Advent Wreath Picture, Word, and Bible Verse Cards and Word Hunt Activity

Teach your students about the symbolism of the Advent Wreath and Candles with this set of Advent Wreath Picture, Word, and Bible Verse Cards and Word Hunt Activity. There are six picture cards of the candles and advent wreath with corresponding information cards that list the name of each candle, an explanation of what the candle symbolizes, and a related Bible verse. The cards can be posted around the room for students to engage in an Advent Wreath Word Hunt: students search around the room for each card and write the words they find on a recording sheet. There are several styles of recording sheets to choose from for differentiated learning, including a simple coloring page with one-word labels, basic charts to write the words, and a more challenging three-column chart for writing the symbols, names, and Bible references (see PREVIEW above for examples). Directions for the Word Hunt Activity and answer keys for the recording sheets are included. The cards can be used for additional activities and lessons based on your students' needs, age levels, and reading abilities. A page of activity ideas (see suggestions below) is included with this resource, including suggestions for adapting activities for younger or older students or for use in multi-age settings. There are variations of the symbolism, names, and Bible verses used in Advent wreath traditions. The symbols and names used in this resource are: Hope (The Prophecy Candle), Love (The Bethlehem Candle), Joy (The Shepherd Candle), Peace (The Angel Candle), Christ (The Christ Candle), Advent Wreath. The Bethlehem Candle description also mentions the other common symbols of “faith” and “preparation” as well. Directions for Word Hunt Activity (included with resource): · Print and cut out the cards, keeping the pictures and corresponding descriptions/Bible verses together. Post the cards in various locations around the room. (For younger students, you may wish to use only the picture/symbol cards) · Choose which recording sheets you want your students to use based on their abilities and which words you want them to write (the symbols: hope, love, joy, peace; the names: Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherd, Angel; the symbols, names, and Bible references). Make copies of the chosen recording sheets for each student. · Each student needs a recording sheet, clipboard, and pencil. Following the order of numbers on the sheet and cards, students search around the room for the cards, writing the words (ex: Hope or Prophecy Candle) on the recording sheet. Older student helpers or parent volunteers could assist younger students in reading the detailed information if needed – great for multi-age classrooms and Christmas parties! · For the recording sheets that require coloring, students can use crayons, colored pencils, or markers to color the candles and wreath during or after the hunt. · Adaptation: Students who struggle with writing can instead cut out labels (or the teacher can pre-cut the labels) and glue them to the blanks on the recording sheets. Additional Activity Ideas (included with resource) · Advent Timeline Cards: Print the cards out and use them in large group instruction to introduce the candles of the Advent wreath for each week of Advent. You can display the cards on the wall as a timeline of the Advent candle lighting. · Memory Match Game: Print and cut out the cards, separating the picture cards from the Description/Bible verse cards. Students can read the name of the candle and the symbolism and Bible verse on a card, and then find the picture/word card that matches that candle’s description. This activity can be adjusted to your students’ levels and abilities. For younger students, you can hand individual students or partners a picture card and have them stand up if they hear the matching description read aloud by the teacher. Older students can work in pairs to read the descriptions and sort the picture cards to the correct description cards. You could also use the cards to play “Memory/Concentration” and have students take turns flipping cards over and determining if the cards match (matching pictures to descriptions). · Writing Center Cards: Print and cut out the cards and place them in your writing center for students to use for Advent themed writing projects. The picture and word cards can help younger students draw and write words, while the description/Bible verse cards can help older students recall more challenging words and details. · Keepsake Cards: Make copies of the cards for each student. Cut out the cards, keeping the pictures and descriptions attached. Fold each in half so that the picture is on one side and the description/Bible verse is on the other, and tape edges together. Students now have their own cards to keep and use to study the meaning of the Advent wreath! You may also be interested in: Advent Wreath and Christmas Candle Hundred Chart Mystery Pictures with Bible Verse Clues