Lesson Objective:
Consider personal dreams
Lesson Outcome:
By the end of the lesson, the children will have learnt about the story of Daniel and the dream, as well as considered what dreams they have had and have for the future.
Resources:
The Story of Daniel and the Dream
Introduction
- Brainstorm – What are dreams? – Ask the class what they understand by the term ‘dream’. Allow discussion and then steer conversation to the idea of two types of dream: 1) The dreams that you have when you sleep. 2) The dreams that you wish for – your goals and aspirations.
Discuss some of these with the children, asking them to share their different types of dreams.
Main Teaching
- Daniel – Tell the class that Daniel means “Justice from God” or “God is my judge”. At a young age Daniel was carried off to Babylon where he became famous for interpreting dreams and rose to become one of the most important figures in the court.
- The Story of Daniel and the Dream – Read the story about Daniel being asked to tell the king what his dream was (not interpreting it). Discuss why this makes Daniel an important figure and why God chose to tell Daniel the dream that the king had.
Activity
- Option 1: Drawing a Dream – Ask children to think about a dream that they have had recently or in the past that is important to them. (Some children may not be able to recall the whole dream and so tell them that it is okay to make some of the details up). Children will then draw a picture of the dream (it can be a scene or a few images) and write what the dream was and what they think it meant. Teacher may wish to model how to do this.
- Option 2: Dreams for the Future – Children to think about what it is they wish to achieve in the future, whether it be a profession, a target at school or something to do with their family life. Children to draw/write/create a poem about one or more of these aspirations. Within their drawing/writing/poem they must explain why this is their dream and why it is important to them.
Plenary
- Dreams for the Synagogue – Discuss what the dreams of the synagogue may be. Where do they see the synagogue in 1 years time, 5 years, 10 years, 50 years? How do they see their connection to the synagogue continuing?