CIRCLE OF TREES
A Multigenerational Tapestry of Faith Program
WORKSHOP 1: COME INTO THE CIRCLE
BY JULIE SIMON, KATIE TWEEDIE COVEY, AND PAT KAHN; DEVELOPMENTAL EDITOR, JUDITH A. FREDIANI
© Copyright 2013 Unitarian Universalist Association.
Published to the Web on 9/30/2014 12:34:16 AM PST.
This program and additional resources are available on the UUA.org web site at
www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. — Chinese proverb
Trees are an integral part of all life on earth, and they are facing stresses as a result of deforestation and pollution—stresses that threaten our very existence. As Unitarian Universalists who affirm and promote "respect for the interdependent web of all existence," we cannot take trees for granted. This program helps participants understand trees as, literally, "providers of life," explore a spiritual connection to nature, identify threats to the web of life, and feel inspired to take action to protect trees and our environment.
The story, "The Tree in the Ancient Forest," illustrates the interdependence of the ancient forest and connections with the web of life.
The Faith in Action activity introduces a process for selecting one or more tree-related projects and offers an array of possibilities for projects over the course of the program.
GOALS
This workshop will:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
WORKSHOP-AT-A-GLANCE
Activity | Minutes |
Welcoming and Entering | |
Opening | 5 |
Activity 1: Rise Up for Trees, Team Up for Trees | 10 |
Activity 2: Guided Imagery — Among the Trees | 5 |
Activity 3: Creating Our Covenant | 10 |
Activity 4: Story — The Tree in the Ancient Forest | 10 |
Activity 5: Make a Tree | 15 |
Faith in Action: Choosing a Project | 60 |
Closing | 5 |
Alternate Activity 1: Song — Meditation on Breathing | 10 |
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. When you feel settled and relaxed, reflect on the following:
WORKSHOP PLAN
WELCOMING AND ENTERING
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
This activity reinforces the importance of learning participants' names. Being able to greet one another by name is a fundamental practice of hospitality and an important part of building strong relationships among group members.
Have each participant choose a leaf name tag and write their first name on it with a bold marker.
Including All Participants
Assist any participants who have trouble writing or gripping a marker.
OPENING (5 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
This activity introduces the opening circle and chalice lighting words and gives participants an opportunity to learn each other's names. Always include introductions and encourage the wearing of name tags to alleviate anxiety of people of any age who have difficulty remembering names!
Gather participants in a circle around the chalice. Explain that each workshop starts with lighting the chalice. For this first workshop, you may wish to invite the youngest participant to light the chalice. Say, in these words or your own:
Whenever we light a chalice, we are connected with Unitarian Universalists around the world who share this ritual of our faith. Our chalice lighting words are adapted from words by an anonymous writer which are sometimes attributed to Chief Seattle, a chief of the Duwamish tribe in the 19th century in the area we know today as the state of Washington. These words speak of our connection with nature and all life.
Invite the group to join you in saying the chalice lighting words you have posted:
We light this chalice for the air that is precious . . .
for all things share the same breath—
the beast, the tree, the person,
we all share the same breath.
Welcome everyone to the Circle of Trees program. Invite participants to say their names and to very briefly answer the question, "What brings you to a program called Circle of Trees?" Go around the circle until everyone has introduced themselves.
Briefly describe the program, in these words or your own:
Circle of Trees is a series of workshops designed to help us slow down and connect more deeply with the interdependent web of life by focusing on trees. We'll explore the many roles that trees play in the web of life and what we can do to support and protect them.
Including All Participants
If any participants may be hard of hearing, consider using a hand-held microphone. If participants will sit on the floor, also provide chairs for those who cannot or do not wish to sit on the floor.
ACTIVITY 1: RISE UP FOR TREES / TEAM UP FOR TREES (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Cooperative activities are very effective "ice breakers" and provide an appropriate way for people of all ages to get to know each other. Explain that each workshop will start with an activity similar to this one.
