Crossing the Red Sea Centers

To help us review the Red Sea lesson, we did the following centers.  The kids really enjoyed these activities.

The first thing we did was allowed them to make their own pillar of cloud and fire to take home.  This especially was great after the big hit it was during class.

Then, we gave each a child a SNACK size Zip-loc bag.  We put a little bit of toothpaste (usually a line of toothpaste squeezed at the very bottom of the bag) at the bottom of the bag and sealed it up.  Then we let them spread the toothpaste all over the bag.  Then we talked about how the Israelites crossed on fry land.  The children took their fingers and separated the toothpaste at one point on the bag to separate the toothpaste.  Then, we found footprint stickers for them to place on the dry land.

Their favorite center was the drama center where we let each child be Moses and separate the Red Sea.  Our Burning Bush mountain, turned into the mountain where Moses stood to cross the Red Sea.  Each child got to stand up on the mountain with a staff.  My helpers were on the floor by plastic blue tablecloths and when "Moses" raised his rod, the helpers raised the "waters."  The children who were not Moses were able to cross on dry land and they LOVED it!!!!!

They wanted to do this the next night as well!!

Pillar of Cloud/Fire

The night we learned about the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea, we briefly talked about how they followed God to where they were suppose to go.  We talked about how God led them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.  I made (very quickly) a pillar of cloud by gluing cotton balls to a white sheet of paper and I glued it to a Popsicle stick.  I made a pillar of fire by gluing red and yellow flames to a Popsicle stick.  

Here we are talking about what each meant and what the Israelites would do when they saw the pillars.

Then, I let them take turns being the leader (holding the pillar) and the rest of the class would follow behind the pillar.

Then we would sleep and another pillar would appear and we would follow it.

This wound up being an AMAZING tool for the rest of the week.  We would use it to line up to go to the other rooms we used and we used it to play "follow the leader" to review the lessons.

I would definitely do this again!!! I love it when those last minute ideas become wonderful ones you want to use again and again!

Moses Memories

Here are some ideas to use when teaching different parts of the life of Moses. These ideas are pretty simple but add so much to any lesson. You can also send these home with your students as memories (see the memory box post). The Golden Calf

Buy plastic cows (Wal-Mart 88 cent aisle or other dollar stores) and spray paint them gold.

Aaron's Rod to Snake

Find plastic snakes at any dollar store and Popsicle sticks. Have the students pretend to put their rod down and then change it out to be a snake.

Bronze Snake

Find plastic snakes at any dollar store and Popsicle sticks. You could spray paint the snakes a brass color if you wish.

Burning Bush - take off your sandals.

Make lacing sandals for your students out of foam (can be found at any craft store). Trace around a shoe for a pattern and then using a hole punch, punch holes around the sandals. Give each student 2 pieces of yarn to lace.

Pillar of cloud and fire

Using Popsicle sticks to create these pillars. Use construction paper to make the cloud and fire. You can glue cotton balls to the cloud or red glitter to the fire to add effects.