2.         THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM

Preparation.  Collect samples of the vegetable kingdom for a table display, with books on flowers, gardening, trees etc.  For the creative work: non-toxic, washable paints, either powder paints or poster paints.  Brushes and protective clothing.  Newspaper to cover the work surface.  Prepare for each child the 'landscape' as in diagram 2.  Potatoes cut in half for printing.  Cut out simple flower and tree shapes, with a knife, in the potato.

Examples for the potato prints:  (Cut away the shaded areas.)

Prayers.

Song.  Suggestions 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'   'Things I love' from The Nursery Song Book.   'God Who Made the Earth' can be found in most hymnals under the children's section.

News Time and Birthdays.

Revision of previous lesson.  Use the Kingdom Chart to recap on the last lesson and then ask the children which one comes next.

Introduction.  Using the displayed items and books briefly discuss the various types of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables.  Get the children to comment on the differences and also the varied landscapes that can be found, e.g. desert, forest, underwater.

Now STRESS the one thing they have in common: UNLIKE MINERALS, PLANTS GROW.

Story.   The Parable of the Sower, 'The Field of Treasure  from Aesop's Fables or another suitable story.

Reading.            'Supplicate unto God', p.41 in 'Magnified Be Thy Name' prayer book.  Type or write this out, one for each child.  Read or ask one of the children to read it and explain the meaning. This can be stuck in their work books.

Creative work.  Each child will need the 'landscape' picture.  Ask them if they can tell what is missing.  Now using the potato prints they can design a landscape of trees and flowers.  Remind them of the sorts of landscapes they can find, areas covered in trees, areas with no trees etc.  The children should be quite free to put the prints where they choose.  The river and sea could be coloured in first.

Music.  If you have a suitable record or tape this can be played either during the creative work time or at a quiet time afterwards.

Closing Prayer.

Diagram 2.

 Last modified: May 17, 2001

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