Promises lesson extension

So, I was trying to figure out a fun hands-on way to add a variation to the other extension materials for the promises lesson. I also had these golf tees I wanted to use for something. BING-O!

You need a wood block and your rainbow golf tees. I would suggest making the block a little wider than I did, I just happened to have this one small piece on hand. I used a drill bit larger than the tees and drilled holes.

For the inserts, I found a symbol for each promise, the word for that symbol and the promise wording, laminated each list, and then cut them out, leaving a long "tab" on each one. It's kind of hard to see since it's clear. Alternately, you could use stick-on tabs for file folders. Then I took another piece of clear plastic that they could slide under and affixed that to the block. This way, kids can switch out each tab as they grow in reading skills or are looking for a greater challenge.

The "game" is that they have to match the color with the symbol. Each card has a different "order" and for us older folk, I put the control (answer) on  the back of the card.

Here's an alternative if you have room and are into mod podge/decoupage: Instead of laminating each list and having it switch out, just decoupage the list onto the wood and seal it up.

Buddha & Mustard Seed Medicine

Got my craft on and made these figures a couple weeks ago. They are just peg people. I painted them with a small brush and toothpicks (for the fine detail). We do not have a large class so, for now, these work for us. If it gets to the point where they are too small, they can be moved to a mobile "spirit play" box for families to take home.

I saw that some people made figures and boxes to represent the houses that the mother visits. I decided to stick with the original script where the mother figure addresses each child in the circle to ask if they have experienced any sadness, sickness or death. I think it pulls them in a little more and helps them reflect on the fact that we all experience those feelings and situations in our lives.

One thing I'd like to remind you is that sometimes a mistake while making a figure like this can be o.k. and work to your advantage. For example, while drawing the mother's eyes, I accidentally made a mistake. But I was able to cover it up with a tear, which helps convey the sadness that she was feeling.

Embrace those mistakes!

Loyal Dog & Loyal King

Created our materials for this story recently and thought it would be beneficial to post for some of you working on this story. Here's the final version:

The mountains are gray denim-printed flannel (but you could use any gray material - it's just what I had in my supplies bin). To create the texture of mountains, I used tape to mark off some uneven edges and then used a light "dusting" of spray paint at an angle. It created the shadow appearance.

The figures are all made of tongue depressors. Yes. Tongue depressors dressed in fine silks can be pretty fancy. Here's close ups of the family. I used a glue gun and various leftover fabrics I had laying around (actually, boxed up -- my office is not that messy)! The hair and beard is this wonderful black yarn that has a little curl to it.

One of my favorite figures for this story is the dog piece. Synthetic suede is so great to work with, and he's covered in it. Cut to shape and glued on top of a tongue depressor. Look at that cute little tail!

 

For Indra and Dharma/Yama, I went a little crazy with some beads and cut up tongue depressors. You can cut depressors with scissors so that makes them versatile. I painted Yama with a dilute navy to create that bluish color his skin is often portrayed with. The fabric draping his body is felt.

The kids LOVED these two. The golden paint. The jewels. It was very popular come work time.

I used my glue gun to sandwich the bent wire (paperclips) between to cones of cut depressors. Then I used the tip of the gun to make little dot patterns on the wood to suggest decoration. I also glued on some plastic crafting beads. Then I use some acrylic paints (gold, turquoise, brick) to add details bring everything together. Note: glue guns are very... webby. Get those cobwebs off before painting or you'll be picking off those little webs with wet paint.

Happy story telling!