At the end of this lesson, the children should know that:
The Bible is God's holy book. It is the most special book in the world!
Psalm 8 is found in the Bible.
Psalms are poems or songs that help us talk to God.
God understands our emotions. Psalms help us talk to God, no matter how we feel.
God created people and the world.
PREPARATION
Materials List
Bible(s), adult and children's versions Bible story books, especially those that relate to Creation, The Psalms and/or emotions. Materials as needed for each rotation – most everything is self explanatory.
Advance Preparation
Browse the internet, book stores, and your church resource room for books, coloring pages, and so forth related to the theme of Psalm 8. Ideas to search for include creation, poems, emotions, David. Combine any of these words with “preschool” or “children,” and you will be on your way toward a successful computer search.
Understanding the Preschooler
This material has been prepared for teaching Psalm 8 to the preschool child, generally aged 3-4 years old. Children of this age have short attention spans, 5-10 minutes, and learn through play and repetition. These children are just beginning to develop large muscle skills such as jumping and skipping, as well as fine motor skills like stringing beads and coloring.
Teaching activities should be kept short and simple. Plan a period of time at the beginning of each class for “free play.” This allows the child to transition from parent to the classroom, allows for a late child to become part of the group without interrupting a teaching time, and allows all the children to expend excess energy. Some activities like centers can be planned, but the children should be able to make their own choices and play during “free” play time. Likewise, a similar period of free play at the end of class may make it easier to leave the classroom when parents arrive. After all, what child wants to leave in the middle of a story or game?.
Children of this age have a literal, concrete way of thinking. They will not “get” the connection between a clever craft and its related Bible story. The children may not “get” what a Psalm is, but you can use Psalm 8 to teach about Creation, stewardship (caring for our world), or praising God in general. Prayerfully consider what “sub-topic” God would like you to teach your class during the Psalm 8 Rotation. Likewise, and related to any study of the Psalms, these children are just beginning to understand emotions. A child who does not understand “happy” or “sad” knows very well that he or she does not want Mom to leave the classroom. Any study of the Psalms is a study of emotions – this rotation might be an opportune time to introduce feelings, emotions, and manners.
Preschool children are very trusting and literal. They tend to accept what is told to them (and modeled) about God. This provides a great opportunity and challenge for the teaching staff. Teaching staff should carefully model the behavior they want the children to learn – if we tell the children to be quiet and reverent during prayer time but fail to model that behavior, the lesson will be lost. We should not ask children to say please/thank you at snack time and then treat others indifferently. Children are capable of worship and of being respectful toward God and God's Word. The key is that this lesson is taught as much (or more) through our actions as teachers and shepherds than through our words.
Finally, the preschool child is on the verge of discovering the world around him or her – these children love repetition and games. They love to laugh and smile and create. The lessons they learn and the joy they feel in your classroom will set the stage for how they develop their relationship with Jesus Christ later in life. You are the sower, planting spiritual seeds for these children. Pray for yourself and for these children, by name. Become a child of God. Ask God to show you how to teach and shepherd these young lives. Enjoy the children – laugh with them, comfort them, and have fun with them! The point of these lessons is to teach basic Bible truths. The point of your relationship with these children is to model God’s love.
Using this Rotation for Preschoolers
Since each church has its own schedule, it is difficult to suggest a complete lesson plan for preschoolers. The objective of this document is to provide a number of alternatives for each teaching time, and to allow teachers to “pick and choose.” Only two suggestions are critical to this teaching plan:
The schedule should be the same each week. Children are most comfortable with routine, and like to know what to expect next. Changing the routine each week will create anxiety for the children and confusion for your teaching staff
Teach your most important information (usually the Bible story) as early in the morning as possible. Children lose their attention span as they become tired. Use songs, crafts, or games to reinforce what has been taught, but do your main teaching early in the morning when the children will be the most attentive.
