OPENING CLASS CHALKBOARD FILL IN:

"BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD". Luke 19:38
Before class, the teacher will put a "few" letters on the board and the rest will be blanks, for children to fill in as they come in, or after the teacher has begun to tell the story, when children think they know what the Bible verse on the chalkboard might be.

PRAISE PARADE ACROSTIC: Children can fill in the acrostic PARADE with a "praise" for each letter! (ex: P=parents; A=adults; R=rain; A=animals; D=doctors; E=electricity, etc!!

5 W'S: Poster board with the 5 W's for class discussion and filling in the answers during the discussion: Who - (Jesus and followers, etc); What - (Celebration - Passover); Where - (Jerusalem.... on the streets); Why - (Jesus was coming, or to get a donkey, or to celebrate the King); and When - (Shouted Hosanna just before they shouted Crucify Him days later because he wasn't the King they wanted, etc).

"HOSANNA/SAVE NOW" Craft: Have children decorate a small colored bag (purchased very inexpensively in craft sections) with HOSANNA.... SAVE NOW, stickers, etc and place a couple of small musical instruments that were used at the beginning of the lesson (found in birthday sections of the stores - such as the "horn blower/noise makers" or $ store harmonica's, etc). The Bible verse can be printed on the back of the paper bag for children to memorize during the week!

MUSIC IN ACTION: Sing "Hallelu, Hallelu" with hands waving over heads during the "Hallelu" and the music instruments shaking during the "Praise ye the Lord". Another activity that children like on this song is to divide into two groups and when you get to the refrain, have one group stand and sing, "Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah".  They sit down as the other group stands and sings "Praise ye the Lord."  Continue alternating in this manner until the last "Praise ye the Lord" which all stand and sing together.  (Song sheet and mp3 accompaniment is provided below.)

PALM BRANCHES SKIT - Dress a child up as Jesus (towel over head and sandals, etc)while walking on towels etc or something to represent their cloaks. Other children can wave palm branches (found in craft sections, or homemade ones, etc), while "Jesus" walks by and everyone shouting -- HOSANNA! BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. If there is time, others could play the part of Jesus -- this will be a good way for children to learn their Bible verse as well. This might also be a little skit to be used at the beginning of the church service to follow!!!

SNACK IDEAS: Lollipops, cotton candy, ice cream cones, cookies, etc