Godly Play Scripts
Godly Play Scripts
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SCRIPTS
from
ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM
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CONTENTS
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In our classroom we are going to make a special prayer place to be with God. It is a place we can
be quiet with God. We can listen to God and talk to God. In this prayer place we will have some
special objects to help us to be with God. Lets look at some of these special objects.
Place the table in the prayer place.
First we will put this table in our prayer place to keep our special things on.
Cover the table with the green cloth.
At this time of the year we put a green cloth on the table. Green is a colour that reminds us that
God is with us all the time.
I wonder what else we might put in our prayer place. Lets seeHere we have a Bible.
Take out and hold the Bible up for all children to see. Be conscious of handling the Bible in a reverent manner.
The Bible is a special book which has lots of stories. We can hear some of the special stories of
God from the Bible, here in our prayer place. I wonder where else you hear special stories about
God
When we carry our Bible or when we read from our Bible we hold it carefully and gently just like
this.
Demonstrate how to carry, lift and hold the Bible in a reverent manner. Invite one or two children to demonstrate
how to carry, lift and hold the Bible. Give praise.
Lets put our class Bible in a special place in our prayer place.
Place the Bible on a stand on the table.
Here we have a cross. I wonder where else you might see a cross
This cross reminds us of our special friend Jesus. In our prayer place we can hear some of the
special stories of Jesus from the Bible and we can wonder about Jesus together. Lets put our
cross in a special place on our prayer place.
Place the cross on the table.
Look, a candle. I wonder why we have a candle for our prayer place
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In our Church we light candles to remind us that Jesus is always with us. We can light the candle
when we are talking to God or when we are listening to special stories of God from the Bible.
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It has a green cloth, a Bible, a candle and a cross. It is a very special place.
When we are in our prayer place, it is a special time in class when we can talk to God. When we
say a prayer to God we hold our hands like this, watch:
Demonstrate how to hold hands together for prayer.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lets see if you can do it
Continue to demonstrate and encourage children to copy the words and action for the Sign of the Cross. Give
praise.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p9.
I wonderwhere you find a quiet placehow you can make your quite place for prayerif
there are any other places people can praywho helps you to praywhere else might you see
a crosswho we talk to when we prayhow the bible can help us to pray and to know Jesus.
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Lets see if we remember some of the special objects in our prayer place.
Briefly point to and name the special symbols on the prayer place, green cloth, Bible, candle, cross.
When we are in our prayer place we can talk to God. Do we remember how to hold our hands
together for praying Lets begin with our special prayer called The Sign of the Cross. Lets see
if we remember how it goes. It goes like this, watch:
Say and make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lets see if you can do it
Say and make the Sign of the Cross together.
When we are in this prayer place we try to walk more gently and talk more quietly so we do not
disturb others. We try to listen carefully to others. In this special prayer place we can be with
God, we can talk to God and listen to God. We can hear some of the special stories of God from
the Bible and we can wonder about God together. When we come to our special prayer place we
need to get ourselves ready to be with God. Lets see how we will get ourselves ready to be with
God.
When we come to the floor or the circle we need to walk gently and slowly and find a space to sit.
Invite a child to walk to their table/desk and back again. Give a few children a turn. Practice with whole class
walking to their seats and back again.
Another thing to remember when we are in our special prayer place is to speak in a quiet voice
and to listen to others when they are speaking. We need to give everyone a chance to speak and
wonder about God. If we are too noisy we might disturb someone who is speaking to God or
listening to God. Lets see if we can speak clearly and listen quietly. Ready? Listen: My name
is.
Give all children an opportunity to say their names in a clear voice. My name is
When we are getting ready to listen to one of the special stories of God from the Bible we need to
sit in a special way. We sometimes sit by crossing our legs and putting our hands in our laps.
Sometimes, when it is a special story from the Gospel our Church always stands, so we do this
too. I wonder if you can do that.
Invite a child to demonstrate how we need to sit and how to stand. Encourage all children to have a go. Give
praise.
When we are listening to one of the special stories of God from the Bible we need to become very
quiet. We can get quiet by making ourselves very still. Lets try to make our bodies very quiet and
still. This is how. Close your eyes and listen to the quietnessMake your whole body stillSee if
you can make your legs and feet very stillSee if you can make your arms and hands very still
See if you can make your head and shoulders very stillFeel all of your body getting very still.
Now feel your own breathing Feel yourself breathing in and breathing outbreathing in and
breathing out inand out Feel your breathing become slower and quiet Now we are ready
to listen to one of Gods special stories. Open your eyes and be ready. This is a story about the
Light.
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Place the candle from the prayer place in front of you where all children can see it.
Once there was someone who seemed so wonderful that lots of people wanted to be near him.
They followed him everywhere. They wanted to know more about him and all the magnificent
things he did. One time he said to them I am the Light of the world.
Light the candle on the word Light.
Many people followed the Light and loved the Light. People who love the Light became one with
the Light. Watch.
Hold up a tea light candle and say
Look at the light. It is growing and getting bigger. All the light came from the Light here.
Point to the class candle.
The Light is not smaller. It is still the sameI wonder how the Light can stay the same even
though so much light is given away.
Point to the class candle.
Many people come to the Light and receive their light. They become one with the Light because
they love the Light. Your light and my light can become one with the Light too. Watch. This is
my light.
Light another tea light and place with the others.
Lets make something that shows how this story about the Light feels to you. I will give you
some crayons and some paper and you can make a picture about the Light. You can work on
your table or on the floor here.
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Bible
class candle
matches
bookmark
When we are in our prayer place we can talk to God and we can listen to God too. We begin with
a special prayer called The Sign of the Cross. Lets join our hands together and see if we
remember how it goes. It goes like this, watch:
Say and make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lets see if you can do it Give praise
Take the Bible and hold it up for all children to see.
The Bible is a special book. We can listen to God by reading the Bible.
And we light our class candle to remind us that Jesus is still with us as we listen to the Word of
God in the Bible.
Light the class candle.
The story we heard before about the Light is in the Bible. Lets look.
Open the Bible to John 8:12 and turn it so the children can see the words. Then read the words slowly and
reverently. Pause for a moment and then lead children through I Wonder questions
Now let us talk to God and say thank you to God. You can say one thing you are thankful for or
you might say something about the story of the Light. You can say your prayer out aloud or you
can say it quietly. God can hear us even if we dont speak out aloud. God listens to us all the
time. If we want to pray aloud we need to remember to wait for our turn. If one person is
speaking we have to listen and wait for our turn. Lets join our hands together ready to pray
Give enough time for prayer. Encourage silent spaces. When the praying is over, say
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invite children to walk quietly back to tables/desks.
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When we are in our prayer place we can talk to God and we can listen to God too. Our prayer
place is a special space we can be with God. I wonder if you know other special places to be with
God
Encourage a variety of responses.
The Church building is a special place where lots of people gather to be with God, to talk to God
and listen to God. It is a big space so there is room for everyone. When people enter the Church
they move slowly and quietly and talk gently as a sign of reverence. I wonder what it means to be
reverent
Invite a child to walk to the door and back again in a slow, gentle manner. Give a few children a turn. Practise with
whole class walking around the room and back to the prayer place again.
When people enter the Church they dip their fingers in holy water and make the Sign of the Cross
just like this
Demonstrate how to dip fingers in the water and make the Sign of the Cross.
People bless themselves with holy water and make the Sign of the Cross to show that God is
with them.
Invite one or two students to have a go at blessing themselves. Practise with everyone.
Lets put the bowl of water on our prayer place to remind us about blessing ourselves with the
Sign of the Cross to show that God is with us.
Place bowl of water on prayer place.
Another thing people do to get ready to be with God in the Church is to genuflect just like this
Demonstrate how to genuflect. Repeat a few times as you say
People genuflect when they come into the Church to show they know Jesus is with them in a
special way in the Church.
Practise genuflecting with students. Give praise.
Visit the Church building and identify some key objects there altar, statues, font, lectern, tabernacle, cross.
Practise blessing with holy water and genuflecting. Allow a short time for students to sit in silence and enjoy the
quiet and stillness.
