Moses in the Bullrushes (Exodus 2)

Large play scene for Moses in Bullrushes. 

(This term for the younger groups, under 7's I'm attempting to use both large dolls for the stories which is something I made for Holiday Club and worked very well, as well as using Godly Play (People of God) and small scale wooden models in sand). For this session all play resources were available at all times alongside craft materials.

The story was told first (this is not always the format of a session it depends upon the dynamics of the grouping) After the story, and a short time of wondering (which actually occurred naturally during the story as well) and then a snack (of jelly babies on biscuits and milk bottles)

After the story play options were pointed out and what craft materials were available and a few ideas about what they may make without direction e.g. "what do you think you could make?" 

 A basket for baby Moses (the first one created with much concentration - pipe cleaners were requested in addition to what was available)

Another basket for baby Moses

 A basket with Moses inside

A different take on Moses transport a boat instead of a basket (again much concentration)

The children agreed that more clay was defiantly needed.

Sock babies, really enthusiastically received by the girls. Was rather prescriptive craft and needed support but prompted lots of play afterwards. The older group 7+ got very creative with their sock Moses!

Not from this session but a previous Moses session - Milk bottle tops with Moses drawn on and floating - the children enjoyed playing with this.

Ideas Sheet for Exodus 2

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

Continuing with our Bible Super heroes, this week we had three superheroes; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

We introduced the session with a clip from Bolt the movie, the clip when Bolt rescues Penny from the fire, introducing Bolt using super bark (or something like that) power to rescue his friend and God using an angel to rescue his friends.

Unfortunately I don't have photos of all the activities of the groups, but a few to get an idea. 

Each group had props to tell the story that were similar to this.

The three to four year olds had the following play experiences to support the story:

 Red and Yellow sensory items to talk about the colours of fire.

 Gold and silver sensory materials to support talking about a golden statue.

 They also had yellow and red play dough that was presented with wooden people, to talk about people in the fire.

The four - six year olds also had play dough as above, and a fire station complete with wooden fire blocks.

The oldest group (rising 7-11) discussed the super powers of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which we decided were

• Bravery
• Trusting God
• Faith
• Standing up for God

We discussed whether we had ever had to stand up for God, and how we had done this or challenges with this. We had a great and very mature discussion about this. 

Crafts:

Paper plate fiery furnaces. This was an option for the under sixes and for the three and four year olds it was their only "craft" option but the play responses remained (which was the case for the four - six year olds)

 Fiery furnace stained glass window (with sticky backed plastic)

 

Fiery furnace bottles, this was a really popular craft activity with the eldest group (rising 7 - 11) and they were really enthusiastic about it. The word stickers were found on their request to relate to the super hero powers we had discussed when reviewing the story.

There was also the option of drawing/ writing words about the story on a red bauble.

We finished with the two oldest groups playing with a parachute

• Mushroom- but we were in the fiery furnace
• Fruit salad with the words "Fire" "Gold" "King" and for fruit salad the words "Trust God" (children's idea)
  
  

Esther The Superhero

Today's session at Junior Church we looked at Esther, here are some of the activities...

Royal play dough faces

 Cardboard tube Kings, queens and castles

a blurry picture but hopefully you can get the idea

 

Plastic bottle crown pots (again not great pic- sorry)

 Super hero/ Royal capes

Decorating the castle walls (the walls were covered with brown paper outside the entrance with a turret and a fake draw bridge. To enter children could only get in by crawling into the door and entering in though the castle which was made from card into the room (big enough to comfortably fit about 8 children and adult in) then of course a door into the main room and the other activities.

Mmmm... what are these? They are gingerbread men decorated in their royal finery :)

Other activities include:

Making lego castle

Taking turns to put wooden block castle without it falling

Wooden castle and people

Happy land castle

Dressing up - including royal clothing (not very popular)

To introduce the story we used this short video which was really well received

 Esther Video on Youtube by Tailrace Kids

I then began to tell the story and ended up handing over to two wonderful 9 and 10 year olds to competently tell the story and all the children listened brilliantly. We had some giggly crazy moments but I've been told even the youngest children could tell the story back to parents!

We then thought about Esther's super hero powers which we decided were bravery and courage, which she used to help people. How could we be brave and help people this week?....

Super Heroes - Old Testament Heros

We are going to be exploring Old testament heroes (until we get to Jesus for Easter) 

As an introduction we thought about superheroes that we knew of and what they did. Then designed our own superhero, identifying his superhero characteristics, introducing Super Mo!

Then we explored the story of Noah and thought about what his superhero powers are. Then how we can use them skills in our own lives.

Next week Samson....