WIXLIB

SCHOOL LESSON PLANSOPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.AU OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.NZ

GOOD NEWS.GREAT JOY.Operation Christmas Child is a unique project of Samaritan’s Purse that brings joy and hopeto children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes.It provides an opportunity for people of all ages to beinvolved in a simple but hands-on project that has thepower to transform children’s lives.Unpacking the purposeof shoeboxesTeams in Australia and New Zealand sent hundredsof thousands of gift-filled shoeboxes to be deliveredby local church partners in South East Asia and theSouth Pacific. Globally, Samaritan’s Purse collectedgift-filled shoeboxes for millions of children in over100 countries.The following lessons will enable teachers toexplore Biblical concepts that are foundational tothe Operation Christmas Child project.The three lessons unpack the areas of gift giving,what it means to be a Good Samaritan, andbringing hope to the world through being involvedin the Operation Christmas Child project.As each shoebox gift is delivered, it is treasured by thechild that receives it, and is a lasting reminder that heor she is precious to God.CONTENTS2INTRODUCTION3LESSON 1: ‘The Greatest Gift’4LESSON 2: ‘I’ll be there for you’5WORKSHEET: ‘What would you wantsomeone to do for you?’6WORKSHEET: ‘The Good Samaritan’7-8LESSON 3: ‘Hope for the World’9INSTRUCTIONS: ‘How to Pack a Shoebox’10CLASSROOM POSTER11-12 COLOURING PAGES FOR A SHOEBOX2

LESSON 1“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and shegave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placedhim in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”THE GREATEST GIFTOVERVIEWChristmas is a very familiar celebration to the majority ofchildren in this country. This lesson does not have to betaught immediately prior to Christmas. In fact, if taughtearlier in the year it allows an objective look at an importantChristian celebration, without being distracted by thetrappings of a ‘traditional’ Christmas. The idea of giving andreceiving gifts is ‘unpacked’, encouraging students to reflecton the purpose of gifts and the parallels to Jesus being theultimate gift from God.CURRICULUM LINKS & VALUES EDUCATIONThe following lesson provides the opportunity for aneducational and values-rich experience in the followingareas: Physical, Personal and Social Learning, specificallyInterpersonal Development and Civics & Citizenship. Students are provided the opportunity to understandand be able to apply values such as care andcompassion; doing your best; fair go; freedom; honestyand trustworthiness; integrity; respect; responsibilityand understanding, tolerance and inclusion. [NationalFramework for Values Education in Australian Schools2005.]INTRODUCTIONWhat is the best Christmas present you have ever receivedand why was it special to you?a) Bring in a Christmas present you once received that hasgreat sentimental value to you and place it in a shoebox.Children have 10 guesses to work out what’s in the boxand you are only allowed to answer yes or no. When theyhave guessed or run out of guesses, unwrap the box andreveal your favourite present. Explain why it is special toyou.b) Ask children to write their favourite Christmas present ona piece of paper and put it in the shoebox. Children taketurns to pick paper out of the box – and guess who thepresent belongs to.CROSS-CURRICULAROPPORTUNITIESICT: Use photos to make a poster or PowerPointpresentation on activities and beliefs about Christmas.LUKE 2:6-7 (NIV)LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the preparations for, andthe main customs, stories, or beliefsassociated with Christmas. Identify some examples of specialtimes or seasons in the calendar of afaith community and explain why thecommunity might celebrate them.ACTIVITYMake 2 points:1) Sometimes it doesn’t matter to you what the presentactually is, it’s just the fact that it was given to you bysomeone special that makes the present special.2) All these presents in the box are physical objects,which are nice to receive and give us pleasure, butequally you could have written down e.g. ‘a day outwith my parents’, ‘an invitation to a party’, ‘a hug frommy nan’, etc. which are also gifts given to us by others.Ask children to tell their partner what their favourite‘non–object’ gift is.How do Christians celebrate Christmas? Why do theycelebrate Christmas in this way?Talk to the children about why Christians celebrateChristmas and show relevant images. If the childrencelebrate Christmas they may find some similarities withtheir own celebrations – encourage them to look out foradditional activities and in particular, what Christiansbelieve about Christmas.Read the Christmas story from the Bible – Luke 2:1-20.WRAP-UPWhy is Christmas an important celebration forChristians? What gift are they celebrating?Play a well-known Christmas Carol, such as “Away in aManger”. Look at the words of the song and discuss whatit teaches about the meaning of Christmas for Christians.Giving gifts away at Christmas reminds us that God gaveus Jesus – He is the greatest gift.FURTHER RESOURCESDRAMA: Put on a class re-enactmentof the nativity scene.VIDEO “Shoebox Gifts Open Doors” – available on ourYouTube channel.ART: Design and paint a gift card for someoneelse in the class or school.Visit operationchristmaschild.org.au ORoperationchristmaschild.org.nz to order the OperationChristmas Child DVD which includes other videos.OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.AU OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.NZ*Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Franklin Graham, International President.3

