Session 8: Life-Giving Plants

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

All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar. — Helen Hayes, American actress This session introduces the abundance and diversity of plants through the central story “Noah’s…
Session-at-a-Glance
From World of Wonder

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — Noah’s Wife: The Story of Naamah 10 Activity 3: Growing a Plant 10 Activity 4: Starting Seedlings 15 Activity 5: The Garden Song 10 Faith in Action: Congregational or Community Garden Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1:…
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: Think of a garden that has inspired you….
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 - Noah's Wife: The Story of Naamah
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Noah’s Wife: The Story of Naamah” A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as an apple, a zucchini, some herbs, a dandelion, a milkweed pod, or a Noah’s ark toy or picture A chime or rain stick Option…
Activity 3: Growing a Plant
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Read through the activity and practice your pacing. Recruit an adult helper to model the motions. Give this person a copy of this activity in advance….
Activity 4: Starting Seedlings
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Paper cups or cardboard egg cartons Potting soil Packet(s) of fast-sprouting seeds, such as marigolds or zinnias Pitcher or watering can Preparation for Activity Fill pitcher with water. Set planting supplies on work table(s)….
Activity 5: The Garden Song
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, “The Garden Song” Lyrics Optional: A computer with Internet access Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1 for all participants. Prepare to teach the song or recruit a song leader, preferably someone who can play the guitar accompaniment.
Closing
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Community Garden, and tape Closing Song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1, Mural Image — Community Garden, preferably in color.
Leader Reflection and Planning
From World of Wonder

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately after the session, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with other team leaders and the religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Were all children actively engaged?…
Faith In Action: Congregational or Community Garden
From World of Wonder

Materials for Activity Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Handout 1, “The Garden Song” Lyrics Optional: Unitarian Universalist Association Ethical Eating Study Guide Preparation for Activity Consult with the religious educator and other appropriate congregational leaders and/or staff….
Alternate Activity 1: Watering Can
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Clean, one-gallon, plastic milk jugs, with caps-one for each participant Nails Markers (preferably waterproof) and stickers Preparation for Activity Collect enough plastic milk jugs for each participant plus a few extra for newcomers. Be sure jugs…
Alternate Activity 2: Planting for Wildlife
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Selected perennials Mulch Garden gloves Garden tools such as trowels and shovels in assorted sizes Preparation for Activity Consult with the religious educator and the congregations’ grounds or facilities committee and/or staff on where, when, and …
Alternate Activity 3: Super Scents
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Three to five aromatic herbs such as lavender, lemon balm, mint, oregano, dill, and rosemary-cuttings or potted Preparation for Activity Obtain aromatic herbs from a garden, grocery store, farmer’s market or local nursery Research the uses of and…
Taking It Home: Life-Giving Plants
From World of Wonder

All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar. —Helen Hayes, American actress In today’s session… we explored the amazing abundance and diversity of plants. We heard a version…
Noah's Wife, The Story of Naamah
From World of Wonder

Noah’s Wife: The Story of Naamah (C) Text 1996 Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Permission granted by Jewish Lights Publishing, Woodstock, VT, www.jewishlights.com.
Handout 1: The Garden Song Lyrics
From World of Wonder

CHORUS: Inch by inch, row by row Gonna make this garden grow Gonna mulch it deep and low Gonna make it fertile ground. Inch by inch, row by row Please bless these seeds I sow Please keep them safe below ‘Till the rain comes tumbling down. Pullin’ weeds and pickin’ stones We are made of dreams and…
Leader Resource 1: Mural Image - Community Garden
From World of Wonder

“Children holding community garden sign” from iStockphoto. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From World of Wonder

Learn about UU congregations partnering with community gardens on the American Community Garden Association also has many resources. Delegates at the 2011 General Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina, approved Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice as a UUA Statement of Conscience.