Lesson Plan- (Pre K - K): Jonah and the Whale

Jonah and the Whale

Objectives: The children will be able to
- retell the story of Jonah and the Whale
- discuss that even if we don’t understand God’s purpose, we should still obey



Review:
Prayer and questions from last week’s lesson.


Vocabulary Words:

dltk-bible.com- Jonah Word Wall Words: Word wall templates are large flash card printables that you can hang on the wall to aid children when they are learning or using new vocabulary words.



Plan:


Circle Time:

Read story: "Jonah and the Whale" from your own story book. Or while you are reading the story do cut outs (Snip-And-Tell Bible Stories by Karyn Henley, page 55 - 58) as the story unfolds.

Or tell the story using childrensministryvault.com- Memorable Balloon Story of Jonah and the Fish

Or use lambsongs.co.nz- “Jonah Tries To Run Away” by Jill Kemp (booklet or one page Bible story you can color (scroll down for this)

Then ask questions from below.

1. What did God want Jonah to do? (Go to Nineveh, Go to Jerusalem)

2. Why did God want Jonah to go there? (Because they did bad things, Because they did good things)

3. What did Jonah do? (Went straight to Nineveh, Ran away and got on a ship)

4. What happened when Jonah was on the ship? (A whale ate the ship, A big storm started)

5. What did Jonah ask the sailors to do? (Throw him overboard, Take him to shore)

6. Did the storm stop then? (Yes, No)

7. What happened to Jonah after they threw him overboard? (He drown, A huge fish swallowed him)

8. What did Jonah do inside the huge fish? (He prayed, He cried)

9. What did God tell the huge fish to do? (Swim around the world, Spit out Jonah)

10. What did Jonah do then? (Went to Nineveh, Ran home)



Songs and/or Finger Plays:

Introduce songs and/or finger plays: Do we only obey God when we want to? When should we obey God? Should we always obey God even if we do not understand the reason why he wants us to obey? Why?

Wee Sing Bible Songs- Who Did Swallow Jonah?

kididdles.com- Who Did Swallow Jonah? (song)

clclutheran.org-Jonah and the Big Fish, Jonah (songs), page 2



Activities:

Introduce activities: What swallowed Jonah?

dltk-bible.com- Jonah lesson with memory verse, teacher's guide, puzzles, take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts, etc.

daniellesplace.com- The Story of Jonah and the Whale lesson with crafts, games, activities, etc.

clclutheran.org- Jonah lesson with activities (neat craft!)

pammshouse.com- Jonah & Ocean lesson with activities



Introduce activity: What do you think it is like inside a whale? Let’s find out!

A Whale of a Tale- A fun activity that students will discover what it might have been like inside the big fish. (Bible Story Crafts & Projects Children Love by Kathy Ross, page 54).



Crafts:

Introduce craft: What swallowed Jonah? A whale.

The Big Fish- Watch Jonah disappear into the big fish. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 28 & 29).

Jonah Story Wheel- Children turn their story wheel dials to retell the Bible story they learned over and over again. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke. Directions on page 37 - 39, craft template on page 40 & 46.)

Jonah & the Big Fish- Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 31 & 32.)

gospelhall.org- Jonah the Disobedient Prophet
Printable paper doll objects for telling the story. Print out the pages you want your students to do.

kidssundayschool.com- Jonah & the Big Fish
A whale of a craft that helps kids remember Jonah's story.

clclutheran.org- Lunch Bag Fish (scroll down for this craft)

whitewatervalley.org- Jonah and the Big Fish Shaker
Scroll down to page 2 Wednesday: Jonah - Jonah 1:1-17 & 2:10.

Jonah and the Raging Sea- Crafts by Group Publishing, page 110.

Jonah in the Whale- Bible Story Crafts for Little Hands by Sally Springer, page 63.

In the Belly of the Big Fish- (I Can Make It Myself by Group Publishing, page 46 & 47.) You can also have the students decorate a clothes pin like Jonah and have the whale try to swallow him.

Jonah in the Big Fish Puppet- Students make a very creative puppet to act out the story "Jonah and the Big Fish". (Crafts from your favorite Bible Stories by Kathy Ross, pages 36 & 37).

Jonah Into the Whale Flip Game- A fun craft and game all rolled into one. (Crafts to make in the Fall by Kathy Ross, pages 26 & 27).

On the Inside- Students make a craft and see Jonah in the belly of the fish. (Bible Story Crafts & Projects Children Love by Kathy Ross, pages 55 & 56).



Games:

Introduce game: What was today’s Bible story about?

Trust Trash- This game will help your kids discover why trusting God is important through the story of Jonah and the big fish. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 65).

Tail of a Big Fish- Kids will play a slow chasing game and see why Jonah should have obeyed God. (The Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry by Group Publishing, page 68.)
daniellesplace.com- Several Jonah games posted (scroll down to these)

VeggieTales® Jonah: The Overboard Adventure Game- Join Jonah in his misadventures as he tries to abandon his assignment to deliver a message of mercy to the people of Nineveh. He sets sail with the “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything”, meets Khalil the worm, survives stormy waters, learns the true meaning of “go fish”, walks the plank, gets swallowed by an enormous ‘fish”, and ultimately is given his second chance by being “burped up” on shore. Spin the spinner and follow Jonah’s path to Nineveh while collecting reminders of Jonah’s encounters. But be careful of possible setbacks along the way! Inspired by Jonah - a VeggieTales Movie, children will play this hilarious fast-paced game time after time.



Snacks:

Introduce snack: What swallowed Jonah? A whale.

Make Jell-O Jigglers of fish/whale shapes and put a gummy shape person inside.



Coloring/Puzzles:

Prayers while students are doing worksheets and/or coloring.

jewishpeople.com- Jonah and the Whale (coloring)

lambsongs.co.nz- “Jonah Tries To Run Away” by Jill Kemp (booklet or one page Bible story you can color (scroll down for this)

primarygames.com- W is for Whale (handwriting)

More 365 Activities for Kids (do any of the Jonah puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot, spot the difference, etc. from July 16 - 22).

Swallowed by a Fish- Amazing Bible Mazes by Anita Reith Stohs

biblewise.com- Jonah and the Great Fish (maze)

dltk-bible.com- Jonah (maze)
kidssundayschool.com- What happened to Jonah? (dot-to-dot)

The Belly of a Fish (dot-to-dot)- Dot to Dot Bible Pictures: PK – K by Linda Standke, page 15.

The Belly of a Fish (dot-to-dot)- Bible Story Puzzle ‘n’ Learn! PK - K, page 77.

Jonah and the Fish (find the hidden picture)- Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word: PK – K by Linda Standke, page 16.

Rescued by a Fish (maze) page 74, Jonah (word search) page 75, Jonah and the Fish (hidden picture) page 76, The Belly of a Fish (dot-to-dot) page 77- Bible Story Puzzle ‘n’ Learn! PK - K

kidzone.ws- Ocean Themed Math Pages Count and trace & dot-to-dot worksheets


The activity below is free, however it can only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on these activities are not my own and are from various internet sources.

J is for Jonah- handwriting & coloring sheet