WORLD OF WONDER
A Tapestry of Faith Program for Children
SESSION 14: ENOUGH STUFF
BY REV. ALICE ANACHEKA-NASEMANN, PAT KAHN, AND JULIE SIMON
© Copyright 2013 Unitarian Universalist Association.
Published to the Web on 11/9/2014 2:48:23 AM PST.
This program and additional resources are available on the UUA.org web site at
www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith.
SESSION OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
People overestimate the pleasure they'll get from having more stuff. This does not apply to new rose bushes, crayons, or yarn stashes. — Dr. Sun Wolf
This session helps children identify the difference between need and want and introduces relevant actions that make a difference in caring for the web of life. While some participants may be familiar with the 3 Rs (Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle), this session introduces another R, Refuse, which is demonstrated in the central story about a very fun "no presents" birthday party. The 5th R is Rot (decomposition), explored in Session 7.
GOALS
This session will:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
SESSION-AT-A-GLANCE
Activity | Minutes |
Opening | 5 |
Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game | 5 |
Activity 2: Story — Enough Stuff | 10 |
Activity 3: Recycle Relay | 15 |
Activity 4: Birthday Brainstorm | 10 |
Activity 5: Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars | 10 |
Faith in Action: Enough Stuff Birthday Party | |
Closing | 5 |
Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game | 10 |
Alternate Activity 2: "Needs" vs. "Wants" Nature Walk | 20 |
Alternate Activity 3: Kids Make a Difference Video | 15 |
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
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. Take a few minutes to ponder what it would mean in your life to live with simple abundance.
Consider this session's opening quote:
People overestimate the pleasure they'll get from having more stuff. This does not apply to new rose bushes, crayons, or yarn stashes. — Dr. Sun Wolf
What would your three exceptions be?
Ask yourself these questions:
Allow your own sense of reverence, wonder, and awe to be present as you lead this session.
SESSION PLAN
OPENING (5 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
The opening circle rituals reinforce the theme of interdependence and the web of life and provide leadership opportunities for participants.
Gather participants in a circle around the chalice. Using the Leadership Chart created in Session 2, assign roles for this session. Briefly describe each job. Explain that next time you meet the jobs will change and anyone who did not get a job today will have a chance during another session. Throughout the session, prompt those with leadership tasks at the appropriate times.
Remind the group that each session starts with the ritual of lighting the chalice. In these words or your own, say:
All around the world, Unitarian Universalists of all ages light chalices when they gather together. With this ritual, Unitarian Universalists are connected to one another, even though they might never meet each other. Now we will light the chalice, the symbol of our Unitarian Universalist faith; then say together our chalice-lighting words.
As needed, help the designated leaders light the chalice and lead the chalice-lighting words:
We light our chalice to honor the web of all life.
We honor the sun and earth that bring life to us.
We honor the plants and creatures of land, water, and air that nourish us.
And we honor each other, gathered here to share the wonder of our world.
—adapted from words by Alice Anacheka-Nasemann
Point to the covenant the group created in Session 1 and briefly review it. Invite any newcomers to sign their name. You might have the Welcoming Leader or Justice Leader invite newcomers to sign the covenant, if those roles have been assigned.
Remind the children that each time we meet, we will explore something about our seventh UU Principle: respect for the interdependent web of life. In these words or your own, say:
Today we're going to talk about "stuff" and things we can do when we have too much stuff. Do you know what recycle means? How many of you recycle at home? Can you recycle everything? There are some more "R" words that can help us care for the interdependent web, words like Refuse, Reduce, and Re-use. We can try to do all of these before we recycle something.
[Optional... ]
There's one more that we've already talked about. Rot. Maybe you were here when we talked about rot and decomposition.
Including All Participants
At this age there is a very wide span in terms of reading abilities; point out words as you read them to the children, but do not expect them to be able to read.
ACTIVITY 1: EARTH BALL NAME GAME (5 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
This activity engages active learners while helping everyone learn the names of participants and leaders.