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Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you. Begin by saying:
Lets tell a story together. We have some things here which will help us to tell the story.
Roll out the green underlay and say:
I wonder what this could be? Allow a few responses before saying: Its very green and soft, it
could be grass. Lets see what else we have.
Place the light blue felt patch and say:
This is a lovely cool place. Its very blue. I wonder what it could be?
Allow a few responses before saying:
We also have some dark places in our story. Its very dark in these places. It could be dangerous.
Maybe they are rocky areas. Lets see what else we have to make our story.
Take out the paddle pop sticks or felt strips and create a sheepfold.
We have a special place that is very safe. It has strong fences and a gate to go inside and
outside. I wonder who lives here? Allow a few responses before continuing.
Take out the sheep and place in the sheepfold and continue
Hmm sheep. If sheep live here in this special place it must be a sheepfold. A sheepfold is a
safe place for sheep to be. I think we are ready to tell the story now, lets begin.
Lots of people wanted to be near Jesus. They followed him and listened to everything he said.
They wondered who he was. He was different from anybody they had ever met.
Take out the Good Shepherd figure, hold it up and say:
Once when he wanted to tell them who he was, Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd.
Move the Good Shepherd next to the sheepfold. Touch each of the sheep as you say:
The shepherd loves his sheep, and knows each one by its name.
Move the Good Shepherd to a space on the grass outside the sheepfold.
During the daytime, he takes them out and goes with them. They would not follow a stranger.
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Move the Good Shepherd and the sheep next to the water. Place the sheep around the water as if they were
drinking.
He takes them to beautiful places with green grass, cool water and good things to eat. They are
happy.
Move the Good Shepherd and the sheep near to the rocky places and say:
The Good Shepherd goes ahead of his sheep and protects them.
Slide the Good Shepherd through the rocks to safety. Then move the sheep one by one through the places of
danger and back to the shepherd.
Move the Good Shepherd along with the sheep following until you get back to the sheepfold. Move the sheep one
by one back into the sheepfold and close the gate.
At night he leads them back to a special place called the sheepfold where they are safe.
Sit quietly for a moment and begin to wonder together. Use I wonders from KWL (P/K)p14.
I wonder: how the shepherd knows one sheep from the otherhow the sheep
know who their shepherd iswhy they dont follow a stranger...what the sheepfold
is likehow the shep feel when they are with their own shepherd.how the
sheep would feel if the shepherd wasnt therewhy the shepherd takes good care
of his sheepwho the Good Shepherd is likewho the sheep are likewho
looks after and protects us.
Green underlay
grassed areas
Route of Good
Shepherd
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
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Error: Reference
source not found
Good Shepherd
SYDNEY
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Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book which we call the Bible. This is another story about the
Good Shepherd.
Place Bible beside you.
Roll out the green underlay.
These are the dark places in our story. Its very dark in these places and it could be dangerous.
Build the sheepfold, place sheep inside.
The shepherd even sleeps across the gate of the sheepfold at night.
Move shepherd out, fold back one side of the sheepfold to form an opening, move one sheep at a time, each
sheep following after him.
If the shepherd sees a wolf coming, he will stay and protect his sheep, even though his own life
is in danger.
Move wolf off.
Move one sheep away from the group to wander and then put it behind a rock.
Sometimes one of the sheep goes off by itself and gets lost.
Move remaining sheep back into sheepfold.
When this happens, the shepherd will leave all his other sheep safe.
Move shepherd away to look for lost one.
When he finds the sheep, he puts it on his shoulder and carries it home.
He calls his friends and neighbours to celebrate the safe return of the lost sheep.
Engage with I wonder, KWL(K/P) p20
I wonder: what the shepherd would do to protect his sheepwhy the shepherd protects his
sheepif anybody protects ushow the good shepherd knows that one of his sheep is
missinghow the sheep feels when it is losthow the sheep feels when it hears the shepherds
voiceif you have ever been lostif you have ever lost anything special.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
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Error: Reference source not foundError: Reference source not found
Good Shepherd
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Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book which we call the Bible.
Place Bible beside you. Roll the purple ribbon in front of you.
Purple is the colour for getting ready. Lent is a time for getting ready.
At this time in the Churchs year we remember and tell the stories of some of the things which
Jesus said and did. This story is about the Last Supper Jesus had with his friends before he
died.
Hold Visual 1 in front of you.
During the Last Supper, Jesus got up from the table and tied a towel around his waist.
Place Visual 1 on the purple ribbon to your far right facing the children.
Hold Visual 2 in front of you.
Simon Peter thought that this was not right! Jesus should not wash his feet.
That was a servants job. Jesus was the teacher.
Simon Peter said, You will never wash my feet!
Place Visual 4 on the left of Visual 3.
Hold Visual 5 in front of you.
Jesus answered him, If I dont wash your feet, you cannot follow me.
Simon Peter said to him, Well in that case, wash my hands and my head too!
Place Visual 5 on the left of Visual 4.
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Jesus said to all the disciples, Do you understand what I have done? I am your teacher and I
have washed your feet. Just as I have washed your feet; you should wash each others feet.
Place Visual 6 on the left of Visual 5.
Point to each of the visuals in order along the story line as you say
I wonderif you have ever had your feet washedwhat it is like to wash
someones feetwhy the disciples were so shock when Jesus washed their feet
what a servant iswhy Jesus did the servants workwhat this story means
what you would have said to Jesus if he wanted to wash your feetwhat Jesus
meant when he said Love one another as I have loved you .
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
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Bible
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book which we call the Bible.
Place Bible beside you. Roll out the purple ribbon in front of you.
Purple is the colour for getting ready. Lent is a time for getting ready.
At this time in the Churchs year we remember and tell the stories of some of the things which
Jesus said and did. This story is about something else that happened at the Last Supper, which
Jesus had with his friends.
Hold Visual 1 in front of you.
Jesus wanted to gather his disciples together to celebrate the Passover feast. He knew that this
was going to be the last supper he would have with his friends before he died.
Place Visual 1 on the purple ribbon to your far right facing the children.
Hold Visual 2 in front of you.
Jesus asked his friends, the disciples to go and prepare a room and a table for the meal.
Place Visual 2 on the left of Visual 1.
Hold Visual 3 in front of you.
When the time came, Jesus sat at the table with his disciples.
Place Visual 3 on the left of Visual 2.
Hold Visual 4 in front of you.
As they were eating, Jesus took some bread. He gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and
gave it to his disciples and said, Take and eat. This is my body.
Place Visual 4 on the left of Visual 3.
Hold Visual 5 in front of you.
Then he took a cup of wine and gave it to them. He told them to drink from it and said, This is
my blood.
Place Visual 5 on the left of Visual 4.
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After the meal they sang some songs. Jesus and his disciples then went to a quiet place called
the Mount of Olives. Jesus went off to pray by himself.
Place Visual 6 on the left of Visual 5.
Point to each of the visuals in order along the story line as you say
I wonder: why we have special meals togetherhow Jesus was feeling at the
Last Supperhow his friends were feelingwhat you might have said if you had
been therewhy they went the quite place to prayif you had heard the words
This is my body, this is my blood.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
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Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Lay seasonal cloth down. Place Bible, bread and juice on the cloth.
When the community celebrates Mass we come together as the community of God.
Hold or touch the Bible.
We listen to the Word of God from the Bible. Then we take the bread and wine to the altar. During
Mass we remember what Jesus did during the Last Supper.
Hold bread in your hands, showing the children.
The priest takes the bread, blesses it and says the words Jesus used:
Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body.
Put the bread back on the cloth and take the cup of grape juice.
He then takes the wine and blesses it saying Jesus words again,
Take this all of you and drink from it:
This is the cup of my blood.
Put the cup of wine back on the cloth.
The priest then gives the people the bread, which is Jesus, to share. This is Holy Communion.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p78.
