Creation Day 2

Preschoolers love to explore, and discover the world around them.  As you explore Day Two of Creation with your class, lead them to the great love of our Creator, which reaches higher than the heavens, and beyond the depths of the sea.

Bible Truth: God created sky and water.
Bible Story: God put clouds in the sky; and gave us water to drink, clean and play.
Bible Study: Genesis 1:1,6-8

teach

You will need:

• a Bible
• small blue cloth
• clear tote
• water

Prepare for the lesson by filling a clear tote to the desired level with water.  Cover the tote with the blue cloth.  Set it out in sight of the children, to spark their curiosity in your lesson.  Begin teaching with your Bible open to introduce the memory verse.

SAY: We are learning the very first words that are written in the Bible.  They tell us how God created the whole world.  Repeat after me.  Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  

On day number one (show me one finger),  God spoke, "Let there be light!" and there was light.  There was day and night on the first day of Creation.  God looked at the light, and said, "It is good!"

On day two (show me two fingers), God spoke, "Let there be sky up above the earth.  Reach up high.  And let there be water down below.  Make wave-like motions with your hands.  

Lift the small blue cloth from the tote, holding it over the heads of the children, out of their reach.  God put the beautiful blue sky way up high above the earth.  Can you reach the sky?  No, I can't either!  Thank You God for creating the sky!  

Lightly splash the water in the tote.  God also put big oceans, and seas of water on the earth.  God gave us water to drink when we are thirsty.  He gave us water so that we can take a bath, and wash ourselves clean.  We can also go swimming and play with water!  Thank You God for creating water!

play

shaving cream rain clouds

This is a cool visual to introduce your class to a simplified version of the water cycle.  Preschoolers can begin to understand how clouds fill up with water, and rain down on the earth.  Their reactions of wonder and amazement are precisely the way we want them to view the world around them, as well as the Creator of it all!

sink or float

Fill a clear tote with water, and set it next to you in front of the class.  Gather together several small toys, and/or objects of various densities.  Some examples include, a Lego brick, a coin, a small rock, a feather, etc.  Give each child an object to hold.  Invite one child at a time to bring their object up to the tote to predict whether their object will sink of float.  Then allow them to test their prediction!

sing

• God Created - sing the first two verses
  
• Bigger Than Big

craft

You will need:

• this print out
• blue crayons
• small cotton balls
• glue

To prepare, print out this page, and pick out all the different shades of blue crayons that you have.

In class, provide blue crayons for the children to color the large number two.  When they finish coloring, help them glue cotton balls, as clouds, onto their number two.

Day 7: God Rested

We have come to the last lesson in our Creation Unit.  In this week's lesson, we are going to review each day of Creation, and discover why Sunday is a special day for us to go to church and worship our Creator!

Bible Truth: God rested.
Bible Story: On the seventh day of Creation, God rested, and made it a special day.
Bible Study: Genesis 2:1-3

teach

Open your Bible to Genesis 1:1 and recite the verse with your class.  Then, review the days of the Creation with picture visuals as you sing "God Created."  Before you sing the last verse, stop to explain that God was finished creating the world in six days.  

SAY: He looked at everything He made and said, "It is good!"  God made Day Seven a very special day. Use a small pillow to illustrate that God rested from His work.  He blessed Day Seven and made it different from all the other days.  He made it a day to stop doing all of our other work, and worship Him! That's why we come to church on Sunday, to worship God!

weekly planner

Use a calendar or planner to illustrate for your class how you might plan your week.  Find small pictures from ads or magazines that you can add to each day as you talk.  For example:

• Monday - Buy groceries
• Tuesday - Wash your car
• Wednesday - Doctor or dentist appointment 
• Thursday - Clean the bathroom
• Friday - Ride your bike
• Saturday - Go to a birthday party
• Sunday -  On this day, add a cross, or picture of Jesus.

SAY: This day is different than all my other days.  It's a special day  The other days I work and do things that are important to me, but on Sunday, the most important thing that I do, is go to church to worship God.  I get dressed in my nicest clothes, and come to church and see all of you!  We learn about God from the Bible, and praise Him together!

i love church

I found this book at my local Christian bookstore, but it can also be purchased here.  It's a simple, colorful book about a child's love for church.

sing

• God Created - Sing the entire song this week.

