Session 12: From Anger to Kindness

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Love Will Guide Us, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Love Will Guide Us

When my anger’s over may the world be young again as after rain – the cool clean promise and the dance of branches glistening green — Raymond John Baughan, in Day of Promise: Collected Meditations, Kathleen Montgomery, ed. (Skinner House, 2001); used with permission This session looks to the…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity Minutes Opening 7 Activity 1: Anger Energy 10 Activity 2: Mirror Talking 10 Activity 3: Story — Anger, A Buddhist Story 10 Activity 4: Calming Beads 15 Faith In Action: Body of Anger 30 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Concerns 7 Alternate Activity 2: UU Source…
Spiritual Preparation
From Love Will Guide Us

Take a few quiet minutes to consider anger. Issues around anger are a challenge for most adults, yet anger is important to pay attention to. Anger is a healthy feeling. Sometimes it is appropriate, or necessary to right a wrong; when injustice makes us angry, that anger can help us act….
Opening
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Session 1, Handout 1, Ten Million Stars Session 1, Handout 2, Love Will Guide Us Lyrics (Hymn 131 in Singing the Living Tradition) Night Sky display (Session 1, Opening) Optional: A recording of the song “Love…
Activity 1: Anger Energy
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Clear an open space for children to move around freely and safely. Description of Activity Participants will act out expressions of anger. Invite participants to mingle in the open space and show anger to at least three other people, without…
Activity 2: Mirror Talking
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Music, and music player Preparation for Activity Decide how you will pair children. Prepare to pair a co-leader with a child, in an odd-numbered group….
Activity 3: Story - Anger, A Buddhist Story
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Anger — A Buddhist Story” A large basket Objects related to the story such as a small Buddha statue, a mirror, a world map or small globe, a picture of an angry face A chime, rain stick, or other instrument with a calming sound…
Activity 4: Calming Beads
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Waxed linen, or elastic cord and large needles for all participants Assorted beads, at least 16 for each participant, and shallow trays One large wooden or metal bead for each participant Preparation for Activity Cut 14-inch lengths of cord, one fo…
Closing
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Session 10, Leader Resource 2, Source Star — World Religions Pencils or markers Taking It Home Optional: Session 1, Handout 3, Our Sources Lyrics Optional: A recording of the song…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Love Will Guide Us

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 leaders and your religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Were all children actively engaged?…
Faith In Action: Body of Anger
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity An old T-shirt and pair of pants, both light-colored, adult size, and ready to be recycled Markers that will write on fabric Handout 1, Three Choices to Reduce Anger Optional: Face or body paint Preparation for Activity Invite parents to join the…
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Concerns
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Felt candle-and-flame board (see Session 1, Alternate Activity 1) A basket of felt “flames” and a basket of felt “candles” Optional: LED/battery-operated tea lights or candles Preparation for Activity If needed, make a felt board by stapling or nail…
Alternate Activity 2: UU Source Constellation - World Religions
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Session 10, Handout 1, UU Source Constellation — World Religions Session 10, Leader Resource 1, UU Source Constellation Answer Sheet — World Religions Night Sky display and push pins, tape, or sticky tack (Session 1, Opening) Gold and silver star…
Alternate Activity 3: Yoga: Salutation to the Sun
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Yoga mats Preparation for Activity Review the Description of Activity and the sun salutation poses….
Taking It Home: From Anger to Kindness
From Love Will Guide Us

When my anger’s over may the world be young again as after rain — the cool clean promise and the dance of branches glistening green — Raymond John Baughan, in Day of Promise: Collected Meditations, Kathleen Montgomery, ed. (Skinner House, 2001); used with permission IN TODAY’S SESSION… the…
Anger A Buddhist Story

Sarah Conover

From Love Will Guide Us

From Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children and Parents (Condra Enterprises, 2005). One day, the Buddha and a large following of monks and nuns were passing through a village. The Buddha chose a large shade tree to sit beneath so the group could rest awhile out of the heat. He often…
Handout 1: Three Choices to Reduce Anger
From Love Will Guide Us

It is not enough to know what happens to us when we get angry. We also need to know how to control our anger. Here are three choices for reducing the feelings of anger. Learn them together, and use them help one another manage anger. All are intended to slow down your body’s reaction to anger:…
Find Out More About Session 12
From Love Will Guide Us

Yoga …