I wonderwhy we gather at the church on Sundayswhy the priest wears different colours at
different timeswhen we listen to Gods Word at Masswhy the priest says and does what
Jesus didwhat the special meal really ishow Jesus feeds his sheep.how we can help to
feed those who are hungry.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
Be sure to make it clear that this is not the Eucharist/Mass. The class is recalling what happens in Mass.
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Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Begin by placing the sand box in front of you and saying:
Deserts can be very hot in the daytime and very cold at night. They can be lonely places and
places of danger. There is not much water in the desert and sometimes the wind blows all the
sand around.
Lots of important stories about the people of God happened in the desert.
Lets listen to one today.
Hold up the wooden figures of Abram and Sarai.
There once was a great family that loved God very much.
Place Abram in the desert box close to the edge next to a block representing their home. Place Sarai next to
Abram.
Abram and Sarai belonged to this family. God loved Abram and Sarai very much.
Move Abram and Sarai a little bit away from their home
One day, God asked Abram and Sarai to move to a new land far, far away.
Place hand over their heads as in a blessing as you say:
They were sad to leave their home. They wondered if God would really keep them safe and be
with them everywhere.
Move the figures across the desert to a new place marked by a block. Build an altar with small stones.
Abram and Sarai trusted God and they set out on a very long journey. They stopped at many
places along the way.
Repeat the action of building an altar for several more stops.
In each place they found that God was with them and they built a special place called an altar and
gave thanks to God.
Point to all the places.
As they moved on to each new place they wondered if God would be there too.
Move them to their final destination at Hebron. Build an altar.
Finally they reached their new home in Hebron. God had shown Abram and Sarai the way. Again
they built an altar and gave thanks to God.
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God had been with them all the time in every place just as God had promised.
Move Abram a short distance from Hebron.
In their new land God said to Abram, You and Sarai will become the parents of a great family. You
will have more children than the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the beach. Abram
laughed because he and Sarai were very old.
Move Abram back with Sarai. Gesture a blessing over them.
God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah and they became the parents of a son named
Isaac. They were very happy. God loved them very much.
Move Isaac a short distance away and place Rebekah in the desert box next to him.
Isaac grew up and married Rebekah. They had children, and their children had children, and
those children had more children.
Abraham and Sarahs family continued to grow and grow and became as many as the stars in the
sky and the grains of sand on the beach.
Sit quietly for a moment and begin to wonder together.
Use I wonder from KWL p88.
I wonderwhat is your favourite part of the storywhat it would be like to have to travel to a
new landwhy Abram laughed when God said he and Sarai would have childrenhow you feel
when someone keeps a promise
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
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JESUS FAMILY
KWL Ch 16
(based on Luke 2:22-40)
Part 1: Jesus Family
YOU WILL NEED:
felt road
Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and donkey from Nativity set
Simeon
Anna
Jesus as a boy
Jerusalem (perhaps made with building blocks, have a doorway)
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Lay the road out vertically in front of you
Place the baby Jesus at the far end of the road away from you.
Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple in Jerusalem.
Place Simeon and Anna in front of Jerusalem facing the family.
I wonder.what Jesus mother Mary was likewhat Joseph was likewhat things Jesus might
have done with his family.what is a templewhy Jesus was such a special child.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
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JESUS FAMILY
KWL Ch 16
(based on Luke 2:45-50)
Part 2: Jesus Lost in the Temple
YOU WILL NEED:
felt road
Mary and Joseph from Nativity set
Jesus as a boy
Jerusalem (perhaps made with building blocks, have a doorway)
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Lay the road vertically in front of you.
Place the boy, Jesus, Mary and Joseph on the side of the road near you.
Move Mary and Joseph along the road back towards you.
When the feast was ended, they started to return to Nazareth.
Turn Mary and Joseph to face each other.
On their way home, Mary and Joseph saw that Jesus was not with them.
Move Mary and Joseph back to Jerusalem. Place them on one side of the doorway to Jerusalem.
I wonderwhy Mary and Joseph didnt know that Jesus was missing until they were half way
homehow Mary and Joseph felt when they were looking for Jesuswhy Jesus spent time in
the temple.
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Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are
watching so they know how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Begin by introducing the Bible as the source for the story. For example:
This story comes from our special book, the Bible. The stories in this book are very important.
We know the story will tell us something about God and Gods people.
Lay the Bible in view in a special place: the prayer space or on a cloth beside the story space.
Lay out the brown or green felt and the blue felt for the river.
Many years ago the Hebrew people went to live in Egypt. The Egyptians made them into slaves.
They were very unhappy.
It became even worse. The King gave a terrible order, All the Hebrew baby boys are to be killed
as soon as they are born! The Hebrew people prayed to God for help.
Add Moses mother. Then add the baby Moses.
At this time a Hebrew woman gave birth to a baby boy. She was scared that the boy would be
killed, so she hid him for three months.
Put the baby in the basket and cover with a small cloth.
Add Miriam. Put the basket on the blue felt as you say:
With the help of her daughter, Miriam, the woman made a basket that could float in the water.
They put the baby in the basket and put it into the river Nile.
Add the princess and attendant further down the river. Move the basket down the river towards the princess.
Move Miriam along near the basket as you say:
Miriam hid in the tall grass as she carefully watched the basket.
Move basket over to the princess.
The princess who often swam in the river Nile saw the basket. She told a servant to bring it to
her. Imagine her surprise when she saw a little baby boy!
Uncover the basket to reveal the baby. Move Miriam so that she is facing the princess.
Miriam came forward and said to the princess, Shall I go and find a nurse among the Hebrew
women to take care of the baby for you? Yes said the princess.
Move Miriam to her mother and then move both figures towards the princess.
Miriam went quickly and brought her mother to look after the baby for the princess. The princess
called the baby boy Moses.
Hold your hand over Moves in the action of blessing.
Moses was blessed by God. He grew up to be one of the most important leaders of the Hebrew
people.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p98.
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a Bible
3D figures of Samuel, Jesse, seven of Jesses sons, eighth son David (make David smaller than his brothers)
Brown or green felt for the ground
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it. Begin by introducing the Bible as the source for the story. For
example:
This story comes from our special book, the Bible. The stories in this book are very important. We know
this story will tell us something about God and Gods people.
Lay the Bible beside you. Lay out the green or brown felt. Place Samuel on the left side of the felt.
One day long ago, God called the prophet Samuel and told him to anoint a new king. God told Samuel to
take some oil and go to Jesses house in Bethlehem.
Place Jesse on the right side of the felt. Move Samuel towards Jesse.
Samuel travelled to Bethlehem and went to Jesses house.
Place the 7 sons (not David) on the felt one at a time in a group behind Jesse.
Jesse had many sons.
Move the first son next to Jesse, so that both are facing Samuel.
Samuel saw Jesses eldest son. He was a tall, strong, handsome man. (Place hand behind Samuel to indicate
it is Samuels thoughts:) Samuel thought, Surely God wants me to anoint this man. But God said, No, do
not anoint this man. While you see what people look like, I see what is in the heart.
Move the first son back. Move the second son next to Jesse.
Jesse presented his second eldest son to Samuel.
Place hand behind Samuel to indicate it is Samuels thoughts:
Surely God wants me to anoint this fine man, Samuel thought. God told him No, I have not chosen this
man.
Move the second son back next to first son. Move the third son next to Jesse.
Jesse then presented his third son. God told Samuel No, I have not chosen this man
Move third son away to stand with first and second sons. Move the rest of the sons next to Jesse.
Jesse presented the other sons. But God told Samuel not to anoint them. I have not chosen them.
Move these sons over with the other sons.Place David at top left corner of felt.
Samuel asked Jesse, Are these all your sons? Jesse responded, There is still my youngest son. David
is a shepherd tending the sheep. Samuel announced, Call David. We will not sit down to eat until he
arrives. Jesse sent for David, a young boy, small but fine looking.
Move David next to Jesse facing Samuel.
When David arrived, Samuel knew he was the one. He heard God say to him, Come Samuel! Anoint David.
He is the one I have chosen to be king of Israel.
Make a pouring action over Davids head as you say:
Samuel took the oil and poured it on Davids head.
Put hand over Davids head as you say:
Gods Spirit filled David and was with him from that day on.