Stand in a circle with participants. Say, in these words or your own:
One important way to make connections and help everyone feel welcome is to know each other's names. We will use this earth ball each time we are together to help create connections in our group. When someone throws the "earth" to you, catch the ball and say your name.
Demonstrate by throwing the ball gently to a co-leader. Have the co-leader say their name.
Then everyone says "Welcome, [co-leader's name]." Then, that person will gently throw the earth ball to someone else in the circle, who will say their name and be welcomed by the group.
Continue until everyone in the circle has been introduced.
Including All Participants
If throwing and catching the ball is difficult, do the activity seated with legs out and feet touching, rolling the ball instead of throwing it. If any participant cannot stand or sit on the floor, have everyone play in a circle of chairs.
ACTIVITY 2: STORY — ENOUGH STUFF (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
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, read or tell the story, "Enough Stuff."
When the story is finished, lead a brief discussion using questions such as:
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.
ACTIVITY 3: RECYCLE RELAY (15 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
This activity familiarizes children with items that can be recycled and how to recycle them. The relay can be done inside, with sufficient space for the number of children you have.
Form two teams. If the numbers are uneven, have a volunteer from one team run an extra recycle round.
Have the teams race to get all their items into the correct bins. Start with one child from each team who picks up one item out of the unsorted bin, runs and places the item in the correct bin, and then tags the next person on their team who then takes their turn. Continue until all the items are sorted.
Variation
Have all the children on one team. Have them race the clock and try to beat their group time by doing the recycle relay several times.
At the end of each round, review the items in the bins. If there is a question about what goes into a bin, ask the team to explain why they thought the item belonged in the bin it went in. If needed, adjust the final place it goes.
Including All Participants
If any participants cannot race, use the alternative method and assign a timekeeper.
ACTIVITY 4: BIRTHDAY BRAINSTORM (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Gather the children in a circle, outdoors if possible, and ask them to think about the parties from the story "Enough Stuff." Go around the circle (or use the talking stick) and ask questions such as:
Now, ask participants to close their eyes and imagine a "no presents" birthday party they might like to have. Would it have a theme (such as pirates)? Where would it be? What games would they play? Are there ways they could include any of the Rs?
As time allows, have each person share their ideas and have a co-leader record them on newsprint. Contribute ideas, as needed, from the resources on Handout 1. Conclude the brainstorming by distributing Handout 1. Invite children to share it with their parents at home to help their families talk about new ways to celebrate birthdays.
Note: You might continue the conversation during the next activity while the children make the binoculars. Optional: List everyone's birthday on newsprint, then sing a round of "Happy Birthday to Us."
ACTIVITY 5: TOILET PAPER ROLL BINOCULARS (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Give each child two toilet paper rolls. They can cover them with construction paper, decorate them with markers, or leave them plain. Help them staple the two rolls together, punch a hole on each of the outside walls of the tubes, and cut a length of yarn and tie to make a strap. Now they have binoculars for bird-watching or spying.
Say, in these words or your own:
This was a very easy project to make from recycled toilet paper rolls. Can you think of other projects that would be fun to make at a birthday party?
Add ideas to the newsprint list from Activity 4, Birthday Brainstorm.
CLOSING (5 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Gather in a circle by the World of Wonder mural. Say, in these words or your own:
Today we learned about the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot, and how important these actions are in caring for the earth each and every day. Unitarian Universalists believe that all people and animals and plants are part of an invisible web of life, like our World of Wonder mural. Each time we meet we add something new to our mural. Today we add a picture of "too much stuff," to remind us to practice the 5 Rs and be satisfied with "enough stuff."
Attach the picture to the mural.
Indicate the lyrics to the closing song, "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands."
Invite the Song Leader to start the song with accompanying hand motions. Participants can help each other remember hand motions or can create new ones.
Distribute Taking It Home. Thank the children for participating and invite them to return next time.
FAITH IN ACTION: ENOUGH STUFF BIRTHDAY PARTY
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
A multigenerational group shares alternative birthday party ideas.
