Aim

To acquaint children with the origins of Shabbat.

Lesson

Begin by reminding children what was taught last half-term about the Torah. Do they know what is the first story in the first book of the Torah? It is the story of how God created the world in six days. Briefly remind the children of the story, if necessary. Do they know what happened on the seventh day?

Read the story of the seventh day with the children.

Discuss the importance of rest with the children. How do they like to rest? What about their parents? How do the children think God rested?

Activity

Following discussion, groups of children could:

• write about how they like to rest
• write an imaginative piece about God's day of rest
• collect some data about the classes preferred methods of relaxation
• create some restful music
• collect some restful images from magazines

Conclusion

Conclude with a short and simple relaxation exercise; count breaths, listen to some restful music, do a visualization.