Session 8: The Power of Listening

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Sing to the Power, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Sing to the Power

So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it. — Jiddu Krishnamurti We tend to think of power in terms of “doing”—pushing and acting. Yet…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Sing to the Power

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Building a Beacon 10 Activity 2: Counting Circle 8 Activity 3: Rant — A Listening Exercise 10 Activity 4: “I’m All Ears” Hats 22 Faith in Action: Reflecting on Our Air Power 20 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows 10 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Sing to the Power

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day….
Opening
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Opening Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1), and basket Cloth for altar or centering space Symbol of air, such as a feather, a pinwheel, a picture of clouds, a fan, etc….
Activity 1: Story - Building a Beacon
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story “Building a Beacon” Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group….
Activity 2: Counting Circle
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 8 minutes Preparation for Activity Clear an area for participants to gather in a circle. Description of Activity Participants are challenged to pay extremely close attention to the rest of the group. In this game, they may speak only when their voice will not interrupt someone else.
Activity 3: Rant - A Listening Exercise
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Bell or chime or other noisemaker Timepiece (minutes) Optional: Computer with Internet access Preparation for Activity Decide how you will form pairs. Optional: Preview the video of the Helsinki Complaints Choir (8:24)-an orchestrated choral piece…
Activity 4: "I'm All Ears" Hats
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 22 minutes Materials for Activity Baseball caps or other kinds of hats Drawing paper (11x17”) and pencils Sheets of felt in various colors; pens or markers for tracing ear shapes on felt; scissors (including left-handed scissors); flexible wire, and wire cutters; needles and thread…
Closing
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, “Listening” Circle, and tape Session 1, Leader Resource 3, Circle of Elements Mural Instructions Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5), and basket Bracelets from Session 1,…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Sing to the Power

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn’t? What connections did we make with the children? What connections did the children make with each other? How was this evident? How could we build the…
Faith In Action: Reflecting on Our Air Power
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity This activity is designed to help the group process a Faith in Action activity begun in Session 5….
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Attractive bowl Smooth stones, at least one for each participant Preparation for Activity Fill the bowl half-way with water. Set the bowl on a surface that will not be damaged if a small amount of water splashes out. Set out stones near the bowl,…
Alternate Activity 2: Recording Oral Histories
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Video or audio recorder(s) Paper or notecard for thank-you note. Preparation for Activity Invite a person from your congregation or community whose life story you admire or want to learn more about to come and be interviewed….
Taking It Home: The Power of Listening
From Sing to the Power

So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it. — Jiddu Krishnamurti IN TODAY’S SESSION… the children heard about Unitarian Universalist minister…
Building a Beacon
From Sing to the Power

For 24 years, Reverend Don Robinson worked as a teacher. He taught in the Washington, D.C. public schools, in a juvenile jail, and later as a community youth counselor who helped families in their neighborhoods….
Leader Resource 1: Listening Circle
From Sing to the Power

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing…
Find Out More
From Sing to the Power

Go online to find out more about Beacon House.