Scripture God’s Saving Presence of Genesis, #3 ... Note: To access both the songbook and its...

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Helps for Catechists ◆ More about Today’s Scriptures◆ Reflection◆ The Scriptures and the Catechism◆ Liturgy Link: A Spirit of Prayer◆ The World of the Bible: Covenant

Enrichment ◆ Discover the Good News◆ Singing Together◆ Story-Review Game: Noah’s In the

Ark◆ Art: Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the

Book of Genesis, #3◆ Book Corner (nature books)◆ Info: Young Children and the

Gospel◆ Info: Where You’ll Find Everything

Else

Core Session ◆ Getting Started (vinyl shower

curtain or tablecloth, dishpans, water toys, mirror)

◆ Old Testament Story: Noah, Build an Ark

◆ Prayer Corner (purple cloths, Bible; optional: flowers, bells, picture of Jesus, candles)

◆ Praying Together

Jesus invites us to celebrate the arrival of God’s kingdom.◆ In today’s gospel, Jesus ends his temptation in the desert by proclaiming the good news.◆ With young children we focus on the Old Testament story of Noah and the ark.◆ In today’s session we also begin several seasonal activities that will be repeated in coming

weeks.

God’s Saving PresenceScriptureGenesis 6:9–9:17

1s t Sunday o f L en t – B

Living the Good News | Preschool/Kindergarten | 1st Sunday of Lent – B

Question of the WeekGod cared for both Noah and Jesus. How does God care for us?

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Getting Started (10-15 minutes)Use water play to introduce vocabulary and ideas from today’s story. Spread a vinyl shower curtain or tablecloth on a low table or on the floor. Put one or more dishpans on this waterproof surface. Place water toys, such as boats, cups and spoons nearby. Put 2"-3" of water in each pan.

Invite children to play with the water and toys. Talk with the children about the water, using the water play to define words used in today’s story; for example:◆ Use different words for the toy boats: boat, ship,

canoe, etc.◆ Say, “In today’s story, I’m going to tell about a big,

big boat that a man named Noah made. This big, big boat was called an ark.”

◆ If you have a sunny window, place a dishpan in front of the window. Lean a mirror against the inside of the pan to catch the sunlight. Hold a piece of white cardboard or poster board in front of the mirror and move mirror and poster board until a rainbow appears on the board.

◆ Say, “What do we call these colors when they appear in the sky? (a rainbow) There’s a rainbow in today’s story, too.”

Old Testament Story (5-10 minutes)Noah, Build An ArkStory focus: Invite children to clap with you on the last three words of each line (italicized).

“Noah, build an ark,” God said, said, said.“For soon I will send a flood, flood, flood.

“Make the ark big and strong, strong, strong.Take all your family a-long, long, long.

“Take along birds and kangaroos, roos, roos,And every kind of animal by twos, twos, twos.

“I’m making you a promise I will keep, keep, keep:You’ll be safe from the waters deep, deep, deep.”

Noah, family, animals went on board, board, board.Rain fell and God shut the door, door, door.

For 40 days the rain came from the sky, sky, sky,But inside the ark all was dry, dry, dry.

God made the waters go down, down, down.And Noah stepped out on dry ground, ground, ground.

“I’ll make you a promise,” God said, said, said.“I’ll give you a sign over your head, head, head.”

God put a rainbow in the sky, sky, sky:“Never will I send a flood so high, high, high!”

Lenten Worship (10-25 minutes)Prayer CornerChildren make a prayer corner to use throughout Lent.

Explain:◆ Today we begin a special time in our Church year.

This time is called Lent.◆ The color we use in Lent is purple.

If possible, take children on a walk through the sanctuary, looking for purple altar cloths, pulpit hangings, cross drapings, etc. Whether or not you take the walk together explain:◆ Lent is a purple time.◆ Lent is a prayer time, too. ◆ Let’s make a special prayer place for Lent.

Invite children to find a place in the room for a prayer corner. Help children decorate the corner with purple cloths and an open Bible. Children can also add such items as fresh or dried flowers, unlit purple pillar or votive candles, small bells or pictures of Jesus.

Keep the materials available for children to use throughout the season of Lent.

Praying Together (5 minutes)Sit with children in the prayer corner. If you are using candles, consider leaving them unlit since some children are sensitive to the smoke from candles.