• God Made It All

• Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple (listen and download) - This is the traditional child's finger play rhyme set to music, with additional words, "Hallelujah to the King of kings."  For the chorus, "Hallelu, hallelujah," we wave our hands, and then on "King of kings," we extend our hands in front of, with palms up, and lift them higher on each syllable.  Although we do not attend a church with a steeple, I like this song because it reinforces the concept of going to church to worship God.

play

creation pass n' sort

To prepare for this review game, print and cut out these Creation labels, which are pictured below.  They are intended to be made into a mini-book, but they work as perfect labels for this activity.  Attach each label to a brown paper bag, and set them up in front of the class.  Collect an assortment of items, that can represent different days of Creation.  Put all the items you have collected together in one larger bag. Suggested items to include are:  a small flashlight, water bottle, several cotton balls (glued together), rock, pine cone, flower, seeds, glow in the dark stars, various animal figurines or stuffed animals, small doll figurines, and a small hand mirror.

Invite the children to sit in a circle.  Play music as they pass the bag of assorted items around the circle. Stop the music periodically.  When the music stops, the child holding the bag may reach in and pull out an item.  Together the class determines in which paper bag the item belongs, and the child puts it into the correct bag.  Continue playing until all the items have been sorted into the right bags. Strategically stop the music to ensure that all the children have a turn. 

At the end of the game point out that the last bag (Day 7) is empty.  Ask the children why they think it is empty?  Talk about how that day is different from all the other days.  God rested from His work and make that day a special day to worship Him!

craft

creation wheel

Find the template and instructions for this creation wheel here.

creation binoculars

Kids love their own pair of binoculars.  Make these binoculars for looking at the world that God created. For this craft you will need.

• two toilet paper rolls
• construction paper
• this scripture label
• paint
• tape
• hole punch
• scissors
• yarn or lacing
• glue

To prepare, cut construction paper into 4" strips. Tape the toilet paper rolls together, and cut pieces of yarn or lacing approximately 12" long.  Print and cut the scripture labels.

In class, provide paint for the children to decorate a strip of construction paper.  Allow the paint to dry as long as possible.  Wrap and tape the construction paper around the toilet paper rolls.  Punch holes on opposite sides of the toilet paper rolls, and tie yarn or lacing so that the binoculars can hang around the necks of the children.  Glue a scripture label to each pair of binoculars.

God Created Me!

This week we're going to make creation, and the Creator, more personal for our preschoolers.  As the Psalmist says, we will praise God, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Bible Truth: God created me.
Bible Story: God formed you and made you very special.
Bible Study: Psalm 139:13-18

teach

I begin this lesson with my Bible open as we once again repeat Genesis 1:1.  The constant review and repetition is key to learning!

happy birthday

If you spend some time around preschoolers, you learn quickly that the subject of birthdays, and parties, are extremely hot topics in their world.  They are literally the highlight of their human existence to date!  I was inspired to draw on this excitement and enthusiasm to introduce this lesson, and peak their interest.  I pull out a few "Happy Birthday" Dollar Store items.  Immediately I have every child's attention, and they clamor for attention to tell me about their birthdays. I capitalize on the excitement and give each child the opportunity to share.  Then I explain that birthdays are very special because we celebrate the day that God created you and the day that you were born!

in my mother's womb

I show my class a picture of a baby inside the womb from a book such as "My First Book on the Human Body,"  with very appropriate pictures.  As I show them this picture, I explain that the Bible says God formed you, just like He formed Adam and Eve.  Then, He put you inside our mommy's tummy to grow. It's a very, very special way that God made each and every one of you!

play

five senses exploration

Exploring the five senses is a way to talk to the kids about how God formed and designed each part of our bodies.  Gather five brown lunch sacks.  Label each one with one of the five senses.  You can draw your own labels, or use the labels from the five senses craft found later on this post. Round up the items, like the ones shown below, from around your house. Place the items in the corresponding bags.  As you discuss each of the senses, pull out the items for your preschoolers to experience.

Sight: binoculars, magnifying glass, glasses, or any other "looking" object.

Taste: toothpicks dipped in sugar water and lemon juice for each child to taste sweet and sour.