A schedule for your children may include all or some of the following:
Free Play Clean Up Centering Time Bible Story Snack Bible Verse Review Song Time Activity (Rotation) Time Closing Play Time
Read through this entire document before beginning your rotation – some of the music ideas can be used at song time.
PRESENTATION
FREE PLAY TIME
The classroom should provide a variety of options for active and quiet children. Provide unstructured play opportunities with trucks, blocks, books, kitchen area, and more. Have a variety of books available for the children – focus on Creation, emotions and/or Bible stories. Each week, plan 1-2 stations for the children. Some ideas include:
Play-Doh station
Coloring station (look for books and on the internet for coloring pages about emotions
Stringing large beads
Cutting or pasting. Kids this age love just to use scissors – it is about developing fine motor skills. Puzzles
Puppets - allow children to play with them, particular when teaching a Puppet Rotation
Dress-Up - allow children to play with costume; again, when teaching drama
Your Idea Here: __________
WELCOME
Warmly welcome children as they arrive. Help children and/or parents find the appropriate area to store coats, diaper bags, and so forth. Distribute name tags and/or security information as needed.
Stoop down to the child’s level and make eye contact. Let each child know with your words, tone, and facial expression that you are glad he or she is in your class. Help the child move away from the parent(s) to one of the play areas in the room.
CLEAN UP
Use a consistent method each week to signal that play time has ended. Encourage the children to help with this clean up – tidying helps burn energy and teaches a life long skill. Plan 5 minutes for this time; what the kids are not able to clean up, the shepherds can finish. Expect clean up routine to improve as the year progresses.
CENTERING TIME
This is a 3-5 minute activity, planned to bring the children together as a group, and to focus their attention on you as the teacher. Some things to try during this time include:
Marching around the room (pretend to be a band, to be animals in a parade – use your imagination!)
Lead the class in exercises. Sing “Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes.” Have the children do challenging things like try to hop on one foot, jumping jacks.
Ultimately, use this time to center or focus the children. Begin with an interesting, high energy activity. End with a quiet activity (i.e. “fly like butterflies”) to the designated story area. When you end, the children should be sitting, focused on you and ready to listen to the Bible story.
Hint: repeat this “centering time” idea all through the morning as you are transitioning from one activity to another. You may want to use the same transition for a while, or a variety through out the morning. Check websites and local bookstore – resources with finger plays and short activities abound!
BIBLE STORY
The Bible story time is as much an introduction to the book of the Bible, as instruction about a particular story. Show your Bible, turned open to Psalm 8. Show the number 8 – ask if any of the children recognize that number.
Explain that the Bible is the most special book in the world. It is a book that we handle carefully. It is a book that Christians try to read each day.
Begin your Bible story time with a brief prayer, being sure to thank God for the Bible.
For the Bible story time related to Psalm 8, consider some of the following ideas:
For the young child who needs repetition, find one version of Psalm 8 that you like, and use that version each week in class.
Bible words should always be read from a Bible – we want the children to be comfortable and familiar with it.
Read Psalm 8 entirely to the class. Each week, define/discuss difficult words.
As the weeks progress, begin reading verse 8:1,9 and challenge the children to finish it. Leave out words, pausing to give children a chance to say the missing word
Ask if the Psalm sounds like a poem or a song? Explain that it is both.
ART ROTATION
Show a picture of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Talk about the stars: can we count them all (no); who created the stars (God).
Use stamps or stencils to have kids make a star collage.
Have pre-printed (or pre-cut) star shapes for children to glue onto paper. Have students say things that they like about God or nature, and label them on each “point” of the star.
Browse your local craft store for star stickers, star foam crafts.
our Idea Here: _______________________
ART ROTATION
Emphasizes verse 5 – decorate paper crowns and encourage each child to wear his/hers all morning. Emphasize that each of the children have been crowned with God’s glory.
CHORAL READING
Use verse 1,9. Begin with children in circle, on floor. Go around the circle, slowly saying each child’s name. Clap your hands for each syllable in each child’s name. Clap each child’s name slowly, then quickly. Encourage the group to join you.
