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Lesson 18 of 25 · Ages 3–5Jonah and the Great Fish
Read together: Jonah 1:1-3, 17; 2:1-10 · KJV
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Jonah fled, was swallowed by a great fish, and prayed to the LORD.
- Follow the fish.
- Find the same fish.
- Color the great fish.
Talk together: Who was swallowed by the great fish?
Ask a grown-up to read the Bible passage and directions aloud.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
Companion Guide 18 — Preview
Matched to Worksheet 18: Jonah and the Great Fish. Includes preparation, teaching instructions, answers, the weekly KJV memory verse, and a flexible lesson plan.
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FELL ON GOOD GROUND
Freely Received. Freely Shared.
Companion Guide
Jonah and the Great Fish | Ages 3-5 | Little Learners
Read together: Jonah 1:1-3, 17; 2:1-10 (KJV)
Your Classroom Materials – Everything You Need
Print one W1 worksheet per child; keep this two-page guide. Bring a KJV Bible and large crayons.
Optional supplies: large paper shapes or drawings for the game below. No purchases required.
Prepare and teach
Read the passage before class. Bible idea (original explanation): Jonah fled, was swallowed by a
great fish, and prayed to the LORD.
Learning goals: recognize the main story idea; participate in the three activities with support; answer
or point in response to the story question. Do not grade pencil control as Bible understanding.
Read every instruction aloud. Offer pointing, a finger trace, a spoken response or a scribe. One page
is designed for about 5-8 minutes, with breaks as needed; attention varies. Trace one short section
or color one or two areas if the child prefers; completing every mark is not required.
Matched activity directions and answers
1. Follow the fish. Teacher reads the printed instruction and models the action on separate paper.
Child completes the unmarked activity; use the answer key on page 2.
2. Find the same fish. Teacher reads the printed instruction and models the action on separate
paper. Child completes the unmarked activity; use the answer key on page 2.
3. Color the great fish. Teacher reads the printed instruction and models the action on separate
paper. Child completes the unmarked activity; use the answer key on page 2.
Read / Understand / Remember
Ask: Who was swallowed by the great fish?
Expected answer: Jonah. Evidence: Jonah 1:17.
Our weekly KJV memory verse
Jonah 2:9 (KJV)
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have
vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
Read the full verse exactly. Invite hearing or echoing short unchanged phrases; full recitation is not required.
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FELL ON GOOD GROUND
Freely Received. Freely Shared.
Teach with Joy
Jonah and the Great Fish | SS-03-05-L18 | Matched teacher support
W1 answer key
Trace path; stripes→stripes (top to bottom), spots→spots (bottom to top); color open; fish smile
artistic, animal species unspecified.
Coloring is open response. For matching, accept pointing instead of drawn lines. For counting, adult touch-counts slowly;
choosing a numeral is optional.
45-minute class / flexible short segments
0-5
Welcome; optional spoken thanks and prayer.
5-10
Read a short portion of the KJV and tell the main idea in your own words. Label your explanation as
explanation.
10-14
Use W1 tasks 1 and 2, reading directions aloud.
14-18
Use W1 task 3 and ask the Talk Together question.
18-23
Movement or quiet break; children may sit or participate by pointing.
23-30
Use the hands-on game below; change actions midway.
30-35
Hear the exact memory verse and echo a short unchanged phrase.
35-40
Retell with the worksheet illustration; accept a relevant oral or pointing response.
40-45
Recap, optional prayer and send the worksheet home.
Play / Apply / Grow
Thank-you retelling: use a large fish drawing and a Jonah paper figure to discuss rescue and
thanksgiving. Avoid putting a child inside anything or frightening reenactments.
Optional additional 15 minutes: repeat the game in a new turn order, let children retell with gestures, then draw one
detail. Essential home lesson: 15-25 minutes using a short KJV reading, one worksheet task, the story question and
memory verse. Times are estimates.
Accuracy and care
Use great fish, not a claim that the text names a whale species. Never reenact swallowing or confining a child.
Artwork and modern application pictures are learning aids, not Scripture or proof of exact historical appearance. Do not
portray God as a human. Keep prayers optional; no frightening reenactments, forced touch or unsafe materials.
Teacher check: understands independently / with help / not yet. Next time I will: ______________________________
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