Hearing: a bell or other small musical instrument.

Smell: a scented candle.

Touch: various objects with textures such as rough, smooth, squishy, bumpy, soft, fluffy, etc.

i spy

God created our eyes to see.  Play "I Spy."  Say, "I spy with my little eye something that is ____________ (color)," and let the children guess what you spy.  Continue playing as long as they are interested in spying different objects.

sing

• God Created - Sing through verse seven again this week.

• God Made It All - This is a great simple song with actions.
• I Praise You Lord With the Hands You Made - This is a fun upbeat song that teaches Psalm 139:14.  It can be downloaded from iTunes as performed by either Miss Patty Cake or The Donut Man.
• The Mirror Song -  I originally learned this song from a toddler curriculum that we used in our church many years ago.  It is very effective every time I use it with my preschoolers.  Hold a hand mirror up to each child's face as you sing their name.  Their reactions to the mirror are priceless!
• Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes -  This is the classic children's song that goes along well with this lesson.

craft

party hats

This craft is in keeping with the celebratory theme of the lesson.  I found plain colored party hats for this craft at Wal-Mart, in packages of  eight for $1.47 per package.  You will need:

• party hats
• this label
• scissors
• crayons
• glue or tape
• stickers (optional)

To prepare, print and cur out the labels.  In class, provide crayons for children to color their labels.  Attach the colorful labels to the hats and add some stickers for some festive fun!

If you decide to make your own hats instead, here is the template, and additional items that you will need.

• this party hat template
• card stock
• stapler
• stretchy string

Making your own hats will require a little more preparation before class.  To prepare, download, print and cut out the party hat template out of card stock.  Print the the labels onto colored paper, and cut them out. In class, decorate the hats as mentioned above.

five senses

Add some fun items to this activity sheet so each child can explore the five senses on their own.  You will need:

• this activity sheet
• crayons
• foil
• jingle bells (available at Wal-Mart in packages of fifty-five for $2.97)
• Kool-aid or gelatin mix
• individually wrapped candy
• sand paper and/or felt
• scissors
• tape
• glue

To prepare, cut foil, sand paper, and/or felt into small rectangles.

In class, help the children glue and tape the items into the correct boxes on their activity page.  For the sense of smell, first apply glue to the paper.  Then, sprinkle Kool-aid or gelatin powder onto the glue, and shake off the excess as you would with glitter.

Creation Day 6: Adam & Eve

Adam and Eve were the crown of God's creation.  In preschool terms, they were the most special part of His creation.  As we teach about the creation of the first humans, I hope the children get a sense of the complete and perfect joy that Adam and Eve had with their Creator.  Ultimately, that is the relationship that our Creator wants to have with each one of us.  In a few weeks when we teach about Adam and Eve's sin, and the consequences of their sin, the children will be able to see the contrast between the joy of a relationship with God, and the sadness of sin that separates us from God.


Bible Truth: God created people.
Bible Story: God created the first man (Adam) and the first woman (Eve), and put them in His garden.
Bible Study: Genesis 1:26-2:25

teach

By now, the kids are likely starting to really learn Genesis 1:1.  As you hold your Bible  open, repeat the verse together with actions, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  Since we have already introduced and explored each of the previous days of Creation, reading the account of Creation from a children's Bible is a good way to review, and introduce the creation of Adam and Eve.

Before reading the story, say:  We have learned how God made the heavens and the earth.  He said, "Let there be light, water, trees, sun, birds and animals," and there they were.  God spoke the words and all these things were made.  But God had one more, very special thing to create.  Let's read our Bible to find out what it is!

Read the Bible story from a children's Bible.  One Bible that I like for this story is "The Story for Little Ones".  It has a very limited number of Bible stories, but I like the account of Creation for this lesson, because it specifically points out that God did something different when He created human beings.  He formed Adam and Eve, and breathed life into them.

