Lesson Plan- (Pre K - K): Birth of Jesus

Birth of Jesus (You can break this lesson down into 4 to cover the Birth of Jesus, The Shepherds, The Escape to Egypt, and the Wise Men.)


Objectives: The children will be able to
- retell the story of Jesus’ birth
- identify that Jesus was born in a stable and on Christmas



Review:
Prayer and questions from last week’s lesson



Vocabulary Words:

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Christmas Word Wall (scroll down to this). 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.

dltk-bible.com- Christmas Word Wall Word Templates (scroll down to bottom for this). 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. Use the cards you want that are posted.



Plan:


Circle Time:

Read story: “A Baby In A Basket” (Snip and Tell Bible Stories by Karyn Henley, page 22 & 24) and do cut outs as the story unfolds. Or you can use your own Bible story book.

Then ask some of the questions from below:

1. What town was Jesus born in? (Bethlehem)

2. Why did Joseph take Mary to Bethlehem? (To register so they could be taxed.)

3. Where was it that there was no room? (The inn.)

4. Where was Jesus born? (In a stable.)

5. How many Wise Men were there? (3)

6. Who came and brought gifts for Jesus? (The Three Wise Men.)

7. How did the Wise Men find Jesus? (They followed a very bright star.)

8. Why did Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt? (So King Herod could not kill Jesus.)

9. When King Herod died where did Joseph take Mary and Jesus? (To live in Nazareth.)



Songs and/or Finger Plays:

Introduce songs and/or finger plays: What town was Jesus born in?

Five Happy Shepherds (finger play)- Pray & Play Bible for Young Children by Group Publishing, page 101.

Going To Bethlehem, Christmas Is Jesus’ Birthday, Jesus Is Our Gift (songs)- Pray & Play Bible 2 by Group Publishing, page 111.

prekfun.com- Baby Jesus Songs, Poems, and Fingerplays

theholidayzone.com- Christmas Action Rhymes and Fingerplays for Children

youtube.com- Wise Men & Baby Jesus (Preschool Finger Play Song)

apples4theteacher.com- Songs and Christmas Carol Lyrics



Activities:

Introduce activities: Where was it that there was no room?

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

clclutheran.org- The Birth of Jesus lesson with activities

hubbardscupboard.org- Celebrating the Birth of Christ (activities)

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Christmas Bible Lesson Plans includes printables, crafts, and more (scroll down for this)

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Tons of Christmas Bible Printables

missionarlington.org- Your Savior is Born (scroll down to Preschool Lesson)
Luke 2:1-20



Crafts:

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Christmas Story Finger Puppets, Names of Jesus Advent Craft, Nativity Craft for Kids, Christmas Crafts for Kids, etc. (scroll down for these)

daniellesplace.com- Christmas Crafts for Kids (more pages at the bottom)


Introduce craft: Where was Jesus born? In a stable.

fcpeace.com- Paper Bag Manger Scene
Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 49 – 52

catholicicing.blogspot.com- DIY Printable Nativity for Kids by Lacy
Complete directions and printable templates

Birth of Jesus 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 & 44.)

Christmas- Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 33 & 34.)



Introduce crafts: How did the Wise Men find Jesus?

powerfulmothering.com- Craft Stick Stars
An easy and pretty star craft made out of paddle pop sticks (popsicle sticks), paint, and glitter.

hellokids.com- Popsicle Stick Star of David
A very simple star made out of 6 popsicle sticks.

dltk-holidays.com- Three Wisemen Paper Crafts

Potato Stars- Paint, glitter, and a potato can help make a beautiful night sky. Even though this comes from a preschool craft book, it is appropriate for older children to do. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 53).

The Wise Men Visit Jesus- Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 35 & 36.)



Other crafts-

Shine On- Students make punched-tin candleholders. (Bible Story Crafts & Projects Children Love by Kathy Ross, page 71).

noelnoelnoel.com- Festive Candle Holder
Cute, easy craft made out of a baby food jar and tissue paper. Tip: Make a mixture of half water and half glue in a paper cup. Paint with a paintbrush or a Q-tip a small area on each jar with the glue mixture, then cover the area with small pieces of tissue paper. Use a variety of colored paper to cover the entire jar with two or three layers of tissue paper. Coat the finished jar with thinned glue to seal.