Pray:◆ Thank you, God, for saving Noah from the flood.◆ Thank you, God, for giving us rainbows.◆ Thank you, God, for so many things. (Invite

children to add their own thanksgivings to the prayer.)◆ Thank you, God, for (name each child individually).

Amen.

Note: Distribute this week’s Discover the Good News to children before they leave, or e-mail it to their parents after the session.


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Discover the Good News (5-10 minutes)In today’s Discover the Good News, children will find a cut-and-fold version of today’s story. Children can take this activity home or complete it in the session. If you do the activity in the session, either get a few extra helpers or work with one child at a time to complete the project.

Singing Together (5-10 minutes)From Singing the Good News you and the children can sing together:◆ “God Makes Promises” (p. 28 of the songbook; also

available as an MP3)◆ “Friends with God” (p. 32 of the songbook; also

available as an MP3)

Note: To access both the songbook and its attached MP3 files, open your Spring-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Singing the Good News.

Story-Review Game (10-15 minutes)Noah’s In the ArkAsk a volunteer to be Noah. Help the other children stand in a circle around Noah and join hands.

Ask the children to walk in a circle around the center as they sing these words to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”:

Oh, Noah’s in the ark,Oh, Noah’s in the ark,Heigh-ho the floody-o, Oh, Noah’s in the ark.

Remind the children that Noah took animals two by two into the ark. As the next verse is sung ask the child playing Noah to choose two children to join him or her in the circle.

Oh, Noah takes two birds, Oh, Noah takes two birds,Heigh-ho the floody-o, Oh, Noah takes two birds. (The children chosen imitate birds, for example, by flapping their arms.)

Repeat this verse again, asking the children chosen as birds to think of a new animal for the verse. The two children chosen for this new animal invent appropriate movements and choose an animal for the next verse. Continue playing until all the children are in the middle.

End by helping the children join hands, raised high above their heads, as the children sing:

The rainbow’s in the sky, The rainbow’s in the sky,Heigh-ho, God’s promise-o, The rainbow’s in the sky.

Art (10-15 minutes)Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3Gather children around Jacob Lawrence’s painting Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3, attached to this document. This colorful poster shows an animated, modern version of preaching. We will use this poster several times in Spring to help children enter into the experience of sharing our stories of God and God’s people.

Ask children to talk about what they see in the picture. Can they find people in the picture? What are the people doing? If they could stand in the picture, too, where would they like to stand?

Explain:◆ Some people in the picture are listening to stories

about God.◆ One person in the picture is telling stories about

God.◆ Listen as I read you words from scripture that tell us

about God.

Read aloud these words abridged from Genesis 9:8-15:

God said to Noah, ”Whenever the rainbow appears, I will remember my promise to you.

Ask the children:◆ What did God put in the sky when God made this

promise to Noah? (a rainbow)


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Book Corner (10-15 minutes)NatureToday’s scripture story inspires children’s book writers and artists. Try sharing a picture book about today’s themes with the children. We recommend:◆ Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert. (New York:

Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1987). Mother and child trace the seasons of the year as they plant a garden that explodes in all the colors of the rainbow. Reading this book before (or after) today’s art activity can help children enrich their understanding of color.

◆ I See the Moon by Kathi Appelt; illustrated by Debra Reid Jenkins. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997). Images of God comfort a small child dreaming that she is alone at sea. You can follow this story by asking children, “What do you think Noah saw when he sailed at sea?”

Young Children and the Lectionary

In Lent, we explore several Old Testament stories especially appropriate, both to the season and to the interests of young children.

Today’s session for the 1st Sunday of Lent tells the story of Noah’s rescue from the flood, focusing on the rainbow as a sign of God’s promise of life to Noah.

Where You’ll Find Everything Else

◆ Attached to this Session Plan you will find:— Backgrounds and reflections for today’s

readings, titled More about Today’s Scriptures.— A shareable story script of today’s Old

Testament Story: Noah, Build an Ark.— A pair of alternative activities using today’s

rainbow theme titled Art Activities: Rainbows.— Directions for a Story-Review Snack.— Jacob Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the Book of

Genesis, #3, to be used in today’s Art activity.— This week’s At Home with the Good News, to

distribute or email to group members after the session.

◆ Open your Spring-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Seasonal Articles to find:— Information on Spring-B’s Models of the Faith.— For catechists and/or families, an article titled

Season of Lent.— For catechists and/or families, an article titled

Covenants.


