early foundations curriculum - kidsfaith home page€œyou look lovely,” said lili to her mother....

Early Foundations

Curriculum

Easter

Monthly Teaching Guide

Copyright Foundations Publishing, All Rights Reserved 2006

For Ages 2 to 6

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Early Foundations Equipping Churches, Empowering Parents

Easter

Table of Contents

Monthly Letter

Verse: Matthew 28:6

Song: This Little Light of Mine

Prayer

Sunday School Suggested Order of Activities

Week 1

Easter Morning

Craft: Easter Placard

Week 2

He Has Risen!

Craft: He Has Risen Page

Week 3

Doubting Thomas

Craft: Popsicle Puppets

Week 4

Caleb and Carly

Craft: Good News Poster

Assessment

Monthly Craft List

Supplemental Activity Pages

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Early Foundations Equipping Churches, Empowering Parents

Dear Parents,

Yet another month has come and gone! This is my favorite time of year, however, because it is such a reminder of

how great God is. This month’s theme is Easter and we are excited to share the Easter truth with our children. We

hope you enjoy this special time of year.

Our topic for this month is: Easter

We will be learning the verse: He is not here, he has risen just as he said. Matthew 28:6

Our song is: This Little Light of Mine

The books we will be reading are the following:

He Has Risen

Easter Morning

Doubting Thomas

Caleb and Carly

We will have copies of books, verses, and songs for you to read, explore, and discuss with your children, as well as

weekly study guides to assist you throughout the month.

We look forward to the month ahead and are excited about partnering with you to raise spiritual children in faith

and knowledge of Jesus.

Sincerely,

Children’s Ministry Director

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Song: This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine



Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine




Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins.

Thank you for rising again because you love me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

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Sunday School Suggested Order of Activities

10-15 minutes: Children Arrive; Playtime

5 minutes: Clean-up and gather for Circle time

15 minutes: Circle Time

Gather children around and welcome

Remind children of the Theme of the month

Sing Song

Say Verse

Read Story

Ask three questions

Explain Craft- show example

Pray

10 minutes: Craft

15 minutes: Playtime; Parent pick-up

**** All times are approximate. The order and length of the

circle time can be expanded. For example, if more than one

song is desired, then certainly that is encouraged. Furthermore,

expanded prayer times with prayer requests, longer welcoming

times getting to know students is helpful, and further follow-up

questions can be added naturally. These times are simply a

suggestion and were designed to create a cohesive and

consistent experience from week to week.

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Week One

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Easter Morning

Illustrated by Noel Tuazon

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The warm sunshine woke Lili up early.

“It’s Easter, it’s Easter,” she shouted jumping out of bed and

running to the living room.

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“I love Easter,” declared Lili’s mom while she made the toast.

“Hurry Lili, get ready for church,” said her dad stretching for

the sky. “It is a very important day; we don’t want to be late!”

Lili ate her last bite of toast and put her plate in the sink. She

brushed her teeth and hair then as fast as she could; she pulled

on her yellow Easter dress.

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“You look lovely,” said her mom while putting on her hat.

“So do you,” said Lili rubbing her fingers across the delicate

flowers on Mom’s dress.

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At church there were many new friends and families. Lili

quickly ran into Sunday school to see her teacher.

“Hi Lily,” said her teacher, “how are you on this special

morning?”

“I’m wonderful; I love Easter!”

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From a corner of the room a new friend named Eddie asked,

“Why do you love Easter? Why is today a special day?”

Lili looked at their new friend and smiled.

“Today is the day that we remember that Jesus rose from his

grave just like he promised; he is alive and he loves us!” said

Lili smiling.

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“That’s true,” said her teacher, “the Bible says that Jesus died

for us, but then he rose again. The angels told Mary: He is not

here; he has risen just as he said! Today we celebrate that he is

alive!”

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“Really?” asked Eddie, “You mean Easter isn’t about hiding

eggs, or Easter bunnies, or chocolate?”

“Those are all fun things,” said Lili, “but Jesus is the reason we

celebrate and the reason this day is so special.”

“That does make this day special,” said Eddie smiling at his

new friend.

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Classroom Questions

What new friend did Lili meet at Sunday school?

Why is Easter so special? What does it celebrate?

Is Easter about hiding eggs, Easter bunnies, or chocolate?

Parent/child weekly study

What did Lili do on Easter morning? What do we do in our

family?

Who was Lili’s new friend at Sunday school? Who are your

friends at Sunday school?

What does the Bible say about Jesus? Why do we

celebrate Easter?

Lili told Eddie about Jesus. She told him that Jesus loves him.

