Are you interested in teaching unit studies? Would you like to save time and teach multiple subjects at the same time? Maybe even teach multiple ages at the same time? Is your child always on the move and can’t sit still? Well, this science unit study is for you!

This creation unit study combines fitness, science, vocabulary, spelling and writing in an enjoyable way that gets the kids moving and learning at the same time. As they learn they are given a task to complete before they get to move on to the next thing.

You can jump to the free download HERE.

About two years ago a friend of mine asked me to write a unit study combining these two topics:

• The seven days of creation
• Being healthy and active

You see, they were planning a trip to visit the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky and so she wanted them to be ready for their vacation. However, one of her goals for her family was to make healthier choices and she was looking for a resource to combine the two.

At first, I was a little intimidated but as I thought about it, ideas began to come to me and I was able to put together a unit study called Racing Through Creation. This post today is all about the first day of creation when God created the light and the darkness

What is a unit study?

Let’s start at the beginning with what a unit study is. A unit study is when you take a topic and explore every part of that topic while including various subjects like science, history, art, writing, and in this case, physical education.

The child has the opportunity to explore what interests them in a way that speaks specifically to their learning style. I like to include a lot of hands-on activities where the children have a chance to move around and experience our topic.

Foundational Principles

Every unit study I write I always outline the foundational principles. These are the focus points that I want the students to walk away with. These are the principles of this study:

• God is sovereign.
• God made all of us unique and equal.

God is Sovereign

Do you know what the word sovereignty means? It means that there is a supreme power and authority. It means that God is the creator of us all of us and He knows what is best for us. We can truly trust Him and His plan for our life. He knows what He is doing.

God Made All of Us Unique and Equal

One of the things I want my children to know and understand is that God made us all unique but equal. He makes us all different because if we were all the same, well, life would definitely be borning. I want my kids to embrace who they are with confidence so they can grow up to do what God has planned for their lives.

Check this post out for another great way to teach your child how to embrace being different!

How I Taught the 8 Great Smarts to My Kids

In this creation unit study, these are the following activities that go along with our fitness theme:

Warm-Up

During the warm-up task, they will memorize and practice their memory verse. Then they will play a game to make sure the verse sticks into their brains.

Starting Point

The Starting Point task is the vocabulary portion of this study. They will have one word they will look up in the dictionary and write the word and its definition on index cards. Then there is a game they will play which will demonstrate the meaning of their vocabulary word. Basically, they will act it out.

Workout

The Workout task is designed for them to use what they have learned in a hands-on activity. They will have the opportunity to experience something we are talking about.

Interval Training

The Interval Training task is the spelling part of the study. They will learn to spell the vocabulary word and then play a game with it too.

Aid Station

The Aid Station was my kiddo’s favorite part because it is all about food! Well, maybe not all about food because we also talk about what it means to live a healthy life.

Writing

This is the writing assignment portion of the study. I love to have them write about what they are learning because they are experiencing it firsthand. I find that the students have a much easier time writing when they are getting to experience what we are talking about.

Finish Line

The finish line is all about reviewing what we have learned so far in this study. Of course, we need to add some movement to it so they get to play a game while they take their “test.” It’s so much fun that they don’t even realize they are being quizzed.

Marathon

The Marathon task is the field trip portion of this study. This is a chance for them to go out and explore what we have learned! These experiences add so much fun and excitement to the child’s learning.

Supplies Needed:

So let’s jump into the unit study! It is available as a FREE PDF download for you to print and share with your family!

Night Animals 

Racing Through Creation: Light and the Darkness

Read Genesis 1:1-5

In Genesis 1:1 notice the word created. What does the word create mean? Look it up in the dictionary and discuss it.

Look at the verse closer, so what is it this verse saying now that you know the definition? God created everything by bringing it into existence. He spoke and it appeared. Think about that!

“Warm-Up” Task Card: Memory Verse Hide and Seek

Memorize Genesis 1:1- “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (NIV)

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team, Bible, and 11 index cards.

Game Directions: Write the memory verse, Genesis 1:1, on index cards. Each index card should have one word on it. Be sure to include Genesis 1:1. One person hides the memory verse cards outside. Then the other person(s) look for the cards and puts them in order. Repeat until everyone has had a turn.

“Starting Point” Task Card: Creation Station

Look up the vocabulary word create in the dictionary. Get two index cards and write the word create on one card and then write the definition on the other card. Place them in an envelope to use another day.

