May. 11, 2008
Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior --- Volume 2 Teaching Overview, Philosophy, Scope & Sequence, Methodology and Instruction
Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior
Volume Two: The Gospels
Teaching Tips
Overview: This Bible curriculum is the second volume (36 weeks of lessons) of a 5-year study plan designed primarily for homeschool use. It is a non-consumable, multi-level curriculum, suitable for preschoolers through upper elementary. Volume 2 includes lesson plans, reproducible worksheets, games, and integrated memory work.
Teaching Philosophy: This curriculum incorporates visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning opportunities. The worksheets and games are intended to help children review essential facts and/or concepts of Scripture. The suggested memory work is a way to hide God’s Word in your children’s hearts. If your children learn all of the memory work, they will have memorized 31 passages plus the names of the twelve disciples.
Scope and Sequence:
Volume One: Old Testament
Volume Two: The Gospels
Volume Three: Lessons from the Epistles and Revelation: A Unit Study Guide
Volume Four: His Story
Volume Five: Holidays
Methodology and Instruction:
1. Timeline Book: Staple sheets of typing paper together with construction paper on the front and back for a cover (or use a spiral notebook). Write 4 BC on the first page and 29 AD at the end. Title the book, The Life of Jesus or The Gospels or something similar. Draw events directly into the book, using 1 page per event, and/or use as a journal to record meditations regarding each day’s lesson.
2. Bible Verse Memorization: The best method for memorization is to simply read the verse aloud several times daily until memorized. Some of the games included are for the sole purpose of Bible memorization. All scripture references are taken from the Authorized King James Version of the Bible.
To reward the successful memorization of each passage, use the Heavenly Treasures sticker chart in Appendix - Patterns. (Copy one per child.) Upon memorization of each verse, place a sticker in the appropriate box.
3. Lesson Presentation: Use your personal devotional time to study upcoming lessons in your Bible. If the lessons are uplifting and exciting for you, the children will catch your zeal and gain more. When telling Bible stories, use inflection in your voice to convey different characters and emotions. This makes Bible class exciting, keeping the children’s attention. Consider investing in a flannelgraph for use in illustrating Bible stories. Also, children enjoy dressing up in character. Keep on hand a costume box for this purpose. Dramatization usually works better for younger children if you have them repeat his/her part after the teacher, as opposed to having him read his part.
4. Daily Schedule: In addition to the daily lesson plans suggested in the curriculum, each Bible class should include:
1. A short prayer for guidance and for God to minister through you this day.
2. Review of previously learned Bible verses, as well as learning a new verse, if applicable.
3. Time for sharing prayer requests and praises. Together, take these to the Lord.
4. Songs of worship. Daily, sing the books of the New Testament (Wee Sing Bible Songs available from your Christian bookstore).
5. Adding the new lesson to each child’s Timeline Book.
The time spent in each of these activities will vary from day to day. Some Bible lessons are short, while others are long. On days when the Bible lesson is shorter, more time can be spent in prayer, songs, and Bible memorization. On days when the Bible lesson is lengthier, less time can be taken for these other important activities. Lessons are designed to last 30-45 minutes each day.
Having said all of this, use these lesson plans only as a guide. Do not feel bound to accomplishing the stated amount each day. My hope is that these ideas will encourage your own creativity in teaching the Bible to your children!
Volume Two: The Gospels
Teaching Tips
Overview: This Bible curriculum is the second volume (36 weeks of lessons) of a 5-year study plan designed primarily for homeschool use. It is a non-consumable, multi-level curriculum, suitable for preschoolers through upper elementary. Volume 2 includes lesson plans, reproducible worksheets, games, and integrated memory work.
Teaching Philosophy: This curriculum incorporates visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning opportunities. The worksheets and games are intended to help children review essential facts and/or concepts of Scripture. The suggested memory work is a way to hide God’s Word in your children’s hearts. If your children learn all of the memory work, they will have memorized 31 passages plus the names of the twelve disciples.
Scope and Sequence:
Volume One: Old Testament
Volume Two: The Gospels
Volume Three: Lessons from the Epistles and Revelation: A Unit Study Guide
Volume Four: His Story
Volume Five: Holidays
Methodology and Instruction:
1. Timeline Book: Staple sheets of typing paper together with construction paper on the front and back for a cover (or use a spiral notebook). Write 4 BC on the first page and 29 AD at the end. Title the book, The Life of Jesus or The Gospels or something similar. Draw events directly into the book, using 1 page per event, and/or use as a journal to record meditations regarding each day’s lesson.
2. Bible Verse Memorization: The best method for memorization is to simply read the verse aloud several times daily until memorized. Some of the games included are for the sole purpose of Bible memorization. All scripture references are taken from the Authorized King James Version of the Bible.
To reward the successful memorization of each passage, use the Heavenly Treasures sticker chart in Appendix - Patterns. (Copy one per child.) Upon memorization of each verse, place a sticker in the appropriate box.
3. Lesson Presentation: Use your personal devotional time to study upcoming lessons in your Bible. If the lessons are uplifting and exciting for you, the children will catch your zeal and gain more. When telling Bible stories, use inflection in your voice to convey different characters and emotions. This makes Bible class exciting, keeping the children’s attention. Consider investing in a flannelgraph for use in illustrating Bible stories. Also, children enjoy dressing up in character. Keep on hand a costume box for this purpose. Dramatization usually works better for younger children if you have them repeat his/her part after the teacher, as opposed to having him read his part.
4. Daily Schedule: In addition to the daily lesson plans suggested in the curriculum, each Bible class should include:
1. A short prayer for guidance and for God to minister through you this day.
2. Review of previously learned Bible verses, as well as learning a new verse, if applicable.
3. Time for sharing prayer requests and praises. Together, take these to the Lord.
4. Songs of worship. Daily, sing the books of the New Testament (Wee Sing Bible Songs available from your Christian bookstore).
5. Adding the new lesson to each child’s Timeline Book.
The time spent in each of these activities will vary from day to day. Some Bible lessons are short, while others are long. On days when the Bible lesson is shorter, more time can be spent in prayer, songs, and Bible memorization. On days when the Bible lesson is lengthier, less time can be taken for these other important activities. Lessons are designed to last 30-45 minutes each day.
Having said all of this, use these lesson plans only as a guide. Do not feel bound to accomplishing the stated amount each day. My hope is that these ideas will encourage your own creativity in teaching the Bible to your children!