Session 17: Wondering About Stars

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

As the darkness deepens o’er us, lo, eternal stars arise. — “Now on Land and Sea Descending,” Hymn 47 in Singing the Living Tradition This session introduces Unit 3 and the theme, “We wonder.” Religious educator Sophia L….
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: You As a Star 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Faith in Action: You Are My Sunshine 60 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Draw a Star 5 Alternate Activity 2: Shoot…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How do you feel when you gaze at the stars? Gazing into the heart of the universe is often a time when we feel the presence of things larger than ourselves, and preschool children are also capable of feeling wonder and awe….
Opening
From Chalice Children

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.
Activity 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a storybook, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Activity area with star-related items Optional: A computer with Internet access, and speakers Preparation for…
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

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 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

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 Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wall near the Circle Time…
Activity 4: Story
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle, 1992. An artist’s drawing of a star begins the creation of an entire universe; the book includes a star drawing activity. How to Catch a…
Activity 5: You As a Star
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A large roll of paper or sheets of paper taped together A thick permanent marker (Sharpie TM) and a pencil Paper-decorating supplies such as markers or crayons, star stickers, shiny paper cut into stars or other shapes, and glue sticks Rubber bands…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs, especially the new, star-related songs introduced in this activity. You can also research additional circle games or songs about stars, or make up your own star-related words to a common tune. If you…
Closing
From Chalice Children

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 copy for each child. Bring the “lit” preschool chalice to the activity table.
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?
Faith In Action: You Are My Sunshine
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Solar Oven Instructions Cardboard pizza boxes, one for each solar oven Rulers, at least one per table Markers, at least one per table Box cutters or sharp scissors, at least one per table Aluminum foil, two large pieces for each solar ov…
Alternate Activity 1: Draw a Star
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper Markers, crayons, and/or paints and paintbrushes Moistened paper towels Optional: Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle Preparation for Activity Read Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle or watch this YouTube video to see how Carle’s book teaches the…
Alternate Activity 2: Shooting Stars
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Cardboard star shapes, 1 foot wide, one for each child Markers or crayons Decorations such as sparkly paper, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), and glitter; and, glue sticks to share Silver streamers, and a stapler Star music, such as “Twinkle, Twinkl…
Taking It Home: Wondering About Stars
From Chalice Children

As the darkness deepens o’er us, lo, eternal stars arise. — “Now on Land and Sea Descending,” Hymn 47 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION … the theme was “wondering about the stars.” According to religious educator Sophia Fahs, contact with the natural world is one of the 12…
Handout 1: Solar Oven Instructions
From Chalice Children

On the top of a pizza box, use a ruler and a marker to draw lines parallel to three sides of the box—the left, right, and front (where the box opens)—one inch from each edge. Using a box cutter or sharp scissors, cut along the three lines to make a flap in the lid of a pizza box. Fold the flap…
Handout 2: Solar Cookers International
From Chalice Children

“Solar Cookers International (SCI) is a nonprofit organization that works to improve human health, quality of life, and the environment by spreading solar cooking awareness and skills worldwide, particularly in areas with plentiful sunshine and diminishing sources of cooking fuel….
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

On YouTube, watch “13.7 Billion Years of Evolution in 85 Seconds” produced by Connie Barlow; “Journey to the Edge of the Universe” with Jay Johnson; or “The Most Astonishing Fact” with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Check out the website of The Great Story….

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 17: Wondering About Stars

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