Invite participants of all ages to move to the table set up for the month of their birthday. Have each table introduce themselves to each other and give their birthday; see if anyone shares a birthday. Optional: have a list of "Famous" Unitarian Universalists with birthday in that month.
After a few minutes of conversation, introduce the World of Wonder program. Then, tell or read the story, "Enough Stuff." Share the ideas the group recorded on newsprint in Activities 4 and 5 and ask that tables talk about birthdays parties they have had, attended, or would like to attend that have an element of any of the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. Ask the volunteer facilitator to jot down ideas to add to the newsprint.
After ten or fifteen minutes of discussion, start the party by asking those who have baked cakes to briefly describe the cake they brought (ingredients, etc.) and on which table it is. Ask everyone to rise in body or spirit and join in singing "Happy Birthday to Us." Invite everyone to have a piece of birthday cake at their own table or at another if they prefer a different flavor.
Optional: Extend the event by showing the DVD to adults while the children engage in games or activities that have been suggested by participants—at this gathering, or at another time.
When the cakes have been eaten, ask all participants to help clean up.
Close by asking the World of Wonder children to lead participants in the song "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands."
Share the photos or video with the children, next time the group meets.
Including All Participants
Make space at work tables to accommodate people who use wheelchairs.
LEADER REFLECTION AND PLANNING
Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately after the session, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with other team leaders and the religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions:
TAKING IT HOME
People overestimate the pleasure they'll get from having more stuff. This does not apply to new rose bushes, crayons, or yarn stashes. — Dr. Sun Wolf
IN TODAY'S SESSION... we learned about the 5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. We heard the story "Enough Stuff," which introduced the idea of a no-presents birthday party—a concrete way to live the first R, "Refuse." We did a Recycle Relay, imagined a birthday party we might want to have, and made binoculars from recycled materials (a great idea for a birthday party activity!).
EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Talk about... what is "enough stuff?" How does your family celebrate birthdays? What changes could you make? What about a "no-presents" birthday party? Check out "Birthdays without Pressure" (at www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/projects/birthdays/children.asp) on the website of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Nebraska for family discussion questions and more.
EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER... Take a tour of your home to look for evidence of the 5 Rs. Talk about ways to include more of these practices in your everyday lives at home, school, or work. Look at the blog Zero Waste Home (at zerowastehome.blogspot.com/p/tips.html). Is this something your family might try?
A Family Adventure. Invite your neighbors to participate and host a community "swap," perhaps at your congregation. Learn about communities that have done this on the Give Your Stuff Away website (at giveyourstuffaway.com/) or from The Center for a New American Dream's "Guide to Sharing (at www.newdream.org/)."
Family Discovery. Explore the website "Loop Scoops (at www.storyofstuff.org/2011/09/14/free-learning-resources-for-all-ages/)", a project of PBS kids by Annie Leonard, the author of Story of Stuff. Or go to The Story of Stuff (at www.storyofstuff.org/) website and watch the movie and look at the resources for more ideas.
A Family Game. Talk with your child about special things you can do together that do not require any material items. Play games like tag, hide-and-go-seek; and duck, duck, goose. Point out that these games are simple in that they do not require any special equipment and "green" in that they do not use any of the Earth's resources.
A Family Ritual. Our lives can be very complex. Try a family meditation practice to simplify your days: Gather together for a brief time. Light a candle. If you have a chime or singing bowl, use it and listen together to see how long you can hear the sound. Put on some music with nature sounds or simply sit quietly together. At first, meditate for only a brief period of time, about 1-2 minutes. As time goes on, lengthen that time based on your family's readiness.
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY 1: WELCOMING WEB GAME (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
This activity makes the concepts of interdependence and the web of life concrete with a web made out of yarn.
