Using the Bible to Teach Early Math (Part 2)

Did you know that the Bible has over one hundred references to the mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division? Genesis 1 introduces us to ordinal numbers, informing us of what God did from the first day of creation to the last. This shows us that God is a god of order, and mathematics principles and concepts are all a part of his design and plan. The stories, symbols, and concepts in the Bible therefore make it an ideal resource to teach early mathematics skills, in particular geometric shapes.

Geometric shapes are?closed figures created using points, line segments, circles, and curves. Objects with various geometric shapes are all around us. For instance, we know that the sun has a circular shape and the Earth is spherical. Research has shown that teaching young children about basic shapes helps to build their geometric skills in the following areas: logical and analytic reasoning, understanding spatial relationships, fine motor skills, and visual discrimination.

The Bible Math: 2D and 3D Shapes workbook is one resource that has engaging activities to promote Bible knowledge, and build children’s early geometric skills.

The book contains two reproducible pages with activities that help children understand all aspects of the two- or three-dimensional shape, the Bible lesson being taught, and promote other early childhood concepts and skills. The workbook is fully aligned with Mathematics K-2 standards. It includes:

1. An informative introduction?that guides parents and teachers on how to use the workbook to teach basic geometric shapes
2. Reproducible activity pages?that help children learn the most common 2D and 3D shapes, and their properties, as well as things in the Bible and the environment with these shapes.
3. A connecting Bible story promotes reading, Bible knowledge, a sense of story, comprehension skills, and reinforcement strategies.
4. Integrated concepts?that further provide children with opportunities to identify patterns and sequences, visually discriminate shapes, draw, color, and build their fine motor skills

5.? Assessment activities to measure students’ progress

?The book is a great resource for:

• Christian schools’ kindergarten and lower elementary grades
• Children’s Bible Classes (Sunday School, Sabbath School, and Vacation Bible School) that want to integrate public school topics
• Kindergarten and elementary Christian clubs
• Churches that want to establish or grow their children and youth ministries
• Parents who homeschool using a Christian education curriculum
• Missionaries who must share the Gospel and promote ‘Education for All’

?Using the Activity Sheets

1. Lesson Preparation: Review the shape you will be teaching and ensure that students have all the resources (pencils, crayons, erasers) for an engaging lesson.
2. Shape Recognition—Show children an example of the shape being taught. Shape cards are at the back of this book. Ask them to name the shape on the card.
3. Shape Properties—Discuss the properties or attributes of the specific shape. For example, the number of corners and edges. Remind children that 2D shapes are flat, but 3D shapes are fat.
4. Bible Knowledge—Read the Bible story related to the geometric shape. Discuss the story and item related to the shape with students.
5. Shape Knowledge—Have children do the activities on the worksheets relating to the shape you are teaching.
6. Home-School Connection—Ask children to name objects in their environment that have similar shapes as the shape being taught.
7. Reinforcement Strategies—Use songs, rhymes, and stories to reinforce the lesson taught. For example, if you teach the star shape, you can have children sing, We Three Kings. ?Build shapes from components such as sticks and clay.
8. Assessment – Use activities at the back of the book to assess children’s understanding of geometric shapes, as well as other mathematical concepts and skills.
9. Encouragement—Encourage students during instruction.

How to Access Bible Math: 2D and 3D Shapes

Click Here! Amazon.com

Other books in the series include Bible Math: 1-2-3. The Bible Phonics series including Bible Phonics: A-B-C is available on Amazon and TPT. Explore great Bible math activities on Pinterest.

OTHER POSTS: Using the Bible to teach Early Childhood Math, Don't Worry Be Happy in Christ, Finding Peace with Christ, Learn from the Ant, A Ride for Life, Scholarships to Go, and Bring the Family Back Together Again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allison Hall has over twenty years of experience in education. She has worked as a public relations officer and education officer with the Ministry of Education, Jamaica. Allison is the creator of the Success with Phonics, Bible Math, and Bible Phonics series. She holds a Diploma in Teaching, a Diploma in Educational Management, a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, and a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies. Ms. Hall's work has been featured in Jamaica's early childhood, primary, and secondary schools. She is currently a Reading Specialist at a middle school in Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

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