Give instructions for the version you have chosen. Conduct the ice-breaker.
Including All Participants
If a participant needs to remain seated, encourage them to do the poses from a seated position.
ACTIVITY 2: GUIDED IMAGERY — AMONG THE TREES (5 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Invite participants to make themselves comfortable and prepare to listen to a guided imagery. Read aloud the guided imagery in Leader Resource 2.
Encourage participants to respond to the activity using questions such as these:
Including All Participants
If any participants have limited hearing, consider using a hand-held microphone.
ACTIVITY 3: CREATING OUR COVENANT (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Participants create a group covenant. Point out that how we behave affects everyone in the group, which is another example of interdependence. Like lighting a chalice, creating a group covenant is another common ritual in UU gatherings. Explain that a covenant is an agreement people make with each other.
Ask:
Record responses on newsprint. Ask for a quick vote, and check or circle the items on which all participants agree.
Note: This activity is meant to be brief. Do your best to quickly resolve any differences of opinion that arise, seek compromise, and move on.
Including All Participants
Encourage all participants to speak up and be heard.
ACTIVITY 4: STORY — THE TREE IN THE ANCIENT FOREST (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Read aloud the story "The Tree in the Ancient Forest." Invite participants to join in on the refrain as it develops. If time allows, you may wish to read the story a second time with group participation.
Engage a discussion with questions such as these:
Make sure that all voices have an opportunity to be heard.
ACTIVITY 5: MAKE A TREE (15 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
In this role play activity, participants work together to create with their bodies one large (and noisy) "tree" while learning the purpose of each part of a tree. It is wonderful to do this outside, preferably among other trees, but it can also be done inside.
Designate a few people to be pollinators. Then, divide the remaining group into six smaller groups: trunk, bark, leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds. Explain that you will tell them what motions and sounds to make for their tree part, but they should wait until you sound the chime or rain stick to start creating the tree.
Introduce the purpose of each tree part and describe its motions and sounds:
Sound the chime to start the process of making the tree.
Tell the group that they have created an adult tree and, with it, seeds to grow many more trees in the future.
As time allows, make the tree again, with participants taking different parts.
Process the activity by posing questions such as the following:
CLOSING (5 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Gather the group in a circle around the chalice. If needed, relight the chalice.
Distribute Taking It Home and the handout, Selected Bibliography. Explain that Taking It Home includes a summary of what they did in the workshop, resources for further exploration, and fun "homework." For the next workshop, ask participants to research ways that trees benefit humans.
Invite participants to reflect for a moment on today's workshop. Ask each participant to share one word that describes how they feel. Go around the circle with this "one-word checkout."
Invite participants to join hands and say the closing words together:
Let us go out in joy, and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before us shall burst into song,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Extinguish the chalice together. As they go, ask participants to leave their name tags in the basket you've provided for this purpose.
FAITH IN ACTION: CHOOSING A PROJECT (60 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
This first Faith in Action activity introduces the components of a project and offers several possibilities that participants may choose from.
To begin, explain that Faith in Action projects help participants of all ages build skills of identifying, planning, executing, and reflecting on service projects. The program assumes that Faith in Action projects take place outside of the workshop time. Depending on the project chosen, they may be short-term projects or longer-term projects that span several weeks.
An action project starts with identifying a need. Explain that the group will create and carry out one or more Faith in Action projects related to trees over the course of the program. Share the examples of local groups or individuals whose work connects with trees that you've listed on the newsprint. Invite participants to share any tree-related projects they have participated in and record these on newsprint.
Distribute Handout 1, Tree-Related Project Ideas, and give participants time to look it over. Ask participants to brainstorm ideas for projects they would be interested in doing. Write all suggestions on newsprint, including any ideas you might have.
Give each participant three dot stickers. Ask them to vote for the suggestions they like best, using their dots. They may put all three dots on one idea or distribute them among several choices.
When voting is complete, identify the three ideas that got the most votes.
