Session 19: The Wonder of Weather

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

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…
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: Sunny and Stormy Skies 10 Activity 6: Raindrops and Clouds 5 Activity 7: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Outdoors in Wind or Snow 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How do you observe the weather? Are you likely to casually glance out a window or more likely to monitor weather on a radio station or website? What are the main types of weather in your area?…
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 weather-related items Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting.
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

Materials for Activity …
Activity 5: Sunny and Stormy Skies
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Cotton balls, at least 12 per child Glue sticks Light blue construction paper, one sheet per child Dark color construction paper, such as purple or black, one sheet per child Markers or crayons, including silver markers or white or light-colored…
Activity 6: Raindrops and Clouds
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity For each station: Two clear bowls of warm water; a tray; cotton balls, several for each child; (optional) tongs Paper towels Optional: Blue food coloring Preparation for Activity View…
Activity 7: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Cotton balls Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction, and the new songs and games suggested for this session. You can also research…
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 make a copy for each child….
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?
Alternate Activity 1: Outdoors in Wind or Snow
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Map out a walk around the grounds, making sure that it will be accessible to everyone in the group. Make sure that the children bring their coats and any other outdoor apparel appropriate for the weather….
Taking It Home: The Wonder of Weather
From Chalice Children

For the sun, for rain and thunder, for the seasons’ harmony … — “For the Earth Forever Turning,” Hymn 163 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION … the theme was “We wonder about the weather.” The weather is part of our natural world….
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

The quote for this session comes from “For the Earth Forever Turning” by Kim Oler, Hymn 163 in Singing the Living Tradition….

Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 19: The Wonder of Weather

Tapestry is Sunsetting

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