Tapestry of Faith: World of Wonder: A Program on the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism for Grades K-1

Activity 2: Story - Green Like the Wind

Part of World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes

Print and copy the "Green Like the Wind" coloring sheet.
Illustration: Amy Paschall

Coloring Sheet

Materials for Activity

  • Story, "Green Like the Wind"
  • A large basket
  • Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as a pinwheel, a representation of the sun, or a picture of a waterfall or dam
  • A chime or rain stick
  • Optional: Fidget Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1)
  • Optional: "Green Like the Wind" coloring sheet (PDF) and crayons

Preparation for Activity

  • Read the story questions. Choose ones that will best help these children interpret the story and relate it to their own lives.
  • Optional, but highly recommended: Provide a basket of soft, quiet, manipulable items for children who will listen and learn more effectively with something in their hands. Remind children where is the Fidget Basket is before you begin the "centering" part of this activity. See Session 1, Leader Resource 1, Fidget Basket for a full description of a fidget basket and guidance for using it.
  • Optional: Print and copy the "Green Like the Wind" coloring sheet (PDF). Plan to invite children to color before, during, or after the story to help them focus and engage. You might send the coloring sheet home with the Taking It Home handout.

Description of Activity

Gather the children in a circle in the storytelling area and show them the story basket. Say something like:

This is our story basket. I wonder what is in it today?

Take the story-related items from the basket, one at a time, and pass them around. Objects that are fragile or cannot easily be passed around can be held up for all to see and then placed on the altar/centering table or any table or shelf.

Take the chime or rain stick from the basket and say in these words or your own:

Each time you hear a story during World of Wonder we will use this instrument to get our ears, minds, and bodies ready to listen. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. When I sound the chime (turn the rain stick over), listen as carefully as you can and see how long you can hear it. When you can't hear it anymore, open your eyes and it will be time for the story to start.

Sound the chime or rain stick.

When the sound has completely disappeared, tell the story, "Green Like the Wind," which introduces the ideas of green energy, local energy, wind power, and cooperative community problem solving.

When the story is finished, guide the children in a brief discussion using questions such as:

  • What did you wonder about the story?
  • What did you like most about the story?
  • Do you know what we use to make electricity here?
  • What are some ways that you save energy or use green energy in your family?
  • Have you ever thought about using the wind, the sun, or water to make energy?
  • Did you ever get together with a group of people to solve a problem? What happened?
  • How can we as Unitarian Universalists choose green energy ourselves?
  • How can we help others make green energy choices?

Including All Participants

Fidget objects, described in Session 1, Leader Resource 1, can provide a non-disruptive outlet for anyone who needs to move or who benefits from sensory stimulation. You might include soft crayons and the coloring sheet for this story as a fidget option.