Scripture: Exodus 35-40
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review how the Tabernacle was constructed through teamwork according to very specific instructions from God.
- Students will practice using English prepositions to give instructions for building a structure out of blocks.
Guiding Question: What words are used to tell the position of something?
Materials: blocks/Legos, preposition poster
Procedure: Review the construction of the Tabernacle focusing on how the Israelites brought together their different talents to work to make it according to God’s specific instructions. Emphasize the importance of listening to God’s instructions and following them exactly as he says. Tell students that they are going to practice following instructions to build a structure.
Place blocks in front of the students. Tell them that they are going to practice giving and following directions using prepositions. Review that prepositions are words that show where something is. Review the major ones: in front, behind, beside, below, next to, away from, across, between. Show them an example of each preposition using the blocks. Set one block up as the starting block. One student is assigned to be the builder. Another student is assigned to be the instructor. The builder choses one block and asks the builder, “Where does this go?” Review this phrase with the students. Then the builder uses a preposition to tell the builder where to put it. (Example: Beside the block.) The builder then chooses where to place the block. There may be more than one way to follow the direction. It is the builder’s choice to situate it however he/she would like so long as it makes sense with the preposition. Then the builder choses a new student to take his/her place.
Positions are changed after each instruction. Continue until all of the blocks are used and the structure is complete. While students are building, provide a preposition poster to serve as a choice board. It should list the prepositions and have an example picture for students to reference. This will help students with less experience and prevent embarrassment if students forget the words. It will also encourage variety so students do not copy each other repeatedly to feel secure.
Additional Questions:
- When would you use prepositions in life?
- What are other prepositions that were not used to build the structure?
Supplemental Activity: More advanced students can divide into pairs. Give each student 5-10 blocks or shapes. Partners sit back to back. Partner 1 makes a structure or picture with his/her blocks. While looking at what he/she just made, Partner 1 gives verbal instructions to Partner 2. Partner 2 follows the instructions to try and make a replica of Partner 2’s picture/structure. The partners can only give verbal English directions and they cannot look at each other’s work. Once completed, let students compare their results. Then they can switch roles. It is good to give them a second try at each role so that they can learn from past communication mistakes and become more specific with their language.
Written by: Savannah Negas