3-5 Supplemental Curriculum: Learning Centers

1 copy per caregiver and child of Matching Memory game of animals and their homes (See printout in Unit 3 Resource folder)*
1 sheet of paper per caregiver and child for drawing
Crayons or markers
Safety scissors, glue
Recycled cardboard (Example: empty cereal or food boxes)

Directions:

Child and caregiver talk about where different animals and people live in their country/village.
Talk about why all creatures need a shelter. List 2 or 3 reasons why shelters are important. (Safety from weather, animals, place to sleep, etc.)
Caregiver and child draw a picture of their home.
Talk about people homes and animal homes and how they are different.
Color the game pieces with crayons or markers.
Glue the game piece sheet on the cardboard. Allow to dry.
Cut apart pieces with safety scissors.
Play the game:

Mix up the pieces.
Place the pieces face down in 4 rows of three cards or 3 rows of 4 cards.
Take turns turning over two pieces at a time.
If the pieces match the animal to its habitat, that player keeps the cards and takes another turn.
Play until all the cards have been matched.
Count how many cards each player has. That person is the winner.

* PDF Website: www.kidsclub.com

Learning Center #2: Title: “Find Your Way Home!”

Topic 1: God Gave Me a Family

Link to GRC: CO Yr. 1, #15: CO Yr. 2, #13; PH Yr. 2, #10-14; SP Yr. 2, #5

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will demonstrate knowledge of God’s plan for families.

Center Objectives:

1) Listen to directions using directional words.

2) Counts numbered steps using directional words.

Materials:

2 identical Activity sheets, one for caregiver, and one for child- with imaginary buildings and landmarks in the neighborhood between home and church (See game sheet in Unit 3 Resource folder)*
Barrier to place between caregiver and child (Example: a cardboard box) so that child and caregiver cannot see each other’s game sheets during the activity
Playing pieces (pop bottle caps, stones, or beans) --about 5 for each caregiver and child

Directions:

Caregiver and child take turns giving each other verbal directions. Good listening is required to play this game!
Caregiver and child face each other at a table. A barrier is place between them so that they cannot see the other’s activity sheet for the game.
Each player uses 5 playing pieces each.
The caregiver starts the game and asks the child to:
- Place a playing piece “above” the pond with crocodiles.
- Place a playing piece “under” the road.
- Place a playing piece “on” the rock.
- Continue with verbal directions to use the other two markers using directional words.
When the playing pieces are gone, the players remove the barrier between the players and look at the activity sheet to see if the sheets match each other.
Discuss the differences, comparing the words used: above, below, on, etc.
Child takes turn giving the caregiver instructions using the barrier. When playing pieces are all gone, remove the barrier and check the results.
Variation of game to “find the way home”: Caregiver and child both start their playing pieces at the Starting X on the Activity sheet. Caregiver gives directions on how to get to the “home” at the other side of the activity sheet. Use numbered moves such as “Move two steps to the right of the tree. Move 5 steps straight down from the tree, etc.”.

* Game sheet, author’s resources

Learning Center #3: Title: “This is My Home!”

Topic 1: God Gave Me a Family

Link to GRC: CO Yr. 1, #12; PH Yr. 1, #10; PH Yr. 2, #10-14; SP Yr. 1, #31

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will demonstrate knowledge of God’s plan for families.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify at least 2 characteristics that make a home.

2) Build a “home” that represents child’s ideas.

Materials:

Recycled boxes, clean recycled cans, cardboard tubes, variety of textured materials scraps (bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, pieces of foil, etc.)
Lid of a cardboard box (can be shoe box size or larger)
Glue, markers, safety scissors
Bits of grasses or non-toxic leaves to make shrubbery around house

Directions:

Caregiver and child discuss and describe their home. How many people live in our home? Who are they? How big is our home? Where do we make the meals?
Choose at least 4 or 5 of the materials to create a “house” together.
Start with a small box for the base of the home. Add other pieces.
Glue pieces of foil and other materials to build your “home”.
Decorate the box sculpture with markers, scraps of foil, fabric, etc.
Surround the house with “shrubs“.
Decide and talk about the different living areas of the home (place to sleep, eat, get ready for school, etc.) Ask questions: What is your favorite thing to do at home? What do you like best about your home? Answer in full sentences.
Share your “home” with another caregiver and child. Talk about what is the same and what is different.

