Footsteps Tools for Learning™  Books of the Bible Mats*


The 71 Footsteps Tools for Learning™ Books of the Bible Mats make learning the books of the Bible both fun and challenging.  The 8 inch by 6 inch Mats are placed into a path, and the student walks the path in book order. This unique tool has 4 advantages:

  • Students are physically active while learning.  

  • The path is used to teach and test students on their knowledge of the books  of the Bible.

  • There is an infinite number of shapes in which to lay the path.  Because it is constantly changing, the student's interest is maintained!

  • The path is made progressively more difficult as the student’s knowledge of the books of the Bible increases.

Beginner Level
Students ages 8 and above are first exposed to the names of the books of the Bible using the books of the Bible path.  The path is laid in a form like the one in the picture below.

                      SERPENTINE  PATH

How it works:
The photo to the left shows the books of the Bible path placed in its simplest form, a shape that does not cross itself.  This is called a “serpentine” path.  In this path, the next “book” is obvious and requires no prior knowledge of the books of the Bible.  


        SERPENTINE  PATH  WITH  A  SPIRAL

How it works:
The photo to the right shows another variation of a serpentine path.  A spiral is formed by the mats, but the mats are still in a serpentine shape that does not cross itself.  With a little creativity, even serpentine shapes are fun and interesting.  Your students will love the path!
INTERMEDIATE  LEVEL
INTERSECTING  PATH
One Intersection 

How it works:
An intersecting path is one that crosses itself.  In the photo to the left, the mats Numbers through Esther form a loop.  To get to the “book” of Job after the “book” of Esther, the student must step over the “book” of Numbers where the path intersects. 

Intersections create complexity in a path and begin to involve the student’s knowledge of the order of the books of the Bible.  
                   INTERSECTING  PATH
                     Multiple Intersections

How it works:
The greater the number of intersections in the path, the greater the challenge to the student’s knowledge of the order of the books of the Bible.  Two intersections are shown here.

Paths placed in complex patterns like these are fascinating to students.  They love the twists and turns as they walk the path.  It is visually interesting, and it is like a puzzle to be solved.  Your students will often ask if they may walk the path a second time!
                       THE  “???”  MATS  
        (PROVIDE  MISSING  INFORMATION)

How they work:
Two mats are provided in the Toolkit which have three question marks on them (???).  When the student arrives at this mat, the student is required to name the missing book.

ADVANCED  LEVEL
                        GEOMETRIC  SHAPES

How they work:
Geometric shapes present an advanced challenge to students.  When the next “book” is not readily apparent, the student must use their knowledge to locate and step to the next mat in the order of the books of the Bible.

                        “DANCE  STEPS”

How they work:
“Dance steps” is a term used here to describe placement of mats in a path requiring foot movements that are side-to-side, forwards and backwards, etc.  

Dance steps are fun and a challenge to the advanced student. In the final weeks of the 52-week Footsteps program, you can create a path made entirely of dance step arrangements.
                       CRAB  WALK

How it works:
The “crab walk” describes mat placement that will move the student to the right or left when walking the path.  

“Crab walks” are a fun, unexpected movement that will bring a smile to a student’s face!
Division Names and Their Color Designations
The colors of the names of the books of the Bible on the Mats are intentional.  Each of the colors in the Old Testament and each of the colors in the New Testament identifies that book as a member of a division.  The Footsteps™  Books of the Bible Mats* also include mats naming each of the divisions of the Bible.  The color of the division name is the same as the color of each of the books within the division.
The mat naming the division is shown at the bottom of each column of mats, and each of the mats shown above the division name show books within that division.  The Old Testament and its divisions are shown on the left.  The New Testament and its divisions are shown on the right.

Learning the divisions of the Bible is part of the Footsteps Tools for Learning™ Books of the Bible program.  Not only does this knowledge provide key information to the Bible student, but it also assists the student in locating a book of the Bible more rapidly.  
DIVISION  NAME  MATS
                                                        
How they work:
The mat naming a division is placed immediately prior to the first book in the division.  A visual association created by color produces a connection between the division name and the division members.  
            “Division Name?” Mats  

How they work:
The Footsteps™ Books of the Bible Mats include two mats with “Division Name?”.  When placed immediately prior to the first book in a division, the student is prompted to supply the name of the division. In this case, the correct response would be “The Law”.
*Patent Pending


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