Session 16: Using Our Senses of Wonder

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of World of Wonder, Grades K-1

In This Section

Introduction
From World of Wonder

Wisdom begins in wonder. — Socrates, Greek philosopher One of the most important goals of the World of Wonder program is for the children to engage directly with nature. This culminating session provides a shared outdoor experience. Consult with the religious educator to make the necessary…
Session-at-a-Glance
From World of Wonder

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Appreciations 5 Activity 2: Wonder Walk 35 Faith in Action: World of Wonder Open House 60 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Observation Station 10 Alternate Activity 2: What is Different? 10 Alternate Activity 3: Sound Map 10 Alternate Activity 4:…
Spiritual Preparation
From World of Wonder

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day….
Opening
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Group Covenant (Session 1) Chalice-Lighting Words (Session 1) Leadership Chart (Session 2) Preparation for Activity If possible, lead this session outdoors. Choose a location…
Activity 1: Earth Ball Appreciations
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Inflatable earth ball or globe, available from http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-k…; Preparation for Activity Inflate the earth ball or globe. Description of Activity This activity engages active learners while…
Activity 2: Wonder Walk
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Magnifying glass for each participant A ball of yarn, and scissors A pair of scissors Optional: Digital camera Optional: Paper and pencil Optional: Trail mix, or another healthy snack Preparation for Activity Consult with the religious educator to…
Closing
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Optional: Stories from World of Wonder, copied for all participants Preparation for Activity Download and adapt the Taking It Home section and copy for all…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From World of Wonder

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session and the program as a whole with your co-leader. Share your thoughts with any other team leaders and the religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Were all children actively engaged? If not, who was not and why? How could…
Faith In Action: World of Wonder Open House
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Group Covenant (Session 1) Chalice-Lighting Words (Session 1) Leadership Chart (Session 2) Handprint Garden Mural from Session 15 Preparation for Activity Consult with the…
Alternate Activity 1: Observation Station
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity 10 to 20 objects such as a spoon, pencil, pen, stone, book and so on A tray large enough to hold the items, and a cloth Paper and pencils Preparation for Activity Place 8 to 10 of the items on the tray and cover them with the cloth. Description of…
Alternate Activity 2: What Is Different?
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Ask the children to find a partner and sit on the floor facing each other. Tell them to start the activity with Partner 1 turning around and closing their eyes. Then Partner 2 changes four things about the way they look….
Alternate Activity 3: Sound Map
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A selection of instruments or sound-making devices such as a bell, a buzzer, a clapper, different types of drums, or a harmonica Unlined paper, and pencils or crayons, for all participants Preparation for Activity Place a variety of instruments or…
Alternate Activity 4: Scent or Sound Canisters
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Film canisters (or small sandwich baggies if film canister are not available), one per participant plus a few extra Selection of essential oils such as lavender, lemon, and peppermint Cotton balls A box or paper bag large enough to hold all of the…
Taking It Home: Using Our Senses of Wonder
From World of Wonder

Wisdom begins in wonder. — Socrates, Greek philosopher IN TODAY’S SESSION… we celebrated our time together with an outdoor Wonder Walk. We used our senses and our “wonder skills” of slowing down, paying attention, and observing nature. We talked about the quote from Socrates and what it means.
Find Out More
From World of Wonder

Resources for extending the themes of World of Wonder: Books Broda, Herbert W., Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning: Using the Outdoors as an Instructional Tool, K-8 Bucklin-Sporer, Arden, How to Grow a School Garden: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers Burns, Loree Griffin, Citizen Scientists: Be…