Jul. 25, 2009 - Our Study of Proverbs
We finished our "ABC Bible Curriculum" and we have now started studying Proverbs. I am going to list here the things we are using for our study. This is partly for our personal journal, and partly so that if you feel like doing the same, you will know of some great resources. But mostly, it is to encourage you to use what you have! This study all came together because of resources that I had on hand, mostly from garage sales and used curriculum sales. I pick things up when I see a good deal on a great item, even if my children are still too young for it, etc. Eventually those things come in handy, and we have been able to put together great studies with very little expenditure!
This is a coloring book called Proverbs for Preschoolers. It is from Rick and Marilyn Boyer and can be obtained here: The Learning Parent
Next, this delightful book Wisdom and the Millers, which is just wonderful and inexpensive. My children LOVE hearing about how the Miller children learn about the Proverbs in their family devotional time. I enjoy it too! The workbook is optional, but I have found it helpful for Joshua. They concentrate on one character trait from the chapter, like discretion, or initiative, and include examples of children who did or did not practice those traits, etc. These are available here: Grace and Truth Books.
Here is another book I got at a garage sale that has stories that make Proverbs come alive for children. Some we have really enjoyed, and others are just "okay". It is available here: Wise Words
Then I found these little booklets that had sketches to illustrate different Proverbs. I like visual aids! There were three little booklets, but the only problem I had with them is that they were not arranged in any particular order that I could tell, either by chapter of Proverbs, or by theme either. So, to suit our needs, I took off the comb binding, cut off the top where the holes were in the paper, and arranged them chronologically by Proverb. There were several for every single chapter of Proverbs. I had this plastic case lying around, which I am storing them in. (see bottom picture). These have been a fun addition to our study.
So, this is how we are doing our study. Each morning after breakfast, we read the Proverb of the week. For example, this past week we were on Proverbs 6, so we read that chapter each day of last week - sort of like Five in A Row's system!
Then, after our reading, we go on to do one of the other things, like read a chapter from Wisdom and the Millers, or Wise Words, or color a picture to illustrate one of the verses, or look at one of the sketches and discuss that verse.
Each week we also memorize one of the verses from the chapter. That verse is used for copywork one day for Joshua as well. And Dominique is beginning to do copywork too. I try to put the memory verse to a tune so it is easier to remember.
Joshua also gets some "vocabulary" words from our study - often from the character trait we learned about from Wisdom and the Millers, like "discretion" and "initiative". I have him fill out a sheet for his notebook, complete with an illustration he draws, and sample sentence of the word. =) I tried to find the notebook sheet again, but can't.... sorry! You could probably make your own, though! I usually have him look it up in the dictionary too, to practice dictionary skills.
Then, when I think of something else that might be a nice idea (lol), we do that too! For example, for Proverbs 1, I had this idea as I was reading through the chapter, so we did it!
Edited to add: This past week we were working on Proverbs 10, and I noticed how many, many times that chapter talks about the mouth, tongue, lips, words, etc.... so tomorrow I plan to print the chapter off of www.biblegateway.com, and have Joshua use a highlighter to mark every reference in the chapter to the things we say, and then discuss it. I know it will be enlightening, for me as well!
We are really enjoying it so far!!
Comments
Jul. 27, 2009 - What a great study
Posted by Autumn
That looks like a great study. I am curious to what more will be added or what else you can share with us about the study my interest is peaked. :)
I have to say you find some really wonderful books and items to go along with what a subject/topic you wish to teach.
Sheila