When you finish reading the story, keep the book open to a picture of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and say: Adam and Eve were the most special part of God's creation.  They were the first man and the first woman.  Raise your hand if you are a boy like Adam!  Wait for all the boys to raise their hands. Raise your hand if you are a girl like Eve!  Wait for all the girls to raise their hands.  God put Adam and Eve in a beautiful garden.  He told them to eat the fruit from the trees, and to take care of the garden. Adam and Eve were happy.  They were friends with God, and they took care of God's garden.  Sing God Created, then pray together, and thank God for making people, the most special part of His creation.

sing

• God Created - this week sing through verse 7.

play

balloon object lesson & game

Setup this game for the children with a short lesson.  Gather the children together in a circle, then say: The Bible says that God breathed life into Adam, and he became a living person.  People are different than the animals.  God only breathed His life into people, the most special part of His creation.  Give your preschoolers a visual demonstration with one blue and one pink balloon.  Blow up the blue balloon to represent Adam, and then the pink balloon to represent Eve.  Draw a happy face on each balloon, as you say: Adam and Eve were happy.  God placed them in His garden to take care of it.  Place the balloons in the middle of the circle.  Adam and Eve were friends with God, and enjoyed everything that He made. We're going to play a game to keep Adam and Eve happy in God's garden.

The object of the game is to keep both balloons (Adam and Eve) in the circle (God's garden), as the children bat the balloons around to each other.  Remind them that they must remain seated in their spot of the circle.  As they are playing, comment that Adam and Eve are having a wonderful time in God's garden.

craft

balloon craft

This craft corresponds to the previous object lesson and game.  There is not quite as much for the kids to do in this craft, which allows more time for the game.  Then the balloon craft that each child takes home, reminds them of this lesson.  

You will need:

• 5" blue and pink balloons
• this print out
• card stock
• permanent marker
• a hole punch
• crayons

To prepare, print the print out on card stock, cut into fours, and punch a hole in the designated spot.  It may also be a good idea to blow up the balloons and draw on the happy faces ahead of time.

In class as children are coloring and decorating their feet, give each boy a blue balloon, and each girl a pink balloon that you have prepared.  Help them attach the feet to the balloon by pulling the tail of the balloon through the hole of the feet.  

When they have finished their balloon creations, reiterate to the Bible truths with children.  The balloons remind us how God breathed life into people.   We put a happy face on our balloons, because Adam and Eve were happy together in God's Garden.  The feet are attached to the balloons, because Adam and Eve walked with God.  They obeyed God, and took care of His garden.

forming creations

Provide Air-Dry Clay, or play dough for the children to form.  Explain that God formed Adam.  Give your preschoolers time to form the clay or dough into their own creations.  Put each child's creation into a Ziploc bag for them to take home.  Download the labels shown below here, to attach to the bags  They are sized to fit Avery 8162 Address Labels, but you could just as easily print them out on paper and tape the labels to the bags.

adam & eve coloring page

I embellished this coloring sheet a bit to add an element of alphabet recognition with "A" and "E" for Adam and Eve.  Add happy faces stickers to this page (or another similar one) to emphasize how happy Adam and Eve were in God's garden.

I believe the original artwork for this coloring sheet was from sermons4kids.com, however I was unable to locate the original coloring sheet to link you to.

Creation Day 6: Animals

Preschoolers are fascinated by animals!  Truthfully, we could do whole learning units on various animals. This week we're going to explore all that we can as we admire God's creative work.

Bible Truth: God created animals that live on land.
Bible Story: God created all the animals, even dinosaurs!
Bible Study: Genesis 1:24-25

teach

Begin this lesson with review.  First lead preschoolers in repeating Genesis 1:1 as you read it from your Bible, and then quickly review the first five days of Creation.  Singing "God Created," as you show a visual for each verse of the song, is a good way to review.

picture book walk

We've been doing this each week, because it's a great way to add both visual and hands-on elements to our lessons, as the kids explore books themselves.  Check out a collection of animal books from your local library to bring into your classroom.  Talk with the children about how to properly care for the books that you are borrowing.  As the children are perusing the books, engage in conversation with them about all the amazing, and different animals that God created.

read-a-loud

While you are at the library, you may also look for a read-a-loud animal book, like "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" by Bill Martin Jr.  I like to read "Desert Night Desert Day" by Anthony D. Fredericks (pictured above) to my class because we live in the desert, so these are animals that they may actually see out in the wild.

animal sounds

Download a free animal sounds app onto your phone or tablet.  I have this one.  Play the sounds of various land animals for the children to identify and discover.  This could work well as a game with the picture books, or even animal cards, if you have them.  Play the sound of an animal, and see who can find a picture of that animal.

play

animals all around

Collect an assortment of toy animals (plastic and/or stuffed).  Gather the children to sit in a circle, and give each child an animal to hold.  Sing "God Created Animals" (an adapted version of "Old MacDonald"). Call the names of animals that children are holding as you repeat the song.  When their animal is called, invite the child to stand up and animate their animal as the class sings along.

sing

• God Created - this week sing through verse six

• God Created Animals

craft

tactile animal book

Here is an animal "touch" book for preschoolers to create as they match the animal skins on their own.