Learning Center #4: Title: “This is My Family”

Topic 1: God Gave Me a Family

Link to GRC: PH Yr. 2, #10-14; SE Yr. 2, #11, 13, 14; SP Yr. 1, #10; SP Yr. 2, #5, 10

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will demonstrate knowledge of God’s plan for families.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify and name members of those living in household.

2) Create puppets to represent household members.

3) Role-play scenarios that take place in home between household members.

Materials:

Paper bags for each member of the caregiver and child’s family
Markers and crayons
Misc. materials for decorating the puppets: stickers, pieces of foil, scraps of colored magazine pages, ribbon, yarn, etc.
Google eyes, if available

Directions:

Caregiver and child talk about the names and number of household members living in their home.
Count out the number of bags needed to make family members. Work together to create the puppets.
Use the bottom of the bag, folded down for the head of the puppet.
Draw the face on the bottom of the bag, glue hair and other decorations to the bag.
Once completed, insert hand into the paper bag to make the bag “talk”.
Have a conversation between caregiver and child in the following scenarios:

Getting ready for school or church
Cooking a meal together
Praying at home
Cleaning at home

Any other ideas!

Learning Center #5: Title: “Homework”

Topic 1: God Gave Me a Family

Link to GRC: PH Yr. 1, #9, 10, 13, 31; PH Yr. 2, #37; SP Yr. 1, #27

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will demonstrate knowledge of God’s plan for families.

Center Objectives:

1) Sort and classify types of household items.

2) Strengthen hand muscles to manipulate kitchen tools.

Materials:

Collection of common lightweight unbreakable household kitchen items and other items (Examples: socks, small trinkets, kitchen spoons, pieces of paper, coins, pieces of fabric, plastic bags etc.)
2 large containers: boxes or baskets
Tongs or chopsticks, wooden spoons or scoops- to transfer items from one container to the other

Directions:

Caregiver and child look at items collected and discuss their daily use in the home.
Caregiver and child practice picking up items with a kitchen utensil, instead of their hands. Try to move the items from one container to another without dropping the item.
Put all of the collected items in one container. Place the empty container next to it.
Choose a kitchen utensil (tongs, spoon, chopsticks), and try to pick up one item from the container and move it to the other container without dropping it. Count the number of items you can move without dropping an item.
When finished transferring the items or if item is dropped en-route, give the other person a turn until he/she misses.
Caregiver and child take turns moving the items. This activity strengthens hand muscles.

Learning Center #6: Title: “Family Fun Games”

Topic 1: God Gave Me a Family

Link to GRC: SE Yr. 1, #10; SE Yr. 2, #13, 14; PH Yr. 1, #8, 10; PH Yr. 2, #24; CO Yr. 1, #3; CO Yr. 2, #3; SP Yr.1, #27

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child will demonstrate knowledge of God’s plan for families.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify common household items and determine their use.

2) Explain in complete sentences at least 5 or 6 characteristics of household members.

3) Develop hand-eye coordination ability.

Materials:

Soft, small ball to toss between partners
Box or large bag containing safe common household items (kitchen utensils, clothing pieces, scrub brush, sponge, soap, etc.)
Blindfold for game

Directions:

Caregiver and child play two games together.

Game #1:

Sit or stand in a safe area to roll or toss a ball to each other.
Caregiver and child take turns rolling or tossing the ball to each other. Each time they catch the ball, they say one thing about their family or home. (Examples: “we have a baby.” Or “Our roof leaks!”) Keep moving further and further away to catch the ball.

Game # 2:

Place all the collected household items in the box or bag provided. Take turns wearing the blindfold before you play the game as small children might be frightened.
Blindfold the caregiver to be the first player.
The child holds the bag or box open for the caregiver to reach in, feel, and guess the name of the object by its texture and sound.
Take off the blindfold. Is the guess correct? Child explains in full sentences how the chosen item is used in the home.
Take turns until all the items have been identified.