I wonder.how prophets know about Gods wayswhy God chose Davidhow David felt
when he was anointedwhat it means to be filled with the Gods spirithow Gods spirit is with
you.
.GETTING
KWL Chapter 19
(based on Luke 1:39-40, 56-60, 80; Luke 3:2-3, 15-18)
YOU WILL NEED:
a purple cloth
a length of blue cloth for a river
sand box (sand in small tray or bowl)
8 peg figures, and one peg figure undressed
small piece of Hessian or fur and a short length of leather for a belt
a crche without the baby Jesus in it or an empty crib
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Begin by rolling the purple cloth in front of you and saying:
Purple is the colour for getting ready. Advent is a time for getting ready.
Place the empty crche or crib on the left hand side of the cloth.
The season of Advent is the time the Church gets ready to celebrate the mystery of Christmas.
Put one or two of the peg figures on the cloth.
During Advent we remember the prophets. Prophets are special people who listen to God. They
help us get ready for Christmas.
Move the figures across the purple cloth towards the empty crib. Place them on the side looking at the crib from a
distance.
Prophets point the way towards Jesus. They are like lights showing the way.
Lets listen to a story about one of the most important prophets. We will need some other things
to help us tell the story.
Place the sand box on the cloth on the opposite side to the crib.
Mary &
Elizabeth
Blue strip
river Jordan
Crib
Sand Box
Purple
underlay
Prophets
- 28
When John grew up he lived in the desert. He wore clothes made of camels hair, tied with a
leather belt.
Move John to different parts of the desert as you say:
He ate insects and wild honey. He spent most of the time talking to God.
Move John to alongside the river.
When John came out of the desert he went to the river Jordan.
Place two figures next to John.
He told people to live good lives and to get ready for Jesus, the Messiah, who was coming soon.
Place two more figures near to John.
I wonder..why Mary visited Elizabethwhy John spent most of his time in the desertwhat it
would be like living in a desertwhat John the Baptist told the people...what the people did to
get ready for Jesushow we can get ready for Jesus.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 29
Purple cloth
Mary and angel from the Nativity set
Bible
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place the Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book which we call the Bible. It is about a girl who had a most
unexpected visitor.
Place the Bible beside you.
Lay the purple cloth in the middle of the space.
Purple is the colour for getting ready. Advent is a time for getting ready. During Advent we are
getting ready to celebrate Christmas.
Place Mary on the cloth.
This is Mary.
Place angel on the cloth facing Mary. Place your hand behind the angel as you say:
God sent an angel called Gabriel to ask Mary to be the mother of Jesus.
Angels are Gods special messengers.
Move the angel Gabriel a little way towards Mary.
The angel Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid, because God was very near to her.
Move Mary to stand beside the angel.
I wonderwhy God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesushow Mary felt when she was
asked to be the mother of Jesuswhy the angel told Mary not to be afraid.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 30
Bible
beige or pale yellow underlay
road the same length as the underlay
Nativity set
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place the Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book which we call the Bible.
Place the underlay in the middle of the space.
Place the road on top of the underlay.
Place Mary, Joseph and donkey on the road at the far end away from you.
When the time came for Jesus to be born, Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem.
Slowly move Mary, Joseph and donkey halfway down the road.
Place your hand at the opposite end of the road to Mary and Joseph.
The only place Mary and Joseph could find to stay was a stable.
Place Jesus in the manger between Mary and Joseph.
Nearby some very poor shepherds were looking after their sheep.
Place an angel near shepherds.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them and told them that Jesus had been born in a stable in
Bethlehem.
Place more angels facing shepherds.
That night Gods angels sang, Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.
Move angels to your side. Move shepherds to the stable.
The shepherds went to the stable to see Jesus. They saw Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus
lying in the manger.
The shepherds were the only other people who came to see Jesus, the Son of God, on the night
he was born.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p152.
I wonderwhat it would be like to be born in a stablewhy the angels sang when Jesus was
bornwhat angels are likewhy Gods angel the poor shepherds about Jesus.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 31
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. Carry the materials carefully to the circle and place
them beside you. Roll out the green cloth as you say
We all like to feel that we are welcome and that we belong. It is a good feeling to have. In the
Bible there is a story about a time when Jesus welcomed and blessed little children.
Present Jesus figure, place him in the story space and say
They are called his disciples. One day, some people brought their children to Jesus.
Put people and children figures on cloth and move towards Jesus.
They wanted Jesus to meet their children and give them a blessing.
Move the children towards Jesus.
Jesus disciples started to send them away, saying that he was too busy with the adults.
Move the disciples to block the children from Jesus.
But Jesus saw what was happening and he was very upset with his disciples for wanting to send
the children away.
Move Jesus and place him between the disciples and children say
Let the children come to me, he said, and dont stop them! Because Gods kingdom belongs
to people who are just like them.
Place children in a semi circle around Jesus and say
Jesus told all the adults that they had to be more like little children learning to trust God just
like a child has to trust its mother or father. Then they would shine with Gods love.
Hold your right hand over each childs head in the sign of blessing whilst you say
Jesus then welcomed all the children into his arms and hugged them. He placed his hands on
their heads and gave them his blessing.
The children knew that Jesus loved them because Gods love was shining in them.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
I wonder:..how you feel when adults send you awaywhy Jesus wanted to be
with the little childrenwhat Jesus meant when he told the adults that they had to
be just like little childrenif you remember when you were so little you had to trust
your mother and father for everythingif thats how we have to trust Godhow
the children felt when Jesus hugged them and blessed themwhat you might say
to Jesus if you met him.
- 32
BAPTISM
Adapted from KWL (Bk 1) Ch. 11
YOU WILL NEED:
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Begin by spreading out the white cloth in front of you. Smooth it out and say:
Jesus told his friends to baptise people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.
Pick up the bowl of water and pitcher. Place on white cloth and say:
In Baptism we use water water cleans and renews, water keeps us alive. Jesus was baptised in
water.
Pick up the large candle and place on white cloth.
Light the candle as you say:
This is the Easter candle. Jesus said I am the Light of the World.
Put small container of oil on white cloth saying:
This is perfumed oil that heals and strengthens, oil that kings, queens, priests and prophets
were anointed with to strengthen them for their special work.
Pick up baby doll and say:
Today Ill use this baby doll to show what happens in Baptism. Its not always babies that are
baptised. Sometimes people are older when they are baptised.
The priest meets everyone at the entrance to the church. He asks the parents What name do you
give your child? Wed better give this baby a name. Look up and say, What name will we give
this child? Take the first name suggested, and say clearly and distinctly:
(N), the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name, I claim you
for Christ, our Saviour. The priest makes the sign of the cross on the babys forehead and invites
the parents and godparents to do the same.
Make the Sign of the Cross on the dolls head and invite two or three children to do this also.
Gently place the baby back in the basket and continue.
The people listen to the Word of God (point to the Bible in the prayer place), say some prayers and
- 33
Move large bowl of water in front of you and pick up the doll again. Fill small pitcher of water from the large bowl
(baptismal font). Pour water three times over the dolls head as you say clearly and distinctly:
(N), I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Put some oil on your finger, make a cross on the dolls head and say:
God our Father anoints you with the oil of Chrism. May you live always as a member of his body.
Wipe the dolls forehead with towel and pick up white garment. Put it over the doll as you say:
(N), you are clothed in Christ. See in this white garment the sign of your Christian
dignity.
Put doll back in basket. Pick up Easter candle, hold near doll and say:
The baby is given a candle that is lit from the Easter candle (Paschal candle). The priest asks the
parents and godparents to help the child to live always as a child of the light.
Finally pick the doll up, cradling it and say:
I wonderwhether it is only babies that can be baptisedwhy the priest meets everybody at
the church doorwhy the sign of the cross is made on the babys foreheadwhy we use water
at baptismwhy the babys new garment is whitewho the Easter candle reminds us of why
the babys small candle is lit from the Jesus candle.how we become part of Gods family at
Baptism.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 34
Felt underlay
Class Bible
2D materials: 5 birds, 5 nests stored in a box; tree. See RE Online for 2D masters
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book, the Bible. In the Bible we read that Jesus told stories to
the crowds of people who followed him. Jesus told stories, parables, to help the people
understand what the kingdom of heaven is like. One of Jesus stories was about a mustard seed
the smallest seed of all.
