Session 18: Wondering About the Moon

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

The light of the moon on each upturned face … we gaze up in wonder above to the sky. — “The Sun at High Noon,” Hymn 14 in Singing the Living Tradition The moon is part of our natural world. Experiences with the natural world are one of the 12 main types of experiences connected with natural…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Moon Painting 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Consider the moments when you have noticed the moon. What do you think about as you gaze at the moon? Do you hum a song (“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie …”), do you wonder about werewolf legends, do you wish…
Opening
From Chalice Children

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play, rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.
Activity 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a storybook, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Activity area with moon-related items Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting …
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.
Activity 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wall near the Circle Time…
Activity 4: Story
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle, 1991. Monica’s father fulfills her request for the moon by taking it down when it is small enough to carry, but it…
Activity 5: Moon Painting
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newspaper or other covering for tables White paper plates, at least one for each child, a hole punch, and yarn Red, orange, white, and black tempera paint, and paint brushes Glitter Moistened paper towels Optional: Paint smocks Optional: Digital…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Two new songs and games-Big Yellow Moon and “Hey Diddle Diddle”-appear in this session, in honor of the moon theme….
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy for each child. Bring the “lit” preschool chalice to the activity table.
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?
Taking It Home: Wondering About the Moon
From Chalice Children

The light of the moon on each upturned face … we gaze up in wonder above to the sky. — “The Sun at High Noon,” Hymn 14 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION … the theme was “We wonder about the moon.” The moon is part of our natural world….
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

Check out NASA’s Moon Portal for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the moon. Find a Moon Phases Calendar online. Read “Moon Tides,” a sermon preached by Rev. Joel Miller, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, OR, February 17, 2013.