Session 18: Wondering About the Moon Part of Chalice Children 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 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. PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.