Session 13: Justice for All

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Moral Tales, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Moral Tales

Riches that leave another poor I do not want. — Andre Gide This session teaches children about injustice and inequality in our world, and the importance of working for justice. Participants will hear a story about a kingdom in which many people do not have enough food. A dog that is…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Moral Tales

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Gems of Goodness 5 Activity 2: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 3: Story — The Dog and the Heartless King 5 Activity 4: Story Integration — Barking Dog Game 10 Activity 5: Watchdogs for Justice — an Unfair Snack 15 Activity…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

Read the story, “The Dog and the Heartless King.” Take a few moments to consider any or all of these questions: Whom do you most relate to in the story: the dog, the hungry people and/or the king? Whom have you barked for in the name of justice? Whom would you like to bark for? Has anyone ever…
Welcoming and Entering
From Moral Tales

Materials for Activity Mosaic gemstones, at least three per participant A colorful cloth A small notebook, approximately two by three inches, and a marker for each child who is new to the Gems of Goodness project Optional: Stick-on gems or other stickers for children who are new to the Gems of…
Opening
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Decide whether you will use the provided opening words, an adaptation of Reading 418 in Singing the Living…
Activity 1: Gems Of Goodness
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Clear glass jar or vase Small notebooks, approximately 2”x 3”, for any newcomers Markers and stick-on gems or other stickers for children who are new to the Gems of Goodness project Copies for newcomers of the handout you have prepared using Session…
Activity 2: Story Basket And Centering
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story, such as a stuffed dog, preferably one that can bark A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Optional: Box or small table and a cloth cover Optional: A gl…
Activity 3: Story - The Dog And The Heartless King
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story,”The Dog and the Heartless King” A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times. Note the storytelling tips. Consider telling the story rather than reading it….
Activity 4: Story Integration - Barking Dog Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Chime, rain stick or other sound instrument (optional) Preparation for Activity Write “justice is fairness” on a piece of newsprint. Hang it where the children can see it….
Activity 5: Watchdogs For Justice - An Unfair Snack
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Lots of different snack foods including some plain uninteresting foods as well as some highly appealing foods Serving bowls or plates Eating utensils Plates (one per child) Slips of paper and a pencil or pen Preparation for Activity Purchase food t…
Activity 6: Processing The Unfair Snack Activity
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity It is important that children have an opportunity to talk about their feelings and process the justice issues that were raised in the unfair snack exercise. You can gather after the snack in a circle, or, if time is short, you can talk about the…
Activity 7: Clean-up
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Plastic tubs or baskets to store markers, pens, stickers and other art materials Waste basket lined with a bag Bag(s) for recycling paper products and/or empty plastic containers Damp sponges or paper towels to wipe tables used in group feast…
Closing
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Music and player Optional: Guitar, piano or other instrument Preparation for Activity Look at Hymn 131 in Singing the Living Tradition, “Love Will Guide Us.” You may like to use it as the closing song for this…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Moral Tales

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 teachers and your director of religious education. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Which activities worked well?…
Faith In Action: Long-term - Living Simply That Others Might Simply Live
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape A copy of Leader Resource 1, Living Simply Ceremony Preparation for Activity Discuss with your minister, director of religious education, and/or social action committee what justice organization you could raise money for.
Alternate Activity 1: Candles Of Joys And Sorrows
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Large container, such as ceramic or metal bowl Play sand (can be found at local hardware store) or unscented cat litter Large number of candles Basket for candles Matches or lighter Preparation for Activity Fill your container with the play sand or…
Alternate Activity 2: "Hungry Planet" Picture Book
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio (Ten Speed Press, 2005) Preparation for Activity Obtain a copy of the book, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio (Ten Speed…
Alternate Activity 3: Barking Dog Role Plays
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Leader Resource 2, Unfair Scenarios Preparation for Activity Download Leader Resource 2, Unfair Scenarios. Decide which ones you will use, and add your own. Print a copy to use during the session….
Taking It Home: Justice for All
From Moral Tales

Riches that leave another poor I do not want. — Andre Gide IN TODAY’S SESSION… Today we talked about the importance of fairness and justice and the necessity of taking action in the face of injustice. We heard a story about a kingdom where a greedy king hoards all the food for himself. A huge…
Story 1: The Dog and the Heartless King
From Moral Tales

Adapted, with permission, from “The Heartless King,” an Indian folk tale adapted by Sophia Fahs in From Long Ago and Many Lands, second edition, by Sophia Fahs and Patricia Hoertdoerfer and illustrated by Cyrus Leroy Baldridge (Boston: Skinner House Books, 1995). Once upon a time there lived a…
Leader Resource 1: Living Simply Ceremony
From Moral Tales

Materials for Activity Medium-sized white or light gray stones, one per participant A large decorative vase or glass bowl A small table or altar Decorative cloths for the table or altar Magic markers Tables and chairs List of suggested items or activities that the kids made during the Living Simp…
Leader Resource 2: Unfair Scenarios
From Moral Tales

Scenario 1 (two, plus watchdog): Person A: You have a really big piece of chocolate cake. It’s your favorite desert and you don’t want to share any. Person B: You don’t have any cake and you would like some….
Find Out More
From Moral Tales

Learn about the make-up of our world with this picture book that makes population numbers more concrete and is informative for people of all ages: If the World Were a Village: A Book About the World’s People by David J….