We are grateful because God is Great!
This unit can be used any time of the year but is especially nice leading up to Thanksgiving. It gets littles thinking about being grateful but in a unique way as we study the life of Moses.
TIP: There are 3 crafts of different levels for each lesson. Besides the craft here, there are coloring sheets and coloring sheets with an added element. Check the craft instructions download for all directions.
Week 1
Jesus Session: Moses has an eventful life and due to working with littles, we will glide right past some of it. But we get to start with the baby in the bullrushes and how God was compassionate not just in saving Moses but in allowing his mother to remain in his life.
TIP: Asking the kids questions at the beginning of class let's them get out the words building up in them. It also allows you the opportunity to later ask them to be quiet and remind them they already had their turn to speak.
Art Session: This craft is adorable. You can leave off the “bullrushes” if you want to skip a step, but I think they’re cute.
TIP: Remember to get small groups or the choir or worship team to help with donating items for crafts or helping cut out things.
Music Session: We introduce “God, We Are Grateful” Be sure to learn the new song!
Week 2
Jesus Session: We jump forward in the life of Moses to when he encounters the burning bush. Moses’ life was complex. At this point, we are setting a foundation for deeper learning later. God is everlasting. He told us in the burning bush.
Art Session: Tissue paper crafts are also a hit. They get to work on dexterity with the necessary precision of some other crafts.
TIP: Use whatever "fire" colors you have, even if they're patterned. I used tissue when pumpkins on it once. All cut up and mixed with others, it was fine. Leftovers are the key to crafting!
Music Session: Separating melody and lyrics can be helpful in the beginning, but ultimately it’s the combination that helps them remember.
Week 3
Jesus session: We are really giving a light version of this story. I don’t feel they are quite ready for plagues and Passover. We are concentrating here on God’s faithfulness. He promised to get them free from Pharoah and he did.
Art Session: Paper bag puppets are such fun as pretend play is important part of learning at this age.
Music Session: Think about memorization.
Week 4
Jesus Session: The parting of the Red Sea is pretty amazing and really shows God’s power.
Art Session: Practice curling the waves ahead of time. It’s simple but takes a bit of practice to figure it out.
Music: Show students how they will be standing on stage. The sooner they understand this, the more fluid it will be.
Week 5
Jesus Session: God is gracious and kind. He provided food when there wasn’t any.
Art Session: Use any non-sugared cereal. Sugar gets sticky.
Music Session: Let parents know what to expect next week. Here’s a template for a note to send home.
Week 6
Jesus Session: God is good and gave us rules to help us be good. Bottom line: love God, love people.
Art Session: Moses on the mountain receiving the ten commandments is pretty simple. Glue glue it all together.
Music: Smile!
TIP: When your class has learned a song but you're not scheduled to sing it in church, do your own Mini concert for family. Have parents stay at pickup for the kiddos to sing their song.