Showcasing children's work on a bulletin board sets the tone and instills a sense of pride and accomplishment. Print out an assortment of amphibians, birds, insects and mammals. Refer to the printable coloring pages provided in the resources. Children can choose what they want to color. Hang the completed pictures on a bulletin board labeled "The Rain Forest is Full of God's Creatures." Children can choose quotes from the Bible related to the creation of animals and tack up on the board. The board can also include green paper for a background and photographs of the rainforest along with leaves with a child's name and a Psalm.
Recycling teaches children the importance of taking care of God's creation. Make a bird feeder or a watering can using a half-gallon juice or milk jug. For the bird feeder, cut a door in the flat side opposite the handle. Children can decorate with paint and stickers. Use acrylic paint, but if you don't have it you can add glue to make tempera paint stick. Children can paint religious symbols or Psalms related to God's creatures. After planting a garden, make a watering can out of the jug. With a nail and hammer put 6 to 9 holes in the cap. Decorate the watering can with foam stickers and acrylic paint. Children can decorate with stickers and phrases such as "Water God's Earth."
Children can create a rainforest in their classroom. Model the steps first so children can see how to do it. Make sure each child has written instructions. Put two inches of gravel in a jar. Then sprinkle on a thin layer of the activated charcoal. Top this with approximately 2 inches of potting soil. Scoop out a hole for the plant. Carefully remove plants from their pots shaking off any excess dirt from the roots. Any small household plants are suitable. Set the plant in the soil and pack the soil gently around the base. Spray with a light mist of water. Put on the lid and place the jars in a bright spot that is not directly in the sun. Beforehand, designate an area in the classroom for the rainforest. Add garden props such as a plastic fence and a banner with a Psalm. Assign a gardener that checks on the plants.
Create a banner with the quote: "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener," from John Chapter 15: 1-20. Cut out leaves and distribute. Have children choose a Psalm to write on each leaf. You can make an assortment of rainforest species and plants such as butterflies, flowers, caterpillars and iguanas. Punch a hole in the top. Attach items to the vine using a string threaded through the hole. You can also use tape, staples or pipe cleaners. Hang from the ceiling of the classroom or add to a bulletin board.