Session 14: Courage

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

One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest. — Maya Angelou This session introduces and encourages the virtue of courage, and defines it as the…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Moral Tales

Activity Minutes Welcoming & Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Gems of Goodness 5 Activity 2: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 3: Story — The Tiger and the Fox 10 Activity 4: The Courage Workout 15 Activity 5: Courage Pictures Art Activity 18 Activity 6: Clean-up 2 Faith in Action: Courage…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

To prepare for this session, read the story, “The Lion on the Path,” and run it through your imagination so that the setting and characters are vivid….
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 two by three inches, 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 story you have prepared us…
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 A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Optional: Box or small table and a cloth cover Preparation for Activity Place the story-related items, the altar…
Activity 3: Story - The Lion On The Path
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “The Lion on the Path” A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times. Consider telling the story rather than reading it. Practice telling it aloud….
Activity 4: The Courage Workout
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 15 minutes Preparation for Activity You will need a large, open floor space. Description of Activity In this activity you are pretending to be in an exercise class. Help the children arrange themselves in lines, as if in an exercise class. Make sure there is some space between them.
Activity 5: Courage Pictures
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 18 minutes Materials for Activity Crayons and/or color markers Blank paper with “I See Myself as Courageous,” printed on top for all participants Preparation for Activity Optional: Make several examples of drawings using stick figures, and cartoon dialogue such as, “Stop it!” or “I…
Closing for Session 14
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Moral Compass poster A bold marker, or a piece of card stock and tape or a stapler Optional: One copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Music…
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 - Courage Stickers
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Heart-shaped stickers Copies of Leader Resource 1, Courage Stickers Letter to Parents to distribute Preparation for Activity Decide whether you will buy or make heart-shaped stickers. If you plan to make them, decide whether you will make them in…
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: Courage Tag
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Bean bags in two sizes, larger and smaller A sound instrument to start and stop the action Masking tape Preparation for Activity If you have time to include this activity, decide where in the session to use it. It may give a helpful relief from…
Alternate Activity 3: The Bully On The Path - Assertiveness Skills Practice
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Sound maker Stuffed animal or doll Preparation for Activity Plan to use this activity after Activity 4: The Courage Workout, as it offers a chance to apply skills children will learn in that activity. Make an open space in the room where you can…
Taking It Home: Courage
From Moral Tales

One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest. — Maya Angelou DURING TODAY’S SESSION … We focused on the virtue of courage, and how it is…
Story: The Lion on the Path
From Moral Tales

Compiled from a variety of West African and South African folk tales. Once upon a time two cousins lived side by side in a village. They worked together in the fields each day and returned home each night to share a meal and some fun in the evening. The young woman cousin’s name was Nosa….
Leader Resource 1: Courage Stickers Letter To Parents
From Moral Tales

Dear Parents, As part of our exploration of the virtue of courage your children have begun a two-part Faith in Action project, “Courage” stickers. Today they made heart-shaped stickers….
Find Out More
From Moral Tales

Courage A book for older children, in which the phrase “exercise your courage muscles” is found, is the Kid’s Guide to Working Out Conflicts by Naomi Drew (Free Spirit Publishing, 2004). Picture books for children about courage include Rainbow Crow, by Nancy Van Lann (New York: Alfred A. Knopf,…

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Session 14: Courage

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