Lesson Objective:
To Know the Stories of Jacob
Lesson Outcome:
By the end of the lesson, the children will have learnt about the stories of Jacob and thought about how it is wrong to trick people.
Resources:
The Story of Jacob and Esau
The Story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah
Storyboard Template
Jacob Colouring Pictures
Introduction
- Brainstorm – Who is Jacob? – Children to think about what they know about Jacob. Brainstorm ideas and thoughts about the story of Jacob, his family tree (i.e. Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca) and his relationship with his brother Esau.
Main Teaching
- Story 1: The Story of Jacob and Esau – Read the story of Jacob and Esau and the stealing of the birthright. Discuss how Jacob deceived Isaac and why he did so. Was it right for him to do this? What should he have done instead? Should Isaac have behaved differently towards his two sons? What about Rebekah’s role in the story?
- Story 2: The Story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah – Read the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah and discuss how Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah before marrying Rachel. What is the message of this story? Was it right for Laban to do this to Jacob?
- Hot seating – Imagine you were Jacob – how did you feel when you tricked Esau and Isaac? How did you feel when you were tricked into marrying Leah?Hot seating – Imagine you were Leah or Rachel – how did you feel?
Hot seating – Imagine you were Esau – how did you feel?Children to ask questions to the different characters of the story.
Activity
- Option 1: Drama– Children to act out the story of Jacob (either story 1 or 2). Children may wish to script the story first or simply perform as the story is read. Think about the characters’ feelings within the story when acting. You may wish to add an alternative ending scene to show what could have happened if the honourable things were done.
- Option 2: Write a poem/rap –Children to write a poem or rap about either story and try to tell the story within it. Remember that they do not need to rhyme but should have rhythm. Children to think about including the main characters as well as how they feel within the story.
- Option 3: Doing the Right Thing – Children to think of a situation where they have done something wrong and have resolved to make it up. They can present this in drama form, written form or picture form.
Example: Stealing a toy from a sibling, but eventually giving it back and saying sorry.
Example: Being mean to someone, but saying sorry and spending some time with them to make it up.
- Option 4: Retell the Story of Jacob – Using the Storyboard Template, children to retell one of the stories of Jacob with pictures and captions.
- Option 5: Colouring Page – Children to colour in pictures of Jacob and Esau.
Plenary
- Show work produced – Children to present their work to the rest of the class/parents
- Discuss the importance of doing the right thing, even if we wish we didn’t have to