Lesson Plan: Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt
Target Audience: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Subject: Bible Story, Religion, Ancient History
Time Allotment: 45 minutes
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
Identify the main characters in the story: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, King Herod, and the angel.
Retell the key events of the story in simple terms: Joseph's dream, the journey to Egypt, and the return home.
Understand the main theme: God protects His people and has a plan for them.
Explain why the Holy Family had to travel to Egypt.
Describe some of the challenges of travel in ancient times.
Materials:
The story, "Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt."
A simple map showing the region of Israel (Bethlehem, Nazareth) and Egypt.
Drawing paper for each student.
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
Optional: A doll wrapped in a blanket (to represent Baby Jesus), scarves or cloth for costumes.
Lesson Procedure:
1. Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)
Gather the children and ask engaging questions to connect with their own experiences:
"Have you ever been on a really long trip in a car or on a plane? Where did you go?"
"Imagine you had to go on a long trip, but you had to walk or ride on a donkey! What things would you need to pack?"
"Today, we are going to hear a true story about a very special baby who had to go on a long, long journey with his family to stay safe."
2. Story Time (15 minutes)
Read the story, "Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt," aloud to the class.
Reading Strategy: Use an expressive and engaging tone. Pause at key moments to ask questions and check for understanding.
When the angel appears, you could whisper, as if sharing a secret.
When describing the desert, ask, "What do you think it feels like in a hot, sandy desert?"
Use the map to point out Bethlehem where they started and Egypt where they were going. Trace the long path with your finger to help them visualize the distance.
3. Group Discussion (10 minutes)
After the story, facilitate a discussion using questions from the article's FAQ and your own.
"Who came to Joseph in a dream to warn him?" (An angel)
"Why did the bad King Herod want to find Baby Jesus?" (He was afraid Jesus would become a king and take his place.)
"What country did Jesus' family escape to?" (Egypt)
"Was their trip easy or hard? Why?" (Hard! They had to walk through the desert, it was hot, etc.)
"What is the most important lesson from this story?" (That God always watches over us and keeps us safe.)
4. Creative Activity: The Journey (10 minutes)
Give each child a piece of paper and drawing supplies.
Refer to the "Call to Action" in the story: "Let's draw a picture of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus on their journey to Egypt."
Encourage them to include details from the story: the donkey, the desert, the stars at night, or Mary holding Jesus snugly.
While they draw, you can play soft, calming music and walk around to ask children about their drawings.
5. Conclusion & Wrap-up (5 minutes)
Gather the children together again. Allow a few volunteers to share their pictures and describe what they drew.
Summarize the lesson's main point: "Just like God had a special plan to keep Baby Jesus safe, He has a plan for each of you and will always watch over you."
End with a simple prayer, such as: "Dear God, thank you for protecting Baby Jesus. Thank you for protecting us and loving us every day. Amen."
Assessment:
Observe student engagement and responses during the discussion.
Review student drawings to see if they reflect the key elements of the story (the family, the journey).
Ask a student to retell their favorite part of the adventure.
No comments:
Post a Comment