Place Bible beside you. Smooth out the underlay in the middle of the circle. Take seed from box and plant it on far
edge of the underlay.
The rain came, the sun shone, the seed grew biggerand biggerand bigger.
Place picture of tree over the seed.
After many years the seed had grown into the biggest shrub of all. It was large, like a tree.
Place some birds flying towards the tree, the remaining birds on nests in the tree as you say:
The birds of the air came and built their nests in the tree.
The mustard seed had become what it was meant to be.
This is what Gods Kingdom is like. It starts very small and grows!
Pause quietly for a moment, and then begin to wonder together.
Engage with I wonder, KWL(Bk 1) p108.
I wonderwhy the seed grows slowlyhow long it takes for the seed to growhow the
Kingdom of God could be like this mustard seedhow the kingdom of God grows in uswhat
makes it grow and growwho belongs to Gods Kingdomwhat I will be like when I have
become what God wants me to be.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 35
- 36
http://www.textweek.com/art/last_supper.htm
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. Carry the materials carefully from the story shelf to
the story area and place beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
At this time in the Churchs year we remember and tell the stories of some of the things which
Jesus said and did. This story is about the last meal Jesus had with his friends before he died.
Hold Visual 1 in front of you.
On the night before he died, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper in an upstairs room.
At the Last Supper were Jesus and his friends, the disciples.
Their names were James, Andrew, Simon, Jude, Matthew, Philip, Thomas, James, Bartholomew,
Judas, Peter and John.
Jesus was very sad because he knew that he was going to die.
Place Visual 1 on the floor to your far right facing the children.
Hold Visual 2 in front of you.
While they were eating Jesus showed them how he wanted them to remember him.
He took bread and broke it.
Place Visual 2 on the left of Visual 1.
Hold Visual 3 in front of you.
Then Jesus took the cup filled with wine and said, Drink from this cup. This is the cup of my
blood.
Place Visual 4 on the left of Visual 3.
Hold Visual 5 in front of you.
Jesus told the disciples to always do what he had done. This was the way Jesus wanted the
disciples to remember him.
Place Visual 5 on the left of Visual 4.
Pause quietly for a moment, and then begin to wonder together. Engage with I wonder, KWL(Bk1) p42.
I wonder..why Jesus was sad at the Last Supperhow the Mass is like the Last Supperwhat
Jesus wants us to remember at every mass.why Jesus used the bread and winewhat Jesus
wanted his disciples to rememberwhether priests today do some of the things that Jesus did
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 37
Our Church is getting ready for Holy Week. This is the time when we remember what happened to
Jesus when he died.
Turn over the Last Supper visual, hold it in front of you.
There were some people who didnt like Jesus. They wanted to kill him. Jesus knew this when he
was eating his last meal, the Last Supper, with his friends.
Move The Last Supper visual to far right of semi-circle facing the children. This is the beginning of the story line.
Hold Garden of Gethsemane visual in front of you.
After Jesus and his friends had finished eating the Last Supper, Jesus went into the garden
called Gethsemane where he prayed. He was feeling sad and frightened.
Move Garden of Gethsemane visual next to The Last Supper.
Hold Jesus arrested visual in front of you.
While Jesus was there in the garden, some soldiers came and took him away. The soldiers were
very cruel to Jesus.
Move this visual to the story line.
Hold Jesus carrying the cross visual in front of you.
The next day, the soldiers made Jesus carry a heavy cross to Calvary where he was going to be
crucified. The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross. They left him there until he died.
Move this visual to the story line.
Hold Mary at the Cross visual in front of you.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and some friends.
Move this visual to the story line.
Hold Jesus taken from the cross visual in front of you.
After Jesus had died, two good men, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, took the body of
Jesus down from the cross and placed it in a cave.
Move this visual to the story line.
Hold Jesus placed in tomb in front of you.
They rolled a large stone in front of the cave and then they went away.
Move this visual to the story line.
Hold Empty tomb visual in front of you.
Three days later Mary of Magdala came running to Jesus friends. Come and look! she said.
The cave is empty! Jesus is alive! They ran to the cave and all they saw where the sheets that
had been wrapped around the body of Jesus.
Move this visual to the end of story line.
- 38
I wonder.why some people didnt like Jesushow Jesus felt when some
people didnt like him.how Jesus felt in the Garden at Gethsemane.how Jesus
would have felt when he was carrying his crosswhy Jesus friends ran away
what the wonderful news meant for Jesus friendswhat the wonderful news
means for us.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box, modelling for the children how to put them away. Let the children
see where you put them so they can find them when they want to use them.
- 39
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. Carry the materials carefully from the story self to
the story area and place beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
Jesus had been speaking to the crowds of people all day about the Kingdom of God.
Move disciples in front of Jesus as though speaking to him.
In the afternoon, the disciples told Jesus that he should send the crowds away. There was
nothing for them to eat, and they were getting hungry.
Move Jesus to the middle, with the crowd on one side and the disciples on the other.
Jesus told the disciples that they should give the people something to eat.
Move disciples closer to Jesus. Disciples show Jesus five loaves and two fish.
The disciples told Jesus they only had five loaves of bread and two fish. That wouldnt feed all
the people who were there. Jesus told the disciples to get the people to sit down in groups.
Move disciples to the crowd. Move people into two groups.
Hold the bread and fish in front of Jesus.
Then Jesus took the bread and fish, raised his eyes to heaven, said the blessing, and broke the
bread.
Move the disciples to take the food from Jesus and then move them to give it to the groups of people.
He gave the food to the disciples who handed it out to the people.
Have the disciples take the baskets and collect the food scraps from the people.
When everyone had had enough to eat the disciples collected the scraps of food that hadnt been
eaten. They filled twelve baskets with the scraps left over!
Place hand behind Jesus.
Even though Jesus started with only five loaves and two fish, everyone in the crowd had enough
to eat!
Engage with I wonder, KWL p152.
I wonder.what Jesus might have been talking about to the crowdshow there could have
been enough for all to eatif you can think of any other time Jesus broke the bread and handed
it aroundif you had have been in the crowd would you have been surprised at what Jesus
did? Why.what part of the story you like
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Begin by introducing the Bible as the source for the story. For example:
This story comes from our special book, the Bible. The stories in this book are very important.
We know the story will tell us something about God and Gods people.
Lay the Bible in view in a special place: the prayer space or on a cloth beside the story space.
Comment on the desert and how dangerous it is.
Create a small mountain out of sand.
Add Moses and his flock. Move them towards the mountain.
One day Moses was looking after a flock of sheep and goats that belonged to Jethro, his fatherin-law. Moses led the flock into the wilderness near the Mountain of Sinai.
Place the bush on the mountain.
On top of the mountain he saw a burning bush, but the branches were not burning up. I must
go and look at this strange sight, Moses said to himself.
Move Moses up the mountain.
As Moses came closer to the burning bush he heard a voice calling to him, Moses, Moses!
Here I am he answered. Do not come closer. Take off your shoes; you are standing on holy
ground. I am the God of your ancestors; the God of Abraham and Sarah, the God of Isaac and
Rebecca, the God of Jacob and Rachael. Moses covered his face. He was afraid to look at God.
Put your hands over your face.
God spoke to Moses, I have seen the suffering of the Israelites in the land of Egypt.
I want to lead them into a land of freedom, and save them from slavery and suffering.
Point to the distance.
God continued, Moses! Go to the Pharaoh and tell him to let Israel go. Tell him the Lord God
commands him to Let my people go!
Moses was still afraid. He asked God, Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel
out of Egypt? This task needs a powerful and strong leader.
But God said to Moses, I have chosen you, and I shall be with you.
Move Moses to face the children.
Moses began to get ready for the great task that God had called him to do.
