Easter Unit Study

I am missing home schooling my children so I am taking advantage of the upcoming two week vacation from school and have pieced together an Easter/Resurrection Sunday unit study from two sources - The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Enchanted Learning websites. I will reference the websites below in the study outline. I have modified it to make it a little more preschool friendly, and it still may be a little aggressive, but we will modify as needed throughout the week. I thought others may be interested in doing a little fun study with their children to help emphasize the reason we celebrate Easter Sunday so I decided to post it on the blog. We will be doing the study April 6-10. It is amazing how much they are able to grasp the gospel even as 3 and 4 year olds. Have fun and Happy almost Easter! :)

EASTER UNIT STUDY: April 6th - 10th

*All material was derived and/or copied directly from Old Schoolhouse Magazine's free Easter unit study except for the crafts which came from Enchanted Learning. I highly recommend both websites for homeschooling help and ideas. The websites are provided below.*

SCRIPTURE READING:
In evening with Dad.

Read Matthew 26-28 (split up verses for each day)

Sunday: Matthew 26:1-35
Monday: Matthew 26:36-56
Tuesday: Matthew 26:57-75
Wednesday: Matthew 27
Thursday: Matthew 28

ACTIVITIES:

1. Look at Israel on a map. - MONDAY

2. How did people live and dress back in the time of Jesus in Israel? How do people live and dress now in Israel? Compare and contrast. - MONDAY

3. Who is Jesus? (The son of God) Why did he have to die on the cross? (so we can live in heaven forever) Is he alive now? (yes! He lives because God raised Him from the dead) Will we see Him again? (Yes! When we go to heaven.) - TUESDAY

4. What do we do at Easter time? Is it just for fun? If you were talking to a friend at school about Easter what would you tell them is the reason you celebrate Easter? Why? - TUESDAY

5. Jesus told His disciples before he ascended into heaven "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teachig them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20) What are some ways you can obey His words and "teach all nations"? - WEDNESDAY

6. What do you feel about what Jesus did for you on the cross? - THURSDAY

7. Write and decorate a thank you note to Jesus expressing your gratitude or thankfulness for granting you eternal life in heaven with God. - FRIDAY

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
For use throughout the week during scripture reading, activities, cookie preparation and with resurrection eggs.

1. At the Last Supper, what did Jesus say that the bread represented?
2. In Matthew 26:36, where did Jesus and His disciples go?
3. What did Jesus say in His prayer in Matthew 26:39?
4. What did the disciples do while Jesus prayed?
5. Jesus said. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is_____________.”
6. Who betrayed Jesus?
7. How did he betray Jesus?
8. Who was the governor that Jesus was delivered to?
9. Jesus was said to have been the “King of _____________.”
10. What did the soldiers place on Jesus’ head?
11. What color clothing did the soldiers place on Jesus? Why?
12. While on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they___________________.”
13. In Luke 23:41-43, what did Jesus say to the thief hanging next to him? Why would he say that?
14. Why was it so important that Jesus’ body be taken off of the cross and buried by sundown?
15. What was blocking the door of the tomb?
16. Why did Pilate send someone to guard the tomb?
17. After the Sabbath, who came to the tomb and found it empty?
18. What did the angel say to them?
19. What were the soldiers paid to say about Jesus’ body? Why?
20. After his resurrection, what did Jesus tell his disciples to do?

RESURRECTION COOKIES:
Prepare Saturday night - Easter Eve

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Plastic baggie
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. It is very important to do this before doing anything else.

1. Place nuts in baggie, seal tightly, and allow the child to beat them with a wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

2. Open the vinegar and let everyone smell it. Pour 1 teaspoon into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, all He was given t0 drink was vinegar. Read John 19:28-30.

3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Tell everyone that eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each person’s hand. Let each taste it, then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Sprinkle a little sugar into each person’s hand. Let each taste it, then pour 1 cup of sugar into the bowl. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

6. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents our purity in God’s eyes because our sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18.

7. Fold in nuts gently. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven; close the door and TURN THE OVEN OFF.Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door shut. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

9. You’re done! Explain that you cannot eat the cookies tonight, but that you have to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. This might make your children sad but you can use this to explain that Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

10. The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the third day, Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

RESURRECTION EGGS:
Assemble the weekend before Easter. Hide two eggs each day (Monday - Saturday) and have the children find. Read and discuss scripture.

Directions on how to create resurrection eggs are found on The Old Schoolhouse link I have provided below. Click on "Unit Study".

CRAFTS:
Found on Enchanted Learning website link below.

1. Hatchable Dinosaur Egg (balloons, newspaper, flour, water, tempera paint) – MONDAY and paint on FRIDAY

2. Handprint Paper Flowers (construction, pipe cleaners or straws) - TUESDAY

3. Worksheet – Speckled Eggs Matching (Two columns of eggs each with a certain # of dots.. have kids draw a line between the matches) – WEDNESDAY

4. Worksheet – Color and Count the Eggs (draw plain, speckled, striped and star eggs).. color plain yellow, speckled blue, striped green and star red then count each. - WEDNESDAY

5. Pretend Stained Glass (wax paper, glitter, crayon shavings, flowers, cut outs) - THURSDAY

Websites Referenced:

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Easter Unit Study

Enchanted Learning Easter Crafts