Note to the parent or teacher: This is the second in a series of lesson plans to encourage the children’s appreciation for the beautiful world God has created and placed us in. This 45- to 60-minute lesson plan is to supplement the two classes of “The Creation of the World” series: “Vegetation Appears” and “The Sun, Moon, and Stars.” This could be one class or it could be divided into two classes if time is devoted to the art activities included. See the “*” denoting where this lesson plan can be divided.

This highlights the lesson objectives:

• “Learn the story of creation” (Christian Life and Faith: Bible Knowledge: Creation 1a),
• “Learn of the wonders of God’s creation and show appreciation for it” (Christian Life and Faith: Bible Knowledge: Creation-1b), and
• “Learn the significance of creation, and why it matters who made it” (Christian Life and Faith: Bible Knowledge: Creation 2a).

Read “The Creation of the World: Vegetation Appears.”

Chat with the children about some of their favorite plants, such as specific flowers, shrubs, or trees in the wild, the garden, or in the house.

Talk about the variety of ways we benefit from plants.

• Food: vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, oil.
• Clothing: cotton, linen, etc.
• Shelter: wood, thatched roofs, sod roofs, rattan furniture, etc.
• Inspiration and well-being: whether houseplants, flowers in a vase, or plants in the garden or in the wild, plants bring people a sense of well-being and tranquility.

Explore with the children the wide variety of plants and the contrasts between them, such as the seemingly insignificant moss to the marvelous tall redwood tree. Ask them what other wide spectrums exist within the plant world that they can think of.

Examples to explore:

• Plants that are immersed in the water versus plants such as the water lily that float on top of the water;
• Plants that grow in salty sea water versus plants that need fresh water to survive;
• Plants that grow in a bog versus the water-preserving cactus that survives in deserts;
• Ferns that reproduce through spores versus varieties of grass, trees, and flowers that reproduce with seeds;
• Trees and other plants that have long tap roots that go deep within the soil versus cactus and even some trees and shrubs that produce mainly horizontal roots near the soil’s surface;
• Orchids, one of the largest varied families of flowering plants, that can either grow on trees or receive its nutrition directly from the air versus the more common way a plant or flower grows by putting down roots in the earth or water.
• Watch “What Is a Plant?” (Optional)

Take note of Bible lessons that are built around the principles of plants. For example, Jesus related some of His lessons to plants: Luke 6:43–45 and “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower.” Psalm 1 compares the lives of godly and ungodly people to trees and chaff.

Color the “Coloring Page: The Creation of the World: Vegetation Appears,” or cut out and assemble “3D Picture: The Creation of the World: Vegetation Appears.”

Read “The Creation of the World: The Sun, Moon, and Stars.”

Talk about what each of you appreciates most about these celestial bodies—the sun, the moon, and the stars. If possible, schedule time during the month to enjoy these celestial gifts.

• Watch a sunrise and/or sunset.
• Follow the phases of the moon if the nights are clear. If safe to do so, take a walk together in the moonlight.
• Plan a drive away from city lights to admire the stars on a clear moonless night. Often the higher you go, the clearer the sky will be and the more stars you will see.

Read Psalm 19:1–6.

Discuss the scientific assets of the sun, moon, and stars, encouraging the children to draw on what they’ve learned in school about each of these.

Watch “Exploring Our Solar System: Planets and Space for Kids” and “All About Stars for Kids: Astronomy and Space for Children,” and “Phases of the Moon: Astronomy and Space for Kids.” (Optional)

Read “Psalm 8.”

Color the “Coloring Page: The Creation of the World: The Sun, Moon, and Stars,” or cut out and assemble “3D Picture: The Creation of the World: The Sun, Moon, and Stars.”