Session 10: Footprints: Treading Softly on Earth

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

When one tugs on a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. — John Muir In today’s world, one cannot speak of morality, goodness and justice without considering human impact on the Earth. The Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes promote and affirm both an…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Moral Tales

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Gems of Goodness 5 Activity 2: Lap-Sit Balance Game 8 Activity 3: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 4: Story — Parachuting Cats to the Rescue 10 Activity 5: “Live in Balance” Posters 25 Activity 6: Clean-up 2 Faith in Action:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

If at all possible, try to spend 5 minutes in nature. Listen for the sounds of animals and insects. Experience the weather — hot, cold, misty, or windy… Briefly meditate on your connection with all that is….
Welcoming and Entering
From Moral Tales

Materials for Activity Mosaic gemstones, at least three per participant A colorful cloth A small notebook, approximately two by three inches, and a marker for each child who is new to the Gems of Goodness project Optional: Stick-on gems or other stickers for children who are new to the Gems of…
Opening
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Decide whether you will use the provided opening words, an adaptation of Reading 418 in Singing the Living…
Activity 1: Gems Of Goodness
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Clear glass jar or vase Small notebooks, approximately two by three inches, for any newcomers Markers and stick-on gems or other stickers for children who are new to the Gems of Goodness project Copies of the Session 2, Leader Resource 2, Gems of…
Activity 2: Lap-sit Balance Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Music tape or CD and music player Preparation for Activity Select music. Arrange to have a music player for this activity. Description of Activity Ask the group if they can define the word “balance.” Invite everyone try to stand on one foot. Explain…
Activity 3: 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, “Parachuting Cats to the Rescue,” such as a small toy parachute, a toy or stuffed cat or rat, a plastic mosquito, pictures of Southeast Asian island homes with thatched roo…
Activity 4: Story - Parachuting Cats To The Rescue
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “Parachuting Cats to the Rescue” A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times. Consider telling the story rather than reading it. Think about how you might use…
Activity 5: "Live in Balance" Posters
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Large sheets of poster board, at least one for every two or three participants A permanent marker that will write on coffee filter paper Color markers Medium-size paper coffee filters, one for every two or three…
Activity 6: Clean Up
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 2 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 Damp sponges or paper towels to wipe tables used in group feast…
Closing
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Moral Compass poster A bold marker, or a piece of card stock and tape or a stapler Optional: One copy of 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?…
Faith In Action: Short-term - Helping Others Keep The Balance
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Poster board Color markers Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Scout your congregation’s building to identify central trash bins and learn about any recycling procedures that are in place. Take notes so you can meaningfully direct…
Alternate Activity 1: Candles Of Joys And Sorrows
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Large container, such as ceramic or metal bowl Play sand (can be found at local hardware store) or unscented cat litter Large number of candles Basket for candles Matches or lighter Preparation for Activity Fill your container with the play sand or…
Alternate Activity 2: Interdependent Web Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A ball of yarn Description of Activity Invite the children to sit in a circle. When everyone is settled, hold the ball of yarn in your hand and say: Hello. My name is (your name). I love to (something that you love to do)….
Alternate Activity 3: Help Or Harm The Earth? Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape A copy of Leader Resource 1, Help or Harm the Earth? Preparation for Activity Post two blank sheets of newsprint on opposite walls. Write “Help the Earth” on the top of one and “Harm the Earth” on the top of the other.
Taking It Home: Footprints: Treading Softly on Earth
From Moral Tales

When one tugs on a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. — John Muir IN TODAY’S SESSION… The children heard a true story about unexpected consequences after scientists sprayed DDT in Borneo to get rid of mosquitoes. A chain of subsequent events led to an…
Story 1 Parachuting Cats to the Rescue
From Moral Tales

A true story. The mosquitoes in Borneo were terrible. On bad days, the people of Borneo would be covered in mosquito bites. (Leader — Ask, “And what do you suppose would happen?” Wait for someone to suggest that it would itch and people would scratch / make the bites bleed.) That’s right — those…
Leader Resource 1: Help or Harm the Earth
From Moral Tales

Call out these human actions, your own ideas, and ideas suggested by the children to play the game in Alternate Activity 3, Help or Harm the Earth? Game. Build a house of wood by cutting down an entire forest of trees Eat fruits and vegetables grown at a local farm or in your own garden Spill oil…
Find Out More
From Moral Tales

For more information on Unitarian Universalist efforts to heal the environment, visit the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth online….