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More about Today’s Scriptures Today’s readings affirm God’s promise of continuing relationship. In Genesis 9, life begins anew, sealed by God’s promise to all creatures and confirmed by the rainbow. The author of 1 Peter explains that we are saved through the cleansing water of baptism. In the gospel, Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness end with the proclamation of God’s good news.

Genesis 9:8-15Both Jewish and Christian tradition attribute the writing of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, to Moses. Modern scholars now recognize that the Pentateuch is composed of several strands of

tradition preserved and edited over centuries of Jewish history. The story of the flood is itself an ancient one, shared by several Near Eastern cultures, but the biblical account has its own unique theological perspective.

Through Noah, God makes the first covenant, a covenant with all humans and animals for all generations. The sign of the covenant, the rainbow, is a sign of peace, showing that God’s wrath was over

and the stability of the natural order was guaranteed. This first covenant demonstrates the trustworthiness of God who makes promises and keeps them.

1 Peter 3:18-22For many scholars, the excellent Greek style of this letter, its use of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and the lack of direct reference to Jesus’ teaching all suggest that the letter was not written directly by Peter, but perhaps by a companion, disciple or scribe of his.

In this reading, the author seems to have used parts of a hymn to frame statements about Jesus’ authority and the meaning of baptism. Christ died “once,” not only

as a model to be followed but also to bring new access to God.

The author draws parallels between the destructive but cleansing waters of the flood and the cleansing, saving waters of baptism. Verse 21b is translated more literally, “a pledge to God from (or of ) a good conscience.” Thus, the believer’s baptism is effective not as a physical washing, but as a sign of one’s new life in Christ.

Mark 1:12-15Today’s reading recounts Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The event of empowerment by the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism (vv. 9-11) immediately leads into a time of testing. The 40 days recall the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2), the 40 days of Moses on the mountain (Exodus 24:18; 34:28) and the 40 days of Elijah’s journey (1 Kings 19:8). Exposure to temptation is a continuing theme of Jesus’ ministry, in the desire of the crowds for a sign (8:11), in Peter’s rebuke (8:32-33) and in the jeers of the crowds at his crucifixion (15:29-32).

Apparently Jesus was prompted by the end of John the Baptist’s active ministry to begin his public work. Jesus now proclaims that “the time is fulfilled.” The work of the prophets, including John the Baptist, was to prepare for God’s kingly rule. In Jesus, however, all God’s prophetic words find their fulfillment. The prophets were called to speak God’s message, while Jesus is God’s message. “The kingdom of God has come near” (v. 15), that is, the kingdom of God is more than merely nearby, it is present in Jesus.

ReflectionMany of us, finding ourselves in a desert place, wonder how we got there. Was it my fault? Or could I blame some handy moron? If we look to today’s gospel, it’s the Spirit who sends Jesus to the desert.

This might seem like a cruel Spirit indeed, until we read the qualifying phrase: “and angels waited on him.” It is possible that angels attend all our desert places. Where we sense the least comfort, there it abounds. When we feel estranged and lost among wild beasts, something stirs beneath the surface.

At least it was true for Jesus. He emerges from the desert with a spurt of energy that launches his public life. After 40 dry days to consider his message, he bursts forth with good news. Perhaps he knew the

“[Jesus’] ministry was clearly defined, and the alternatives to the illusion and temptations of the desert were spelled out. A choice was made—life abundant, full, and free for all. Make no mistake about it, the day that choice was made, Jesus became suspect. That day he sealed the fate already prepared for him. How was the world to understand one who rejected an offer of power and control?”

—Joan B. Campbell Sojourners, Aug-Sept 1991


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reign of God was at hand because he had felt it in the hardest trials.

In his streamlined style, Mark offers no explanation of what happened during the lonely ordeal. Perhaps that makes it more universal, so we can all identify. Mark’s brevity makes it even more dramatic when Jesus breaks into speech, and in the next verse, begins his preaching.

The Scriptures and the CatechismToday we are reminded of God’s desire to be in a relationship with us. As Creator, God fashioned the world for us to live in (CCC, #279–301). As covenant-maker, God entered into a special relationship with humanity (CCC, #302–314). And when we frustrated God’s desire for a relationship, God punished sinful humanity. But the punishment also resulted in a renewal of a covenant with Noah and his family. God’s desire for the right kind of relationship with us demonstrates God’s faithfulness and loving care (CCC, #410–12, 422–29, 1647).