Moses became one of the greatest leaders of Gods people.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 41
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
This story comes from our special book, the Bible, so we know it will tell us something about
God. It will tell us something about relating to one another.
Lay out the felt and begin.
Put the figure of Jesus on the felt.
Lepers were people who had a terrible skin disease and a terrible life.
Add the ten lepers to the scene
Lepers were not allowed to live with other people, because people were afraid of catching their
disease. If anyone came near a leper, the leper had to warn the other person to go away. No one
was allowed to touch lepers.
Put you hands between the lepers and Jesus to create a barrier.
One day, ten lepers called out to Jesus, and asked for his help. Jesus told them to go and show
themselves to the priests.
Move lepers towards Jesus one at a time.
The priests were the people who had to say whether or not they were really healed. On the way to
the priests, the lepers saw that they were cured. Jesus had healed them.
Move lepers away from Jesus.
One of them came back to Jesus to say thank you. Jesus was surprised. Even though ten had
been cured, only one of them came back to say thank you.
Move one leper to the figure of Jesus and have them facing each other.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p144.
I wonderwhat it would have been like to be a leperwhy people would be afraid of going
near a leperwhy the lepers asked Jesus to help themwhat you think the leper who came
back said to Jesuswhat would you saywhy the others did not come backhow the lepers
felt when they were healed
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 42
IN THE BEGINNING
KWL Book 1 Chapter 17
(based on Genesis 1:1-31)
YOU WILL NEED:
Posters:
Class Bible
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
and God said, Let there be light. God made the day and the night.
God saw that it was good.
Place Poster 1 on the floor to your far right facing the children.
Hold Poster 2 in front of you.
Then God made the waters. There was water in the sky and water on the earth.
Next God made the earth and plants of every kind.
Place Poster 2 on the left of Poster 1.
Hold Poster 3 in front of you.
In the sky God placed the sun to give us day and the moon to give us night. God also made the
stars of the night sky.
God saw that it was good.
Place Poster 3 on the left of Poster 2.
Hold Poster 4 in front of you.
In the waters God made sea creatures of every kind. In the sky he made birds to fly. God saw that
it was good.
Place Poster 4 on the left of Poster 3.
Hold Poster 5 in front of you.
On the land God also made living creatures animals that would walk and run and hop and crawl
and creep. Then God made human beings like you and me.
Place Poster 5 on the left of Poster 4.
Hold Poster 6 in front of you.
God looked at the whole of creation and saw that it was very good.
Place Poster 6 on the left of Poster 5.
Hold Poster 7 in front of you.
- 43
After all this work God rested. God gave us the gift of rest which we call the Sabbath.
Place Poster 7 on the left of Poster 6.
Point to and name each poster, or ask the children to tell you about the posters beginning with the first
Pause quietly for a moment, and then begin to wonder together.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p130.
I wonder .why God made all these thingswhat here was before God made the world
which one of these gifts you like the bestwhy God made ushow we can look after the
worldif God would be happy with the way we look after the world todayhow we can use our
day of rest
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 44
Purple is the colour for getting ready. It is the colour of Advent. Advent is a time for getting
ready. It is a time of waiting for a most amazing event.
Place the empty crib on the left hand side of the cloth as you say
The season of Advent is the time we get ready to celebrate the mystery of Christmas.
During Advent we remember some of the special people who helped Gods promise to come true.
Lets listen to the story of one of these people.
Place Mary onto the material.
Mary was a girl from Nazareth. She lived a good life and loved God very much.
Place angel figure onto material near Mary.
One day, Mary had a most unusual visitor. It was the angel Gabriel who came with a very special
message from God.
Turn Gabriel to face Mary.
Gabriel said Rejoice, the Lord is with you. The angel told Mary she was to be the mother of
Gods own son. Her baby would be called Jesus.
Move Mary back just slightly as you say
Mary was at first amazed and afraid. How can this be? she asked.
Move Gabriel close to Mary and hold your hand over Mary in the sign of blessing as you say
Gabriel replied, Do not be afraid, the Holy Spirit will come upon you and God will be with you.
Mary said Yes to Gods messenger, Gabriel.
Move the angel away.
Mary was frightened, but happy. She was surprised, but blessed.
Move Mary close to the empty crib.
From that time on Mary began to get ready to be the mother of Gods son.
- 45
Pause and sit with the story for a while before engaging the students with some I wonder statements:
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 46
Crib
Mary
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Begin by rolling the purple cloth in front of you and saying:
Advent is a time for getting ready. It is a time of waiting for a most amazing event.
Place the road across the material as you say:
The season of Advent is the time we get ready to celebrate the mystery of Christmas.
During Advent we remember some of the special people who listened to God and helped Gods
promise to come true.
Put Mary at one end of the road and Elizabeth at the other end.
Lets listen to the story of two of these people who got ready for Jesus.
Put your hand over Mary as you say:
An angel had told Mary she was going to become the mother of Jesus. She was amazed but very
happy.
Move Mary as if walking along the road towards Elizabeth. Stop about halfway.
She set off to tell her cousin Elizabeth. Mary thought Elizabeth would be surprised by her news.
Put your hand over Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was much older than Mary and she was going to have a baby too. They could help each
other.
Move Mary close to Elizabeth.
When Mary came close to Elizabeth and greeted her something wonderful happened.
Turn Elizabeth to face Mary and hold your hand over Elizabeth in the sign of blessing when you say Gods Holy
Spirit .
Elizabeth felt her baby jump inside her when she heard Marys voice. Gods Holy Spirit told
Elizabeth that Mary was going to have a baby who would be Gods own son.
Elizabeth was full of joy and said to Mary, Blessed are you among women and blessed is your
baby.
- 47
Mary began to sing a song of great joy giving praise and thanks to God.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for a long visit before returning home to prepare for the birth of her
son.
Walk Mary back down the road.
Pause and sit with the story for a while before engaging the students with some I wonder statements:
I wonder how Mary felt when she was traveling to see Elizabeth
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 48
JESUS IS BORN
(adapted from KWL Chapter 21)
YOU WILL NEED :
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Roll out long strip of road. Place the stable at one end of the road and the three wise men at the other end.. Place
the yellow desert and Egyptian house far away from the stable. Place King Herod with soldiers halfway on one side
of the road. Begin by saying
His mothers name was Mary; her husbands name was Joseph.
Pick up Mary and Joseph and place in the stable with the baby Jesus.
After Jesus was born, three wise men came to see him.
Move the three wise men along the road towards the stable.
They had seen his star where they lived in the east.
Hold up the star above the stable and then continue, moving the three wise men along the road to stand in front of
the stable.
When they found Jesus, the wise men gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Move the three wise men to give their gifts to the baby Jesus one at time and then move them to journey back
home, but following a different route that does not pass King Herod.
Use a hand gesture to point to King Herod, saying:
When King Herod heard that the wise men had found a new king in Bethlehem, he was very
angry. He sent his soldiers to find Jesus in Bethlehem.
Move the soldiers to walk from side to side on the road looking for the baby Jesus.
God sent an angel in a dream, to warn Joseph that the soldiers were searching for Jesus.
Move Joseph to stand up and gather Mary and Jesus and set them on the road and continue
So that night Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they would be safe.
Move them to the Egyptian house in the desert.
They stayed in Egypt until it was safe for them to go back home to Nazareth.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p158.
I wonderwhy the wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrhwhy king Herod was angry when he heard
what the wise men were searching forhow Joseph and Mary felt about having to go to a new landhow you
would feel if you were in danger and had to leave your homewhy Jesus was so specialwhy the wise men(who
didnt belong to Jesus country) came to visit him.
IN THE BEGINNING
(Genesis 1:26-27)
YOU WILL NEED:
class Bible
pictures of people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, both male and female, young
and old
2D masters on RE Online:
sun, moon, stars, trees, water, fish, animals, birds, mountains, fruits, a man, a woman, four other
male and female figures
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible.
Hold the Bible open and show to the children as you say:
In the Bible, there is a story about people being made in Gods image. It is the story of how God
made the whole world.