LESSON 2“He answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart andwith all your soul and with all your strength and with all yourmind’ and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.”I’LL BE THERE FOR YOUOVERVIEWMost teachers have their ‘tried and tested’ ways of presentingthe story of The Good Samaritan. It is obviously an importantstory when considering the work of Samaritan’s Purse so theseactivities are designed to help the children understand whythe Samaritan acted in the way that he did, as an introductionto Lesson 3 about the work of Samaritan’s Purse overseas.Rather than just focusing on the command that Jesus gave inthis story, “Love your neighbour as yourself”, this plan mainlyconsiders the complementary command, “Do for others asyou would have them do for you” that Jesus gave his followerson another occasion in the Bible.CURRICULUM LINKS & VALUES EDUCATIONThe following lesson provides the opportunity foran educational and values-rich experience in thefollowing areas: Physical, Personal and Social Learning, specificallyInterpersonal Development and Civics & Citizenship. Students are provided the opportunity to understand and beable to apply values such as care and compassion; doingyour best; fair go; freedom; honesty and trustworthiness;integrity; respect; responsibility and understanding,tolerance and inclusion. [National Framework for ValuesEducation in Australian Schools 2005.]INTRODUCTIONWhen might you need someone to help you?a) Present the scenarios on the ‘What would you wantsomeone to do for you?’ worksheet for the children todiscuss. Either complete the worksheet, act out situationsor ‘hot seat’ someone for their opinion.The children could invent their own situations.LUKE 25:27 (NIV)LEARNING OBJECTIVES Suggest the possible meanings orpurpose behind the story of the GoodSamaritan. Encourage the students tocompare the experiences of charactersin the stories with their own experienceof life. When considering the story of TheGood Samaritan, discuss somepractical ways that we can follow thisexample of helping others.ACTIVITYWhy did Jesus tell the story of The Good Samaritan?Read the story of The Good Samaritan from the Bible(Luke 10:25-37). Ask the children to imagine that theywere the person who was attacked. How would theyfeel? What would they want someone to do for them?Then consider how the Samaritan would have felt.Why did he stop to help? Was he scared while he washelping this stranger? How did he feel about spendinghis own money to help? Do one or both of the followingactivities.1) Complete The Good Samaritan worksheet, whichputs the children in the shoes of the man who wasattacked. Worksheet can be found at the end of thislesson plan.2) Rewrite the story from the Samaritan’s point of view.It could be written as a diary entry.*Worksheet can be found at the end of this lesson plan.WRAP-UPb) Recap Lesson 1: God gave us Jesus – He was the greatestgift to us. Christians believe it is important to help peoplein need. It tells us to do this in the Bible. Explain that intoday’s lesson we are going to look at a story that Jesustold to teach people that they should help and care foreveryone.What did Jesus tell his followers about : Write simple play scripts; Manipulate narrativeperspective by producing a modern retelling; Use theconventions of journalism to report on eventsICT: Design the Samaritan’s diary in Word or Publisher.a) Recap the scenarios from the beginning of thelesson. Think about the things you said you want tohappen next. Would you be willing to do those thingsfor someone else? Even if it was someone you didn’tlike? Why do you think the stranger helped whenno one else did? Maybe he knew how he would feelif he was the injured person. This is a good pictureof a rule that Jesus gave to his followers which issometimes called ‘The Golden Rule’ and is found inMatthew 7:12, “Do for others what you want them todo for you” (Good News Bible).b) Make posters of The Golden Rule to display aroundthe school.OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.AU OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.NZ*Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Franklin Graham, International President.4

stnawuoy“What do for you?”odotenoeomsituations.esethinlfersuofind yxt.Imagine that youhat you hope would happen neWrite or draw w1You missed a penalty in yourfootball match on Saturday. Someteam members are blaming you forlosing the match. What do youwant someone to do for you?3You are shopping with your friends.You've lost your wallet. How are yougoing to get home without your busfare? What do you wantsomeone to do for you?24Your teacher has told you to workin pairs on a Maths question. Youare worried because you don’tunderstand it as well as your partnerdoes. What do you wantsomeone to do for you?You’ve started at a new school. Youhave moved from a different area ofthe country and do not know anyone.It’s the first playtime. What do youwant someone to do for you?OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.AU OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.NZ*Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Franklin Graham, International President.5

natiramaSdTh e G o ot attackedogohwnamethImagine you are ry of The Good Samaritan.in the sto1The robbers have just gone. You’relying on the dusty road. How do youfeel? What do you shout?3A Samaritan is approaching. You’resure he won’t help. How do you feelnow? Write your thoughts.24Two people have just gone past.They didn’t help you. How do youfeel now? Send a text to a friend.You’re recovering at the inn. TheSamaritan brought you here and paidthe bill out of his own purse. How doyou feel now? Send an email tothe Samaritan to thank him.OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.AU OPERATIONCHRISTMASCHILD.ORG.NZ*Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Franklin Graham, International President.6