How do you think Eddie felt? Happy? Surprised? How do you

feel about Jesus?

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Weekly Craft Activity

Easter Placard

Materials:

Copy of Verse

Construction paper

Box of decorations

Glue

Yarn

• Glue the verse onto the construction paper.

• Decorate with various decorations.

• Attach Yarn to form a hanger.

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He is not here; he has risen

just as he said.

Matthew 28:6


just as he said.

Matthew 28:6


just as he said.

Matthew 28:6

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Toddler Version

Easter Morning

The sun woke Lili up very early on Easter morning.

“I love Easter,” said Lili’s Dad. Everyone agreed.

“You look lovely,” said Lili to her mother. “You do too.”

Lili’s family went to church to celebrate Easter.

There was a new friend at church. His name was Eddie.

The Sunday school teacher told Eddie all about Jesus.

Eddie and Lili were happy to know that Easter is about Jesus.

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Week Two

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He Has Risen!

Illustrated by Jean Evanson

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Mary was very sad.

One of her best friends, Jesus, had died, and was buried in a

tomb.

The tomb had large round rock in front of it; it was so big that

no one could move it alone.

Every day Mary would visit the tomb and remember her best

friend Jesus.

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It had been three days since Jesus had died, but this morning

was special.

Mary got up extra early and went to the tomb, but when she got

there an amazing thing had happened: the stone had been rolled

away.

At first this made Mary very scared, for no one could move the

stone alone because it was so big!

Then Mary felt very sad because she thought someone had

stolen Jesus’ body from the tomb.

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But then Mary was surprised because when she looked inside of

the tomb she saw two angels dressed all in white and shining

like the sunshine.

“Why are you sad?” they asked Mary.

“I am sad because someone has taken my friend Jesus,” replied

Mary.

“He is not here, he has risen just as he said,” said the angels.

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Mary was so happy! She ran home and told all of her friends,

“Jesus is alive! He has risen!”

Jesus was alive and he came and visited all of his friends and

family.

Jesus kept his promises and loves every one of us! He died for

us, but now he is alive!

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Classroom Questions

Why was Mary sad?

Who did Mary see in the tomb?

What did they tell Mary?


What did Mary do every day after Jesus died? What do you do

every day?

What happened to the rock in from of Jesus’ tomb? Who do you

think moved it?

Mary was surprised when she saw the angels. What do you

think they looked like?

Mary went and told all of her friends that Jesus was alive. We

should tell our friends too. Who could we tell about Jesus?

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He Has Risen Page

Materials:

He has Risen! Picture

Cut out stones

Angel picture

Crayons

Glue

Dowels

• Children color the angel and the picture of the tomb.

• Glue the angel inside of the tomb.

• Attach the stone to the paper with a dowel.

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Toddler Version

He Has Risen

Mary was very sad because Jesus had died.

She went to Jesus’ tomb, but found a wonderful thing; the stone

was rolled away and Jesus was not there.

Inside there were two angels. “Don’t be afraid,” they told Mary.

“Jesus is alive!”

Mary was happy because Jesus is Alive!

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Week Three

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Doubting

Thomas


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There once was a man named Thomas. He was a brave man,

and a friend of Jesus’. In fact, he was one of Jesus’ disciples.

After Jesus died on the cross, Thomas was very sad. He really

missed Jesus. Jesus was his best friend, and he wished he could

see him again and talk to him like he always had.

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One day Thomas was walking along the road when he heard his

friend Peter come running.

“Thomas, Jesus is alive, and we saw him!” Peter was very

excited, but Thomas was still sad.

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He didn’t believe Peter, he knew that Jesus had died and he

missed him so much that he didn’t want to be teased.

“I don’t believe you,” Thomas said. “I won’t believe that Jesus

is alive until I see him.”

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When Thomas arrived at his home, Mary was there. She told

him about the angels she saw at Jesus’ tomb. She told him about

the angels talking to her and telling her, “He is not here; he has

risen just as he said.”

Then she told him that she saw Jesus.

But Thomas still did not believe her.

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The next week Thomas was eating dinner with the other

disciples.

Suddenly Jesus appeared with them. Thomas was so surprised

and so happy at the same time.

There was Jesus standing right in front of him! He was alive!

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Thomas didn’t doubt anymore, he knew that Jesus is alive, just

as he is alive today for all of us.

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Follow-Up Classroom Questions

Why was Thomas sad?

What did Peter and Mary tell Thomas?

What made Thomas happy?

Parent/Child Weekly study

Have you ever been really sad like Thomas? When and Why?

Why do you think Thomas didn’t believe his friends when they

told him Jesus was alive?

