Session 7: Decomposition

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of World of Wonder, Grades K-1

In This Section

Introduction
From World of Wonder

Life is like a compost heap. The rotting debris of everyday trials just keeps piling up… but if we wait long enough and remain steadfast and strong, even the stinkiest pile will bear good and worthwhile things. — posted on the…
Session-at-a-Glance
From World of Wonder

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — And It Is Good 10 Activity 3: Earthworm Wonderland 25 Activity 4: Decomposition Chorus 10 Faith in Action: Worm Composting Bins 60 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: A Visit to the Compost Bin 15 Alternate Activity 2:…
Spiritual Preparation
From World of Wonder

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….
Opening
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Group Covenant (Session 1) Chalice-Lighting Words (Session 1) Leadership Chart (Session 2) Preparation for Activity Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a…
Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Inflatable earth ball or globe, available from http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-k…; Preparation for Activity Inflate the earth ball or globe. Description of Activity This activity engages active learners while…
Activity 2: Story - And It Is Good
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “And It Is Good” A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as seeds, or a toy mouse, snake, or hawk (or pictures of these creatures) A chime or rain stick Optional: Fidget Basket (Session 1, Leader…
Activity 3: Earthworm Wonderland
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Caring for Your Earthworm Wonderland For each participant: A large, wide-mouth, glass jar with a metal lid; an aluminum can (with one end removed) that will fit inside the closed jar and is about half the jar’s size; soft, damp soil; a…
Activity 4: Decomposition Chorus
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Decomposition Chorus Lyrics Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 2 for all participants. Decide whether the children will do this piece as a song, a rap, or a reading. Optional: Plan the motions you wish children to use for the chorus…
Closing
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Worm Bin, and tape Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Worm Bin, preferably in color….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From World of Wonder

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: Were all children actively engaged?…
Faith In Action: Worm Composting Bins
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Instructions for families to take home, and (optional) appropriate materials Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Optional: Handout 2, Decomposition Chorus Lyrics Preparation for Activity Find out whether your congregation already has a composting bin.
Alternate Activity 1: A Visit to the Compost Bin
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Material for the compost bin such as coffee grounds, apple cores, and banana peels Preparation for Activity Communicate with families ahead of time that the children will be outside for this activity….
Alternate Activity 2: Decomposers Hike
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Magnifying glasses or handheld dental mirrors Preparation for Activity Inform families of your plan to bring the children outdoors….
Alternate Activity 3: Log Dissection
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity A partly decomposed log, approximately 1 to 1.5 feet long and at least 8 inches in diameter A can opener, a bottle opener, or a knife large enough to open the log (for adult use) Magnifying glasses Optional: Newspaper or a tarp Preparation for…
Taking It Home: Decomposition
From World of Wonder

Life is like a compost heap. The rotting debris of everyday trials just keeps piling up… but if we wait long enough and remain steadfast and strong, even the stinkiest pile will bear good and worthwhile things. —posted on the…
And It Is Good

Janeen K Grohsmeyer

From World of Wonder

A Lamp in Every Corner (Boston: Skinner House, 2004). On a day not so very long ago, in a place not so very far away, a grass seed lay waiting. All through the cold, dark days of winter the seed waited, covered by a blanket of earth….
Handout 1: Caring for Your Earthworm Wonderland
From World of Wonder

Adapted from EcoArt! by Laurie Carlson. Caring for your Earthworm Wonderland at home: Keep the soil lightly moist, but not wet. Do not let it dry out. To feed the worms, sprinkle crushed dry dog food, shredded carrot bits, coffee grounds, or cornmeal over the soil. When you are finished studying…
Handout 2: Decomposition Chorus Lyrics
From World of Wonder

Is there waste? Well I don’t know. One thing dies to let another grow. This circle we see most every day. The name we call it, is decay. Well come on all you people, gather ‘round. Breakdown and listen… to decomposition. Group 1: Muncha, muncha, muncha. Muncha, muncha, muncha… Group 2:…
Leader Resource 1: Mural Image - Worm Bin
From World of Wonder

“Worm Farm” from iStockphoto. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From World of Wonder

Watch the decomposition process in a 14-minute video from New Hampshire public television. Try a Google search for images of various decomposers. Learn how Unitarian Universalists are involved in taking care of the earth with these two organizations: Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth The…