Planning

Open your class with the title and main point.

Example: Lesson 1
Timothy is encouraged
Speak up

Act it out! – Tell the Bible story with the help of your students.

Grab your students’ attention at the beginning of class by acting out the Bible story with your students. Make sure you have already read the Bible story from your Bible, then include some of the ideas listed in the teacher's book.

Memory Verse

Mention the memory verse before diving into the main lesson.

Main Lesson

After teaching the Bible story, apply the principles in the story to real life with these main lessons. Our goal is not to only teach the Bible to the children, but to teach them how to LIVE the Bible. This is why the application to life is so important.

Game

Animate your class with these games! Read the game in advance because often special materials are required for the game. Use the game as an outlet for energy after a sitting period, like the lesson. Many of the games also reinforce the lesson.

Ocean animals

Each week your students will learn about a different animal from the ocean, and how its characteristics apply to the lesson. See and download clip-art of the animals off the overview page.

Act it out! –Make an ocean in your class.

After learning about the animal of the week, your students will enjoy acting out the animal in class! Use the text in this section for ideas. You can have everyone act out the animal of the week, or you can get some students involved in acting out the habitat as well. Enjoy!

Personal books

These booklets are designed to build self-esteem and classroom relationships. Come prepared with writing ideas and extra items to tape or glue into the books. Take the opportunity to get to know your students better, and include their favorite things in parties and rewards.

Because some pages relate to negative experiences, it is important that you are present as a pastor/counselor. There may be a time when you must tell the class not to spread any rumors and keep confidentiality. Shhh!

Download the available student books:

• Juniors/Difficult (Reading students)
• Children/Easy (Non-reading students)

Snacks

Children look forward to snacks, and sometimes they arrive hungry. The snacks can serve as a craft activity if the children are allowed to build them. Yum! You can also ask a parent to bring the supplies for the snacks, increasing their involvement in your class. Don’t lose the opportunity to teach the children to be responsible for cleanup.

What would Jesus do? (WWJD)

Each week, show the students the picture of a real life situation and open a discussion of what’s happening, what might happen next, and what Jesus would do in that situation. This will apply the lesson in a practical way, giving your students actual answers to the question “What would Jesus do?” or “WWJD”. Be alert to students who may have experienced a similar situation and protect them from further hurts. The pictures of real life situations are available online for download.