Say verse 1. Say it slowly. Say it slowly with clapping. Vary actions by having children stomp their feet, clap their shoulders. Repeat the verse, varying the speed and the activity.
CINEMA ROTATION
Chose an age-appropriate movie about Creation. Emphasize that we praise God because God has created the whole world.
CINEMA - FILM MAKING/PRESENTATION
Ask the children to illustrate any part of Psalm 8. Use pre-printed coloring pages with stars, moons, animals, and people. Allow them to color pictures with markers. Scan their pictures into a computer, and type the words of the verse on each slide. Create a presentation, using a program like Power Point or Media Shout. Show the children their presentation. If allowed, show it as opening of adult worship service.
COMPUTER ROTATION
Use any or all of the ideas listed. Each child (or group of children) will require adult supervision at each computer. Plan to have extra youth/adults to help at each computer as well as to supervise children who are waiting their turn at the computer:
Cal and Marty’s Scripture Memory Game (available from Sunday Software): Teacher needs to open the program, select “create a verse,” and create verses before class begins. Work with the children, letting them take turns at the mouse and moving the correct words into the correct slots. The computer program characters (Cal and Marty) will give them verbal encouragement as they work through the program.
Kids Pix: with an adult/youth supervising, allow children to make/copy shapes of stars, circles (moon). Allow them to experiment with changing colors. Depending upon the child, allow them to label their drawing (you spell “star” as they type/search for the correct letter).
Your Idea Here: ________________________
COOKING ROTATION
Cooking can be taught as a way of creating something (as God created the earth) or to emphasize certain aspects of the Psalm (stars, moon). Some cooking ideas include:
ice and decorate shaped cookies
make sandwiches (PBJ, cheese, bread/butter); cut with star-shaped cookie cutters
use bread stick dough to create shapes (pretzels, hearts).
Your Idea Here: ___________________
CREATIVE WRITING ROTATION
Discuss “adjectives” with the children.
Explain that “Majestic” is an adjective for God’s name – it describes God’s name as wonderful, great. Use the color of the children’s hair or eyes to describe them (Beth has blue eyes; David is wearing a striped shirt; Susan has long hair). Show pictures of God’s creation – ask the children to describe the picture, using adjectives about size, shape, color. Have the children choose a picture to cut out (or for you to cut out). Let them paste it onto white paper. Allow the children to copy/write words that describe their picture. Ask them to tell you words to write to describe their picture.
Ask the children to draw a picture of themselves (self portrait). Encourage them to draw their eye, hair, skin, and clothing with color and detail. As the children draw, use words to describe them. Label each picture with 1-2 adjectives specific to each child.
Your Idea Here: ____________________________________
DRAMA/CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Use verses 1, 3-5, and 9. Say the verses. Have the children echo it back to you. Read the verses again, using the suggested movements:
Lord – arms outstretched at sides with face looking up
Majestic – bring arms into center of body and sweep upward and outward
All the earth – sweep arms from center to sides
You – point away from self (or up toward sky)
Glory above the heavens – lightly clap hands together above head, then wiggle fingers and spread out over head
Consider your heavens – put hands to forehead and look upward
Work of your fingers – move hands forward while wiggling fingers
The moon – cup one hand and raise above head
The stars – raise hands above head and alternately flick fingers of both hands
What is man – lift hands to sides with palms facing up, shrug shoulders
You are mindful of him – point away from self and bring both hands to forehead
That you care for him – cross arms over chest
Made them a little lower – arms at side with palms down, press lower
Than the heavenly beings – lift arms over head and look up
Crowned them – pretend to place crown on head
With glory and honor – lightly clap hands together above head, wiggle fingers, and spread out over head
GAME ROTATION
Play games that help children repeat part or all of Psalm 8, or that make them think about God’s creation:
Focus: verses 7-8: Children sit on floor in a circle. First child names a favorite beast, bird, or fish. Rolls ball to another child who names a favorite beast, bird, or fish. Rolls ball to a third child, and so on.
