Session 9: Generosity: Give and Ye Shall Receive

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

Giving brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous, we experience joy in the actual act of giving something, and we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given. — Buddha This session introduces generosity as an…
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 3 Activity 3: Story — The Better Offer 15 Activity 4: Home-made Modeling Dough 10 Activity 5: Modeling Dough Fun 15 Activity 6: Clean-up 5 Faith in Action: Toy and Book Drive…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

Read the session, especially the story. Take a few minutes to think about a time when someone was especially generous to you with no strings attached. Remember the gift you received. Was it a gift of time, of talent, or of treasure, material or intangible? What were you feeling at the time?…
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 of the Session 2, Leader Resource 2, Gems of…
Activity 2: Story Basket And Centering
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story, such as a globe or map, pictures of a caravan, or a toy camel A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Optional: Box or small table and a cloth cover…
Activity 3: Story - The Better Offer
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of story, “The Better Offer” Preparation for Activity Read through the story a few times. If possible, prepare to tell the story rather than read it. Practice telling it aloud….
Activity 4: Home-made Modeling Dough
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Smocks or old tee shirts for all participants Flour, water, vegetable oil, salt, and food coloring as detailed in Leader Resource 1, Modeling Dough Recipe Measuring cups Tablespoons Large mixing bowls Waxed paper Mixing spoons for all participants…
Activity 5: Modeling Dough Fun
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Parcels or containers of modeling dough made by children in Activity 4: Home-made Modeling Dough Waxed paper Optional: Smocks or old tee shirts for all participants Optional: Modeling dough tools, such as cookie cutters and rolling pins Preparation…
Activity 6: Clean-up
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Containers to hold markers, stickers and other arts and crafts materials children have used Lined wastebasket Paper bag for recyclable paper products Another bag for recycling plastic cups, juice bottles, or cans Trays or a rolling cart to carry dir…
Closing
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Moral Compass poster Optional: One copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Music CD or tape, and music player Optional: A guitar, piano or oth…
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. Be ready to share your thoughts with 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 - Toy And Book Drive
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Leader Resource 2, Toy and Book Drive Letter Preparation for Activity Confer with the director of religious education, minister, or social action committee to determine a local agency or organization that has need of new or gently used to…
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: Material World
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the book, Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel (Sierra Club Books, 1994) Optional: Copy of the book, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel (Random House, Inc., 2005) Preparation for Activity Look through the…
Taking It Home: Generosity: Give and Ye Shall Receive
From Moral Tales

Giving brings happiness at every stage of its expression. We experience joy in forming the intention to be generous, we experience joy in the actual act of giving something, and we experience joy in remembering the fact that we have given. — Buddha IN TODAY’S SESSION… Today the children heard a…
Story 1 The Better Offer
From Moral Tales

Adapted from a historical Islamic tale. Uthman ibn Affan was one of the very first followers of the prophet Muhammad, who started the Muslim religion. He was a very wealthy man who was known far and wide for his generosity….
Leader Resource 1: Modeling Dough Recipe
From Moral Tales

This recipe will make enough modeling dough for two or three children to use in Session 9: Generosity. This can be messy. Use smocks or old tee shirts….
Leader Resource 2: Toy and Book Drive Letter to Parents
From Moral Tales

Dear Parents, The children in Moral Tales will be collecting new and gently used toys and books for (name of agency or organization), from (start date) until (end date). This Faith in Action project will begin with a visit from (agency or organization) on (day, date). They will talk about the…
Find Out More
From Moral Tales

Visit a website of “alternative gifts” to target a donation of any amount toward one of many specific programs that improve the lives of people around in the world. Learn more about the spiritual benefits of generosity in these books: The Giving Heart: Unlocking the Transformative Power of…