Apple Sauce Kids

First Grade to Preteen, Helping Hands


1.      I have a great game that I call "Helping Hands." Before class I wrote out different scenarios in which someone would have to have help. I folded these up and put them in a basket. Before we began I asked the children to choose a partner. One of the pair would reach into the basket and pull out a folded piece of paper. The object of the game was to be someone's "helping hands." The person who drew would have to read aloud what was written on the paper and together, without talking, the two would have to communicate and figure out how to solve the problem they were facing. An example of what can be written:
1. Your partner's shoe is untied.
2. You each have only one hand. Help him/her tie their shoe.
3. Your partner is not able to walk. 4. Help your partner across the room. My group of children range from 7-11. They had a ball with this game. It was a great lesson.
(Special thanks to the Bodkins for sharing this great activity.)

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2.     I teach 3rd grade and I taught a lesson a couple of Sundays ago on letting your light shine.
I bought each child a flashlight ($.94@ Walmart) and used aluminum foil to block out the light in the room. The kids were dying to know why the window had aluminum foil on it.
I had all the children sit in the floor and turned off the light, I read the scripture that states " You are the light of the World, a city on a hill cannot be hidden."
Then we talked about how we could be the light of the world. The kids really responded well when I gave them their lights and we lighted up the room with each of our lights.
This was an easy lesson to prepare for but very effective. You definitely have their attention when it is pitch dark in there.
(Special thanks to the Nedra Hall for sharing this great activity.)


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