Have I ever told you something that you didn’t believe? What

was it? Why didn’t you believe me?

What emotions do you think Thomas felt when he saw Jesus?

Happiness? Surprise? Excitement? When have you felt this

way?

Jesus is still alive today. We can talk to him whenever we

want- just like Thomas. What would you like to say to Jesus?

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Popsicle Puppets

Materials:

Pictures of Jesus and Thomas

Popsicle sticks

Glue or tape

Crayons

• Have children color the pictures of Jesus and Thomas.

• Glue or tape the pictures onto the Popsicle sticks.

• Talk about Jesus appearing to Thomas and how it must

have felt.

• Demonstrate how the puppets can act out the story.

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Toddler Version

Doubting Thomas

Thomas was sad because Jesus had died.

But then his friend Peter told him, “Jesus is alive! I saw him.”

“I don’t believe you,” said Thomas. “I want to see Jesus again.”

Then his friend Mary said, “Jesus is alive! I saw him.”

The next week Jesus appeared to Thomas; He was alive!

Thomas was so happy! He knew Jesus was alive!

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Week Four

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Caleb and Carly


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“I heard a sad story the other day,” said Carly while she drew a

picture of the Easter bunny on her paper.

“Really?” asked Caleb who was looking at a magazine.

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“Yes, it is about a man named Jesus. He was a really good

man; in fact he was the Son of God. He did all sorts of

wonderful things like healing sick people, and telling others to

be nice to one another.”

“Yeah, I know about Jesus,” said Caleb flipping the page.

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“Well, I don’t really understand the end of the story,” said Carly

switching to a blue crayon. “Even though Jesus did all these

great things, and even though he was very wise, people didn’t

like him. They convinced other people that Jesus should die. I

think it is very sad.”

“It is very sad,” said Caleb, “but the story doesn’t end when

Jesus dies.”

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Caleb closed his magazine. He sat down next to Carly and

speckles the cat climbed into his lap.

“It is true that Jesus died, but he died to save us from our sins.

He died on a cross, and he was buried in a tomb. But after three

days he rose again. He came back to life!

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You see, after he died, his good friend, Mary, went to his tomb

and there were two angels there. They told her that Jesus was

alive, and then she saw him.

His other disciples also saw him. He spent a lot of time with

them before he left and went to be with God in heaven where

he is today.”

“So even though he had to die, he rose from the dead and is

alive today!” said Carly.

“That’s right, and that’s why we celebrate Easter, to remember

that Jesus is alive! He lives in heaven and in the hearts of those

who love him.” concluded Caleb.

“That is a good ending!” said Carly smiling.

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Classroom Questions

Who is Jesus?

Why did God send him to earth?

Why did Jesus die for us?

What happened after he died?


What did Carly tell Caleb about Jesus’ life? What did he do

before he died?

How did Jesus die? Where was he buried?

What happened after three days?

Why do we celebrate Easter?

What was the ‘good ending’ to this story?

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Good 'ews Poster

Materials:

Construction paper

Copy of Good News Page

Scissors

Crayons

Glue

• Have students color the pictures on the Good News page.

• Students then cut out the pictures (age appropriateness

observed) and glue them onto the construction paper in

order.

• Talk to students about the story and the good news of

Jesus.

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Toddler Version

Caleb and Carly

“I heard a sad story the other day,” said Carly to Caleb.

“It was a sad story about Jesus,” said Carly.

“The story of Jesus isn’t sad, it is happy!” said Caleb.

“Jesus did die, but then he rose again, and he is alive today!”

“All of his friends saw him; they were all happy that he was

alive!”

“We celebrate Easter to remember that Jesus is alive!”

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Monthly Assessment: Easter

Your child: Age: Date:

Progress: Mastered Developing New N/A

Sings: This little light of mine

Can recite: Matt. 28:16

Can explain the meaning

of Easter

Prays about Easter

Comments:

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Monthly Craft List: Easter

Week 1: Framed Verse

Copy of Verse

Popsicle sticks

Box of Decorations

Glue

Yarn

Week 2: Jesus in the Clouds

Cotton balls

Construction paper (any color)

Copy of Jesus

Crayons

Glue

Week 3: Paper Bag Puppets

Small paper bags

Beads

Glue

String

Crayons

Miscellaneous Items

Week 4: Paint Paul’s Experience

Construction Paper- white or neutral

Copies of Paul- cut out

Yellow Water Colors or yellow tempura paint

Brushes/Water

Glue

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Supplemental Pages

These supplemental pages were designed to give the teacher

further options for crafts or activities in the classroom.

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Match the Letters

What does it say?

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Foundations Publishing

For more information or to order please visit:

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