You will need:

• this booklet print out
• animal print paper, felt or Foamies
• stapler
• scissors
• glue
• crayons

To prepare, make double-sided copies of the print outs to create a booklet with two full sheets of paper for each book.  Copy the cover page with page #2 and #7 on the reverse side.  Make double-sided copies of the two remaining pages.  Be sure that the page numbers are in the correct order, fold them into a booklet, and staple near the fold.  Cut out animal print paper, felt or Foamies in appropriate sizes for each animal.

In class, give each child a booklet and one of each animal "skin."  Invite children to color the animals and glue the appropriate skin to each animal.

Animal "skins" for pig, elephant, dinosaur, zebra, tiger and giraffe.

dynamic dinos

I found this great dinosaur craft here.  The templates for each dinosaur demonstrated are at the end of the post.  I will probably stick with the Diplodocus, pictured below, since it is the most simple design to cut out.  

Just a word about dinosaurs.  I believe it is important to include dinosaurs in our teaching about Creation. Young children are often enamored with dinosaurs, and most of the information available about dinosaurs propagates an evolutionary world view.  The fossil record supports the Bible's mention of dinosaurs who lived on the earth at the same time as man.  By including dinosaurs in our teaching about Creation, we are laying a foundation for children to accept the literal Creation that is described in Genesis, which included dinosaurs.  For much more in depth reading on this subject visit answersingenesis.org.

sticker art

Provide animal stickers for children to add to a coloring page such as the one pictured below that you can download from here.

Creation Day 5

Bible Truth: God created birds and fish.
Bible Story: God created all kinds of birds to fly in the air, and all kinds of fish to swim in the sea.
Bible Study: Genesis 1:20-23

teach

As has been the routine, open your Bible to Genesis 1:1, and review the memory verse with your preschoolers.  Use actions to for them to copy as they repeat, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Before class, tuck a picture of a bird and a picture of a fish inside your Bible.  Pull the pictures out of your Bible to introduce the animals that God created on Day 5.  Here are several ways that you and your preschoolers can further explore all kinds of flying and swimming creatures.

picture book walk

Visit your local library, and check out a collection of books with great pictures of all varieties of birds and sea creatures.  Let the children explore the books as you discuss the animals that God made on Day 5.

animal sounds

Download a free animal sounds app onto your phone or tablet.  Play the sounds of various birds and sea life for the children to identify and discover.  This could work well as a game with the picture books, or even animal cards, if you have them.  Play the sound of an animal, and see who can find a picture of that animal.

habitat sort

This works well on a flannel graph board with a tree, sky and water scenery.  Give each child either a bird or a fish flannel piece.  One by one invite them up to the flannel graph board to place their animal in an appropriate habitat.  You could employ the same concept many different ways, using whatever resources you have available.  For example, you could use animal cards and a simple hand drawn poster as I did here.

I picked up the pack of animal sorting cards in Target's Red Spot dollar section a while ago.  It was a very worthy $1 investment for some great animal pictures!

aquarium life

If you or someone you know has fish, or a bird, or water turtles (as I do!), ask if they would be willing to bring them in for the kids to watch and observe!

sing

• God Created - this week sing through verse five

craft

habitat sticker sort

This craft is similar to the concept I suggested as a learning activity.  

You will need:

• light blue and dark blue construction paper
• this Day 5 heading
• bird stickers or clip art
• sea creature stickers or clip art 
• scissors
• glue

To prepare, print and cut out the Day 5 heading.  Cut blue construction paper in half, and then cut the dark blue in half again in a wavy shape for water.

In class, help the children glue the heading and water to a piece of light blue construction paper.  Provide bird and sea creature stickers or clip art for the children to place on their craft in the appropriate habitat.  