Liturgy LinkA Spirit of PrayerIn today’s society, prayer has become largely personal. It is understood to be a private experience that belongs to the individual, and it should not interfere with public life. According to this understanding, prayer belongs in the heart, in the head, in the home and, at appointed times, in the church, mosque or synagogue.

In contrast to this, Christian worship has always insisted that prayer is a public activity undertaken by the assembly of believers, together and separately. Yes, prayer is clearly private and personal, but the individ-ual’s prayers issue out of and build upon the corporate prayers of the Church. The prayers of the Church affect those inside and outside of the gathering for worship.

Roots of Christian PrayerMuch of Christian liturgy developed out of Jewish worship. The first Christians, who were Jews, continued to attend the synagogue until they were excluded after AD 70. Paul usually went first to the local synagogue when he began to preach in a town. Thus it is not surprising to find the influence of the synagogue service on the forms of worship, especially in the forms and the postures of prayer for various parts of the service.

The characteristic Jewish form of prayer is berakah, a blessing or a thanksgiving to God. This consists of an opening proclamation of thanks and praise, the recollection of the saving deeds of God, a request that these deeds be realized in the present or future and a concluding note of praise.

Many examples of such prayer can be found in scripture, especially in the Psalms. The berakah also had a strong influence on the development of Christian prayers, especially on the eucharistic prayers. An examination of the eucharistic prayers in the Mass reveals that they are in the form of berakah.

The World of the BibleCovenantA covenant is a formal agreement between two persons or parties that spells out the obligations of their rela-tionship. In the biblical world, the general expectations were modeled on the customs that guided relationships between persons of unequal honor, status and wealth. These relationships were voluntary and freely entered into and were not required by law. The covenant bound the parties in mutual and reciprocal obligations.

The “patron” or more powerful person (like God) promised to provide for and protect the less powerful “clients” (from the Latin word for dependents). In return, to enhance the honor and reputation of the patron, the clients offered respect, praise and gratitude and other favors when requested.

God’s directives or basic guidelines for the Hebrew covenant community’s life with one another are given as commandments, statutes and decrees. Together they identify the basic attitudes and actions that must be followed to fulfill God’s desires.

Commandments refers to the 10 basic “words” that God spoke directly to Moses and the community on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17). When the people are overcome by fear, they request that in the future God not speak to them directly but only through Moses. Statutes and decrees describe this further indirect teaching through Moses that makes the many specific applications of the Ten Commandments to the everyday life of the community.


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Today’s readings affirm God’s promise of continuing relationship. In Genesis 9:8-15, life begins anew, sealed by God’s promise to all creatures and confirmed by the rainbow. 1 Peter 3:18-22 explains that we are saved through the cleansing

water of baptism. In Mark 1:12-15, Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness end with the proclamation of God’s good news.

Preschool/Kindergarten children heard the

Old Testament story of Noah’s rescue from the

flood, concentrating on the rainbow as a sign of

God’s promise of life. Activities to choose from

included water play, a circle game, painting a mural

and making rainbow snacks. There was also the

suggestion of setting up a purple prayer corner to

use throughout Lent.

Primary (Grades 1-3) children focused on the

story of God’s covenant with Noah and all living

things. Activities included hunting for rainbows,

playing a story-review game and making rainbow

pictures.

Intermediate (Grades 4-6) participants explored

God’s presence and promises in the Old Testament

story of the flood, in the gospel story of Jesus

in the desert, and in personal experiences of

baptism. Students reviewed the story of Noah

with a cooperative game, Bible study and art. They

considered new beginnings in today’s gospel and in

the sacrament of baptism.

First Sunday of Lent • Year B

© 2015 Morehouse Education Resources. All rights reserved. www.livingthegoodnews.com • 1-800-242-1918 • Permission is hereby granted to reproduce these pages for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Cut an arch from white paper and hang it over a doorway. Have family members paint a band of color each time a relationship goes through a stormy time, then comes back into the sun. By the end of Lent, you may have created a beautiful rainbow.

Many of us, finding ourselves in a desert place, wonder how we got there. Was it my fault? Or could I blame some handy moron? If we look to today’s gospel, it’s the Spirit who sends Jesus to the desert.