Learning Center #1: Title: “Friendship Rhythms”

Topic 2: Friends and Other Adults in My Life

Link to GRC: CO Yr. 1, #1; CO Yr. 2, #1; SE Yr. 2, #16, 21; SP Yr. 1, #20

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child identify God’s provision of many different people in their lives.

Center Objectives:

1) Identify at least two characteristics of a good friend.

2) Demonstrate one or more rhythms.

Materials:

Common household items to use as “drums” and “drumsticks” Example: wooden spoons and one or two pots or pans

Directions:

1. Caregiver and child talk about the friends they have.

2. Ask questions: “Why do you like your friend?” What do you like to do with your friend? “Are you a good friend?” Jesus reminds us to “love our friend as much as we love ourselves”.

3. Do the following chant and rhythm actions together:

Echo Chant: “Love Your Neighbors”

Caregiver: All colors, all ages, short and tall; Child Repeats: All colors, all ages, short and tall;

Caregiver: All sizes, both big and small; Child Repeats the phrase.

Caregiver: Love your neighbors; Child repeats the phrase.

Caregiver: Love them all. Child repeats the phrase.

Rhythm and Clap Chant:

“We love,” (clap, clap)”Because God first loved us.”

“We love,” (clap, clap)” Because God first loved us.”

“We love” (clap, clap), “We love” (clap, clap)

“We Love” (clap, clap),” Because God first (clap), loved (clap) us. (Clap, clap)”

4. Name Game: Caregiver and child think of several friend‘s or neighbor’s names. Next, they make rhythm patterns using the names.

Say the name to each other and clap the rhythm of the name to each other.

Example:” Ro-sa-lie”

Say the names and beat the drums to the rhythm of the names.

Example: Khairatu: “Khai-ra-tu”

Learning Center #2: Title: “Love Your Neighbor”

Topic 2: Friends and Other Adults in My Life

Link to GRC: SE Yr. 2, #17-19; SP Yr. 1, #38; PH Yr. 2, #19-20

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child identify God’s provision of many different people in their lives.

Center Objectives:

1) Practice large motor skills.

2) Communicate “love for neighbor” through art media.

Materials:

Large cut out hearts from recycled cardboard or poster board (Option: create outlines of large hearts from masking tape spaced about half a meter apart for large motor game on a hard, safe surface , indoors or outdoors)
Colored paper, or recycled magazine paper in bright colors for heart shapes
Safety scissors, crayons or markers
White paper to trace smaller hearts and write or draw a prayer picture for a friend or neighbor
Staplers or glue
2 cardboard stencils of heart shape, one larger (approx. 12cm wide) and one smaller (approx. 9cm wide)

Directions:

Caregiver and child trace around the larger heart shape stencil two times on the bright colored paper.
Cut out the two larger hearts. Place the hearts on top of each other, back to back.
Staple or glue around 3 sides of the hearts, leave the top open to create a “heart pocket”.
Trace small hearts on white paper and cut out.
Draw a prayer picture or write a prayer on the small white paper hearts. You can make more than one.
Place the prayers and prayer pictures in the heart pocket to give to a friend to show your friendship and care.

Learning Center #3: “A Path to a Friend’s House is Never Long”

Topic 2: Friends and Other Adults in My Life

Link to GRC: SE Yr. 2, #15, 21; SP Yr. 1, #20; SP Yr.2, #37, 45; PH Yr. 1, #6; PH Yr. 2, #19, 20

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child identify God’s provision of many different people in their lives.

Center Objective:

Practice large motor skills of jumping, hopping, dancing, skating, skiing, and walking backwards.

Materials:

Large cut out hearts from recycled cardboard or poster board (Option: create outlines of large hearts from masking tape spaced about half a meter apart for large motor game on a hard, safe surface , indoors or outdoors)
Area indoors or outdoors where cardboard hearts can be placed to play game safely

Directions:

Caregiver and child play a pretend game of going to visit a neighbor.
Lay out the large cardboard hearts like a “path” or “road” to your friend’s house for a visit.
Jump, hop, dance, skate or walk backwards on the “path” until you reach the end of the “path”.
First do the path one at a time. Second, join hands and do the same actions to the end of the path.
Variation: Another caregiver and child can be at the end of the path and once the first caregiver and child arrive, they can go back the opposite way on the path mimicking the same actions of the first pair of caregiver and child until they reach the opposite end.