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team and varouis craft supplies of your choice.

Activity Directions: To create something means “to bring it into existence.” God created the heavens and the earth from nothing. He is the ultimate Creator! Your task is to make something of your choice with the supplies given to you by your leader. Your item needs to have a purpose or be able to do something. While God is the only one who can create, you can use his creation to “make.” Once you have completed your task, make a short video to explain what you made and what it does.

Night & Day Animals

“Workout” Task Card: Scavenger Hunt

Watch these videos:

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team, 3 pieces of paper per child, pencils or markers, and an outdoor space.

Activity Directions: Write opaque, translucent, and transparent on 3 pieces of paper. Go outside and place them in three different places. Now it’s time to hunt! Look for items that are opaque, translucent, transparent, and place them one at a time by your signs. After you are done, talk about the objects you chose and why.

“Interval Training” Task Card: Build a Flashlight

Your spelling word for today is create. Practice it now.

God created light and called it day and He called the darkness night. Aren’t you glad He created light? It would be dark all the time if He hadn’t.

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team, 1 flashlight per child. Note: Take the flashlight apart and hide the pieces in different places for the child to find.

Game Directions: How would you like to build a flashlight? Here is your chance! Every time you spell the word “create” or “creation” correctly, your leader will give you a clue where to find a part of your flashlight. Run and get the part and then spell another word to get another clue about where another part of your flashlight is. Repeat until you have a working flashlight!

Planet Earth

“Aid Station” Task Card: Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Do you have a tablet or a phone? Do you have to plug it in so the battery can recharge? Your body is the same way! You need to recharge by getting a good night’s sleep. This means you must stay in your bed let your body get the sleep it needs.

Watch this video:

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team, chocolate pudding ingredients, and vanilla pudding ingredients.

Activity Directions: Guess what? You get to make chocolate and vanilla pudding today. How does this fit with what we are talking about? Chocolate symbolizes the night and vanilla symbolizes the day. As you eat it, I want you to talk about how you feel when you don’t get a good night’s sleep compared to when you do. Does it make a difference?

Sovereignty of God

The word sovereignty means supreme power or authority. God is the ruler over everything and is in complete control. He always has our best interests at heart, and we can trust what He has planned for our life.

Watch this video:

Writing

Write a short paragraph about one thing that is scaring you. What can you do when you feel scared?

“Finish Line” Task Card: The Dark Room

Can you imagine what it would be like without light? Well, you are going to get the chance to find out. Your leader has hidden some things in a dark room. Answer a review question correctly for a chance to search in the dark!

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team and various items of your choice to hide in a dark room. Hide the items you chose in a dark room. Have the child look for the first item with no light. If they get frustrated, offer them a flashlight and discuss the reason God created light. Either way, on the second round, give them a flashlight and have a light discussion.

Review Game Directions: Have the students answer the following questions. When they answer correctly, they will get to go search in the darkroom for one item.

1. Name on one thing God created on day one. (Heavens, earth, day, or night)
2. Name one thing you can do in the daytime. (Various)
3. Name one thing you can do at night. (Various)
4. What does opaque mean? (Not able to see through it.)
5. What does translucent mean? (Allowing light to pass through but not in detailed shapes.)
6. What does transparent mean? (Allows light to pass through so objects can be seen clearly.)
7. What does the word create mean? (Brings something into existence)
8. Name one layer of the earth? (Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core) Review question from Part One.

“Marathon” Task Card: Exploring What We Have Learned

Now is your chance to explore what you have learned. God made the day and night on the first day. Tonight, try to see what you can in the dark with no light. If you get uncomfortable, use your flashlight.

Supplies needed: Task Card for every person/team and an outdoor space

Activity Directions: When it gets dark, go outside and see what you can see in the dark. Try not to use a flashlight! It might take a few minutes, but your eyes will adjust to the darkness.

Suggested Read Aloud:

Download the Racing Through Creation Unit Study Part Two: Light and Darkness for FREE by signing up for our newsletter below.

Thank you for reading! If your child is struggling with sleeping, this is a great resource for you! One of my favorite memories from this study was exploring the yard after dark with our kiddos. Some of the kids got blankets and laid in the yard listening to sounds of the night and looking at the stars.

Don’t forget about Racing Through Creation: Part One Heavens and Earth! It’s a free download too!