Note to teacher: This section includes a song that will be sung to the tune of “A Bear Went Over The Mountain,” a popular children’s tune. If you are unfamiliar with the song, visit the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLHTDjJX5sY
Before beginning the lesson and to ensure you are comfortable leading the children try i singing the melody with the lyrics below that relate Moses ‘ journey to Mt. Sinai to receive the Torah:
“Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
and what do you think he got?
And what do you think he got?
And what do you think he got?
When Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
what do you think he got?
He got the 10 Commandments (3x)
and also the Torah…
Moses climbed down Mt. Sinai (3x),
and gave the Torah to us…”
It is advised that you sing through the song before you begin the lesson to ensure that you are comfortable leading the children. In the introduction, the verses of the song will be split up in order to engage students in a conversation about the story that the song tells.
Before (Introduction/Set Induction):
Address students:
Today, we’re going to be learning some new songs about a very special holiday that we we’ll celebrate soon. Please take a quick listening turn:
(Teacher should sing the first verse of song, then pause to collect answers):
Sing:
Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
Moses climbed Mt. Sinai,
and what do you think he got?
And what do you think he got?
And what do you think he got?
Pause. Address children:
- So- what do you think he got? (Teacher may wish to document answers)
- What makes you say that?
- How do you know?
(either reinforce appropriate answer, or suggest you keep singing to discover what Moses “got):
SING:
He got the 10 Commandments (3x)
and also the Torah…
Pause. Address children:
- What do we know about the Ten Commandments?
- What do you think he did with the 10 Commandments? (Teacher may wish to document answers)
- What makes you say that?
- How do you know?
(either reinforce appropriate answer, or offer the suggestion, continue singing):
SING:
Moses climbed down Mt. Sinai (3x),
and gave the Torah to us…
Pause. Address children:
- What do we know about the Torah?
- Who do you think the “us” in the song is?
- Since Moses gave us the Torah, what do we do with it?
Now that we’ve explored the song, let’s sing it together
(sing entire song with children)
During :
(It is highly recommended that the teacher create this craft in order to show students an example of the project before the materials are distributed)
Address stud
ents:
Now that you have learned the song about Moses and how we received the 10 Commandments, we are going to create a craft that we can use to help us share the story! You’ll each illustrate the scene, and then, we’ll use two other pictures, one of Moses and of the ten commandments and a magnet so that we can make Moses “climb” the mountain!
Steps: Note: You will need sufficient copies for each student of the pictures indicated in # 1 and #2 below.
- Draw or find a picture that depicts Mt. Sinai where the Jewish people are waiting for Moses to bring them the Torah. (As an option, you may wish to have students create their own pictures of this event.).
- Cut out a picture of Moses and a picture of the Ten Commandments (on stock paper, or laminate)
- Affix a paper clip to the back of Moses’ picture with tape (behind his head or torso)
- Affix the magnet to a popsicle stick (this can be done ahead of time, depending on circumstance)
- Now, students can use the popsicle stick with magnet from behind their picture to show Moses climbing Mt. Sinai (via paper clip on his back)
- Finally, using velcro strip, stick one adhesive side to Moses’ hands and the other to the back of the Ten Commandments picture
- To finish the activity, sing the song that the students learned previously while they each demonstrate Moses going up Mt. Sinai (with magnet) receiving the Ten Commandments (put picture in his hand) and then bringing them back to the Jewish people
After (Conclusion/Summarizing Activity):
Address Students:
Now that we have learned about Moses and the Ten commandments, let’s talk about what they can teach us.
Story Share:
Read
Ten Good Rules by Susan Remick Topek.
After reading the book, make a large list that the children can see, and number it 1-10. Ask children if they can remember all 10 of the good rules, and refer back to the book if children need help in remembering the rules. Display your rules prominently in the classroom and refer back to it, as appropriate, when children need support in following the rules.