We're Back!! Easter #2

Yes, it has been over a year since I last posted anything, but a lot has changed in our family!  We welcomed Chandler Joy into the world last August, and we just adore our sweet baby girl!  I have been adjusting to this new life with 3 kiddos, so I have been neglecting the blog.  I think I am finally ready to start doing lessons again!  Since Easter is around the corner, I think it's the perfect way to start back!  Join us as we go along!  (Check out our first Easter week of lessons here!)

Think #3 Chandler Joy

Lesson 1: Easter Printable Packs from 2 Teaching Mommies and Over the Big Moon

Objectives:
* To learn about the Easter holiday
* To identify an create patterns
* To count objects and choose the correct numeral matching the number of objects
* To sound out words and choose the correct letter that the word starts with
* To identify which object is different in a row of pictures
* To practice pre-writing skills
* To use the fine motor skills associated with writing, cutting, and gluing

Materials:
* Printables from 2 Teaching Mommies
* Printables from Over the Big Moon
* scissors
* glue
* crayons
* clothespins

Procedure:
* Print out whichever activities you would like your child to do from the links above.  We chose Which Is Different, What Comes Next, Pre-Writing, Easter Phonics Cards, and Counting Clip Cards.  Each lesson is very straightforward and easy to follow! Have Fun!

Lesson 2: Palm Leaf Craft
Objectives:
* To learn about Palm Sunday and it's importance in the Easter story
* To create a palm leaf using hand prints
* To learn the bible verse Matthew 21:9 "Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

Materials:
* Bible
* white and green construction paper
* green paint
* paintbrush
* paper plate

Procedure:
* Read the Palm Sunday story from the bible and talk about the events that happened.  Help your children memorize Matthew 21:9.

* Pour some green paint onto a paper plate. Help your child paint a green line on the white construction paper to represent the stem of the leaf.  Then let them dip their hands in the paint and create green hand prints along the stem.

* You can mount the white paper onto green paper to make the art stand out.  We added the verse to the top!

Lesson 3: Jelly Bean Graph
Objectives:
* To sort colors into groups
* To count the number of jellybeans in each color group
* To use graphing skills to record the number results
* To determine which color group has the most, least, etc.by reading the bar graph
* To use the fine motor skills involved with sorting and coloring

Materials:
* cup or bowl
* jellybeans (or any multi-colored candy)
* graph
* crayons

Procedure:
* Pour the jellybeans into a cup.  Have your child sort them by color.

* Let your child count the number of jellybeans in each group and record it on the graph by coloring in the squares up to the correct number.

* Once the graph is finished, ask your child to tell you which color had the most, least, or same amounts by looking at the bars on the graph.

* Enjoy eating the jellybeans, too!

Lesson 4: Resurrection Eggs
Objectives:
* To read the Easter story and learn what Christ did for us on the cross and through His resurrection
* To focus on specific symbols of the story
* To recall and retell what happened at Easter

Materials:
* We purchased our set of resurrection eggs at Hobby Lobby.  I know there are multiple sets out there or you can make your own using 12 plastic eggs and an egg carton.  You can print off pictures of the symbols or have your children draw them to place inside each egg.
* Bible

Procedure:
* Buy or create a set of resurrection eggs.  Each egg contains a symbol of the Easter story.  Here are the 12 symbols along with the verses to read with them:

1.   Donkey - Matthew 21:1-3, 6-8
2.   Silver Coins -Matthew 26:14-16
3.   Cup - Matthew 26: 27-28
4.   Praying Hands - Mark 14:32-34
5.   Leather Whip - John 19:1
6.   Crown of Thorns - Mathew 27:27-29
7.   Nails - John 19:16-18
8.   Dice - John 19:23-24
9.   Spear - John 19:32-34
10. Linen Cloth - Matthew 27:57-60
11. Stone - Matthew 28:2-4
12. Empty - Matthew 28:5-6

* Each day leading up to Easter, you and your children can read these verses and open each egg. Discuss the symbols and what each one means.  Have your kids retell the Easter story using the symbols.  What a great way to help them remember what happened to Christ during this time, give thanks to Him for His sacrifice, and celebrate that He is alive!!!

