Religion is much like history in many respects. Part of our jobs as teachers in this subject is to impart knowledge of our religious traditions as they have been told to us over the course of hundreds of years. At the fifth grade level I find discussions of various events from the history of our religion cannot always hold their attention. At times, I allow for discussions to steer in the direction the children take it to make them more motivating, but most of the times I like to tie art, writing, and kinesthetic type activities into the curriculum.
In the case of the Baptism of Jesus, which is a popular story in the Roman Catholic faith tradition, I like to make the connection to our own membership with the church. After all, the initiating event of all Catholics is the sacrament of Baptism, so when discussing our belonging to this purposeful group, the topic becomes relevant. Of course, one cannot discuss our initiation into the Roman Catholic faith without becoming familiar with the story of Jesus' Baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
I first allow them to read a kid-friendly version of this Biblical story and we discuss the various details as a class when they are through. Next, I tell them they are going to bring this event to life by getting into groups and creating a pop-up model. To make a pop-up model is easy. Simply push the pop-up portion through to the other side of the paper. Each paired cut creates one place for a pop-up character. In this story children will have two or three pop-ups. They will attach their cut-out depictions of John the Baptist, Jesus, and perhaps the dove (representing the Holy Spirit) to each pop-up. On the rest of the pop-up model they can decorate to resemble the setting, which of course is the River Jordan, a blue sky, the sun, the river bank....the pop-up model sits like the letter "L" in the end and can fold down without damaging the model.
I allow children to do one pop-model per group of three so that creativity is combined in one group effort.
Combine fun crafts and activities to bring the Bible stories to life. It'll make these stories more memorable for the children, help them practice those fine motor skills, creativity, and interpretive skills.