This might seem like a cruel Spirit indeed, until we read the qualifying phrase: “…and angels waited on him.” It is possible that angels attend all our desert places. Where we sense the least comfort, there it abounds. When we feel estranged and lost among wild beasts, something stirs beneath the surface.

At least it was true for Jesus. He emerges from the desert with a spurt of energy that launches his public life. After 40 dry days to consider his message, he bursts forth with good news. Perhaps he knew the reign of God was at hand because he had felt it in the hardest trials.

God cared for Noah in the ark and Jesus in the desert. How does God care for us?

Read aloud a few headlines from today’s newspaper that show the needs or sorrows of our world or local community. Then ask family members to respond to each with Jesus’ words:• This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand!

We can learn from Noah and his family being locked into the ark. This sometimes

annoying, often crazy bunch of people with whom we spend our lives are exactly the ones

God has chosen for us. God wants us right in this home—not off in the foreign missions or

away at a retreat center. This is where we’ll find holiness.

Living the Good News: Lawrence’s Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Lawrence, Jacob. Eight Studies for the Book of Genesis, #3 © 2008 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Photo: Art Resource, NY

©2015 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Spring • Year BOld Testament StoryNoah, Build and Ark

Story focus: Invite children to clap with you on the last three words of each line.

“Noah, build an ark,” God said, said, said.“For soon I will send a flood, flood, flood.

“Make the ark big and strong, strong, strong.Take all your family a-long, long, long.

“Take along birds and kangaroos, roos, roos,And every kind of animal by twos, twos, twos.

“I’m making you a promise I will keep, keep, keep:You’ll be safe from the waters deep, deep, deep.”

Noah, family, animals went on board, board, board.Rain fell and God shut the door, door, door.

For forty days the rain came from the sky, sky, sky,But inside the ark all was dry, dry, dry.

God made the waters go down, down, down.And Noah stepped out on dry ground, ground, ground.

“I’ll make you a promise,” God said, said, said.“I’ll give you a sign over your head, head, head.”

God put a rainbow in the sky, sky, sky:“Never will I send a flood so high, high, high!”

PK-SB-LE01-DL-C-Old Testament Story_Noah, Build an Ark

Spring • Year B

©2015 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

00-SB-LE01-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

More about Today’s Scriptures1st Sunday in Lent

Today’s readings affirm God’s promise of a continuing relationship. In Genesis 9, life begins anew, sealed by God’s promise to all creatures and confirmed by the rainbow. The author of 1 Peter explains that we are saved through the cleansing water of baptism. In the gospel, Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness end with the proclamation of God’s good news.

Genesis 9:8-15

Both Jewish and Christian tradition attribute the writing of the Pentateuch, the first five books of

the Bible, to Moses. Modern scholars now recognize that the Pentateuch is composed of several strands of tradition preserved and edited over centuries of Jewish history. The story of the flood is itself an ancient one, shared by several Near Eastern cultures, but the biblical account has its own unique theological perspective.

Through Noah, God makes the first covenant, a covenant with all humans and animals for all generations. The sign of the covenant, the rainbow, is a sign of peace, showing that God’s wrath was over and the stability of the natural order was guaranteed. This first covenant dem-onstrates the trustworthiness of God who makes promises and keeps them.

1 Peter 3:18-22

For many scholars, the excellent Greek style of this letter, its use of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and the lack of direct reference to Jesus’ teaching all suggest that the letter was not written directly by Peter, but perhaps by a companion, disciple or scribe of his.

In this reading, the author seems to have used parts of a hymn to frame statements about Jesus’ authority and the meaning of baptism. Christ died “once,” not only as a model to be followed but also to bring new access to God.

The author draws parallels between the destructive, but cleansing, waters of the flood and the cleansing, saving waters of baptism. Verse 21b is translated more literally, “a pledge to God from (or of ) a good conscience.” Thus, the believer’s baptism is effective not as a physical washing, but as a sign of one’s new life in Christ.

Mark 1:12-15

Today’s reading recounts Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The event of empowerment by the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism (vv. 9-11) immediately leads into a time of testing. The 40 days recall the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2), the 40 days of Moses on the mountain (Exodus 24:18; 34:28) and the 40 days of Elijah’s journey (1 Kings 19:8). Exposure to temptation is a continuing theme of Jesus’ ministry, in the desire of the crowds for a sign (8:11), in Peter’s rebuke (8:32-33) and in the jeers of the crowds at his crucifixion (15:29-32).