Place the Bible to one side and roll out the parchment in front of you and say:
It is a very old story. Long, long ago it was written on scrolls. The first three words of the story
are, In the beginning It was told to children by their parents and grandparents.
Place images of sun, moon, stars, trees, water, fish, animals, birds, mountains, fruits around the parchment as you
say:
We read in the story that God said, Let us make people in Gods own image.
Add other people images to parchment as you say:
All people were made to love like God, to forgive like God and to be like God in goodness.
God then saw all that had been made and indeed, it was very, very good!
Engage with I wonder, KWL p14.
I wonderhow people show they care for youhow you feel when someone says, I forgive
youif you know someone whose love reminds you of Gods lovehow people can be like
Godwhy God loves all people equally.how we can be made in Gods image.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 50
animals
birds
fish
people
fruit
moon
- 51
stars
sun
trees
- 52
One day Jesus told a story about a person who went out to throw some seeds on the ground.
Make the action of scattering with your hand.
The seeds in the good earth grew. They grew tall and strong with lots of fruit.
- 54
bird
bird
Sower
bird
thornbush
Medium bag 60
bushels
- 55
Zacchaeus
KWL Big Book, Stories About Jesus, Zacchaeus
(Luke 10:29-37)
YOU WILL NEED:
light yellow or cream felt background - the area between Jericho and Jerusalem was desert
felt road
3D figures: Jesus; Zacchaeus, crowd
tree
Jericho and Jerusalem (optional)
Bible
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place class Bible in front of you with your hand on it.
This story comes from our special book, the Bible, so we know it will tell us something about
God.
Place Bible beside you. Place the felt background in the middle of the story space.
Lay the road on top of the background.
Place Jerusalem at the end of the road away from you. Place Jericho at the end of the road closest to you.
Every year the people of Israel travelled to the great city of Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the
Passover. Many passed through the city of Jericho on their way to Jerusalem.
Place tree on one side of the road part-way down, close to Jericho.
Place Zacchaeus in front of Jericho.
Zacchaeus lived in Jericho. His job was to collect money for taxes.
He took more money than he needed and he was very rich.
Place crowd in between Jericho and Zacchaeus.
One day Jesus was going through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem.
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. But he was a short man. He couldnt see over the crowd.
Move Zacchaeus up the tree.
When Jesus got to the sycamore tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to
stay with you today."
Move Jesus and Zacchaeus together on the road back towards Jericho.
Zacchaeus hurried down. He gladly welcomed Jesus and took him to his home.
People did not like Zacchaeus, but Jesus did.
Turn crowd to face each other.
Everyone who saw this started grumbling, "This man is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat
with him."
People did not like Zacchaeus, but Jesus did.
- 56
At the end of the day Zacchaeus stood up and said to Jesus in a strong voice, "I will give half of
my property to the poor.
Zacchaeus was changing.
Turn people to face Jesus and Zacchaeus.
He continued firmly, And I will now pay back four times the amount to everyone I have ever
cheated."
Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Today you have been saved.
Pause quietly for a moment, and then begin to wonder together.
I wonder:
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 57
fabric underlay on which to lay story (suggest plain colour, eg beige, brown, not a liturgical colour)
Seasons of the Year materials (see RE Online for masters)
- circle divided into four quadrants
- yellow, orange, blue and green segments
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place felt underlay on floor in middle of story circle. Place circle with four quadrants on underlay.
The season of Summer is hot. Its a time when we play at the beach or swim in a pool.
Place orange shape in the autumn quadrant.
The season of Autumn is a time when the leaves on some trees change colour from green to
yellow and orange.
Place blue shape in the winter quadrant.
The season of Winter is a time when the weather is cooler. We wear jumpers to keep warm. Some
of the trees lose all their leaves.
Place green shape in the spring quadrant.
The season of Spring is a time when the leaves grow back on the trees, and flowers are
blossoming.
Point to spring quadrant.
After Spring we have summer again and so the seasons continue for the next year.
Engage in Wondering.
I wonderwhat season of the year is your favouritewhy some seasons are like some
colours.if you have a favourite colourhow we know when one seasons changes into
anotherif people change like the seasons.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 58
These are the four seasons of the year. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring. The Churchs year also
has seasons. Each season celebrates a part of Jesus life.
Put The Seasons of the Year circle aside.
This is Christmas.
Point to Easter.
This is Easter.
Point to the Christmas and Easter segments.
Because the seasons of Christmas and Easter are so important we need time to prepare to
celebrate them.
Place purple segments beside each other, below the Christmas and Easter ones on the underlay.
Look at this. The time for preparing for Easter is longer than the time for preparing for Christmas.
That is because Easter is the greatest feast of the Churchs year.
Place green segments beside each other, below purple segments on the underlay.
Were now going to put the Churchs seasons into the order of the Churchs year.
- 59
The Churchs year begins with Advent. Advent is the season for getting ready for Christmas. The
colour for getting ready is purple.
Place white Christmas segment on the circle.
Here is Christmas, the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Because this is a joyous
season the Church uses white.
Place smaller green Ordinary time segment on the circle.
A short green season of Ordinary Time comes next. This is one of the times when we remember
what Jesus said and did during his time on earth.
Place purple Lent segment on the circle.
Here is another purple getting ready time. This season is called Lent. It is a time for getting ready
to celebrate Easter. It is a longer getting ready time because Easter is the greatest season of the
Churchs year.
Place white Easter segment on the circle.
Here is the season of Easter. It is the time when we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. The
season of Easter is the most important celebration of the Churchs year. White is used in this
season of joy.
Place larger green Ordinary time segment on the circle.
Here is another ordinary season. The colour is green. The season is called Ordinary Time.
During the Sundays of Ordinary Time we remember what Jesus said and did during his life on
earth. This is the end of the Churchs year.
Point to Advent.
The seasons of the Church begin all over again here on the first week of Advent.
Point to and name each of the seasons.
All these seasons help us remember Jesus life and tell us about Gods love.
Engage in Wondering.
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
God of Freedom
YOU WILL NEED:
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place sand tray in middle of story circle.
Take three of the people out of the story box and place them in the sand to your right.
The people of Israel lived in Egypt for many years. Their numbers grew. Pharaoh, the King, made
the Israelites his slaves. They lived as slaves for many years. Life as a slave was hard. They
prayed to God to save them from slavery in Egypt.
Take rest of the people and place them in the sand with the others.
God heard the prayers of Israel and remembered the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob.
Place Moses in front of the group.
God called Moses to go to Pharaoh and give him Gods message, Let my people go.
Pharaoh would not listen. Many terrible things happened to Pharaoh and his people. But still
Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go.
Turn Moses to face the people of Israel.
One night Moses told the Israelites to eat a special meal of lamb and unleavened bread. They
called this the great Passover meal. Moses told the people to dress in travel clothes and be ready
to leave at a moments notice.
Finally Pharaoh agreed to let the people of Israel go.
Move Moses and the people one by one into the middle of the desert. Dont rush this as the children can engage
with the silence.
Moses gave the signal and all of Israel began the journey out of Egypt. They had to hurry. They
wanted to leave Egypt before Pharaoh changed his mind.
Place the blue felt across the sand tray in front of the people.
Pharaoh did change his mind. He sent his mighty army to find the Israelites and bring them back.
Soon the people of Israel were trapped between the powerful army of Egypt and the Red Sea.
Moses prayed to God.
Turn back each piece of felt, leaving a path through the water. Move the people through one at a time.
God is more powerful than any army. God separated the sea and made a path for the people of
Israel to walk across the sea on dry ground. The Israelites went across the sea where they were
safe and free.
Turn each piece of felt back to its original position.
Then God closed the path so that the army could not follow them.
- 65
Move the people into a circle with one person (Miriam) in the centre.
God had saved the people from slavery and had given them freedom. The whole of Israel praised
God. Miriam led them in dance and song.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p94.
