Creative Mode

K-6
This past Sunday we learned about Forgiving.
“Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? No! Jesus replied, Seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22
We wouldn’t count how many seeds there is in a bird feeder, that would seem silly, just like we shouldn’t count how many times we forgive.

This activity is great to do as a whole family, it makes enough to give them out as gifts to your neighbours if you wanted!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Makes approximately 21 two-inch hearts, or any shape you choose)

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (2.5 teaspoons)
• 3 tbsp corn syrup
• 4 cups birdseed

You will also need:

• large mixing bowl
• cookie cutters
• nonstick spray
• chopstick or bamboo skewer for making a hole in the ornament
• parchment paper
• cookie sheet
• string

1. Mix flour, water, gelatin and corn syrup. Add birdseed and stir well.
2. Spray the inside of a cookie cutter with vegetable cooking spray. (You could also wipe it down with veg. oil.)
3. Place cookie cutter on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Spoon mixture inside of cookie cutter, pressing mixture firmly with greased fingers. (The more you press it down, the less shedding of seeds you will have.)
4. Using a chopstick or bamboo skewer, make a hole near the top of the shape and then remove.
5. Carefully pull cookie cutter away from birdseed. Repeat until all the mixture is used up. (You should spray the cookie cutter after every six times or so, that way it won’t stick.)
6. Let dry 6-8 hours. Cut 10-12 inches of string for each shape. String through the shape. Tie the string in a knot. (You can tuck the knot inside the hole so it doesn’t show.) You can hang these from branches outside for the birds to enjoy and to remember to forgive!

Preschool Class
My first Mono Prints
Enjoy sometime with being creative and what kind of designs you can make!

In printing, mono means “one of a kind,” which is a perfect description of this easy introduction to color mixing, texture, and spontaneity.
The only rule here is to have plenty of paper on hand — because printmaking can be habit-forming.

Materials

• Washable, nontoxic tempera paint
• Cookie sheet
• 2 large pieces of paper
• Cotton swabs, plastic utensils

Instructions

1. To start, ask your child to squeeze blobs of washable nontoxic tempera paint onto a cookie sheet.
2. Lay a large piece of paper on top of the paint and have her smooth it down with the palms of her hands. Lift off the paper, then lay the print flat to dry.
3. Next, encourage your tot to make designs with her fingers, a cotton swab, or a plastic utensil in the smooth surface of the paint that remains on the cookie sheet. Lift off additional prints on clean sheets of paper. You can add more paint as desired.

Junior Class
David & Goliath Game

This game is very similar to the game of Marbles.
Note:  Test the surface of the floor yourself to see how difficult it is to slide the rocks (some surfaces are easier than others) and adjust the size of the square accordingly (smaller squares for harder to slide surfaces).

Feel free to decorate some rocks to add to the game, or you can use 5 marbles instead.
Materials
– one large stone or three regular sized stones (the same size as in the bag) with the letter G printed on them with permanent marker — or use 1 large marble
– smooth floor (concrete sidewalk would work or cement/laminate/linoleum indoor floor )
– depending on your stones, it might scratch the floor
– you can cover the stones with a coat of spray on varnish to prevent scratching
– Or you glue a piece of felt to the bottom of each of your stones to prevent scratching (don’t forget Goliath)
– masking tape

Directions
– Use tape to mask off a large square on the floor with a small X in the center.
– Place the Goliath stone(s) or marble on the X in the center of the square
– Have the children sit at the edge of the square and TAKE TURNS SLIDING their David rocks (or marbles) to knock Goliath out of the square.
– don’t let everyone slide their rocks at one time or someone will end up getting hurt
– make sure you show the children how to slide their rocks (not throw them) before you get started.
– test the surface of the floor yourself to see how difficult it is to slide the rocks (some surfaces are easier than others) and adjust the size of the square accordingly (smaller squares for harder to slide surfaces)
– an adult with some coordination should be able to knock Goliath out with 5 stones
– Alternately, let one child try to knock Goliath out and count how many tries it takes him/her before letting the next child have a turn

Have fun learning about David and Goliath!