Session 9: Creativity in Nature

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

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. — Langston Hughes, 20th-century African American poet This session looks at creativity in the web of life, exploring the idea that humans are not the only creatures that exhibit an…
Session-at-a-Glance
From World of Wonder

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — The Most Beautiful Bower in the World 10 Activity 3: Creative Nests 25 Activity 4: Creativity in Nature 10 Faith in Action: Multigenerational Recycled Art 120 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game 10…
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. When you feel settled and relaxed, take a few moments to reflect on your own creativity: What…
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 - The Most Beautiful Bower in the World
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Most Beautiful Bower in the World” A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as a copy of Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Bowerbird, a bird’s nest, blue items such as blue feathers, blue ribbon, a…
Activity 3: Creative Nests
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Cardboard boxes large enough for making a child-sized “nest” Recycled items and art supplies for decorating nests, such as glitter glue, ribbons, markers, wallpaper scraps, construction paper, beads and string, pipe cleaners, stick-on gems, and…
Activity 4: Creativity in Nature Videos
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Computer with Internet access and a large monitor or a digital projector and screen Preparation for Activity Preview these videos of bowerbirds and decide which you will watch: Satin Bowerbird courtship (2:46), Satin Bowerbird (1:42), Vogelkopf…
Closing
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Bowerbird, and tape Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Bowerbird, preferably in color. Download and…
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: Multigenerational Recycled Art Workshop
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 120 minutes Materials for Activity Recycled items and art supplies, such as paper towel tubes, magazines, fabric scraps, sea shells, paper and scissors, glue, tape, markers, and craft sticks Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Optional: Food and beverages Preparation for Activity…
Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ball of yarn Preparation for Activity Clear an open space where the group can sit in a circle. Make sure you know each participant’s name so you can prompt others in the circle. Description of Activity This activity makes the concepts of…
Alternate Activity 2: Birding Expedition
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity A guide to birds that live in the local ecosystem Lunch-sized paper bags, cloth bags, or small baggies for all participants Optional: Flashlights, magnifying glasses, or handheld dental mirrors Preparation for Activity Inform families of your plan …
Alternate Activity 3: Creative "Ish" Exploration
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Recycled objects and art supplies, such as tape, paper towel tubes, wallpaper or fabric scraps, shells, construction paper, magazines, markers, scissors, glue, and craft sticks Optional, but recommended: A copy of the book, Ish, by Peter Reynolds.
Taking It Home: Creativity in Nature
From World of Wonder

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. —Langston Hughes, 20th-century African American poet In today’s session… we considered how creativity benefits the web of life. We learned that female bowerbirds select their mates…
The Most Beautiful Bower in the World

Janeen K Grohsmeyer

From World of Wonder

In the land of Australia, where koalas climb high in eucalyptus trees and kangaroos bound across grassy plains on great big feet, a baby bird pecked his way out of his shell. His mother called him Kejaro, and she brought him good fruit to eat. Every day, for dessert, she brought him bugs. His…
Leader Resource 1: Mural Image - Bowerbird
From World of Wonder

“Satin Bowerbird” from iStockphoto. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find out More About Session 9, Creativity in Nature
From World of Wonder

View more creativity in nature on these YouTube videos David Attenborough on bowerbirds (YouTube, 9:28) or this Vogelkop Bowerbird video (YouTube) (includes images of the bowerbirds mating). Learn more about the emotional lives of animals from these books: The Souls of Animals by Unitarian…