Homeschool Unit Studies

for Lent

These homeschool unit studies for Lent help your child truly prepare for Easter. They keep his focus of attention on the tremendous sacrifice of Jesus for us.

He could do several of projects during the first few days of Lent and/or one a week.

"Pray always and never lose heart."
Luke 18:1

Starred activities count as art credit.

Home School Unit Studies for Lent:

• Crosses*

  Make a cardboard pattern of a cross (about 3"x4"). Each day the child traces a cross and cuts it out of black or purple construction paper. Then he tapes it on a conspicuous wall. By the end of Lent, he will have forty black crosses in a row. (We put the crosses on the classroom wall or in our living room.)

  Also, each child makes his own row or the children take daily turns making the cut-out.

  The Monday after Easter, the youngster draws/colors/paints a beautiful depiction of the Resurrection. Tape the picture at the end of the crosses.

  Hang any additional Resurrection pictures throughout the house.

• Table Centerpiece*

  Buy inexpensive, purple or black material. Hem it. Attractively arrange the material on a plate or small tray. Place it in the center of your table. Top it with the Crown of Thorns or a thorn bush.

  We have a thorn tree with 2-3 inch thorns. We just (carefully) cut several short branches and arranged them on top of the purple material. Just looking at the length and sharpness of the needles is very sobering.

  Branches of a rose bush work, too.

• Money for Charity

  In the middle of the thorn branches, place a small cup or can. (The youngsters can decorate it.*) In it, collect change to give to charity at the end of Lent. As a family, perhaps occasionally give up a trip for ice cream and drop the money saved into the container.

• Lenten Resolutions*

  Ask the youngster to think carefully about the Lenten season. Discuss its meaning and how he can best use this time to grow in his love for Christ.

  **********

  Note: We choose both a positive and a negative action. "Everyday I will do one nice thing for my sister, and I will give up candy."

  **********

  Now the child draws two scenes depicting each of his resolutions. We use one sheet of paper or poster board divided in half. The title is "My Lenten Resolutions." Each picture shows the child fulfilling his resolutions...i.e. giving his sister a glass of juice and politely refusing his aunt's offer of M & M's.

  Hang the picture in a prominent place.

Each of these homeschool unit studies powerfully makes Lent "real." With a minimum investment of time and trouble, the children will reap generous and lasting rewards.

Crown of Thorns Art Project

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