Learning Center #4: Title: “I Belong to God’s Family around the World”

Topic 2: Friends and Other Adults in My Life

Link to GRC: CO Yr. 2, #38, 39, 40

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child identify God’s provision of many different people in their lives.

Center Objectives:

1) Discover that God’s people live all around the world.

2) Determine the location of sponsor’s country.

Materials:

Copy of World Map for each caregiver and child (See printout in Unit 3 Resource folder )*
Pencil, glue
Sturdy paper
Safety scissors
Crayons or markers
Globe, if available

Directions:

Caregiver and child talk about all the different churches and people who live in their village/city.
Caregiver and child look at world map page and locate the country in which they live. Use the shape of the country to help find the location.
Caregiver and child locate the country in which the child’s sponsor lives. If the child does not have a sponsor locate a country the child can name.
Color the world map together.
Glue the map on a piece of sturdy paper. Allow to dry a few minutes.
Cut the globe into 4 or 5 large puzzle pieces.
Take turns putting the pieces of the puzzle back together.
Once the puzzle is put back together, draw a small cross on your country and a small cross on the country of your child’s sponsor or the country they named. Talk about how child and caregiver can pray for the people so far away.

* PDF maps Website: www.eduplace.com ; www.worldatlas.com

Learning Center # 5: Title: “People are the Same, People are Different”

Topic 2: Friends and Other Adults in My Life

Link to GRC: SE Yr. 1, #6, 15; SE Yr.2, #10, 16, 27, 28; PH Yr. 2, #6

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child identify God’s provision of many different people in their lives.

Center Objectives:

1) Determine at least 3 ways that he/she is the same as her caregiver and different than her caregiver.

2) Use visual cues to determine likenesses and difference.

Materials:

Hand held mirror
Pictures of people from magazines

Directions:

Child and caregiver take turns looking in mirror.
Caregiver and child talk about their facial features and say two things that are the same about their faces and two things that are different. Examples: eye shape, color, nose, ears, mouth, teeth, hair, shape of face.
Look at magazine pictures of people. Sort the pictures in the following ways:
- By gender-girls or boys
- By height- tall or short
- By age- old or young
- By clothing colors: group people wearing the same colors together
- By skin color, if available
Talk about how God loves ALL people from all around the world and He made them all “one of a kind”.

Learning Center #6: Title: “People Everywhere Make Music”

Topic 2: Friends and Other Adults in My Life

Link to GRC: CO Yr. 1, #1; SE Yr. 2, #26; PH Yr. 1, #10, PH Yr. 2, #2

Overall Topic Objective: Caregiver and child identify God’s provision of many different people in their lives.

Center Objectives:

1) Perform musical sounds.

2) Design original musical instruments.

Materials:

Cardboard tubes or recycled cardboard rolled into tubes about 30 cm in length and 5cm in diameter
Wax paper, rubber bands
Tape to cover end of shaker tube
Small pebbles for shakers
Crayons, markers, feathers, tissue paper scraps, or sequins if available
Hole punch or sharp object to punch hole in the side of one tube (adult supervised)
Safety scissors

Directions:

Caregiver and child talk about music in their village/city and the music they hear at church Ask questions: What is a musical instrument? How do you learn how to play a guitar or a drum? Why do we sing at church?
Decorate two tubes: one for shakers and one for a “kazoo”.
For shakers:
- Tape one end of the decorated tube.
- Put some small pebbles inside the tube.
- Tape the other end shut.
- Shake the tube in a rhythm!
For kazoo:
- Punch a hole in the side of the tube (about 4cm from end of tube).
- Decorate the outside of the tube with puffy paint, pieces of tissue paper, crayons or markers in wavy designs such as native designs.
- Cut or tear a piece of wax paper so that it fully covers the end of the tube nearest the punched hole.
- Use the rubber band to hold the wax paper in place.
- Hum a tune into the open end of your kazoo.