LIGHT- Day & Night & Sky
“LIGHT- Day & Night & Sky” Unit: God’s Creation
LESSON PURPOSE: God created night and day and the sky.
MATERIALS: flashlight,
SONG IDEAS: He’s Got the Whole World, You Are My Sunshine, All Night All day
Books: God Made Night & Day / Night Monkey Day Monkey or books about Creation, Day & Night, Sky, Sun, Stars, Moon
AS CHILDREN ARRIVE: Choose 1
Sensory Bins- Fill 1 bin with rice + butterflies (day) and 1 bin with black beans + stars (night). Let children explore and play.
Flashlights- Turn off the lights and let children explore with flashlights. Or set up a tent with flashlights.
Playdoh- Ask children to make things they can find in the sky out of playdoh like a sun, moon, stars, clouds, rainbow.
SCRIPTURE:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. -Genesis 1:1-3
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. -Genesis 1:5
WELCOME: SONG, PRAYER, TP Greeting
REVIEW & TRANSITION:
In September we learned all about our Five Senses! Did you know it’s a new month? In October we will learn all about how God created the world for us to bring us joy!
ATTENTION GRABBER: choose 1
Globe- show children a globe. Ask children what they see. Yes, this is the Earth! Turn off the lights + shine a flashlight as children gently help turn the globe. Notice how in some areas it’s day while in others it’s night.
DIY Stars- turn off the lights. shine a flashlight through a colander to create a starry sky on the ceiling!
Lights- Turn off all the lights. (or sit together in a tent and pretend you’re camping). Ask children what they see? Darkness. Then say God said “Let there be light!” And turn on a flashlight or the lights!
INTRO:
Did you know that the first thing God created when He made the world was light? Darkness and Light divided time into Day & Night.
READ ALOUD: God Made Night & Day / Night Monkey Day Monkey
SONG OR POEM: choose 1
Day & Night Poem: The sun comes up to start the day. There’s time to learn and time to play. We eat our meals and do our chores. There’s family time and so much more! At night the moon comes out to shine. It’s nice to get ready for bedtime. We rest our heads and close our eyes. The stars, they twinkle in the sky.
Mr. Sun: Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me. Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, hiding behind the tree. These little children are asking you to please come out so we can play with you. Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun. Please shine down on me.
Twinkle, Twinkle- Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are.
SONG VIDEOS: click on the link:
“He’s Got the Whole World” Worship Dance
*TEACHING POINT: God Made Day & Night
A very long time ago there was nothing but darkness. God was feeling lonely and wanted to create something beautiful. What do you think He created? (The World, Me…!) That’s right!
Storytelling:
Darkness- First there was nothing but darkness. (turn off lights, hide under a blanket or close your eyes.)
Light- Then God said “Let there be light!” Have children say “Let there be light!” And turn on the lights! What do you think brought the light?
Day & Night- the light and darkness gave us Night & Day! What did God put in the sky during the Night? (Moon, stars) What did God put in the sky during the day? (sun, clouds, rainbows…)
God gave us Day & Night! So that we can grow, learn, explore, play, give and receive love all day long! We can enjoy nature, go to school, ride a bike, read with mom and dad, eat delicious food. God gave us night so that we can rest. Our body needs rest to grow big and strong. Our mind needs rest too. We are grateful that God made Day & Night.
Discussion:
What do you like to do in the day time? What do you like to do in the night time?
Do you have a favorite?
Why do you think God gave us day & night?
Optional Extension:
Day and Night helped God to create time like hours, days, weeks, months, Seasons and years! (Show children a Calendar). Sing the months of the year and have children stand up on their birthday month and sit back down. Ask if they know which Season it is right now. Fall!
GROUP ACTIVITIES: choose 1
Sorting- Use 2 hula hoops to sort pictures or props by “day” &“night”.
Shadow Puppets- Using a flashlight take turns making shadow with your hands!
CONCLUSION:
Thank you God for creating light in the dark. We are grateful for Night & Day- a time to rest and a time to play! We can’t wait to learn more about all the things God made for us in October Sunday school. (What do you think God made next? We’ll find out next Sunday!) God is our Heavenly Parent who loves us so much and gave us a beautiful world to enjoy. Let’s pray.
TITHING & PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Parent, thank you for giving us Day & Night! Thank you for the moon, stars and sun that light up the sky! Thank you for making this world beautiful for us. Amen. Aju.
CRAFTS: choose 1
Day & Night Paper Plate- Paint half the plate sky blue and the other half navy at the beginning of class. After it dries, add a sun, moon and stars.
Day & Night collage- On a light blue sheet glue on or draw a sun and add puffy white cotton clouds. On a dark blue or black sheet have children add a moon and stars.
Sky Mobile- use half a paper plate or a stick to hang sky shapes from with yarn.
Sun & Moon Plate good for older children or teacher prop.
Constellation Sensory Bag- fill zip loc bag with hair gel and add in glitter or stars. Seal and cover the top with masking tape.
SNACK IDEAS:
Enjoy the lesson! Feel free to submit photos to lgavin@unification.org Love seeing lessons come to life and each community
