**Lesson Plan: The Triumphant Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem**
**Grade Level:** Nursery 1
**Subject:** Christian Religious Studies
**Duration:** 45 minutes
**Objective:**
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and identify key elements of the story, such as Jesus riding a donkey, the people waving palm branches, and shouting "Hosanna."
**Materials:**
- Picture book or story cards illustrating the triumphant entry
- Palm branches (real or created from green construction paper)
- A toy donkey or a picture of a donkey
- Coloring sheets depicting the scene
- Crayons or markers
- Simple props for role-play (e.g., scarves or blankets for cloaks)
- Computer or audio device with a recording of a children's song about Palm Sunday
**Introduction (10 minutes):**
1. **Greeting and Prayer** (2 minutes): Begin the lesson by greeting the children and saying a short prayer together.
2. **Attention Grabber** (3 minutes): Show a picture of a donkey and ask the children if they know what it is. Discuss briefly the role of donkeys during Jesus' time.
3. **Story Time Preparation** (5 minutes): Briefly introduce the story by telling the class that they will hear a special story about Jesus and His visit to a big city, Jerusalem. Explain that this event is celebrated on Palm Sunday.
**Body of Lesson (25 minutes):**
1. **Storytelling** (10 minutes): Use the picture book or story cards to tell the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Emphasize that Jesus rode a donkey, people laid down their cloaks, waved palm branches, and shouted "Hosanna!" Illustrate each key point with the pictures or props.
- "Jesus sent two of His disciples to a village to get a young donkey."
- "Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem."
- "People were so happy to see Jesus that they put their cloaks on the ground."
- "They waved palm branches and shouted, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
2. **Role-Play Activity** (10 minutes): Have the children act out the story:
- One child can pretend to be Jesus riding the toy donkey or stick donkey.
- Others can wave the palm branches and shout "Hosanna!"
- Some can lay down scarves or blankets as "cloaks."
3. **Discussion and Repetition** (5 minutes): Ask simple questions about the story to reinforce understanding:
- "Who did Jesus send to get the donkey?"
- "What did the people do when they saw Jesus on the donkey?"
**Conclusion (10 minutes):**
1. **Art and Craft Activity** (8 minutes): Give each child a coloring sheet depicting the scene of Jesus' triumphant entry. Have them color the picture while you play a children’s song about Palm Sunday in the background.
2. **Review and Wrap-up** (2 minutes): Recap the day's lesson by asking the children to share what they learned. End the class with a short prayer thanking Jesus for His love and the special story of His entry into Jerusalem.
**Assessment:**
Observe the children during the role-play and art activity to ensure they understand key elements of the story. Listen to their responses during discussions to gauge comprehension.
**Reflection:**
Reflect on the lesson to determine what worked well and what could be improved. Note how engaged the children were with the story and activities, and adjust future lessons accordingly.