All the colors, as a rainbow appears when a storm cloud is touched by the sun. — "De Colores," Hymn 305 in Singing the Living Tradition Rainbows are part of our natural world. Contact with the natural world is one of the 12 main types of experiences connected with natural religious development in...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and make a copy for each child....

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play, rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.

For the sun, for rain and thunder, for the seasons' harmony . . . — "For the Earth Forever Turning," Hymn 163 in Singing the Living Tradition The weather is part of our natural world, and contact with the natural world is one of twelve main types of experiences connected with natural religious...

All the colors, as a rainbow appears when a storm cloud is touched by the sun. — "De Colores," Hymn 305 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "We wonder about rainbows." Rainbows are part of our natural world. Contact with the natural world is one of the 12 main...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Optional: Prepare to share some games or songs that babies enjoy, such as Pat-a-Cake and Peek-a-Boo. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Sheets of natural beeswax, 8 inches wide by 16.5 inches long 15 ply, 1/8-inch diameter, no wire, flat braid wicking, and scissors Scissors Optional: Red ribbon, cut in 12-inch lengths, one piece to decorate each candle Optional: A hair dryer (to wa...

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Prepare to add "I'm a Little Candle" and "Jack, Be Nimble," described below, in honor of candles and candlelight. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Six-inch candles, one for each child Modeling clay, a fist-sized amount for each child Evergreen boughs, cut in 3- to 5-inch lengths, and gardening shears Tiny pine cones, a handful for each child Gold or silver decorations Trays, one for every 3...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr A variety of holiday candle holders, such as an Advent candleholder (4 candles), Swedish...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Supplies for a free play activity relating to holiday candles Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the...

A http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1220_021220_solstice.ht… Geographic article describes how the winter solstice has been celebrated since ancient times. "Winter solstice and the shaman within; It is we ourselves who must don the shaman's mask," is an article by Patricia Montley in...

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Consider lighting a candle for this reflection. What winter holidays do you celebrate? How are they connected to candlelight? The winter solstice is the basis for many traditions....

Activity Minutes Activity 1. Free Play 15 Activity 2. Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Candle Centerpieces 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Hand-rolled Beeswax Candles 15...