Tell the children that together you will create a web, like a spider web. Explain that, holding a piece of the yarn, you will roll the ball to someone else in the circle and welcome them by name. Then, that person will pass the yarn to someone else and the group will continue until everyone has been welcomed and is holding a piece of the yarn. Remind the children:
1. Do not let go of your piece of yarn when you roll the ball of yarn to the next person.
2. Pass the ball of yarn to someone who is not sitting right next to you.
Start the game. When everyone is holding a piece of yarn, point out that you have created a web together.
Ask everyone to hold their piece of yarn. Then, pull on your piece and ask the children what they noticed. Point out that everyone could feel the tug. Invite another child to tug the string and ask the children if they could feel that, as well. See if they can tell, by feel, who made the tug.
Now drop your string and ask the children what happens to the web. Ask the children what they think would happen if half of the group dropped their pieces of yarn. As needed, point out that the web might fall apart. At the end of the game, ask for a volunteer to roll the yarn back into a ball.
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY 2: "NEEDS" VS. "WANTS" NATURE WALK (20 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Participants experience nature directly.
Go on a nature walk with a focus on needs versus wants. As you walk, notice and count the different varieties of plants and animals that you encounter. Invite participants to place any interesting non-living items they find in their paper bags, such as acorns, stones, or leaves. As you see a new species, ask the participants to consider what that living being needs in order to survive. Point out that generally speaking, animals and plants do not take more than they need from nature.
When you have completed your walk, process the activity with questions like:
Including All Participants
Be sure to determine whether there are any relevant allergies within your group, such as bee stings or pollen, and plan accordingly.
If any child uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, select a location that is accessible, with paved paths.
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY 3: KIDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE VIDEO (15 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
View a YouTube video (at www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PIQUcDt1dhE) (5:19) about Cole Rasenberger, an eight-year-old who protested fast food chains' wasteful packaging. Find more stories; see the Treehugger website piece, "Six Child Environmentalists That Have Already Changed the World (at www.treehugger.com/culture/6-child-environmentalists-that-have-already-changed-the-world.html)."
If you have time, navigate to the Barron Prize website (at www.barronprize.org/). The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, founded by author T. A. Barron in honor of his mother, celebrates outstanding young leaders. Each year the Barron Prize honors 25 inspiring young people who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet.
WORLD OF WONDER: SESSION 14:
STORY: ENOUGH STUFF
By Julie Simon.
Jamie sat on his bed, while his Dad talked on the phone. In just three weeks, Jamie was going to turn seven. He couldn't wait. He was having a pirate party. He already had his costume: his ripped white T-shirt, some torn black pants that his Mom had cut jaggedly at the knee, a black eye patch, and the colorful stuffed parrot that he sometimes slept with.
Jamie loved birthdays. He loved being the center of attention, eating pizza, having his grandparents come over—his Grandma Delia made the best chocolate cake in the world. But most of all, he couldn't wait for his friends to come over so they could run around in the backyard and play in the pirate ships he and his Dad were making. Yesterday, their neighbor Cameron had told them about a refrigerator box sitting by the side of the road a few blocks away from their house. But Jamie wanted to make at least two ships and maybe have a cannonball fight. Jamie's Dad hung up the phone.
"Well, there is still one empty refrigerator box that they haven't broken down at Montgomery's Appliance store over on Fennbridge Road. That's just a mile away. I told the owner we would pick it up by noon."
"Yippee! Can we go get it now? Then we can make two ships to use for a cannonball battle at the party."
"Whoa, kiddo. How about after some breakfast? Then we'll have energy to work on making the ships once we get the box home. Now what were you going to use for cannonballs?"
"Well, I thought newspaper rolled into balls would work. They won't hurt us and we have a lot of newspaper in the living room."
Jamie's dad laughed. "We do have plenty of newspaper. I guess it's time I put some of those piles out with the recycling. But I'll set aside some for making cannonballs and then we can recycle it after the birthday party."
