(Originally Posted in the Rotation.org JUNE 2011 EMAIL NEWSLETTER)

Clothesline Sorting Game

Summary

Review the order, or sequence, of the events of a Bible story by playing a clothesline sorting game.

Materials:

Bible(s); Chairs (two); Clip clothespins; Clothesline; Construction paper; Markers.

Advance Preparation:

String clothesline between two classroom chairs.

Method:

Print a word or a phrase about each part of the narrative on a separate piece of construction paper.  Turn the sheets face down, mix them up, and gather them into a stack.  In turn, each player picks a paper from the top of the pile, reads the words, and hangs it on the clothesline in its proper sequence.  Once the pieces are hung -- compare the sequence to the actual events of the Bible story.

Instead of a clothesline, the sheets may be sorted into many other materials such as cans labeled first, second, and so forth, or manila envelopes designated beginning, middle, and end.  For a sequencing activity based on a theme such as the books of the Bible, the names may be written on cups, footprints, or stones, and placed in order.

Contributor:  Phyllis Wezeman