Apparently Jesus was prompted by the end of John the Baptist’s active ministry to begin his

“[Jesus’] ministry was clearly defined, and the alternatives to the illusion and temptations of the desert were spelled out. A choice was made—life abundant, full, and free for all. Make no mistake about it, the day that choice was made, Jesus became suspect. That day he sealed the fate already prepared for him. How was the world to understand one who rejected an offer of power and control?”

—Joan B. Campbell Sojourners, Aug-Sept 1991

Spring • Year B

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00-SB-LE01-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

More about Today’s Scriptures1st Sunday in Lent

public work. Jesus now proclaims that “the time is fulfilled.” The work of the prophets, including John the Baptist, was to prepare for God’s kingly rule. In Jesus, however, all God’s prophetic words find their fulfillment. The prophets were called to speak God’s message, while Jesus is God’s message. “The kingdom of God has come near” (v. 15), that is, the kingdom of God is more than merely nearby, it is present in Jesus.

ReflectionMany of us, finding ourselves in a desert place, wonder how we got there. Was it my fault? Or could I blame some handy moron? If we look to today’s gospel, it’s the Spirit who sends Jesus to the desert.

This might seem like a cruel Spirit indeed, until we read the qualifying phrase: “and angels waited on him.” It is possible that angels attend all our desert places. Where we sense the least comfort, there it abounds. When we feel estranged and lost among wild beasts, something stirs beneath the surface.

At least it was true for Jesus. He emerges from the desert with a spurt of energy that launches his public life. After 40 dry days to consider his message, he bursts forth with good news. Perhaps he knew the reign of God was at hand because he had felt it in the hardest trials.

In his streamlined style, Mark offers no explanation of what happened during the lonely ordeal. Perhaps that makes it more universal, so we can all identify. Mark’s brevity makes it even more dramatic when Jesus breaks into speech, and in the next verse, begins his preaching.



Spring • Year B

Rainbow Mural

Materials:Black wax crayonsButcher paper or newsprintSmocksDamp brush or spongePaint (rainbow of colors) in small paint pots

Directions: •Read aloud these words abridged from Genesis 9:8-15: God said to Noah,” Whenever the

rainbow appears, I will remember my promises to you.”•Use a black wax crayon to copy the verse onto the butcher paper or newsprint. •Dress the children in smocks and give each child a damp brush or sponge and one paint

container.• Invite the children to fill the mural with curves, curls and swirls of rainbow color. (Do

not expect the children to draw rainbow shapes.) •Help the children display the finished mural.

Handprint Rainbow

Materials:Colored construction paper in rainbow colorsCrayon, marker or colored pencilsScissors

Directions:•Help the children trace their hands onto sheets of colored construction paper. •Make about 10 handprints of each of the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow,

green, blue, and purple. •With one or more helpers, assist the children in cutting out the handprints. •You can also write each child’s name onto a separate handprint. •Ask children to help you glue the handprints onto a large sheet of neutral colored paper

in a rainbow shape. •Another option is to staple the handprints to a bulletin board.

PK-SB-LE01-DL-A-Art Activities_Rainbows

Art Activities: Rainbows



Spring • Year B

Children make snacks based on today’s story.

Materials:Colored gelatin dessert in three different colorsUnflavored gelatinThree 8" or 9" square pansWax paperGraham crackersAnimal Crackers

Directions:•Before the session follow package directions to prepare three packages of gelatin dessert

in three different colors. Add an extra envelope of unflavored gelatin to each different color as soon as the hot water is added. Mix well and pour each color into a separate 8” or 9" square pan. Refrigerate until set.

•Dip the bottom of the pans into warm water for 10 seconds and invert onto wax paper. Cut the gelatin into 1/2" strips and carefully return to the pan. Chill until time to use. This makes gelatin strips firm enough to play with.

• In the session invite the children to make story snacks. Give each child a paper plate, then pass out rainbows (the colored gelatin strips), arks (the graham crackers) and animals (the animal crackers).

• If you can, pass out the animal crackers in pairs, reminding children that the animals went into the ark “two by two.”

•Take plenty of time with the children to retell parts of the story as you eat and play together.

PK-SB-LE01-DL-A-Story-Review Snack

Story-Review Snack: Rainbows, Arks and Animals

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