Golden Calf Centers

Some of my favorite class activities came from this lesson.  We first talked about how Moses came down from the mountain and was so mad when he saw that the Israelites had made a golden calf.  He was so mad that he threw the 10 commandments down and smashed them everywhere.  So, I let the boys throw down graham crackers (relating to the snack the night before) on some paper.  At first, they were a little hesitant, but then got right into it.  They did a great job pretending to be mad throwing their graham crackers down.

Then, we talked about how Moses melted the golden calf down and made it into powder.  I had a golden calf (see picture at the bottom of this post) and put it over the campfire you see in this picture.  I switched the golden calf (that I had put in the pot that you also see in the picture below) and showed them how the fire made it into powder.  I had put UNsweetened lemonade powder in the pot before class began.  I showed them how Moses took the powder and poured it into their drinking water for the children of Israel to drink.  I had a pitcher of water and poured our powder into the water, mixing it up.  Then, I gave each child a cup with some of the water in it.  We had talked about how the water was very bitter for them to drink, and this showed them how bitter it was.

Their faces were so funny drinking the bitter water!!! One child actually liked it!! Go figure!

Then, we made golden calves.  I used the die cut machine again to make 3D golden calves for them to take home.

Of course, we had to have a picture of them with the golden calf - which I actually took on Tuesday night because I had to get their paper bag scrapbooks ready to give them this night.  Diane had found a blow up calf and spray painted it gold. They loved it!

We had a great time learning about Moses this year at VBS!

Golden Calf Snack

For the snack when we taught the golden calf, we gave each child a sugar cookie with a sad face.  This was to represent how sad Moses was when we saw what the children of Israel had done.  We also gave each of them an extra cookie!!!

Clothespin Animals

This is a cute and easy way to make any animal for any lesson you have.  We found a picture of a sheep, copied it on cardstock to make it sturdy, cut it out and added clothespins for the legs.  Easy for the children to use in the classroom during a review, as a craft, or as a take home.  The possibilities are endless!

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.