I cut the bird stickers pictured above from address labels that were sent to me, and didn't need.  (They are a great source of free stickers!)  The sea creatures are foamie stickers that were donated to us, and I've been saving them for this craft.

fanciful fish

This is a simple, open, ended fish craft.  Explore books of colorful fish with the children to admire all the different colors and shapes of the fish that God created.  Then give them their own opportunity to create a unique fish.

You will need:

• paper plates
• ribbon, sequins or jewels, etc.
• googly eyes
• scissors
• stapler
• glue

To prepare, cut a pie piece shape out of a paper plate.  Staple the piece to the opposite end of the fish as a tail.

In class, provide materials such as ribbon, sequins or jewels for the kids to decorate and create fanciful fish. Add a googly eye as well.  These make a great colorful display for the wall in your classroom if you choose.  

fine-feathered friends

These adorable little birds can be made into finger puppets, as suggested on the template.  They can also be displayed as mural in your classroom.  Look at pictures of beautiful and exotic colored birds found in creation before the children create their own beautiful birds.

You will need:

• this template
• feathers
• crayons
• scissors
• glue

To prepare, print and cut out a template for each child.

In class, provide crayons and feathers for children to color and decorate their birds.  Encourage them to use a variety of colors. 

I found the feathers pictured in the example above at the dollar store.  They had limited colors in stock, but I would suggest checking there before you head to a craft store.  If prep time is short, children can simply color and add feathers to a coloring sheet of a bird!

Creation Day 4

Bible Truth: God created the sun, moon and stars.
Bible Story: God put the sun in the sky to light the day, and the moon and stars in the sky to light the night.
Bible Study: Genesis 1:14-19

teach

To begin this lesson, open your Bible to Genesis 1:1.  Have the children repeat the verse after you, along with simple actions.  Then, briefly review days one, two and three of Creation before you introduce day four.  A flannel graph board is a nice visual element for Creation lessons, because you can add the objects for each day, but simple posters or drawings for each day can do the trick just as well.  Here is a Creation bulletin board set that you could add on to each week as you teach each day.

picture book walk

I recommend visiting your local library, and checking out a collection of books with great pictures of the sun, moon, stars, solar system, etc.  Bring the books into class.  Select a few pictures to show during your lesson as you discuss how beautiful and awesome it is that God spoke, and all these things were created. Give the children time to explore the books on their own and discover more!

peek-in night box

My preschoolers always enjoy this "Peek-in Night Box."  It is simply a black box with pin holes and a moon shape cut out at one end, and a peep hole cut out on the other end.  Kids can look into the box, as though they are looking into a telescope to see the night sky.

mini planetarium

It's fun to make your own "mini planetarium" in the classroom.  We have a "Moon In My Room" moon that was purchased as a prop for one of our church dramas.  I hang the moon along with glow in the dark stars and planets.  Turn off the lights to admire the glow, and sing this version of Twinkle, Twinkle for a memorable lesson.

sing

• God Created - this week sing through verse four
• Twinkle, Twinkle - this is a slightly modified version of the classic tune

craft

day four activity sheet

This activity sheet gives you many decorating options.  Stickers, glitter, and cut out paper shapes can all be added in any way you choose.

sunny sun catchers

I realized a couple years ago that most of the crafts, and other activities I did for day four of creation, centered around the night sky.  So I like to make sure at least one of the crafts that we do during this week features the sun.  Here is a great sun catcher craft that can be massed produced on a busy Sunday morning service.  (It's important that my crafts meet that criteria if they are going to work in my classroom!)

You will need:

• yellow paper plates
• clear contact paper
• bright orange and yellow tissue paper or streamers
• this scripture print out
• an Exacto knife
• scissors
• hole punch
• yarn 
• glue sticks
• suction cup hooks (optional)

To prepare, cut out the centers of the paper plates with the Exacto knife, and cut out squares of contact paper just slightly bigger than the diameter of the opening on the paper plate.  Hole punch the tops of the plates, and cut small lengths of yarn.  You may also opt to attach the sticky side of the contact paper to the back of the paper plates before class.

