Christmas is on its way! Although we often take more time thinking of ourselves and everything we want to receive from others we are going to do the opposite. This month students will look at how it is better to give than receive. They will listen to other students’ ideas on how to give to others and then they will complete craft projects to give to others. AW
It is amazing when we look at everything God has created. Each thing lives not for itself but to help others. Look at the flowers. They give nectar to bees and the bees pollinate and help carry pollen from one flower to another. Trees give us oxygen (to help us breathe) and we give back carbon dioxide to the trees. Everything in Creation finds joy through relationships, giving, and receiving. This is not only something we can do but God gave us examples if we look all around us.
Discuss as a family:
What are some other things in God’s Creation that practice giving and receiving?
How do you feel when you receive it?
How do you feel when you give a gift to someone?
What makes a good giver?
Next, create a helping hands wreath: Start by tracing your hand and cutting it out. You will want 7 or more hands to create your wreath. On each hand write or for younger students draw what you can give to others. Last glue the hands together. Helping Hands Wreath This will help you remember what to practice or create for others before Christmas.
Here are a few documentaries of students who gave to others during the holiday season.
It is amazing when we look at everything God has created. Each thing lives not for itself but to help others. Look at the flowers. They give nectar to bees and the bees pollinate and help carry pollen from one flower to another. Trees give us oxygen (to help us breathe) and we give back carbon dioxide to the trees. Everything in Creation finds joy through relationships, giving, and receiving. This is not only something we can do but God gave us examples if we look all around us.
Discuss as a family:
What are some other things in God’s Creation that practice giving and receiving?
How do you feel when you receive it?
How do you feel when you give a gift to someone?
What makes a good giver?
Next, create a helping hands wreath: Start by tracing your hand and cutting it out. You will want 7 or more hands to create your wreath. On each hand write or for younger students draw what you can give to others. Last glue the hands together. Helping Hands Wreath This will help you remember what to practice or create for others before Christmas.
Here are a few documentaries of students who gave to others during the holiday season.
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Fairview Alliance Church shares how God loves a cheerful giver. Here students will watch an animated video on a women who gave the best gift, praise and worship videos song by students, and information about Operation Christmas Child.
Kid president shares how each person can change the world when they see the needs of others, step out of their comfort zone, and are willing to make a difference.
An elementary and high school students share how and why they give to those in their community.
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Here are a couple of ways you can help your community and others.
As a family, you can purchase, assemble, and deliver a gift through Kynd Kits. Each kit will contain items specifically requested by people in each category. Once you receive the package, assemble the pieces, write a card, and then send it off. Among the recipients, you can choose Children's Hospital, Autism support team, disaster relief support, fidget blanket for kids, or first responder gratitude. Kits can cost anywhere between $15-$45.
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If you are looking for an opportunity for students to serve their community Eastern Plains Women Resource Center is looking for volunteers. EPWRC provides a monthly service to families who need essentials like diapers, wipes, and other items. This month they will be creating a Christmas shopping opportunity for mothers to shop for their families. They need your help to set up bins, organize toys, and help make this Christmas shopping experience fun. If you would like to volunteer please contact Deb at 303-822-9368. For more information about this organization, check out their website.
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Snow Globe
(recommended for elementary students with adult supervision) Materials: -Small jars -A little toy to put inside -Glycerin -Glitter -Gorilla glue -Needle nose pliers First, put a little glue on the bottom of your toy. Using the needle nose pliers, put it down into your jar. Press it down a little to get it firmly in place. Let the glue dry for 10 minutes. Next, fill your jar with water. Put one small squirt of glycerin in it (this is going to make your “snow” float better.) Add a pinch of glitter. Last, Glue the lid in place and you’re done! Snowflake Shelf
(recommended for high school students with adult support) Materials -Wood Board (1x4) -Chop Saw or Miter Saw -Nail Gun -Wood Glue -White Paint (Optional) Cut a piece of 1x4 wood to be 35” long, 4 pieces 17” long, 12 pieces 6” long, and 12 pieces 3 ½” long. Use a chop or miter saw to make a 30 degree angled cut at one end of each 17” and 3 ½” long pieces of wood. For the 6” long pieces of wood, make a 30 degree angled cut on each end. Make sure the cuts are parallel to each other. Attach two 17” pieces to the center of the 35” piece with wood glue. For additional support also use a nail gun. Repeat this with the other two 17” pieces on the other side of the 35” long wood. To make the triangle that will fill the body of the snowflake, take two 6” long pieces and glue them together. Use a nail gun for additional support. Glue and nail your 6 triangles to the body of your snowflake. Attach 3 ½” long pieces towards the edge 6 pieces of wood extending out with glue and use a nail gun for additional support. Leave snowflake as is or apply a white coat. To hang, you can attach a piece of twine to the snowflake and hang from there. You can also drill holes into the back of the snowflake and hang it directly onto nails installed in the wall. |
CD Sun-catcher
(recommended for students 10 and older) Materials: -Suncatcher paints and Black Suncatcher paint pens or Permanent markers -Elastic Cord (Teal, Lavender, Pink) -CDs -Tape -Scissors -Water Cup Remove the top layer of a CD using tape. Simply stick a piece of tape onto the CD, then pull it back to peel. Do this on both sides. Then download, print, and cut the three templates. Once you have picked your templet tape the design under the clear CD. Outline the design with black paint or permanent marker. When it is dry, paint in the design with suncatcher paints one color at a time or permanent marker. Let it dry overnight. Then tape the ends of the looped piece of elastic cording to the back of the CD suncatcher and hang it near a window or somewhere that gets a lot of sun! Sugar Cookies
(recommended for students middle- high school students with adult supervision) Ingredients -2 cups sugar -1/2 cup butter, cubed -6 tablespoons 2% milk -3 tablespoons baking cocoa -1 cup peanut butter -1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract -1/4 teaspoon almond extract -3 cups quick-cooking oats -1 jar (10 ounces) maraschino cherries, well drained and finely chopped In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter and extract until blended. Stir in oats and cherries. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until set. Store in airtight containers. |