Session 6: Keep Learning

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Faithful Journeys, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Faithful Journeys

Life becomes religious whenever we make it so: when some new light is seen, when some deeper appreciation is felt, when some larger outlook is gained, when some nobler purpose is formed, when some task is well done. — Sophia Lyon Fahs In this session, children learn about and experience our third…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Faithful Journeys

Activity Minutes Opening 2 Activity 1: Faithful Footprints 5 Activity 2: Move It! Yoga 8 Activity 3: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 4: Story — Learning by Heart: Sophia Lyon Fahs 10 Activity 5: Song — “Sing and Rejoice” 8 Activity 6: Mirror Dance 5 Activity 7: Create a Zen Garden 10 Faith…
Spiritual Preparation
From Faithful Journeys

If it would be helpful in creating sacred space, light a candle or chalice. Read the story “Learning by Heart: Sophia Lyon Fahs.” Reflect on these questions: As a student or seeker, what learning experiences have been joyful, even revelatory for you? What approaches of particular teachers have…
Opening
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers and tape Posters of the Unitarian Universalist Principles in both adult and children’s language, or copies of Session 1, Handout 1 for all participa…
Activity 1: Faithful Footprints
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path (Session 1, Leader Resource 2) Cutouts of footprints and (optional) wheelchair tracks, at least one for each participant, in a variety of colors (Session 1, Leader Resources 3 and 4) Markers Push pins, glue stick or tape…
Activity 2: Move It! Yoga
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Leader Resource 1, Yoga Pose Optional: Notes/illustrations to help you lead additional yoga poses Optional: Yoga DVDs/videos and appropriate player(s) Preparation for Activity Find a large, carpeted area or obtain small rugs or yoga mats f…
Activity 3: Story Basket and Centering
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects related to the story “Learning by Heart,” such as a picture of Sophia Lyon Fahs (Leader Resource 2) or one of her many books A chime, rain stick, or other calming sound instrument Optional: Box or small table and a decorative…
Activity 4: Story - Learning By Heart, Sophia Lyon Fahs
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Learning by Heart: Sophia Lyon Fahs” A chime, rain stick or other calming sound instrument Optional: Fidget object basket (Session 2, Leader Resource 2) Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times….
Activity 5: Song - Sing and Rejoice
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Singing the Living Tradition or Leader Resource 3, Sing and Rejoice Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Learn the song “Sing and Rejoice,” Hymn 395 in Singing the Living Tradition. Hear Rev. Lynn Ungar sing the song. Make…
Activity 6: Mirror Dance
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Music without lyrics (classical, jazz, etc.) and appropriate music player Preparation for Activity Choose music conducive to slow, contemplative movement. Description of Activity Tell the children: Many people think of spiritual activities as quiet…
Activity 7: Create aZen Garden
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A small, low-sided box, such as a shoe box, for each child Play sand (available at hardware stores) or unscented clay kitty litter and a scoop Small items such as attractive stones, acorns, shells, etc., a handful for each participant Plastic forks…
Closing
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path Signpost for Session 6 (Leader Resource 4), and pins, glue stick or tape Copies of Session 1, Leader Resource 8, UU Principles Song, for all participants Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Print out…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Faithful Journeys

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team co-leaders and your director of religious education. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Which activities worked well?…
Faith In Action: Teaching
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Yoga mats, small rugs or a carpeted space large enough for all participants A copy of Leader Resource 1, Yoga Pose, and other yoga pose notes/illustrations, as needed Preparation for Activity Participants must be familiar with yoga poses used in…
Alternate Activity 1: Religious Poetry
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of “The Summer’s Day” by Mary Oliver, or another poem. “Pied Beauty” by Gerard Manley Hopkins is a more difficult poem, yet with a lovely sound and rhythm children may appreciate. Optional: Blank paper, pencils, and crayons or markers for all…
Alternate Activity 2: Walking Meditation
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Choose a location for your walking meditation, preferably an outdoor area with few distractions. Obtain permission to take children outdoors, and make sure you have an adequate number of adults to accompany the group….
Alternate Activity 3: Drawing to Music
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Blank paper and crayons, markers or pastels Music without lyrics (classical, jazz, world music instrumental, etc.) and appropriate music player (Note: Choose music you feel evokes mystery and wonder.) Preparation for Activity Set out art supplies so…
Taking It Home: Keep Learning
From Faithful Journeys

Life becomes religious whenever we make it so: when some new light is seen, when some deeper appreciation is felt, when some larger outlook is gained, when some nobler purpose is formed, when some task is well done. —Sophia Lyon Fahs IN TODAY’S SESSION… The children learned about Unitarian…
Learning By Heart Sophia Lyon Fahs

Polly Peterson

From Faithful Journeys

“Mama, Mama, why do we just keep going and going and not going anywhere?” asked little Sophie. Her family was crossing the wide Pacific Ocean on a big ship bound for America. Sophie Lyon was an American girl, three and a half years old, making her first trip to America. She and her older brothers…
Leader Resource 1: Yoga Pose
From Faithful Journeys

Start with this simple pose and add a few more. Practice poses so you can lead them without having to stop to read the next step. Children should remain quiet during yoga practice to maintain personal concentration. Invite children to breathe in to begin a pose, breathe out to finish a pose, and…
Leader Resource 2: Picture of Sophia Lyon Fahs
From Faithful Journeys

Courtesy of the Unitarian Universalist Association archives.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 3: Song - Sing and Rejoice
From Faithful Journeys

“Sing and Rejoice” is Hymn 395 in Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook.Sing and rejoice. Sing and rejoice. Let all things living now Sing and rejoice. Si… and Rejoice (MP3)…
Leader Resource 4: Signpost for Session 6
From Faithful Journeys

Cut out the signpost to add to your Faithful Journeys Path. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Faithful Journeys

Yoga for Kids The website Radiant Yoga for All Kids offers guidance to help children “stretch and strengthen while promoting balance, coordination, the ability to concentrate and an increase in vitality through energetic practice.” The site also provides resources for yoga and meditation with adu…