Annual Homeschool Projects:

Crown of Thorns

My daughter sent me the following "Homeschool Projects: Lenten Crown of Thorns." She and her girls did it with great success and wanted to share it with you.

This wonderful activity was promoted by her local homeschool group. Of the many homeschool art projects "out there," I think you will agree that it is one that will touch the hearts and minds of both children and parents.

Preference Note: Pick the option better suited for your family:

1) Some families remove thorns for good deeds and sacrifices. (my preference)

2) Others ask a child to place a thorn back in after transgressions that would be hurtful to our Lord.

The Baker's Clay recipe: I halved a recipe I found. Double this if you want more, but the following amount makes a nice sized crown.

• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup water

Mix the above ingredients and knead the clay.

For a crown of thorns:

1) a. Simple version: divide clay into two sections and roll these into 2 long ropes. Let child twist into a "rope", place on baking sheet to form a circle, then press ends together to seal.

or

b. Braided crown: divide clay into three sections, roll these into 3 long ropes. Braid ropes together, then form the circle on a baking sheet and press ends to seal.

2) Dip toothpicks in cooking oil (I break ours in half so we don't use as many toothpicks), then push the oily end into the crown. I recommend wiggling the toothpick a little so that the "thorn" will come out easily...otherwise they stick and are hard to remove.

3) Baking time- my recipe recommends 350 for 55 minutes, but I think that is too long. (Just remove it when it is baked, but not burnt!)

4) Allow to cool thoroughly before displaying.

The following is a note from the Mom who circulated this simple, yet very meaningful homeschool project. She did not want any credit for it. God bless her.

"I saw my niece (5 years at the time) last year using her crown of thorns during Lent, removing thorns every time she did something nice, or applied good behavior around her house with her parents/siblings. It really touched me to see how happy she was every time she made 'Jesus feel better' after removing a thorn.

For me, it was also very special to see how my sister-in-law had decorated her house so simply with Lent related colors and articles as simple as a baked crown of thorns, to help her children learn and understand a little bit more about Lent and our Lord's passion.

It was the first time I was able to see beyond my materialistic concerns of home decor and find so much beauty in a house with zero spring decor but filled with God's spirit and children so drawn to Him and wanting to make Him happy. It is a lesson I'm never going to forget."

Use the "Crown of Thorns" as a table centerpiece during Lent. We all need to be reminded of the unbelievable sacrifice of Jesus for us. Of all homeschool projects, The Crown' s significance will be remembered long after the art work itself is dusty and broken.

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