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Lesson 1: How Christians Believe the World Was Made

National Curriculum Links:

• EYFS: Understanding the World – People and Communities: Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and those of family members.
• KS1 (RE): Understanding Christianity: Creation – "Incarnation" theme explores Christian beliefs about God as Creator.
• Key Stage 1 non-statutory framework for RE: Pupils learn about Christian creation stories and understand that Christians believe God made the world.

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Learning Objectives:

• EYFS: Listen to and recognise the Christian story of creation. Begin to understand that Christians believe God made the world.
• KS1: Retell the Christian creation story using simple words and pictures. Identify ways God is described as Creator.
• All: Show respect for different beliefs and begin to express their own ideas about how the world was made.

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Resources:

• Illustrated children’s Bible or storybook containing the Creation story (Genesis 1 simplified)
• Large illustrated creation story cards (e.g., light, land, plants, animals, people)
• Natural objects (leaves, stones, feathers)
• Large poster paper and colouring materials
• Soft cushions or storytelling carpet

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Lesson Outline (60 minutes):

1. Welcome & Settling (5 mins)

• Gather children on the storytelling carpet.
• Introduce the topic: "Today we will hear a special story. It tells us how Christians believe God made the world."

2. Storytime: The Christian Creation Story (15 mins)

• Tell the creation story using simple, age-appropriate language, focusing on the sequence of creation over 6 days.
• Use story cards to visually reinforce the sequence.
• Ask short, open questions during storytelling, e.g., "What was made first? What did God make on the fifth day?"

3. Discussion: What do you think? (10 mins)

• Prompt gentle discussion:
  • "Have you heard a story like this before?"
  • "What parts of the story did you like?"
  • "How do you think God feels about what He made?"
• Encourage respect and remind children all ideas are welcome.

4. Creative Activity: Build Creation (20 mins)

• In small groups, children create ‘the world’ using natural materials provided and colouring their own 'day of creation' picture.
• EYFS: Focus on identifying and using natural objects.
• KS1: Challenge to sequence their creations and talk about what was made on which day.

5. Reflection and Sharing (7 mins)

• Groups briefly share their creations and explain what part of the story they made.
• Reinforce that Christians believe God cares for the world because He made it.

6. Plenary and Prayer (3 mins)

• Simple thank-you prayer or moment of quiet, thanking God for the world (optional, respectful of all beliefs).
• Repeat key message: "The world is special because God made it."

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Differentiation:

• EYFS: Use more one-to-one adult support during activities; focus on sensory engagement.
• KS1: Encourage narrative skills by asking children to retell parts of the story with their own words.

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Lesson 2: How Muslims Believe the World Was Made

National Curriculum Links:

• EYFS: Understanding the World – People and Communities: Begin to recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others.
• KS1 (RE): Understanding Islam – Focus on stories about Allah as Creator of the world.
• Key Stage 1 non-statutory framework for RE: Pupils learn about Muslim beliefs about how Allah created the world.

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Learning Objectives:

• Understand that Muslims believe Allah created the world.
• Listen to and retell a simple Muslim creation story from the Qur’an.
• Recognise and begin to respect the beliefs of Muslim children about creation.

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Resources:

• Simple, age-appropriate storybook or script on Islamic creation story (e.g. “In the Beginning - Muslim Creation Story” adapted for KS1)
• Creation picture cards similar to Lesson 1
• Large world map or globe
• Art materials (paper, crayons, gold/silver stickers for stars)
• Small lamps or LED tealights for “light” symbolism

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Lesson Outline (60 minutes):

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 mins)

• Sit in circle and introduce the theme of creation from a Muslim perspective: "Today, we will learn about how Muslims believe Allah made the world."

2. Storytelling: Muslim Creation Story (15 mins)

• Tell the story using simple language:
  • Muslim belief that Allah created the universe by His command.
  • Emphasise that Allah made light, the heavens, the earth, plants, animals, and humans.
• Use picture cards to illustrate.

3. Exploration: Light Symbolism (10 mins)

• Discuss how Muslims often think of Allah as the source of all light in the world.
• Dim the lights, then turn on LED tealights or small lamps to show "light" coming into darkness.
• Ask children to share how light helps us and what it symbolises.

