pencil, Crayons or markers, safety scissors, glue
Extra white or colored paper folded in half- length wise
Bible open to Mark 8: 23-24

Directions:

Caregiver and child recall at least one or two stories of how Jesus healed the sick.
Work on a protected surface. Caregiver and child help each other trace the glasses onto the cardboard.
Caregiver and child help each other cut out the “glasses”, color and decorate with markers or crayons.
Caregiver and child help each other fold the white or colored paper in half-lengthwise. They create a “buddy picture” (when two people make a picture together) of what they imagine the blind man saw once he was healed. Mark 8: 23-24: “Do you see anything?” Jesus asked. The man looked up. He said, “I see people. They look like trees walking around. “After Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes again, the man could see EVERYTHING!
Color picture with crayons/ markers. Talk about being the church, the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12). Thank Jesus for making us His church! Thank Jesus for our eyes!

* Glasses Pattern: Creative Teaching Press (author’s resources)

Learning Center #4: Title: “Talking to Jesus”

Topic 2: Jesus is Our Savior: We are His Church

Link to GRC: CO Yr. 1, #39; SP Yr. 2, #35,38; SE Yr. 2, #34; PH Yr. 2, #15

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify that prayer is talking to God.

2) Summarize that God hears our prayers.

Materials:

For each caregiver and child: two paper or Styrofoam cups (Optional: recycled plastic containers or clean recycled cans)
1 piece of long string for each caregiver and child to connect the two cups to make a “phone” Optional: unusable old cell phone or landline phone for imaginative “phoning God” conversation
Recycled magazine pictures of items one could pray about: Examples: pictures of families, babies, homes, food, water, storm or flood pictures, animals or insects, (safe and dangerous) school bldg.., community helpers, etc.
Safety scissors, tape

Directions:

Caregiver and child can pray to God anytime day or night. Jesus taught His disciples to pray to God in the Bible and God answers prayers.
Attach the string to the bottoms of the two cups by stringing and tying through a hole punched in the bottom of the cups or taping to the bottom.
Tear or cut out pictures from magazines of items you can pray about.
Take turns “calling” God to talk to Him about the pictures or to thank Him for His care using the “phones” you made. The caregiver and child take turns listening to the requests and talking back to the caller! (Example: Respond: “Pray anytime, God loves you! “)
Recall how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer. Repeat if known. Child echoes caregiver, line by line.
Caregiver and child participate in finger play:

Little children, can you hear? (Point to ear)

Yes, I can, God, with my ears. (Point to other ear)

Pray for ___________________ (fill in name of someone caregiver suggests) and Pray for ___________________ (fill in the name of someone child suggests) Thank You God, for hearing my prayers. (Fold hands in prayer.) Amen.

Learning Center #5: Title: “Jesus is Alive! He is Making Breakfast!” (John 21)

Topic 2: Jesus is Our Savior: We are His Church

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #45

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify that Jesus appeared to His disciples after He rose from the dead by the Sea of Galilee.

2) Identify and name shape patterns.

3) Practice cognitive patterning.

Materials:

Printed copies of pattern block shapes. (See patterns in Unit 2 Resource folder)* Make the pattern blocks in preparation for the center. Make at least 10 of each shape. Two options for creating the pattern block shapes:

Option 1: Color the pattern block shapes and cut out shapes/ store in bag or box.
Option 2: Use a variety of colored paper, 1 color per shape (Example: cut diamonds from red paper, squares from blue paper, etc.)

Place shapes in a storage container: bag or box, to be used again for other activities

Markers or crayons (if coloring shapes)
Copy of “fish” patterns (2 different patterns)
Safety scissors to cut patterns
Bible open to John 21

Directions:

Review the story of Jesus providing the disciples with breakfast by the sea in John 21.
Caregiver and child name and identify the different pattern shapes in the container: square, triangle, circle, rectangle, diamond.
Talk about the breakfast of fish that Jesus prepared for His disciples by the Sea of Galilee after a long night of fishing.
Match pattern pieces on the Fish Pattern #1. Discuss the shapes.
Match pattern pieces on Fish Pattern #2.

* PDF Patterns and Pattern mapping Website: http://img.docstoccdn.com

Learning Center #6: Title: “I Am Part of God’s Church”

Topic 2: Jesus is Our Savior: We are His Church

Link to GRC: SP Yr. 1, #44; SP Yr. 2, #46; SE Yr. 2, #10; PH Yr. 2, #17

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will identify that the Bible is God’s story of His love for all of creation.

Center Objectives:

1) Develop fine motor skills through finger play and tracking at least 2 different paths.

2) Develop large motor skills in at least two different ways.

Materials:

Copy of Finger play #1:

“Here is the church (fold hands together- fingers inside)

“Here is the steeple” (or cross) – two index fingers point up

“Look in the church” (open folded hands to reveal fingers)

“Here are the people” (wiggle fingers)
Copy of Finger play #2:

       “I am the Church” (point to self)

       “You are the Church” (Point to caregiver)

       “We are the church together” (hold hands)

       “All across our village” (spread out hands)

       “All across the world” (make round globe with arms)

       “We are the church together” (Cross arms to make cross shape)
1 copy of tracking sheet per caregiver and child (See printout in Unit 2 Resource folder)*
Crayons or Markers for tracking sheet
Chair or bucket to represent “church” at Compassion project in open, safe area (inside or outside)

Directions:

Caregiver and child talk about church and the Compassion project they attend. Ask questions: Why do we go to church? Where can we go for help and guidance? What do we learn at church about God?
Caregiver and child practice the finger plays together.
Caregiver and child take turns using crayon or marker to trace the tracking sheet together. Start at left side (home) and stay within the lines to get to the right side of the paper (church).
Pretend going to church. Use a chair or box to represent the “church”. Practice going to the church by:

Marching
Hopping
Jumping
Crawling

Your idea!

* Tracking sheet, author’s resources