These teaching tips were published in various rotation.org email newsletters, produced and edited by Ken and Phyllis Wezeman.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLOR WITH CHALK
From the February 2005 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Chalk; Chalk board or window(s); Containers for water; Paper; Pencils or pens; Water
METHOD
Do a chalk talk on a traditional surface such as a chalkboard or on a unique background like a window. If windows are selected, use many panes to depict various parts of a Scripture passage. Be sure to obtain permission to use the glass and promise to clean it when finished with the project. It may be helpful to sketch the design on paper before beginning the work on the windows. Use wet chalk to draw the pictures on the glass. Images can range from full scenes to stick figures. Pictures may be drawn at an appropriate point in the telling of the story, as an introduction to the theme, or as a review of a lesson or unit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLIP THE FACTS
From the May 2005 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Hole punch; Markers; Newsprint; Overhead projector (Optional); Pencils; Post-it Notes (Optional); Poster board; Ribbon, string or yarn
METHOD
Illustrate the main parts of a story on full sheets of poster board or newsprint and make a flip chart out of them. If diagrams or patterns are used, project the designs on a wall with an overhead machine. Trace the shapes onto the paper. Create a 3-D effect on the pages by adding textured fabric, paper, and other materials. Punch holes in the top of each picture and tie the sheets together with ribbon, string, or yarn. Flip the pages to tell the story. Invite the participants to review the message by making mini-flip charts on post-it notes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BREATH PAINTED CROSS
From the October 2006 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Construction paper; Drinking straws, cut in half; Food coloring in plastic squeeze bottles; Pens or fine-tipped markers; Scissors; White paper, 8 1/2" x 11".
METHOD
In Galatians Paul challenges his readers to celebrate the free gift of salvation that God offers to believers. He states that salvation is available through faith in Jesus Christ because of God's grace. Faith in Christ means freedom from the bondage of sin and freedom to love and to serve the risen Savior.
Since many celebrations of freedom include a display of fireworks, create a colorful exhibit by using a blow painting technique. Because the cross of Christ is central to the Christian's celebration of freedom, select an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper and draw the shape of a cross in the center of the sheet. Using different hues of food coloring as the paint and drinking straws as the paintbrushes, create a fireworks display. Put a drop of food coloring on a sheet of white paper. Hold a straw perpendicular to the paper, with the end of the straw almost touching the food coloring. Blow through the straw to move the "paint" and to create interesting designs on the paper. Continue the procedure with additional colors. Print the words "Celebrate Freedom in Christ" on the painting. When the artwork is dry, mount the picture on a corresponding color of construction paper.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EIGHT FRAME CARTOON
From the December 2006 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Colored pencils or fine-tipped markers; Paper; Paper cutter or scissors; Pencils or pens; Rulers.
METHOD
As a way to remember a Bible story, draw a series of cartoons to depict each portion of it. Select a long, narrow strip of paper -- 20" x 4" -- that has been divided into six to eight frames. Using pencils or pens and colored pencils or fine-point markers, illustrate each scene in a separate square.
To review Amos’ visions highlight the first two visions – swarms of locusts (7:1-3) and fire (7:4-6) -- that represented terrible judgment, the third vision – the wall and the plumb line (7:7-9) – where God "measured" the people, the fourth which compared people to a basket of rotten fruit (8:1ff), and, vision five – God standing beside the altar (9:1ff) – which portrayed the punishment that would be executed. In addition to the pictures, use one of the squares to print the word "Amos," the name of the book.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCROLL
From the April 2007 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Colored pencils; Erasers; Glue; Markers, fine or wide tips; Paper: adding machine roll, butcher paper, shelf paper, or table covering; Ribbon; Rods: cardboard tubes from carpet or fabric stores or from gift wrap, dowels, pencils, skewers, or toothpicks; Rulers or yardsticks; Scissors; Tape.
