Make animal puppets and masks to supplement a lesson on Noah's ark.
Noah was asked by God to build an ark and fill it with two of each kind of animal. Plan games and crafts to help students remember how Noah obeyed God. When you begin or end each activity or game, summarize the story of Noah and the ark for the class again. This will help them associate the craft or game with the lessons you have taught in class.
Name That Color
After Noah and his family leave the ark, God promises to never flood the earth in such a way again. God places a rainbow in the sky for Noah and his family to see and asks them to remember this promise whenever they see a rainbow. To play a game using the rainbow, have all the students except one arrange chairs in a circle like musical chairs. The one child without a chair will go to the center of the circle. When everyone is seated, the child in the center calls out a color from the rainbow. If any students sitting down have on that color they have to go to the center of the circle. On the count of three they have to find a new seat. They cannot return to their original seat. The last person standing calls the next color. When the game is over, remind students of the significance of the rainbow.
Animal Masks
God tells Noah that he must find two of each animal and place them on the ark. Your students can become the animals by making their own crafts. Give each student paper plates and scissors. Have them cut out eyes and mouths. If they are too young to handle scissors, assist them. Use yarn, crayons, markers and construction paper to make manes, feathers and ears for the animals. Have the students hold up their masks to their faces. Punch a hole on either side of the plate just above the kids' ears. Tie yarn to the holes to help the students' masks stay on.
Noah and the Animals
Instead of playing "Simon Says," play a version where Noah asks the animals to bark, run around or quack. You can be Noah or select a child to stand up at the front of the class to lead. Then, have the other students stand so they have enough room to move around. Noah calls out an animal sound or movement for the other students to do. However, Noah must begin the sentence with "Noah says..." If he doesn't say this, and a student follows the command, he must sit down. Continue until only one student is left. This person is the winner.
Finger Puppets
Make animal finger puppets from felt squares. Cut the squares into rectangles. They should be about 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. These will be the body of the animals. Glue the shorter ends together to form a tube. Then, glue one end of the tube for the top of the finger puppet. Repeat with different colors of felt and make enough for students to create three or four puppets. Let the kids use feathers, googly eyes, permanent markers, feathers and any leftover felt pieces to decorate their puppets.
Tags: they have, center circle, help students, Make animal, Noah family, other students