Focus: verses 1 and 9: Children sit on floor in a circle. Music is playing, and ball is passed around the circle in “hot potato” fashion. When music stops, teacher leads children in repeating verse 1 as a group. Repeat as desired.
Play musical chairs, using a child’s version of Psalm 8.
Divide the class into pairs. Explain that pairs of students will play catch with a bean bag. Let the children practice for a few turns. Now say part of the Bible verse with each toss: O Lord/ our Lord/ how majestic/is thy name/ in all the earth. Repeat.
Cut a large heart out of red construction paper. Write “God’s Heart” on the heart, and tape to set of binoculars. Go outside or to long hallway. Have shepherd walk far away. Have children take turns looking at shepherd through the binoculars – emphasize that God’s love is like these binoculars, making us big and important in God’s eyes. Allow the children to take turns looking through the binoculars.
Your Idea Here: _______________________
GAMES/MUSIC
Before Class: Make a water xylophone by filling four identical glasses with water, filling them so that each one has slightly more water than the previous one. Try to create the notes B, C, D, and E, with B being the fullest glass. Once sound levels are good, mark each one with tape.
To play the game, play the tune of Psalm 8 on the musical glasses (see full rotation lessons for tune of Psalm 8). Allow the children to take turns, if desired.
MUSIC ROTATION
Psalm 8 has been made into a children’s song (use internet to search). Play this song for children. Encourage them to sing it each week.
Sing children’s adaptation of "All Things Bright and Beautiful."
Sing familiar songs like "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Sing songs like "Jesus Loves Me This I Know" – emphasize verse 4 that God cares for us.
Play music and let children draw pictures to the music.
Play music and let children dance with scarves.
Your Idea Here: ________________________________
PHOTOGRAPHY ROTATION
The older children will be using cameras (digital or Polaroid) to take pictures of “awe-inspiring” aspects of God’s creation. Two adaptations include:
Use pictures from well known magazine such as National Geographic. Have kids choose pictures they like. Help them cut them out and glue onto a collage. Talk about how God has created the heavens and the earth, all people, all animals.
Use a digital camera to take a picture of each child. While pictures are printing, give each a pre-cut paper frame (available at most craft stores). Have children stamp their finger prints all around the frame. Emphasize that each child is unique, each child has a unique finger print. We are all wonderful and majestic because we are made by God.
Your Idea Here: __________________________
PRAYER/WORSHIP
It is common to shy away from “quiet times” with preschool children, but they can be still and thoughtful. Remember Psalm 46:1 that reminds us to be “Be still. ” Have each child find a place to lay down quietly on the floor. Turn off the lights. Explain that for a few minutes the children should lie still (assure them this is not nap time) while we listen to quiet music. Encourage them to think about God and about Creation. Play CD of nature sounds or animal sounds. If children cooperate, experiment with a variety of music. Afterward, sit in a circle and ask if children recognized any of the sounds. Read Psalm 8:7-8 – emphasize that God created the world.
SCIENCE ROTATION
Have magnifying glasses and a variety of natural things such as flowers, seeds, pinecones, and rocks. Allow the children to view things without magnifying glasses – what detail do they notice? Now use magnifying glasses – we often do not see how majestic God’s creation is unless we stop and look closely.
Plant seeds early in the rotation. By end of rotation, discuss seedlings and that only God can cause a seed to grow. God has created all plants, trees, on the earth.
STORYTELLING ROTATION
Allow the children to tell you about creation:
Sit on floor in circle. Pass around an object (ball). Each child says his/her name, and names something that God has created. Repeat game, with each child saying something makes him or her special. Repeat as desired.
Emphasize verse 4 and that God cares for us. Read a story that emphasizes caring – explain that God cares for us.
Read poems to the children, emphasizing rhyme and rhythm of words. Explain that Psalms are actually poems or songs.
Your Idea Here: ___________________________________
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