By Carolyn / May 26, 2025
CRAFTS FOR GRADE 4
LESSON 9
- Idea
- !nstructions
Paper Circuit That Lights Up
“…He was welcomed with banners of light and received God’s assurance that soon all the peoples of the world would follow these banners.”
Baha’u’llah has now reached the last location of his exiles. In this activity, we will “map” the various dates and places in a fun way. (It’s easier than it sounds!)
Here is an example of what a slider switch looks like
What you need
- You will need some supplies like Copper conductive tape. I got mine from Amazon (graphite pencils and tin foil can be used but are not reliable)
- light bulbs (diodes) again from Amazon or Christmas bulb replacements with the wires accessible. There are more expensive options and the one that is very reliable is CHIBITRONICS
- My template modified from the CHIBITRONICS website for more lights on the switch
- 3-volt battery
- Tape
What to do next
- Once you have the copper tape on all the lines of the template Use clear scotch tape to keep the battery in place.
- Line up the light with the dot on the template and check that it lights up. Adhere the light in place with tape.
- The grey circles on the opposite side need to be cut so that the light bulbs stick out.
- Add the labels.
- Now when you slide your finger the light will come on and go off in progression from Tehran to Akka. You can also just have a light at Akka and the quote regarding banners of light.
TIPS: The tape can tear and then no electricity will pass through. You can “mend” with pieces of tape.
Lights can be a bit finicky and may need a helping hand to hold in place until secured by tape.
Place tape only on the “legs” of the light and the tape strip it sits on. try not to tape all the way over to the next strip as we found it did interfere with the flow.
Don’t let the “legs” of the lights touch
- DRAWING IDEA
- PHOTO 1 TO 3
Pictures of the barracks in ‘Akká where Bahá’u’lláh and His companions were imprisoned upon their arrival.
Do a drawing, and remember some of the events that occurred there.
Draw the scene of pilgrims crossing the desert to go to ‘Akká. Many times they carried tulip bulbs with them as they knew Baha’u’llah missed seeing greenery.
DAYSPRING MAGAZINE AND BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE HAVE GREAT RESOURCES FOR THE LIFE OF BAHA’U’LLAH
The Journey to ‘Akká Map Scroll
Illustrates: Exile, hardship, perseverance, unity of companions
Craft: Create an aged scroll-style map showing the route from Adrianople to ‘Akká (with Gallipoli and the sea voyage marked).
- Children draw or glue a simple route line.
- Add mini icons (e.g., wagon for land travel, boat for sea, sun for heat).
- On the back, include a short quote or reflection like: “They journeyed with courage and love, even through suffering.”
- Optional: Attach a mini flap or fold-out “diary” where children can write what they would pack for a long journey of faith.
Mechanism: Rolling scroll (two popsicle sticks or straws at ends, tied with yarn)
Science Experiment: Air Pollution & Clean Water Filtering
Illustrates: The unhealthy, polluted air in ‘Akká and hardships of living there
Experiment: Build a simple water filter using layers of gravel, sand, and cotton in a plastic bottle.
- Show how polluted water (mixed with coffee grounds or dirt) gets cleaner as it passes through.
- Use this to spark discussion: “‘Akká was so unhealthy they said even birds couldn’t survive flying over it — how did the believers show strength in such conditions?”
Illustrates: Scarcity, sacrifice, unity during hardship
Craft: A mini-book shaped like a loaf of bread (simple folded brown paper).
- Inside, each “slice” (page) tells one difficulty: lack of food, illness, imprisonment, townspeople’s anger.
- Last page reflects how the believers stayed strong and loving.
- Children can draw symbols of hope on each slice (e.g., a heart, a wave from a window, a sunrise).
Loaf and Crumbs Mini Book
Birds of Hope Mobile
Illustrates: Hope, the spread of the Faith despite efforts to stop it
Craft: Create paper birds (symbolizing the believers traveling from Persia to glimpse Bahá’u’lláh through the window).
- Each child makes 1–2 birds and writes a word of hope or a quality (e.g., courage, loyalty) on the wings.
- String the birds onto a simple hanging mobile with a central “window” or “prison wall” made of cardboard.
- Optional: Display them flying toward the window (symbolizing the fulfillment of the Purest Branch’s wish).
Light from the Window Accordion Fold
Illustrates: Devotion of the believers who came just to see Bahá’u’lláh from afar; the wish of Mírzá Mihdí
Craft: An accordion-fold mini craft:
- Cover is a window frame with bars
- As children unfold the layers, they see light rays drawn or glued behind each flap, symbolizing joy and spiritual strength.
- Final flap: “Even a glimpse filled them with joy. Their hearts were filled with light.”