Diamante (Diamond) Poem

Supplies: Bible, paper & pencils

Verse(s): Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Goal: Reinforce the lesson that "There is a time for everything."

Set-up/Introduction: Revisit Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Point out how there a season for everything and how Solomon presents pairs of opposites to demonstrate that.

Today we are going to write a diamante poem. Diamante is the Italian word for diamond and describes the shape of the poem. (Show example.) It is made up of seven lines in this form:

line 1: one noun
line 2: two adjectives describing line 1
line 3: three participles (words ending in -ing or -ed) relating to line 1
line 4: two nouns relating to line 1; two nouns relating to line 7
line 5: three participles relating to line 7
line 6: two adjectives describing line 7
line 7: one noun which is an opposite word for the noun in line 1.

(See http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/diamond.htm for examples.)

Activity: Divide class into groups of 3-5 children. Each group will pick a pair of words and create a diamante poem. Allow about 4-5 minutes for each group to create their poems. You might even provide each group the samples of at least the form to assist them in creating their poems.

When done, allow each group to read their poems. Consider including some or all of them in the children's ministry newsletter.

Conclusion: Discuss poems as you go.

(The picture shows the poems the kids wrote. I did a screen print to preserve the diamond shape of the poems.)

Just Joking

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 26:18-19

Lying and pranks are no joking matter.

Cast:
JEFF – the jokester
CHERYL – the victim

Props:
Joy buzzer, whoopee cushion, rubber spider, "kick me" sign
Proverbs 26:18-19 displayed
Blackberry (or other valued item)

(Opens with JEFF on stage alone starting the lesson. CHERYL is offstage with the Blackberry.)

JEFF: Up here behind me is our Proverb for this week. But before we start, I want to show you some of the fun stuff I got this week. (Blows up whoopee cushion and sets it on a chair. Just then CHERYL enters.) Better yet, let me demonstrate.

CHERYL: Jeff, I think you left your….

JEFF: You look tired have a seat.

CHERYL: I'm not really tired… (JEFF guides CHERYL into the chair onto the whoopee cushion.) Very nice.

JEFF: It's just a joke. Let me help you up. (JEFF helps CHERYL up but offers hand with joy buzzer. JEFF laughs.)

CHERYL: What the… (Looks at hand then realizes what happened.) I don't think that's very funny.

JEFF: . I was only joking, but I'm sorry. (Places "kick me" sign on CHERYL's back.)

CHERYL: (Spins around a couple of times to reveal the sign then removes it.) Cut it out.

JEFF: It's just a joke. Oh, and you have something on your shirt.

CHERYL: (Looks down and gets her nose tweaked.) Very mature.

JEFF: Lighten up. I was only joking. It's a joke. (Removes rubber spider from pocket and starts to put it on CHERYL's shoulder.)

CHERYL: What's next a rubber spider on my shoulder?

JEFF: (Quickly returning spider to his pocket.) No, not at all.

CHERYL: (Gives JEFF the evil eye.) Hmmm. Did you ever read today's Proverb?

JEFF: Of course I did.

CHERYL: And what do you think it is talking about?

JEFF: It says that someone who is joking is a madman (ala Steve Martin "Wild and Crazy Guy") and is smokin' (ala The Mask).

CHERYL: No. It says that someone who lies or does tricks on other people is like crazy man shooting flaming arrows.

JEFF: As if. What is the harm in a few little pranks?

CHERYL: Really? I came in here to tell you something, but you nearly chased me off with your "jokes."

JEFF: What were you going to tell me that is so important?

CHERYL: That I found your Blackberry in the other room. (Holds up Blackberry.)

JEFF: (Checking pockets.) How'd I do that? Thanks so much
.
CHERYL: (Hands Blackberry back.) Your pranks nearly cost you your Blackberry, but I showed you grace and gave it back anyway. The next person might not be so nice.

JEFF: I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings. I will be more careful in the future.

CHERYL: Honestly?

JEFF: No joking.

The Little Red Hen

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 10:4

The Proverb is illustrated with the tale of The Little Red Hen acted out by the children.

Cast:
LITTLE RED HEN – does all the work
DOG – lazy companion
CAT – lazy companion
DUCK – lazy companion
NARRATOR – tells the story, delivers Proverb & tag line

Costume:
Something to suggest each person's animal. For example, each could wear a mask or nose for that animal. (The Dog, Cat, and Duck are traditional for the story, but any farm animal could be substituted if you have the costume.)

Props:
None – all items will be pantomimed

NARRATOR: Today, we are going to tell the story of the Little Red Hen, and I need some volunteers. I need, as you may have guessed, a Little Red Hen. (Pick a smaller girl and supply costume.)

Now, I need her three friends. I need a Dog (pick child; provide mask), a Cat (pick child; provide mask), and a Duck (pick child; provide mask).

As I read the story, I want each of you to act your parts, and I will provide you with your lines. Ready? Here we go:

One day as the Little Red Hen was scratching in a field, she found a grain of wheat.
She said, "This wheat should be planted. Who will plant this grain of wheat?"
The Duck said, "Not I."
The Cat said, "Not I."
The Dog said, "Not I."
The Little Red Hen said, "Then I will." And she did.
Soon the wheat grew to be tall and yellow.
The Little Red Hen said, "The wheat is ripe. Who will cut the wheat?"
The Duck said, "Not I."
The Cat said, "Not I."
The Dog said, "Not I."
The Little Red Hen said, "Then I will." And she did.
When the wheat was cut, the Little Red Hen said, "Who will thresh the wheat?"
The Duck said, "Not I."
The Cat said, "Not I."
The Dog said, "Not I."
The Little Red Hen said, "Then I will." And she did.
When the wheat was threshed, the Little Red Hen said, "Who will take this wheat to the mill?"
The Duck said, "Not I."
The Cat said, "Not I."
The Dog said, "Not I."
The Little Red Hen said, "Then I will." And she did.
She took the wheat to the mill and had it ground into flour. Then she said, "Who will make this flour into bread?"
The Duck said, "Not I."
The Cat said, "Not I."
The Dog said, "Not I."
The Little Red Hen said, "Then I will." And she did.
She made and baked the bread. Then she said, "Who will eat this bread?"
The Duck said, "Oh! I will."
The Cat said, "And I will."
The Dog said, "And I will."
The Little Red Hen said, "No, No! "I will do that." And she did.

The moral of the story comes from Proverbs 10:4:
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Let's give all of our actors a big hand. Thanks, everyone.