Session 1: We Are All One

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Moral Tales, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Moral Tales

Rain does not fall on one roof alone. — Cameroonian proverb This session introduces the notion that our interconnectedness with one another and the Earth forms the basis for understanding justice and goodness. Our well being is linked to the well being of those around us. Not just the well being…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Moral Tales

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Web Name Game 5 Activity 2: Group Behavior Covenant 10 Activity 3: Introduction of story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 4: Story — We Are All One 10 Activity 5: “We are All One” Game 20 Activity 6: Clean-up 2 Closing 3 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

Read the story, “We Are All One.” Think about the children you will see this morning and their families, whether newcomers or long-time members of your congregation, strangers to you or old friends. Envision a roomful of children coming together. Repeat the refrain in your mind: We are all one.
Welcoming and Entering
From Moral Tales

Materials for Activity Markers Peel-off nametags Preparation for Activity Set out nametags and markers on a table. Description of Activity As children enter, greet them and invite them to create and put on their own nametags. Show them where to gather in a circle after they have finished.
Opening
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity If this is the first session of Moral Tales, choose a reading or song for the Opening. This is a good time to…
Activity 1: Web Name Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A ball of yarn Preparation for Activity Review the Closing, where a ball of yarn is used in a similar way. If you want to use this ball of yarn again for the Closing, be ready to begin untangling the web of yarn and re-rolling the ball once this…
Activity 2: Group Behavior Covenant
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write “Covenant” at the top of a sheet of newsprint and post it where you can write on it while leading a discussion. Designate an adult to take home the newsprint after the session to compile a…
Activity 3: Introduction Of Story Basket And Centering
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story, “We Are All One,” such as plastic ants, centipedes or other animals; a plant or a representation of a plant which could be the healing herb; a toy or picture representing a…
Activity 4: Story - We Are All One
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith/moraltale…; A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Preparation for Activity Read through the story a few times. If at all possible, consider…
Activity 5: "We Are All One" Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Leader Resource 2, Animal Posing Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource, Animal Posing. You may wish to think ahead of additional living beings, poses children can do to portray them and things the living beings might say, if…
Activity 6: Clean-up
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Plastic tubs or baskets to store markers, pens, stickers and other art materials Waste basket lined with a bag Bag(s) for recycling paper products and/or empty plastic containers Preparation for Activity Find out whether your congregational building…
Closing
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity A ball of yarn Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: One copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Music CD or tape, and music player Optional: A guitar, piano or other…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Moral Tales

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team teachers and your director of religious education. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Which activities worked well?…
Alternate Activity 1: Candles Of Joys And Sorrows
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Large, shallow container, such as ceramic or metal bowl or a plant window box Play sand or unscented cat litter Candles, at least one for each participant and leader Basket to hold candles Matches or lighter Preparation for Activity Check the fire…
Alternate Activity 2: Bugs Nature Walk
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Plastic magnifying glass(es) Preparation for Activity Scout for an outdoor location within quick, safe walking distance of your meeting space where children can view insects, particularly ant hills, and look for other evidence of…
Alternate Activity 3: Living Being Masks
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 1, Mask Template, for all participants Color markers Feathers, cotton balls, mini pompoms, pipe cleaners Glue Large popsicle sticks Preparation for Activity Print out and photocopy Handout, Mask Template for all participants….
Taking It Home: We Are All One
From Moral Tales

Rain does not fall on one roof alone. — Cameroonian proverb. IN TODAY’S SESSION… We heard the story, “We are All One,” and tried to imagine what various living beings — human and non-human — might say to us if we could understand them. We made a web together and learned about the seventh…
Story 1 We Are All One
From Moral Tales

Adapted from the story, “We Are All One,” in Stories in Faith by Gail Forsyth-Vail (Boston: Unitarian Universalist Association, 2007), which was adapted from a Cantonese tale adapted by Lawrence Yep….
Handout 1: Mask Template
From Moral Tales

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 1: Alternate Openings
From Moral Tales

Young children appreciate ritual. Repeating the same opening words or singing the same song at the start of each session supports a structure and consistency of practice that will strengthen each child’s sense of belonging in Moral Tales as well as their Unitarian Universalist identity. An…
Leader Resource 2: Animal Posing
From Moral Tales

Characters in story, “We Are All One” Suggested pose/motion Suggested statement Woman looking for herb Put a hand above one’s eyes as if searching for something “I hope I can find the herb.” “I’ve been searching for a long time.” “Poor ants. I should help them.” Woman’s family members and other…
Leader Resource 3: Alternate Closings
From Moral Tales

Young children appreciate ritual. Using the same Closing for each session helps to gives a clear end to your time together, each time, and reinforces each child’s sense of belonging in Moral Tales as well as their Unitarian Universalist identity. Hymn 414 in Singing the Living Tradition, “As We…
Find Out More About Session 1
From Moral Tales

Fidget Objects The idea of having a basket of “fidget objects” available during session activities comes from Sally Patton, author, workshop leader and advocate for children with special needs….