Discuss with the group what it would take to successfully complete each of the "top three" projects:
When you have discussed each "top three" idea, give each participant one more dot sticker and have them place their dot by the project they prefer. The project with the most votes will be the Faith in Action project you start with.
Explain that in subsequent Faith in Action workshops, the group will plan this project, do it, and then reflect on the project. The cycle can then be repeated, as they choose other projects related to trees.
Including All Participants
Throughout the project, be sure to make room for contributions from people of all ages and ability levels.
LEADER REFLECTION AND PLANNING
Meet with your co-leader after the workshop to reflect on the following:
Look ahead to the next workshop and assign leadership responsibilities.
TAKING IT HOME
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. — Chinese proverb
IN TODAY'S WORKSHOP ... we explored our relationship to trees and heard a story about the interdependence of the ancient forest. We affirmed the value—for ourselves and for the group—of treating each other with respect by creating a covenant for our time together.
HOMEWORK: Before the next workshop, investigate the ways in which trees benefit humans.
MAKE TIME FOR TREES: There are several ways to take today's workshop home, for example:
EXTEND THE TOPIC: Explore some of the many wonderful books about trees found in Handout 2, Selected Bibliography.
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY 1: SONG — MEDITATION ON BREATHING (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Participants learn the song "Meditation on Breathing."
Say, in these words or your own:
Singing together is another way we feel a connection with each other. Does anyone know the song "Meditation on Breathing" from our hymnbook Singing the Journey, Hymn 1009?
Teach the melody by singing one phrase at a time and having participants sing the phrase back to you, then put the phrases together as a whole song.
If there are enough voices, add the descant and drone parts.
The lyrics are:
When I breathe in, I'll breathe in peace.
When I breathe out, I'll breathe out love.
CIRCLE OF TREES: WORKSHOP 1:
STORY: THE TREE IN THE ANCIENT FOREST
Text copyright 1995 by Carol Reed-Jones.
We gratefully acknowledge Dawn Publications for permission to use the text of the children's picture book The Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones.
This is the ancient forest.
This is the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
These are the roots that draw food from the soil
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
These are the tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
These are the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
This is the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
These are the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
This is a hollow in the tree,
Home of the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
This is the woodpecker,
Searching for ants,
That started the hollow in the tree,
Home of the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
This is the saucy, chattering squirrel,
That scolds the woodpecker,
Searching for ants,
That started the hollow in the tree,
Home of the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
This is the hungry, stealthy marten
That stalks the saucy, chattering squirrel,
That scolds the woodpecker,
Searching for ants,
That started the hollow in the tree,
Home of the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
These are the fir cones that fall from a branch,
And startle the hungry, stealthy marten
That stalks the saucy, chattering squirrel,
That scolds the woodpecker,
Searching for ants,
That started the hollow in the tree,
Home of the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
This is the three-hundred-year-old tree,
That grows from the fir cones that fall from a branch,
And startle the hungry, stealthy marten
That stalks the saucy, chattering squirrel,
That scolds the woodpecker,
Searching for ants,
That started the hollow in the tree,
Home of the sleepy owlets,
That are fed by the owl that flies at night,
That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,
And eat tiny, underground truffles
That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,
To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree
That grows in the ancient forest.
CIRCLE OF TREES: WORKSHOP 1:
HANDOUT 1: TREE-RELATED PROJECT IDEAS
Here are some suggestions for tree-related projects:
CIRCLE OF TREES: WORKSHOP 1:
HANDOUT 2: SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Tree for All Seasons by Robin Bernard. Readers will climb through the pages of this vivid photographic book to explore the parts of a tree and understand their functions. In summer, the tree sunbathes and seethes with animal life. With autumn comes the flowing sap that makes maple syrup for pancakes. As the tree's leaves begin to fall, winter is coming on and the tree is nearly dormant. Spectacular photographs and fun, informative text not only answer questions about how trees work and why seasons change but also make this book an invitation to observe and enjoy nature and its many wonders.