Just then, Jamie's mom walked into the room. "Speaking of birthdays...What do you want for your birthday?" she asked. Jamie looked around his bedroom. He spotted plastic Legos, wood and cardboard blocks, toy trucks and cars, two stuffed bears, a stuffed monkey, fish, and the parrot; a magnetic building set, his wooden train set, a magic kit, and about 10 books piled next to his bed. And that was just the stuff sitting out on the floor.
Then he said, "I don't know, Mommy. I do have lots of toys and books already. Can I think about it?"
"Of course," said his mom. "But if you want something special, let us know soon. Now how about helping me work on the party invitations while Daddy makes us some eggs? I'm getting hungry."
Jamie grabbed his polar bear from his bed and went into the study to help his mom write the invitations.
"You know, Jamie," said his mom. "We could make it a 'no presents' birthday this year if you want. Instead of bringing presents for you, you could ask your friends to donate items for an animal shelter or another charity you like."
Jamie looked at his mom. He had actually been to a "no presents" birthday. His cousin Kai who had turned 10 last August had a tropical pool party. And there were no presents. Instead, everyone had brought donations—whatever they wanted—to help save the rainforest.
But the party was a blast. They swam at the neighborhood pool, and had crazy hat relay races in the pool and dove for coins in the deep end. Jamie was on his neighborhood swim team so he could swim and dive with Kai and all his older friends. They ate mangos, pineapple, and coconuts, which Jamie loved. Kai told Jamie it was the best birthday ever, and he felt great sending a check for $200 to the Save the Rainforest Fund.
"Mommy," said Jamie. "I think a 'no presents' birthday would be good. Maybe we could have everyone donate money if they want to. Do you think we could find someone who is helping polar bears and give the money to them?"
"I bet we could," said his Mom. "We'll spend a little time researching that. How about we start with a wildlife group like World Wildlife Fund?"
"Yes," said Jamie. He hugged his polar bear. "I'd like to help the polar bears. I have enough stuff."
WORLD OF WONDER: SESSION 14:
HANDOUT 1: BIRTHDAY PARTY RESOURCES
Birthdays Without Pressure (at www.cehd.umn.edu/fsos/projects/birthdays/default.asp)
De-Pressurizing Birthdays (Center for New American Dream) (at www.newdream.org/programs/beyond-consumerism/kids-and-commercialism/resources-for-parents)
Zero Waste Home (at zerowastehome.blogspot.com/2011/02/presenting-my-son-max.html)
The No-Presents Birthday Party (at www.smilepolitely.com/opinion/the_no-presents_birthday_party/)
Unplug Your Kids (at unplugyourkids.com/?s=birthday+party&x=0&y=0)
What is a No-Gift Birthday party? (at www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-no-gift-birthday-party.htm)
Cake, But No Presents Please (at www.nytimes.com/2007/07/27/nyregion/27gifts.html?pagewanted=all)
Related
The Story of Stuff (at www.storyofstuff.org/) and Loop Scoops (at planetsave.com/2010/10/18/loop-scoops-story-of-stuff-founder-annie-leonard-teams-up-with-pbs-kids-wghb-videos/)
Respite from Holiday-Hoopla (at blog.nwf.org/2010/12/nature-gives-the-family-respite-during-holiday-hoopla/)
Unplug the Christmas Machine (at www.amazon.com/Unplug-Christmas-Machine-Complete-Putting/dp/0688109616)
Four Things Children Really Want for Christmas (at www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/12/21/the-four-things-children-really-want-for-christmas/)
WORLD OF WONDER: SESSION 14:
LEADER RESOURCE 1: MURAL IMAGE — TOO MUCH STUFF
"Bedroom Mess" from iStockphoto.
FIND OUT MORE
Read about Freecycle (at www.freecycle.org/about/background) and find out how to participate locally.
Enjoy a video of Delbert McClinton singing his song "Too Much Stuff." (at www.elyrics.net/inc/vidplay.php)
Visit the websites of Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (at www.uuministryforearth.org/) and The Green Sanctuary Program (at www.uua.org/leaders/environment/greensanctuary/index.shtml) to learn how Unitarian Universalists are involved in taking care of the earth: