Exodus Project

Thank you to those of you who gave me some tips on projects I could do with my kids to help them understand more about what they will see on our trip. Jenny suggested making a "shoebox panorama" with models of the places we're to visit. Hope suggested making my own dough and shaping it into little pyramids and such. My friend Elena e-mailed me about the fun projects her kids do with maps, and also suggested using my sewing skills somehow. I kind of put all of the tips together to come up with what we called our "Exodus Project".

I found a map tracing the Israelites route out of Egypt, and into the Promised Land. We used this to make our own large map on a big piece of cardboard. Then I made some salt dough and the kids and I made small models of significant things along the journey; including the places that we will be visiting. Here, let me show you:
This is the finished project, complete with the "black plague" creeping in over on the right (otherwise known as keeping my son occupied)

We have three of the Pyramids and the Sphinx up in Egypt (my daughter made these).
After the Red Sea was crossed, we come to Marah where the Lord healed the waters (Ex. 15:23-26), then Elim where Israel camped by 12 springs; represented here by 12 tents for the 12 tribes of Israel (Ex. 15:27), then Rephidim where Israel fought with Amalek (Ex. 17:8-16). [We will be seeing these three places, so I wanted to be sure to include them]
Here is the mountain range that includes Mt. Sinai. You can tell which one is Mt. Sinai by the "burning bush" at the foot, and the Ten Commandments laid on top ;) (I know it's a little hard to see here, sorry)
Next they travel into the Sinai Wilderness where they constructed the tabernacle. (Ex. 25-30) I asked my daughter to make this and she told me that she knew what it looked like, so she didn't need any help. This is what she came up with, and I think she did a good job..... especially considering the difficulty of working with dough. Between the two angels, she laid the Ten Commandments because she knew they were placed inside.
We talked about where they went next, but the only other one we "created" was Mt. Nebo (made by my son). I found out that we're also stopping here to climb this mountain, and I am so excited about it. If you don't know why this mountain is significant, here's a challenge for you..... read Deut. 34:1-4, or even better, read Deuteronomy chapters 1-32 and find out. When we come back from our trip I will talk about the significance. I'm thinking I will be feeling overwhelmed by the view at the top.
Okay, here's the last picture...... I found something to do with my sewing skills.
This is supposed to be Moses and Pharaoh... the puppets. No, their clothing is not accurate, and I got tired of it before Moses got a beard, but my kids are loving these guys. I have heard my kids say "Let my people go" so many times since these were finished. I'm glad we could have so much fun together!