A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe. This charming tale of an overgrown pine that was always passed over for Christmas, and what his woodland friends do to help him, is sure to become a holiday classic for years to come.
Aani and the Tree Huggers by Jeannine Atkins. Based on true events in northern India, this is the story of a little girl's bravery. One day, Aani hears the roaring of the tree cutters. Hoping to get the workers to put down their saws and hatchets, Aani and the village women explain that the trees provide food, fuel, and homes for animals, but to no avail. Finally, Aani wraps her body around one of the trees, with surprising results. Distinctive color illustrations, inspired by Indian miniature painting, accompany the moving story.
America's Famous and Historic Trees by Jeffery G. Meyer. Like many residents of Jacksonville, Florida, the Jeffrey Meyers family liked to picnic under the city's magnificent Treaty Live Oak. When their toddler handed them an acorn from the tree, Meyers, a nurseryman, planted it in the back yard. That acorn was the inspiration for an immensely popular project, America's Famous and Historic Trees, sponsored by American Forests, the country's oldest nonprofit conservation organization. In this fascinating book, Meyers tells the stories of 17 historic trees, describes their role in America's history, and tells how their seeds were collected and their offspring propagated.
Ancient Trees: Trees That Live for a Thousand Years by Anna Lewington and Edward Parker. Trees from all around the world are represented. Parker's many beautiful, full-color images contribute a great deal, but what makes this book especially interesting is a discussion of the roles these trees have played through the ages in human religions, myths, economies, and everyday life. (This copy is out of print, but used copies are readily available.)
Be a Friend to Trees by Patricia Lauber. Why should you be a friend to trees? Because they are a valuable natural resource. People depend on trees for food, and animals depend on trees for food and shelter. But most important, we depend on trees because they add oxygen, a gas we all need, to the air. While trees give us many wonderful products, we must also protect them because we can't live without them.
Companions in Wonder by Julie Dunlap and Stephen Kellert. Rachel Carson's classic 1956 essay "Help Your Child to Wonder" urged adults to help children experience the "sense of wonder" that comes only from a relationship with nature. This anthology gathers personal essays recounting adventures great and small with children in the natural world. The authors—writing as parents, teachers, mentors, and former children—describe experiences that range from bird watching to an encounter with an apple butter-loving grizzly bear. By turns lyrical, comic, and earnest, these writings guide us to closer connections with nature and with the children in our lives, for the good of the planet and for our own spiritual and physical well-being.
The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest by Lynne Cherry. The author and artist Lynne Cherry journeyed deep into the rain forests of Brazil to write and illustrate this gorgeous picture book. One day, a man exhausts himself trying to chop down a giant kapok tree. While he sleeps, the forest's residents, including a child from the Yanomamo tribe, whisper in his ear about the importance of trees and how "all living things depend on one another" . . . and it works. Cherry's lovingly rendered colored pencil and watercolor drawings of all the "wondrous and rare animals" evoke the lush rain forests, and the stunning endpapers feature world maps bordered by tree porcupines, emerald tree boas, and dozens more fascinating creatures.
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Luov. Never before in history have children been so plugged in—and so out of touch with the natural world. In this groundbreaking work, child advocacy expert Richard Luov directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation—he calls it "nature deficit"—to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as rises in obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder, and depression. Nature-deficit disorder is not a medical condition; it is a description of the human costs of alienation from nature. This alienation damages children and shapes adults, families, and communities. There are solutions, though, and they're right in our own backyards.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty.
Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli. Through artful prose and beautiful illustrations, Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as "Mama Miti," who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation. Today more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti's native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Wangari Muta Maathai has changed Kenya tree by tree—and with each page turned, children will realize their own ability to positively impact the future.
The Meaning of Trees by Fred Hageneder. The tree is beloved as Mother Nature's visible symbol of power and grace. This book is a beautiful celebration of their lore and spirit, botany and history. Genera from aspen to willow are captured in 70 dramatic photographs that illustrate their brilliant seasonal transformations. Featuring 50 different types of tree, this informative compendium describes each by way of botanical qualities; medicinal uses for their leaves, bark, and wood; cultural symbolism; magical associations; and so much more.