In class, give the children strips of tissue paper or streamers.  Show them how to tear off pieces and press them onto the sticky side of the contact paper, on the front side of the paper plate, until all the contact paper is covered.  Glue the scripture print out to the front of the plate.    Thread yarn through the punched hole.  Show the children how to hang their suns in a window so that they will catch the light of the sun.

twinkle, twinkle number four

You will need:

• a printout of a large number four as a template
• black construction paper or card stock
• this print out of Twinkle, Twinkle
• a sponge
• scissors
• star stickers
• glitter glue
• glue sticks

To prepare, print out a large number to use as a template.  Trace it onto black construction paper or card stock.  Cut out a number for each student.  From a sponge, cut out a moon shape.  Print, and cut out the words for Twinkle, Twinkle that accompany this lesson.

In class, help the children glue the Twinkle, Twinkle words to their number fours so that they can sing this song with their parents at home.  Help them dip the moon-shaped sponge in glitter glue, and stamp it onto their number four.  Provide star stickers for them to decorate their number fours.

Creation Day 1

Throughout our Creation unit, I want to spark a sense of awe and wonder for the Creator in the hearts of my preschoolers, and then introduce them to His perfect love for them as the crown of His creation.  With this thought underlying each lesson we teach, lets begin with Day One!

Bible Truth: God created light.
Bible Story: God gave us light for day and darkness for night.
Bible Study: Genesis 1:1-5

teach

You will need:

• your Bible
• a dark cloth
• a flashlight

Begin teaching this lesson with your Bible open to introduce the memory verse.

SAY: We are going to learn the very first words that are written in the Bible.  They tell us how God created the whole world.  Repeat after me.  Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Wow!  That means that God made everything!  Let's keep reading our Bible and find out how He made it.

First there was nothing, only darkness. Hold up the dark cloth. Pin it to the wall, or ask a child to hold it for you.  Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.  Shine the flashlight onto the dark cloth. Turn off the flashlight, and repeat.

That is amazing!  How did God make light?  He just said, "Let there light."  It was dark, cover your eyes, and God said, "Let there be light." Uncover your eyes like peek-a-boo. Repeat this a few times as the children join in the game with you.

God looked at the light that He made and said, "It is good."  Give two thumbs up each time you repeat this phrase.  What did God say when he looked at the light that He made?  It is good.  Say that with me. It is good.  

God called the light Day, and the darkness Night.  Look outside.  Right now is it Day or Night?  Let children answer.  God gave us the Day to work and to play, and the Night to rest and sleep.  

Sing this with me.  Sing the first verse of God Created.  (We'll add a new verse each week.)

Let's pray.  Say, thank You God for creating light for day and darkness for night.  You are so amazing.  In Jesus name, amen!

play

Here are some hands-on ideas to reinforce your lesson.

• God separated the light from the darkness.  Bring in collection of light and dark objects and toys.  Let the children help you separate the light from the dark.
  
• Give each child an Oreo.  Pull the cookie apart to separate the light from the dark, then enjoy a special treat.  (Be sure there are no children with allergies, and that parents are okay with their children having a sweet snack.)
  
• Give each child a glow stick.  Turn off the lights and sing "God Created" as everyone waves around their glow sticks.  Let the children take them home as reminders of the lesson.  (I saw packs of glow sticks the other day in Target's Red Spot section.  You can also check the Dollar Store!)

craft

light and dark mosaic

You will need:

• this activity page
• bright colored paper
• black/dark paper
• scissors
• paper plates
• glue

To prepare, simply cut out tiles of bright colored paper and black paper.  Place both the light and dark tiles on paper plates.  In class, let the children sort out the tiles and glue them onto their paper.  As you are crafting, talk about all the beautiful colors that God created with light!

let there be light

You will need:

• this scripture print out
• black construction paper
• aluminum foil
• craft sticks
• scissors
• glue

To prepare, cut sheets of black paper into quarters, and cut pieces of aluminum foil to the same size.  Cut the scripture print out into strips.  In class, help the children assemble the craft by gluing a craft stick as a handle in between a piece of black paper and a piece of foil.  Glue the scripture to the corresponding sides of the craft as shown below.  Practice repeating the scripture with the children as they show the dark and light sides of their craft.

Please excuse the blurriness.  The reflection off of the foil made it impossible to focus!