4. Practical/Creative Activity: Creation Collage (20 mins)

• Children make their own 'creation collage' using paper, crayons, and shiny stickers to represent stars and moon.
• EYFS: Focus on sticking and colouring.
• KS1: Encourage inclusion of symbols representing parts of creation.

5. Discussion and Reflection (7 mins)

• Discuss similarities and differences between the Muslim and Christian creation stories.
• Focus on respect for different thoughts and beliefs.
• Use a world map to show where many Muslim children live.

6. Plenary and Quiet Reflection (3 mins)

• Quiet moment to think about how different people see the world being made.
• Finish with a simple phrase: “All believe the world is special.”

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Differentiation:

• EYFS: More hands-on support with collage; focus on sensory experience of light.
• KS1: Encourage verbal expression of ideas behind their artwork; use simple comparative language.

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Lesson 3: How We Can Care for Our Planet

National Curriculum Links:

• EYFS: Understanding the World – The Natural World: Explore the natural world around them.
• KS1 (Science/RE links): Recognise ways to care for the environment and understand stewardship in religious contexts.
• Key Stage 1 non-statutory framework for RE: Pupils think about ideas of stewardship and how religious believers care for the world.

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Learning Objectives:

• Recognise simple ways we can care for the planet.
• Understand that many faiths, including Christianity and Islam, teach caring for the Earth.
• Express ideas about why the Earth is special and how to look after it.

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Resources:

• Pictures of animals, plants, polluted vs clean environment
• Recyclable materials and clean rubbish items (for sorting activity)
• Seed planting kits or small pots, soil, and seeds
• Story or poem about caring for Earth (e.g., “God’s Garden” style)
• Large poster paper – “Our Pledge to Care for the Planet”

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Lesson Outline (60 minutes):

1. Introduction: Why Care for the Earth? (10 mins)

• Show pictures of the Earth – beautiful and damaged places.
• Ask: “Why do you think the world is special?” and “How do you think we can look after it?”
• Reference Christian and Muslim teachings: God/Allah made the world, so we should care for it.

2. Sorting Activity: What Belongs Where? (15 mins)

• Children work in small groups to sort items into bins: recycle, rubbish, compost.
• Discuss how recycling helps care for the Earth.
• EYFS: Focus on recognising which items are rubbish.
• KS1: Challenge with explaining why recycling and composting are good habits.

3. Story/Poem Sharing: Caring for Earth (10 mins)

• Share a simple story or poem about stewardship.
• Discuss: What can we do at home or school?

4. Practical Activity: Planting Seeds (15 mins)

• Children plant seeds in small pots to understand caring for living things.
• Discuss how plants help the planet by giving us air and food.

5. Create a Class Pledge Poster (7 mins)

• Together, write/draw simple ideas about how to care for the planet at school and home.
• Examples: "We will pick up litter," "We will save water," "We will recycle."

6. Reflection and Closing (3 mins)

• Recap key message: The earth is a special gift that we all share and can help protect.
• End with “Thank you” moment, encouraging children to remember their pledges.

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Differentiation:

• EYFS: Provide clear, simple sorting choices and more physical support planting seeds.
• KS1: Encourage sentences explaining why caring for Earth matters, linking ideas to religious beliefs learned earlier.

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative: Observe participation in discussions, ability to retell/summarise stories, engagement in creative and practical activities.
• Summative: At end of series, invite children to verbally share one way they learnt the world was made (from either faith) and one way they can care for the planet.
• Use visual checklists for understanding of key concepts: Creator (God/Allah), Creation sequence, Stewardship/caring, and Respect for beliefs.

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Final Notes

This series uses storytelling, active listening, hands-on activities, and reflection to engage EYFS and KS1 learners deeply while embedding respect for diverse religious beliefs and environmental responsibility. It aligns with the National Curriculum for England and the RE non-statutory framework, covering Understanding Christianity and Islam, and foundational ideas about stewardship. Teachers can adapt story complexity or discussion depth according to age and ability, ensuring all children access and enjoy the learning.

This plan aims to ‘wow’ by integrating sensory, visual, and practical learning with religious literacy, fostering empathy, curiosity, and responsibility in young learners.