I'd Be Your Hero Lesson Plan

This is a lesson plan I developed for a preschool class of little boys based on the book, "I'd Be Your Hero: A Royal Tale of Godly Charachter" by Kathryn O'Brien. It is designed so you read each short section of her book and then do the activities listed below. It is fun, easy and teaches tremendous charachter lessons. Could easily be adapted for a much wider range of ages. I highly recommend this. Can be combined with the lesson plan for "I'd Be Your Princess" by the same author for the girls in your class.

1. Castle with snapping alligators, hissing snakes -keep watch
a. Have boys take turns being animals and taking watch
b. While on watch have boys stand still, listen and call “Halt who goes there”
c. Talk about how brave they are and how God is with them.
d. "Do not be terrified …for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

2. Bow and arrow practice -hard worker
a. Have boys take turns with bow and arrow
b. Alternatly have them practice throwing a ball at the target
c. Talk about importance of trying again and again because they are hard workers. Practice is important. Talk about sports.
d. "Let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus" Hebrews 12: 1,2

3. Jousting tournament -very talented
a. Have boys pretend to ride horses around the room
b. Have them practice holding their arms (or swords) very still
c. "I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge" Exodus 31:3

4. Congratulate others -you are very humble
a. Have each boy feel the cheering and brave bravo of each other
b. After being cheered for have each boy congratulate each other boy for a job well done.
c. Talk about the importance of being a good sport and being humble with each other. Always seeing the good in each other.
d. "Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another." 1 Peter 5:5

5. Journey through wilderness -ask your opinion -make good choices
a. Have boys practice running through the wilderness. Charge over high mountains, leap over rocky streams.
b. Let boys play follow the leader to demonstrate how they make good choices and others follow their directions.
c. "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom." -Proverbs 3:13

6. Discover treasures and describe them -you know interesting things
a. Let boys scavenge the room for treasures, little plastic animals, bugs and shells.
b. Let each boy have a turn sharing and telling what they know about their item and how they found it.
c. Talk about importance of learning and sharing our knowledge.
d. "Wise men store up knowledge" Proverbs 10:14

7. Ride horse, carry shield and smile -you are friendly
a. Have boys take turns riding horses around the room as the others cheer and wave to them.
b. Have boy practice smiling and waving back
c. Talk about how important it is to be friendly and kind to each other
d. Have boys practice scowling and frowning and talk about how it feels and looks different.
e. "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart" Proverbs 15:30

8. Drop gold coin -rush to pick it up and return it.
a. Talk about doing the right thing even when it is hard to do.
b. Walk around the room and drop money on the ground. Let each boy have an opportunity to pick up the coin and make a choice what to do with it.
c. Talk about how hard it is to make good choices and how happy we make God and our parents when we do make good choices.
d. "Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people." Galatians 6:10

9. Help lift heavy things -you are strong
a. Have boys pretend we are on a ship
b. Have boys take turns doing hard work, lifting and carrying heavy items, carrying things from place to place, doing the hard chores.
c. Talk about doing hard work and how God makes each of them strong.
d. Talk about how they can be strong for their moms and sisters and help with their muscles.
e. "The Lord is my strength and my song" Exodus 15:2

10. Welcoming and sharing -you are very generous
a. Have boys take turn greeting each other
b. Have them share their horses and knight gear with each other.
c. Discuss importance of sharing even when it is hard.
d. Encourage them to share with a sibling or friend this week.
e. "Be generous and willing to share" 1 Timothy 6:18

11. Pray to God -because you love to talk to God
a. Talk about importance of prayer with God and the importance of being respectful during prayer time.
b. Sitting in a circle have each boy take a turn leading a prayer to God
c. "Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

12. Listen to stories of knights -good listener
a. Talk of importance of listening carefully
b. Play telephone to have boys listen carefully to each other
c. Read a poem and have boys recite it back
i. Humpty Dumpty
d. "Let the wise listen and add to their learning." Proverbs 1:5

13. Conclusion
a. Have boys remove knight armor and gear and sit back down.
b. Remind them they are heroes and knights, brave and strong, wise and kind just the way God made them without costumes, gear or titles.
c. They are brave and special and parents and God love them as they are.
d. They need to see other boys as heroes too just as they are and be kind and good to women.
e. End with a discussion of protecting those around them and how God protects and loves them.