Meetings with Remarkable Trees by Thomas Pakenham. With this astonishing collection of tree portraits, Thomas Pakenham has produced a new kind of tree book. The trees are grouped according to their characteristics; roughly half are ancient native trees in the United Kingdom, while the rest are exotic newcomers from Europe.
My Mom Hugs Trees by Robyn Ringgold. "Do you think your mom does strange things? Well, my mom hugs trees, rescues bugs, sings with birds, and talks to flowers. Come meet my mom. You might end up doing strange things too!" Delightful illustrations and poetic text hold the attention of young readers and make My Mom Hugs Trees a perfect "read to me" book. The story reflects a love and enjoyment of life. Mom, with her strange habits, will foster children's connection to nature.
Myths of the Sacred Trees by Moyra Caldecott. Essential to life on earth since the beginning of time, trees hold a special place in our collective consciousness: rooted in the earth, reaching skyward, nourished by the elements, and enlivened by the sap running through their veins, they provide a metaphor for what it means to be human.
The Night Tree by Eve Bunting. By moonlight in the quiet forest, a young boy and his family decorate their favorite tree with popcorn, apples, tangerines, and sunflower-seed balls as a gift for the animals of the woods. Sure to become a Christmas favorite, this beautifully illustrated story of a family's unusual tradition brings to life the true spirit of Christmas.
Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel. "Dear Kids, A long time ago, when you were little, Mom and I took you to where we wanted to build a house. . . . I remember there was one tree, however, that the three of you couldn't stop staring at . . ." After the family spares him from the builders, Steve the tree quickly works his way into their lives. He holds their underwear when the dryer breaks down, he's there when Adam and Lindsay get their first crushes, and he's the centerpiece at their outdoor family parties. With a surprising lack of anthropomorphizing, this is a uniquely poignant celebration of fatherhood, families, love, and change.
Planting the Trees of Kenya by Claire A. Nivola. Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya, where fig trees cloaked the hills, fish filled the streams, and the people tended their bountiful gardens. But over many years, as more and more land was cleared, Kenya was transformed. When Wangari returned home from college in America, she found the village gardens dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people?
Remarkable Trees of the World by Thomas Pakenham. Thomas Pakenham embarks on a five-year odyssey to most of the temperate and tropical regions of the world to photograph 60 trees of remarkable personality and presence: Dwarfs, Giants, Monuments, and Aliens; the lovingly tended miniature trees of Japan; the enormous strangler from India; and the 4,700-year-old "Old Methuselahs." American readers will be fascinated by Pakenham's first examination of North American trees, including the towering redwoods of Sequoia and Yosemite, the gaunt Joshua trees of Death Valley, and the bristlecone pines discovered in California's White Mountains.
Sacred Trees: Spirituality, Wisdom and Well-Being by Nathaniel Altman. A heartfelt, profusely illustrated discussion of their history and meaning gives a new appreciation of trees' special place in our lives. Observe how a multitude of cultures around the world have formed enduring bonds with trees, believing them possessed of a "life force." Find out which are considered "cosmic" or "home to the gods," which symbolize ancestral roots, and which represent fertility. Your commitment to their preservation will deepen and grow.
Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons. This book about nature and the changing seasons focuses on a young boy and a very special apple tree.
Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson. This book brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Seeds of Change: Wangari's Gifts to the World by Jen Cullerton Johnson. As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari Maathai was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her—from the giant mugumo trees revered by her people, the Kikuyu, to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river. Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school, where her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time.
Someday a Tree by Eve Bunting. A family relaxes and engages in picnics, naps, storytelling, and plain fun under a gigantic old oak tree on their country property. One day, young Alice notices that the grass under the tree smells funny and is turning yellow. The oak's leaves start to fall, even though it is spring. A tree doctor discovers that the soil has been poisoned, probably by illegally dumped chemicals. Neighbors pitch in: The poisoned dirt is carted off, the fire department sprays water, sacking is wrapped around top branches, and the telephone company loans poles from which to hang sunscreens. However, the tree dies despite the efforts to save it. Finally, Alice remembers her collection of acorns, which she rushes out and plants in healthy ground near the tree.