Glitter and Sugar Ornament- A fun and easy way to make lots of pretty ornaments to decorate your Christmas Tree. A sample craft from Kathy Ross' book: The Best Holiday Crafts Ever!, page 144 & 145.

christiancrafters.com- Scroll down to Christmas & Advent



Games:

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Christmas Story Sequencing Cards, Nativity Matching File Folder Game, Christmas File Folder Games, etc. (scroll down for these)


Introduce game: What town was Jesus born in? Bethlehem

learningtreasures.com- Nativity Dominoes to print out and play

diva-girl-parties-and-stuff.com- Right, Left, Christmas Game
A fun way to review the story of the birth of Jesus.

sundayschoolnetwork.com- Christmas Games (8 Christmas games posted here)





Gifts For Baby Jesus File Folder Game: The object of this game is to be the first to collect gold, frankincense, and myrrh.




Snacks:

Introduce snack: Where was baby Jesus laid into?

dltk-kids.com- Edible Manger



Introduce snack: How did the Wise Men find Jesus? They followed a very bright star.

pillsbury.com- Gingerbread Stars

bettycrocker.com- Cheesy Stars

Peanut Butter and Jelly Stars- Get a large star shaped cookie cutter and make star shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Spread peanut butter on star shaped crackers.



Coloring/Puzzles:

Prayers while students are doing worksheets and/or coloring.

christianpreschoolprintables.com- Christmas Story Sequencing Cards, Happy Birthday Jesus Puzzle, etc. (scroll down for these)

sermons4kids.com- Jesus’ Birth (coloring page)

sermons4kids.com- Manger (coloring page)

sermons4kids.com- Jesus is Born (coloring page)

dltk-teach.com- The Life of Jesus (mini book)

lambsongs.co.nz- 9 Christmas booklets
Print these out for the children to color or print them in color.

dltk-bible.com- Christmas Story Tracer Pages
Free printable templates that children can color in while learning to print and spell simple words.


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.

C Christmas- (handwriting)

first-school-ws- J Jesus (handwriting)

ateachingmommy.com- Free Nativity Printables

christiananswers.net- One Night in Bethlehem (dot-to-dot)

christiananswers.net- The Manger (dot-to-dot)

christiananswers.net- The Wisemen’s Guiding Star (dot-to-dot)

tlsbooks.com- Star (tracing worksheet)
Trace the star and write what shape it is.

handwritingforkids.com- Star (tracing) worksheet

worksheetunivers.com- Color the stars according to the directions given.

Shepherd’s Visit (maze)- Bible Story Puzzles by Linda Standke page 21.

Jesus’ Birth (connect the pictures that go together)- Bible Story Puzzles by Linda Standke page 20.

A Bed of Straw (dot-to-dot)- Dot-To-Dot Bible Pictures by Linda Standke, page 16.

A Star Led Them (dot-to-dot)- Dot-To-Dot Bible Pictures by Linda Standke, page 17.

Magi Visit (dot-to-dot)- Bible Story Puzzles by Linda Standke, page 22.

Escape to Egypt (cut the pictures and glue together on another sheet of paper)- Bible Story Puzzles by Linda Standke, page 23.

Shepherds Find the Savior (find the hidden pictures)- Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word PK-K by Linda Standke, page 18.

The Magi Seek Jesus (find the hidden pictures)- Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word PK-K by Linda Standke, page 19.

The Savior Is Born (dot to dot) page 80, Baby Jesus (circle hidden letters) page 81, Jesus’ Birth (connect the pictures) page 82, Baby Jesus Is Born (maze) page 83, A Bed of Straw (dot-to-dot) page 84, Shepherds Visit (maze ) page 85, Shepherds Find the Savior (hidden picture) page 86, Magi Visit (dot-to-to) page 87, The Magi Seek Jesus (hidden picture) page 88, A Star Led Them (dot-to-dot) page 89, Escape to Egypt (cut the pictures and glue together on another sheet of paper - puzzle) page 90- Bible Story Puzzle ‘n’ Learn! PK-K

An Angel Tells Good News- Connect the dots in the picture to see who brought Mary good news. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 9).

Joseph Cares for Mary- In the space draw a picture of what the angel told Joseph in his dream. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 10).

A Trip to Bethlehem- Look at the two pictures. The second picture has 6 missing parts. Circle the missing parts. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 12).

Angels Tell Shepherds the Good News- Match the angels. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 13).

Wise Men Visit Jesus- Find the matching pictures and draw lines to them. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 14).

Go to Egypt- Help Joseph take Mary and Jesus to Egypt (maze). (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 15).