METHOD
The Book of Esther, or Scroll of Esther, is often referred to as the Megillah. The word megillah is the Hebrew word for "scroll," which reminds us that early writings of the Bible were written on rolls of paper. The Megillah is usually written on parchment and sometimes has a wooden winder on one end.
For a small scroll, suitable for individuals to make, cut narrow adding machine tape into a strip approximately twelve inches long. Draw important scenes from the Megillah using colored pencils or fine-tipped markers. Glue or tape each end of the strip to a toothpick. Roll the two ends to meet in the middle of the paper strip or begin at one end and roll the paper all the way to the other end, following the traditional form for the Megillah. Use wider strips of paper and skewers or pencils for another type of small scroll. Tie a ribbon around the rolled paper to finish the scroll.
Larger scrolls, which can be made by groups, can be fashioned in the same way with longer sticks or with long cardboard tubes. Rolls of shelf paper or butcher paper work well for drawing and lettering. Use a ruler to mark light pencil guidelines for any words or phrases. Print the captions, along the guidelines, under scenes from the story or between pictures.
Scenes from the book, and from the life, of Esther to depict include:
- King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) has a big party in the palace.
- Queen Vashti refuses to attend.
- Ahasuerus looks for a replacement for Vashti.
- Esther is chosen to be Queen of Persia.
- Haman plans to destroy the Jews.
- Mordecai discovers Haman’s wicked plan.
- Mordecai asks for Esther to tell the king the plot.
- Esther has dinner with Haman and King Ahasuerus.
- Esther tells the king of Haman’s plan and that she is Jewish.
- Haman is hanged on the gallows intended for Mordecai.
- Mordecai is honored by the king.
- The Jewish people are saved.
The Feast of Purim is established as a holiday.
Once the project is completed, look over the scrolls to review what happened to Queen Esther.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIEWER
From the May 2007 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Colored pencils or fine-tipped markers; Index cards, unlined, 5" x 7"; Plastic milk jugs, 1 gallon size; Scissors.
METHOD
Stories in any book of the Bible – from Genesis through Revelation – bring vivid pictures to mind. Construct a simple viewer to "re-view" one of these accounts. To construct the viewer, remove the cap and any labels from an empty, clean milk jug. Using scissors, cut a slit on the side of the bottle opposite the handle, about two inches up from the bottom of the jug. The slit will have to be wide enough so the five-inch end of an index card will fit into the container. Place the milk jug aside.
Read the story in the Bible, then decide how to portray the events. Place the 5" x 7" card vertically on a flat surface. Illustrate the stories, using the bottom 2/3rds of the cards. On the top of each card, write a title describing the action. The entire happening may appear on one card or on several cards to develop the sequence of events. If more than one card is used, be sure to add numbers at the top to keep them in order.
Add captions or Scripture references under the picture. When the work on the cards is finished, slide them into the slot of the milk jug viewer. Hold the viewer with the handle down and the card slot on top. Look through the neck opening to re-view the events.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEAVING
From the June 2007 rotation.org email newsletter
MATERIALS
Bible(s); Cellophane tape; Clear, self-adhesive paper [Optional]; Construction paper, 3 colors; Glue; Markers; Pencils; Rulers; Scissors.
METHOD
Create a woven mat as a way to remember the names of the people in a particular Bible story. To use the story of Ruth be sure to include the names: Elimelich, Naomi, Orpah, Mahlon, Ruth, Chilion, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David, and Jesus.
To construct the mat, fold one 12" by 18" piece of construction paper in half horizontally. Pencil a margin line one inch from the open edges of the paper, opposite the fold. Cut slits into the folded edge, spacing them one inch apart. Be certain to stop cutting at the margin line. Open the paper when the cutting is finished. Cut strips one inch by twelve inches from two other colors of construction paper. Weave the strips under and over the slits in the 12" by 18" paper. Each row alternates. If row one begins under, then row two starts over and so on until the colored strips are woven across the entire width, forming a mat. Fasten any loose ends with a little glue. Letter the word "Ruth" around all four edges to form a border. In order to protect the mat, cover it with clear self-adhesive paper.