Tell Me Tree by Gail Gibbons. Featuring a special section on how children can make a tree identification book of their own, this is a bright and colorful introduction to trees, leaves, and their inner workings in nature.
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grownups by Gina Ingoglia. The birds and the bees and the flowers and the . . . TREES! How do trees grow? Why do leaves change? What kind of tree is that? The acclaimed Brooklyn Botanic Garden's newest guide answers kids' (and parents') tree-related questions in an easy-to-understand way. It features 33 different trees that grow in North America, from rural Georgia to the streets of New York City to the California suburbs. Each profile includes a beautiful botanical watercolor illustration by author Gina Ingoglia showing the tree as it appears in a particular season, as well as life-size depictions of its leaf, flower, and seed. Readers of all ages will be in awe over the wonderful world of trees.
The Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones. A delightful introduction to the habitat in and around old trees. From lowly fungi to majestic owls, the book connects the web of nature. Repetitive, cumulative verse—a poetic technique that children universally enjoy—aptly portrays the amazing ways in which the inhabitants of the forest depend on one another for survival. It includes a guide to the forest creatures and their interrelationships, and a concise explanation of an ancient forest.
The Tree of Life: Baobob by Barbara Bash. According to African legend, each animal was given a tree to plant by the Great Spirit. When the hyena was assigned the baobab tree, the careless animal planted it upside down—"and that is why its branches look like gnarled roots." With this intriguing bit of folklore, Bash proceeds to unfold the life cycle of this majestic bastion of the African savannah. Frequently measuring 60 feet tall and 40 feet across, these giants "outlive nearly everything on earth"—their life span is more than 1,000 years. In this compelling and moving account, the baobab stands proud and stately as a vivid panoply of activity unfolds within its sprawling branches. Finally, an old tree dies and "collapses in on itself, a melted heap of ruins." A seed sprouts, a new baobab tree begins to grow, and life continues. One of nature's great lessons is recreated dramatically in this stirring book.
Tree, Leaves and Bark (Take Along Guide series) by Diane Burns. This introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies teaches kids how to identify the tiny creatures they find and fun other facts. The book offers both safety tips and interesting educational activities, and color illustrations enhance the presentation.
Trees: A Visual Guide by Tony Rodd and Jennifer Stackhouse. Beautifully illustrated and designed, this gorgeous reference book explores the world of trees from every perspective—from the world's great forests to the lifespan of a single leaf. The volume illustrates how trees grow and function, looks at their astounding diversity and adaptations, documents the key role they play in ecosystems, and explores the multitude of uses to which we put trees—from timber and pharmaceuticals to shade and shelter.
Wangari's Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter. As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and she starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman's passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.
Whispers From the Woods by Sandra Kynes. A walk in the woods makes it easy to understand the awe and reverence that our ancestors had for trees. It speaks to something deep and primal within us—something we don't hear as often as we should. By exploring a variety of mysteries and traditions of trees, Whispers from the Woods helps readers get reacquainted with the natural world and find their place in the earth's rhythm.
CIRCLE OF TREES: WORKSHOP 1:
LEADER RESOURCE 1: RISE UP FOR TREES / TEAM UP FOR TREES
Rise Up for Trees is adapted from the activity How Many Are Standing? (p. 35 in Everyone Wins! by Josette and Sambhava Luvmour, New Society Publishers, 2007). Team Up for Trees is adapted from a cooperative camp game.
Choose which game to use each time the group gathers. After the first workshop, invite participants of any age to help lead the activity.
