How to Teach Kids About Lent: A Unit Study for Families
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Last year was the first year I was intentional with my time during the Lenten season, the few weeks leading up to Easter.
I always knew Easter was important, but when I came across Sonlight’s Lent Unit Studies, I realized that there was more I could be doing to prepare my heart (and my kids’ hearts) for celebrating our Savior’s resurrection.
There is so much vying for our time and attention during Easter, most of it worldly. I realized that I was ill-equipped to teach my kids just what Lent was all about, and how we could use this time to more fully appreciate what was done for us on the cross.
Sonlight Unit Studies
Sonlight is a literature-based, Christian homeschool curriculum that equips families to teach their kids from preschool through high school.
They really pioneered this method, and specialize in using real books (as opposed to a more textbook-style) to deliver a comprehensive, engaging education in every subject.
In addition to typical subjects like history, science, language arts and math, they also offer a few themed unit studies for Advent, Lent, and other topics (such as Butterfly and 50 States units).
Last year we used the Amon’s Adventures Unit Study for Lent, and my kids absolutely loved it (and I did too!). You can read all about it in this post about Lent family activities.
This year in the weeks leading up to Easter, we are trying out the Sonlight Make Room Unit Study, and I know it will be just as fruitful.
What is Lent?
If you haven’t observed Lent before, or aren’t sure what it is, it’s a time of reflection for Christians in the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday.
During the Lenten season, many people engage in acts of self-discipline such as fasting, prayer, introspection and charitable deeds to deepen their connection with God and prepare for celebrating Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
Complete Lent Lesson Plans
What I love about Sonlight’s unit studies is the fact that pretty much everything you need comes in your kit!
With the Make Room Unit Study, you receive the book you’ll need, a very detailed instructor guide, and a few supplies for crafts and activities you’ll complete during the unit (you may need to supplement some materials, but, they’re usually things you’ll have around your house).
And when I say detailed instructor guide, I mean detailed! Lesson plans are laid out very clearly by day as you can see in the pictures below. There’s a calendar with daily activities planned out, along with additional information to go along with each day you might need.
It’s truly open and go!
Make Room is a beautifully illustrated book that will teach kids all about Lent: why we celebrate it, how we should celebrate it, and shows how simple activities can be an act of worship and honor to the Lord.
Each week during this unit study, you’ll read from the book and related Scripture passages.
You’ll also do a variety of crafts, baking activities, and listen to some wonderful music!
The activities look very meaningful, and I’m looking forward to doing them with my kids (especially some of the baking projects!).
I also love the QR codes that are sprinkled throughout the instructor guide to make it really easy to access the playlist for the music selections.
Teaching Kids About Lent
The Make Room Lenten Unit Study is a 7-week unit, and does include some weekend activities.
The first week is a 5 day week, and then weeks 2 through 6 have activities for all 7 days of the week. This will take you through the 40 days of Lent.
The last week (days 41-48 of the lesson plans) are actually to be used during Holy Week, with the Unit Study finishing on Easter Sunday.
As with any curriculum or lesson plans, you should feel free to use the instructor guide as a guideline, modifying activities as needed to best fit your schedule.
Beautiful Lent Unit Study
If you’re looking for a low-prep, meaningful way to engage your kids in learning what Easter is all about, the Sonlight Lent Unit Studies are the way to go.
And if you’re looking for other literature-based homeschool curriculum, check out what Sonlight has to offer. You might find the perfect fit for your family!
I would love to hear from you in the comments: do you have any meaningful ways you’ve celebrated the Easter season with your kids, or taught them to observe Lent? Let me know!
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Related Posts
- FREE Printable Easter Family Devotional Game
- 20+ Easy Easter Unit Study Ideas for Homeschoolers
- 14 Best Christ-Centered Easter Ideas for a Meaningful Holiday
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