Lesson 5: Egg (Marble) Painting
Objectives:
* To create artwork using eggs
* To use the fine motor skills involved with cutting

Materials:
* white construction paper
* 3-4 colors of paint
* scissors
* cake pan or box
* 1-2 hard boiled eggs

Procedure:
(This is a fun, different take on marble painting using hard boiled eggs!)
* Place a piece of white construction paper into a cake pan, box, or something similar in shape.

* Put a few drops of paint on the paper. (whatever colors your child wants)

* Place a hard boiled egg into the paint, and let your child roll it around to cover the paper.

* Once the paper dries, let your kiddo cut out a fun Easter shape!  I love the way these turned out!

Thinking Theme: Easter

* This Easter I really want to focus on Holy Week and each significant event that happened leading up to the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  I want Sawyer to learn what this holiday is truly all about!  I've included 5 specific lessons (will post pics as we go) with scripture references for you to read with your children.  May you have a blessed week remembering the incredible sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all of us and praising God for His gift of love!

Memory Verses:
"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.'" Matthew 28: 5-6

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live.'" John 11:25

1. Palm Sunday: John 12:12-17 - Palm Leaf Craft from DLTK
* Read the verses about Palm Sunday and print out the palm leaf and "Jesus is My King!" page from DLTK. Cut out the leaf and sentence, and glue them to a piece of construction paper.  Cut out small pieces of green tissue paper or construction paper, and glue them on the leaf. 

2. The Last Supper: Mark 14:12-26 - Communion as a Family
* Read the verses about the last supper.  Explain what communion is to your children and how it is a special way we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.  Break the bread and pray over it, then eat it.  Then pray over the cup and drink the juice.  Only Michael and I did this because our children are not believers yet, but we wanted to demonstrate to them what the last supper represents to us as Christians.  We explained that one day when they accept Jesus into their hearts, they can participate in this holy communion, as well.  This was such a special, blessed time for us as a family!

3. Prayer in the Garden: Matthew 26:36-45- Prayer Pail from Lu Bird Baby
* Read the verses about Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane.  Talk about the importance of prayer and how even the Son of God had to pray for guidance and comfort.  Create this prayer pail/jar using any kind of small cup, pot, or pail and popsicle sticks.  On the sticks, write the names of people you can pray for daily, as well as things like your church, your school, and your country.  Each day your child can pick out a popsicle stick and pray for something specific.  This is a great way to pray with your children!

4. The Cross: Mark 15:33-40 - Cross Book from Ministry to Children or Cross Craft from Frills, Fluff, and Trucks
* Read the verses about the cross, and choose one or both of these activities to do.  We did the stained glass cross craft and followed the directions from Frills, Fluff and Trucks but tweaked it a little bit.  Instead of contact paper, I used parchment paper because I already had that on hand.  Also, we just did one layer instead of two.  It still turned out very pretty!  This was a great way to teach Sawyer about how the cross was a very sad thing that Jesus died on but also a beautiful symbol of the sacrifice He made for us!

5. The Empty Tomb: Matthew 28:1-8 - Resurrection Rolls from DLTK
* This is a very precious way to end the week!  Read the verses about the empty tomb, and follow the directions from DLTK in order to bake these special rolls.  I love this "kid-friendly" way of sharing what the resurrection is! 



Where did it go?



Praise the Lord!  He is risen!

Extras:

* Jelly Bean Prayer/Jelly Bean Prayer

* The Real Easter Bunny

* Happy Home Fairy Easter Ideas

* Playing House in Maryland Easter Egg Games

* 2 Teaching Mommies 12 Days of Easter