Rise Up for Trees
The object is to always have four people rising at one time, no fewer and no more. To start, have everyone sit in a circle, then ask four people to Rise Up for Trees. "Rising" can mean standing up or, for those who must or prefer to remain seated, raising their arms; offer both options. Each person rising can remain up anywhere from one second to one minute—however long they estimate that to be. Ask participants to watch each other; as one person sits down (or lowers their arms), another should Rise Up for Trees so that there are always four people rising up for trees. Continue to have people Rise Up for Trees and sit down for about five minutes. This should take place in silence, although laughter sometimes emerges and is fun. Encourage everyone to get a chance to Rise Up for Trees at least a few times.
Team Up for Trees
The group sits in a circle. Tell participants that they will use their bodies together to create three trees: a Mighty Oak, a Weeping Willow, and a Bristlecone Pine. Each tree requires three people:
Begin with one person in the center of the circle as the Pointer. The Pointer calls out one of the three tree names and points to someone in the circle. The person pointed to and the people on each side of that person must then create the tree (based on the instructions given earlier), while everyone else quietly counts down 5-4-3-2-1. If the team pointed to can make the tree within the count of 5, the Pointer chooses again. If they cannot make the tree within the count of 5, then the middle person becomes the Pointer.
CIRCLE OF TREES: WORKSHOP 1:
LEADER RESOURCE 2: GUIDED IMAGERY — AMONG THE TREES
Moving as quietly as you can, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. (pause) Take a deep breath. (pause) Notice how your body feels. Notice how your mind feels. Take a couple of long, slow breaths, in and out, in and out, and begin to let go and relax your body and mind. (pause) Take another full breath, and as you breathe out, relax your legs and your arms. Breathe in, and as you breath out, relax your abdomen and your chest. Breathe in again, and as you breathe out, relax your face and your head.
Now take a moment to imagine a sunny meadow. It is summertime, and the meadow is carpeted with grasses and wildflowers. In the middle of the meadow, you see a large, beautiful old tree. It can be any type of tree that you want. Take a good look at the tree. This tree is your special tree, and you can imagine it any way you want. Notice its overall shape and color. Notice its leaves and branches. Notice any flowers or berries it may have. Notice any nuts or pods just beginning to form.
Gaze at your tree with its many branches and begin to walk toward it. Feel the sun shining its gentle warmth on you as you walk toward the tree. Breathe in the fresh, clean air around you. As you get closer, notice that the air is even fresher and more pure.
When you reach the tree, walk slowly around it. Look up into its brown branches and notice all the green leaves waving in a gentle breeze. Put your hand out and feel the texture of the bark around the large, old trunk. When you have walked almost all the way around the tree, imagine a rope and slat ladder hanging from one of the lower branches of your tree. (pause)
Climb up the ladder and into the tree. Imagine that today, climbing into your tree is as easy as lowering yourself into a comfy chair. You have all the strength and agility you need to fully explore your tree. Wherever you want to go in your tree, a ladder appears so that you can easily explore that part of your tree.
As you climb, you may encounter creatures that live in or visit the tree. If you see a bird, a spider, or another creature, greet it with a nod and thank it for sharing its tree with you.
If you wish, climb to the very top of the tree. Take half a minute to continue to explore your tree. This is all the time you need.
(After 30 seconds) Now that you have explored your tree, find a comfortable place to rest. Maybe there is a spot near the main trunk where a branch comes out at the perfect angle to form a seat. Sit down here or any other comfy spot. Relax . . . and think about the wonderful time you have had exploring your tree. In a moment I will ask you to slowly sit up and open your eyes.
(Pause for about 10 seconds) Now, slowly sit up and gently open your eyes.
FIND OUT MORE
Two good UU environmental resources are the UU Ministry for Earth (at uuministryforearth.org/) and the Green Sanctuary Program (at www.uua.org/environment/sanctuary/index.shtml).
The Rev. Daniel S. Brosier of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin, Illinois, offers a sermon titled Ordinary Miracles (May 4, 2003) in which he recounts an experience of saying "hello, trees" while engaged in deep study at a seminary.