Session 11: Do No Harm

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

Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being. — Mohandas K. Gandhi This session introduces non-violence as an aspect of goodness which is integrally connected with justice. While children are more ready…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Moral Tales

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Gems of Goodness 5 Activity 2: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 3: Story — The Answer Is in Your Hands 10 Activity 4: The “In Your Hands” Ball Game 16 Activity 5: What Would UU Do? Bracelets 16 Activity 6: Clean-Up 3 Faith in…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

Read the story, “The Answer Is in Your Hands,” a few times. Then take a few minutes to think about your answers to the following questions: Whose wellbeing do I hold in my hands? Are there ways in which I cause harm to other living beings? How can I decrease that harm? How do I cultivate living…
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: 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, “The Answer Is in Your Hands,” such as a small stuffed or ceramic bird A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Optional: Box or small table and a cloth…
Activity 3: Story - The Answer Is In Your Hands
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story,”The Answer Is in Your Hands” 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. Practice telling it aloud. Try…
Activity 4: The "in Your Hands" Ball Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 16 minutes Materials for Activity Small, soft ball or a small stuffed bird to pass around the circle A copy of Leader Resource 1, “In Your Hands” Scenarios Description of Activity Gather children in a circle. Say, in your own words: The boy in our story wanted to prove his point so…
Activity 5: "what Would Uu Do?" Bracelets
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 16 minutes Materials for Activity Lanyard, cord, or wire for beading “W,” “U,” and “D” beads, enough for each child to make a bracelet with the initials, “WWUUD” Decorative beads Scissors or another device to cut the lanyard, cord or wire Bowls to hold the beads Newsprint, markers …
Activity 6: Clean Up
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 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 the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Music CD or tape, and music player…
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?…
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: Frogs And Lily Pads Cooperative Game
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint pad Music tape or CD and player Preparation for Activity Obtain music and a tape/CD player In a large, open space, lay individual sheets of newsprint on the floor as lily pads in a pond. You will need enough “lily pads” for all participants.
Taking It Home: Do No Harm
From Moral Tales

Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being. — Mohandas K. Gandhi IN TODAY’S SESSION We talked about the importance of making choices that bring peace and do not harm others. After hearing a story in…
Story 1 The Answer is in Your Hands
From Moral Tales

Adapted from an Indian folk tale. There was once a wise woman who lived by herself near a small village. Rumor had it that she could always accurately predict when the rains would come, or help heal a sick child with herbs, or calm angry neighbors and help them to resolve their fights and arguments.
Leader Resource 1: In Your Hands Scenarios
From Moral Tales

Your younger brother has just destroyed an art project that you worked on for hours! You are furious and you feel like hitting him, or maybe destroying one of his favorite things. The answer is in your hands — what will you do? A bully has demanded that you give her your lunch money. You are…
Find Out More About Session 11
From Moral Tales

For group games and activities that reinforce cooperation and teach peace, see: The Cooperative Sports and Games Book by Terry Orlick (Pantheon, 1978) Creative Conflict Resolution: More than 200 Activities for Keeping Peace in the Classroom K-6 by William J….