Session 4: Balance in Our Ecosystem

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

Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life—learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. — Robert Fulghum, author and Unitarian Universalist minister The interdependent web of existence has evolved over millions of years to include extraordinary…
Session-at-a-Glance
From World of Wonder

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — Why the Sky is Far Away 10 Activity 3: Predator/Prey Game 15 Activity 4: Ecosystem Role Play 20 Faith in Action: Plan a Sharing Project 60 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game 10 Alternate Activity 2:…
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. When you feel settled and relaxed, consider: Is there balance in how you spend your time? Are the…
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 Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a…
Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game
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: Story - Why the Sky Is Far Away
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Why the Sky is Far Away” A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as a small globe or map to locate Nigeria, brass bracelets or coral beads, pictures of the sky with clouds A chime or rain stick…
Activity 3: Predator/Prey Game
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Lengths of clean cloth for covering eyes A bell that can be worn around the neck or as a bracelet/anklet Preparation for Activity Plan to lead this activity in a large, open area, preferably outdoors….
Activity 4: Ecosystem Role Play
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity A chime Preparation for Activity Lead this activity in a large, open space, preferably outdoors. Description of Activity Children learn about balance as an attribute of ecosystems….
Closing
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 2, Mural Image — Sky, and tape Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 2, Mural Image — Sky. If possible, print in color….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From World of Wonder

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 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?
Faith In Action: Plan a Sharing Project
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity “http://www.newdream.org/programs/collaborative-communities/community-ac… to Sharing” Community Action Kit A copy of the story, “Why the Sky Is Far Away” Preparation for Activity Choose a date and time for a family gathering. Download and print…
Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ball of yarn Preparation for Activity Clear an open space where the group can sit in a circle. Make sure you know each participant’s name so you can prompt others in the circle. Description of Activity This activity makes the concepts of…
Alternate Activity 2: Balance Nature Walk
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Lunch-sized paper bags, cloth bags, or small baggies, one per child Optional: Flashlights, magnifying glasses, or handheld dental mirrors Preparation for Activity Inform families of your plan to bring the children outdoors. Arrange all necessary…
Taking It Home: Balance in Our Ecosystem
From World of Wonder

Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life—learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. — Robert Fulghum, author and Unitarian Universalist minister IN TODAY’S SESSION… we learned the importance of balance in the web of life. We considered…
Why the Sky Is Far Away
From World of Wonder

Adapted from “Why the Sky is Far Away” in The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales by Dawn Casey and Anne Wilson (Cambridge: Barefoot Books, 2009). Used by permission. In the beginning, they sky was close to the earth. So close you could reach up and touch it. And you could eat it! In those days, people…
Leader Resource 1: Mural Image - Sky
From World of Wonder

Nigerian sky taken by Folarin Kolawole, founder of Naija Treks; used with permission.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From World of Wonder

The E-Omega website’s 2014 article, “https://www.eomega.org/article/3-biggest-ways-to-reduce-your-environmen… Biggest Ways to Reduce Your Environmental Impact,” can help to simplify family life and make it more sustainable. Marie Sherlock’s book, Living Simply with Children: A Voluntary…