- 66
bowl of water
jar of oil
candle
small white robe
bread
silver or plastic wine cup
baby doll
small towel
underlay
Symbol
Water
Action
Words
Water
Oil
Light
White robe
Bread
Wine
Oil
Light
Symbol
White
robe
- 67
Action
Words
Bread
Wine
Water
Oil
Light
White robe
Bread
Wine
- 68
a long piece of cloth or felt that could be rolled out to make a road
a simple cut out shape to represent the Fathers house and popsticks or cloth strips to form a
pigpen
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf
and carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Roll out the road, place the Fathers house at one end and the pigpen past the other end of the road but off to
one side as you say:
Jesus once told a story about a boy who was away from home for a long time. Jesus told this
story to help us understand what Gods love is like.
Bring the Father out and place on one side of the house. Bring the two sons out and place on the other side of
the house as you say:
One day, the younger son asked his father to give him a lot of the familys money so he could
leave home and go far away. The father gave him the money.
Move the younger son a little way along the road. Move the father in front of the house as if looking up the
road. Move the older brother off to the side (almost out of the scene).
Soon he had spent all the money the father had given him and he had nothing left. Now, he
was hungry and poor.
Move the son next to pigpen and bring out the pigs.
He got a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry he could have eaten the pigs food.
Move the son to the end of the road facing the direction of his fathers house.
He thought for a long time and made up his mind to go back to his father. He was going to ask
his father to take him back, not as a son but as a servant.
Move the son slowly down the road. Stop on the road, just over half way
- 69
Move the son on a little further and stop a short distance from the house. Move the father along the road
towards the son. Have father and son facing each other.
One day his father saw him in the distance and ran to meet him. He hugged him and kissed
him.
Walk father and son back down the road together and stand next to the house. Bring in the other extra
characters and place around them.
The boy was trying to say sorry, but the father quickly called his servants to get a party ready.
All the father wanted to do was celebrate and welcome his son home.
Bring father to the front as if addressing the crowd and hold your hand over him to indicate he is speaking.
My son was lost, he said, and now he is found. He was dead and has come back to life!
And they began to celebrate.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p112.
I wonder.the father might have felt when the his son went awayif you would like to work
all day feeding pigswhat it would belike to eat pigs foodhow the son felt after going back
to his father after having spent all his moneyhow the father felt when he saw the father
coming homeif it is easy to forgive someone who as upset youif you knew someone
who is like the father in this storyif you have ever had a welcome home party.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they
know how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 70
pig
pig
Father
pig
pig
pig
- 71
Other character
Other character
- 72
brother
Other character
Other character
- 73
Prodigal Son
- 74
Light yellow or cream felt background (the area between Jericho at Jerusalem was desert)
Felt road and rocks
2D characters: Good Samaritan, 2 robbers, priest, Levite, man, donkey
(see RE Online for 2D masters)
Jericho
Jerusalem
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Place the felt background in the middle of the story space.
Place the road on top of the background.
Place the rocks on both sides of the road with robbers under the rocks.
Place Jericho at the far end of the road away from you.
Place Jerusalem at the end closest to you.
One day Jesus was teaching the people to love God and their neighbours.
A man stood up and asked Jesus a question. And who is my neighbour?
To answer him, Jesus told this story.
Place man on the road near Jerusalem. Move him down the road a little way as you say:
Once a man was going down a lonely road from Jerusalem to Jericho,
Bring robbers out and place on top of the man.
when he was attacked by robbers. They took all that he had and bashed him until he was half
dead.
Move man to side of road. Remove robbers.
But, then, a Samaritan came down the road. He saw the man and felt sorry for him.
He knelt down and cleaned his injuries with oil and wine.
Place wounded man on donkey.
- 75
I wonder if the priest, who served in the Temple, was a good neighbour.
Replace priest with the Levite.
I wonder if the Levite, who helped in the Temple, was a good neighbour.
Replace Levite with Samaritan.
I wonderwhy the robbers bashed up the manif the priest who served in the temple was a
good neighbourif the Levite who helped in the temple was a good neighbourwho was a
good neighbour in this storywhy Jesus said go and do the same yourselfwhy Jesus told this
storywho our neighbours really areif you have people of different ages and cultures living
near youwhat happens when neighbours are unkind to one anotherhow neighbous can
care for one another.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 76
Robber
Priest
Donkey
Robber
- 77
Jericho
Levite
Jerusalem
- 78
Good Samaritan
Man
- 79
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you. Begin by saying
Have you ever woken up in a dark room? Sometimes during the night when you wake up from
your sleep, you turn on the light to see where you are.
Turn on bedside lamp or night light and continue
Perhaps when you were really little, you slept with a light beside your bed. Someone left the light
there to help you feel safe.
If you needed to get out of bed, that little light would show you the way.
Turn off the light and continue
Long before Jesus was born, the people of Israel waited and hoped for a great leader to become
their King. They waited and hoped for many years.
Place Easter Candle in the middle of the story circle. Place some of the figures in a circle around the unlit Easter
Candle.
This leader would be like a wonderful light in the darkness. God would anoint him to lead Israel.
Under his leadership there would be justice and peace.
People lived and died many generations passed, but this leader did not appear.
Place other figures in the circle around the unlit Easter Candle.
However, Israel continued to wait. The great leader would lead them out of darkness into the light
of a new world.
Finally this great leader did come as a little baby in Bethlehem.
Pick up infant Jesus and hold him for all the class to see and say
Do you know who this great leader is? Allow for children to respond. Jesus is this great leader.
Place Jesus, Mary and Joseph standing at the Easter Candle and light the candle as you say
Jesus is our light. He shows us how to follow God. When we live as God shows us there will be a
new world. There will be great peace everywhere and all creation will live in harmony.
Engage with I wonder, KWL p176
I wonderhow people feel when they are in t he dark.how people fee when they are in the
lightwhat it is like to wait and hope for.who were some of the people who waited for
Jesus.how you have felt when you have waited for something for a long time and it finally
happens.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.
- 80
A NEW LIGHT
(adapted from KWL Chapter 19)
YOU WILL NEED:
baby doll
3D figures: star, Mary, Joseph, stable, 3 wise men, King Herod, baby Jesus {Nativity set}
Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and
carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.
Cradle the baby doll in your arms and begin by saying
The birth of a baby is a wonderful event for the family. Family and friends are very excited and
everyone wants to see the new baby.
Ask the children if they can remember the birth of a baby in their own family. How did they feel? How did people
behave? Allow the children to share their experiences, then continue
Place doll at your side.
The birth of Jesus was also a wonderful time for Mary and Joseph.
Pick up the figures of the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph and place them in a nativity scene in a stable.
Not long after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, three wise men set out on a journey to look for this
special child.
Pick up and place the three wise men away from the nativity scene as if beginning a journey.
The wise men, or Magi, were from the east. They followed a bright star looking for the great
leader God had promised.
Hold the star above the nativity scene and turn the three wise men to look toward the star.
We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him, they said to King Herod. King Herod
was not happy.
Turn King Herod appropriately as you say
The King said to them, When you find this great leader let me know where he is so I too can go
and worship him.
Move the three wise men to continue their journey toward the nativity scene. Hold the star over the scene again.
The wise men continued to follow the star. It led them to Bethlehem.
Place the three wise men in front of the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph and continue
In Bethlehem they found Mary and Joseph with the little baby Jesus. The wise men were
overjoyed.
Move the three wise men one by one in front of Jesus as you say.
They bowed down and worshipped Jesus. Opening their treasures they presented Jesus with
gifts of gold, frankincense (a precious incense) and myrrh (rare oil).
Hold up and show the three presents.
In a dream God warned the wise men not to tell King Herod where Jesus was. Herod was jealous
of Jesus and wanted to hurt him.
- 81
Move the three wise men to journey back home deliberately avoiding the way to King Herod and say...
I wonderwhy families feel happy at the birth of a baby.who might visit the family when a
baby is bornwhat kinds of gifts people might bring to a new babyhow the wise men knew
that Jesus was a special baby.why the wise men brought him gifts of gold, frankincensce and
myrrhwhat gift would you bring Jesus if you were one of h three wise menwhy Herod was
unhappy about the birth of Jesus.
Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know
how to pack the materials away and where to find them.