Christmas Countdown Chain

At the beginning of the month, the boys made a Christmas Countdown Chain. These ring chains are fairly common. But thanks to an idea in our Christmas Adventure series we're using, we added scriptures to each day. The kids enjoyed putting the scriptures on the rings. Then each day they cut a ring off (each boy has his own color) and read the scripture out loud. It just adds one more spiritual aspect to the month, keeping the focus on Jesus and God's word as they eagerly anticipate Christmas.

All we needed was: construction paper (3 colors for 3 boys) cut into strips, Bible scriptures printed and cut out (or you could handwrite them on each chain), glue sticks, and staples/stapler (we used green ones - more festive). Simple yet effective. The kids enjoy the scriptures on these rings everyday.


The boys are hard at work :)



Ta-Da! Let the countdown begin!

Our School Plan: Bible Study, Virtues, and Character Training

"Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

I'm looking forward to having more structure in the boys' Bible study, virtues, and character training this year. These things are more important than scholastic training, so I've tried to really evaluate our schedule and see how to more effectively implement multiple things. It is important for them to read stories in the Bible and understand the Old and New Testament. It is also important for them to fill their moral warehouse with godly character and virtues, so they can grow to become godly men. So I've chosen books and activities from various sources.

Our Books

Monday

Children's Bible by Golden Press (independent)

Extreme Life Quiet Time Journal for Preteens (Ian only)

The Young Peacemaker by Corlette Sande (as a group)

Tuesday

Children's Bible by Golden Press (independent)

Extreme Life Quiet Time Journal for Preteens (Ian only)

The Young Peacemaker by Corlette Sande (as a group)

Bible copywork

Wednesday

Children's Bible by Golden Press (independent)

Extreme Life Quiet Time Journal for Preteens (Ian only)

Child's Bible Reader (read aloud with Mom)

Thursday

Children's Bible by Golden Press (independent)

Extreme Life Quiet Time Journal for Preteens (Ian only)

Building Christian Character by Teacher Creater Materials (activity as a group)

The Children's Book of Virtues by William Bennett (read aloud with Mom)

Friday

Children's Bible by Golden Press (independent)

Extreme Life Quiet Time Journal for Preteens (Ian only)

Building Christian Character by Teacher Creater Materials (as a group)

Gracious Living copywork

 

I've organized folders for the older boys that contain their copywork pages, Peacemaker activity pages, and Christian Character activity pages, already printed and ready to go. Plus I'll be adding some crafts or fun things along the way. I'll also sit wth my youngest and read his Bible stories to him, since he won't be ready for all the independent work yet. Last year I found myself scrambling a lot, so this year I'm trying to stay ahead of the game. Prayerfully this will increase our success.

Parables of Jesus - Scripture Adventures

I recently found out about Scripture Adventures from another site (I apologize for not remembering where - I was in research mode at the time). They have some really great looking Bible studies to do with the kids. We've tried different Bible studies with the kids, but we're always looking for something new that will keep our attention (and more importantly the kids' hearts).

Scripture Adventures has full curriculum series for the Old Testament, Life of Christ, and Acts of the Apostles. But since I am looking for something to do this summer with the kids, I was happy to find they have a few shorter series including Learning about Jesus and their Celebrate series, featuring holidays.

Today I started the Parables of Jesus series with the kids. I am excited because we'll be doing a parable each week, which should get us through the summer. If all goes well, then I'll look into one of their full curriculums for the Fall.

 I found the "Learn about Jesus: Parables of Jesus" download on CurrClick for a little less money than the Scripture Adventures website. CurrClick also has the full curriculum series available in smaller parts, but beware you'd end up spending more money to get the full set than you would on Scripture Adventures website.

If you'd like to browse through the Parables of Jesus lessons, just click here or on the photo above, and it will direct you to CurrClick and the Parables of Jesus product.

There are also a few FREE Scripture Adventure products on CurrClick right now. Just click and check them out:

* 21 Day Bible Memory Verse Challenge
* Easter Lapbook
* A Passover Celebration for Christian Families
* Summer Reading Chart