Title: Joni Eareckson Tada: A Faithful Servant
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Objective: - Students will learn about Joni Eareckson Tada and her inspiring story of faith and service. - Students will understand the importance of having faith in God and obeying His call to serve others. - Students will engage in hands-on activities to reinforce their understanding of the lesson.
Materials: - Picture books or printed materials about Joni Eareckson Tada’s life and work - Large poster paper or whiteboard - Markers, crayons, or colored pencils - Construction paper - Scissors - Glue sticks - Magazines or printed pictures of different ways people can serve others - Index cards or small pieces of paper - Pencils or markers
Procedure:
- Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever heard of Joni Eareckson Tada. Allow a brief discussion.
- Show pictures or read a short story about Joni Eareckson Tada’s life, emphasizing her faith in God and her dedication to serving others.
- Explain that Joni Eareckson Tada is an example of someone who had faith in God and obeyed His call to serve others.
- Discussion and Reflection (10 minutes):
- Engage students in a discussion about faith and serving others.
- Ask questions such as:
- What does it mean to have faith in God?
- Why is it important to serve others?
- How can we serve others in our daily lives?
- Encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences.
- Art Activity: “Serving Others Collage” (20 minutes):
- Provide each student with construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, and magazines or printed pictures.
- Instruct students to cut out pictures from the magazines or use the printed pictures to create a collage showing different ways people can serve others.
- Encourage creativity and remind students to think about how they can serve others in their own lives.
- Once completed, have students share their collages with the class, explaining the different ways they depicted serving others.
- Writing Activity: “My Call to Serve” (15 minutes):
- Distribute index cards or small pieces of paper to each student.
- Instruct students to write or draw about a time when they felt called to serve someone or a way they would like to serve others in the future.
- Encourage students to be specific and thoughtful in their responses.
- Allow students to share their responses with a partner or the whole class, if they feel comfortable.
- Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Recap the lesson by highlighting Joni Eareckson Tada’s story and her faith in God.
- Emphasize the importance of having faith and obeying God’s call to serve others.
- Encourage students to continue finding ways to serve others in their daily lives.
Extensions: - Invite a guest speaker, such as a local community service volunteer, to share their experiences with the students. - Encourage students to create a class service project, such as collecting items for a local food bank or making cards for nursing home residents. - Read aloud Joni Eareckson Tada’s autobiography, “Joni: An Unforgettable Story,” for further exploration of her life and faith journey.