This post is obviously for older kids, most appropriate for 3rd to 5th graders. Our church is in the process of adopting a new curriculum that needs a lot of additional supplementing, so I have been working on writing the second unit that includes Noah and Babel. The new curriculum is a workshop-based rotation model with six individual classes covering one topic (Drama, Arts, Games, Music & Memory, Geography, and Storytelling). Since memorization and ordering the books of the Bible will be an objective in the Music & Memory workshop, I thought that creating a “DIY Books of the Bible Puzzle” would be a beneficial way to engage the kiddos!
Even though there are only 60 pieces to the puzzle (and 66 books in the Bible), I was able to make it work by doubling-up on 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and 1 and 2 Peter. I also tripled-up on 1, 2, and 3 John.
I color-coded the puzzle according to the types of books (using this poster): Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, Gospels, Church History, Letters, and Prophecy.
Here’s what you’ll need: a 60-piece puzzle (like this one), a folder or piece of cardboard, mailing labels, and highlighters of various colors. I also recommend using this Books of the Bible poster.
1. Get your 60-piece puzzle (I bought this one at the Dollar Store, but you could get one like this too).
2. Put your puzzle together on a folder or piece of cardboard…I always start with the edge pieces first. :)
Done (and I’m ashamed to say how long it took me to put together myself…I am NOT a fan of puzzles or spatial awareness in general, as my husband can attest to when it comes to driving directions)!
3. Carefully flip the puzzle over onto the backside using the file folder/cardboard.
4. Cut your adhesive mailing labels in much smaller pieces (or you can write directly on the puzzle pieces…the only reason I didn’t do this was so that I could cover up some of the “Made in China” information printed at the bottom right side of the puzzle).
5. Write the names of each book of the Bible in order (going left to right).
6. After you’ve written the names, color-code the pieces according to the type of book by tracing around the label and/or puzzle piece:
Genesis through Deuteronomy: Law
Joshua through Esther: History
Job through Song of Solomon: Poetry
Isaiah through Daniel: Major Prophets
Hosea through Malachi: Minor Prophets
Matthew through John: Gospels
Acts: Church History
Romans through 3 John: Letters
Revelation: Prophecy
7. Use a thick permanent marker to make a noticeable division between the Old and New Testaments. (FYI: Did you know the word “testament” actually means “promise”??? I learned that on What’s in the Bible?). :)
8. Store in a plastic baggie!
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I’m a little ashamed at how much faster my 2-year-old can work a puzzle than I can. That kid can do a 24-piece puzzle with ease.
I love this idea! I can’t wait to make this for my kids when they get a little older.
I love this idea! We are also changing up our curriculum at church. Memory activities are what I’ve recently been preparing. I got this initial idea from someone else, but adapted it for the NT books. The game Jenga has 54 pieces. Divided by 2 that is 27 which is the same number of books in the NT. I wrote the name of each book on a piece and the kids can then put them in order. They could stack them, but I’m going to start with them just lining them up. Would love any other fun, creative ideas you have for learning memory verses, etc.
I’m so excited to try this with my girls and the kids at church. Good idea Janae,keep em comin’!