Learning is in the Bag is a great way to connect what is taught at preschool, school, or Bible School with home. Children check out a canvas bag that has a variety of activities in it that all related to one theme. The canvas bag is decorated with fabric markers and includes the title. I usually add the place to return the bag, too.
Each bag of the Learning in the Bag program contains a folder. This folder is an instructions folder that explains how the program works. It explains the check out and check in process and what items the children can keep and which ones and remain in the bag. We sanitize items that are returned before we let them go our again. You never know what has been in the child's mouth or nose so we sanitize it all. Instructions for how to create the crafts and craft tools are also a part of the folder.
The Daniel Bag contains figures that little seeds may use to re-create the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. If you watch little ones for long, you will see that they enjoy story characters like these, especially animals. At about age 5 their imagination kicks in so acting out stories they make up becomes a big thing. This is a real Bible event. I have found using materials like these are very exciting to use when you want to retell the Bible story. children love the material. Try it!
The Learning in the Bag program usually contains a game or two. It is very important that the bag is interactive so the children will feel engaged with the materials.
Every bag in the Learning in the Bag program contains at least one book that goes along with the theme. The overall theme is Old Testament Bible Stories. The theme for the bag is Daniel in the Lion's Den, so our book would be about that event. I carefully read over the books to make sure they are biblically correct. Please read over the scripture texts and then read the book to make sure there are no errors. You will be glad you did.
Another item from Twinkl are the pieces for these craft stick puppets. these too make great resources for retelling the Bible stories.
The Activity shown is one you can print and use for story retelling and the File Folder game is another great resource for story retelling. Both are found at Bible Fun for Kids. Remember when a child is able to retell the Bible story they are engraining it in their memory and that is what we are wanting our seeds to do.
The Sequencing Activity shown is one you will find on the www.prekinders.com web-site. Remember the abilities of your seed when determining if they can do a 3 or 4 part sequencing activity with your help.
Finally, our Felt Box Activity is pictured. This is a clever way to tell a flannel board and store it, too. You can purchase on Amazon a package of three cigar box like storage containers. We use these as our flannel board boxes by cutting a piece of felt that fits the inside of the lid. The felt is adhered by using spray adhesive.
We then purchase or make a felt board activity to go with the lesson. Making a felt board activity is easy. Just print clip art of the story and add the rough Velcro to the back. It will adhere to felt.
The Learning in the Bag Program is a great activity to start in your classroom no matter what type of program you are in. If you are unable to purchase the materials in the bags shown, come up with activities that are affordable for you or for your administration. Or you can see about asking for donations. A family at your congregation may be getting rid of their older child's lion figures or lion puppet. wouldn't those be a great asset to your bag. You can also hit up yard sales for great items, too You only need a few items in each bag so focus on that and the book. Purchase your canvas bags when they are 50% off at your local Hobby Lobby store and you have kept your cost down again. Purpose to only start with 5 or 10 bags and the goal is not so big.
I hope you will try it and see the joy it brings to the families and children you work with daily. Little things like this build big learning in our little seeds.
