Session 19: The Wonder of Weather Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children For the sun, for rain and thunder, for the seasons' harmony . . . — "For the Earth Forever Turning," Hymn 163 in Singing the Living Tradition The weather is part of our natural world, and contact with the natural world is one of twelve main types of experiences connected with natural religious... 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: Sunny and Stormy Skies 10 Activity 6: Raindrops and Clouds 5 Activity 7: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Outdoors in Wind or Snow 10... Spiritual Preparation From Chalice Children Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How do you observe the weather? Are you likely to casually glance out a window or more likely to monitor weather on a radio station or website? What are the main types of weather in your area?... 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 weather-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 Materials for Activity ... Activity 5: Sunny and Stormy Skies From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Cotton balls, at least 12 per child Glue sticks Light blue construction paper, one sheet per child Dark color construction paper, such as purple or black, one sheet per child Markers or crayons, including silver markers or white or light-colored... Activity 6: Raindrops and Clouds From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity For each station: Two clear bowls of warm water; a tray; cotton balls, several for each child; (optional) tongs Paper towels Optional: Blue food coloring Preparation for Activity View... Activity 7: Circle Games From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Cotton balls Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction, and the new songs and games suggested for this session. You can also research... 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 make a copy for each child.... 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? Alternate Activity 1: Outdoors in Wind or Snow From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Map out a walk around the grounds, making sure that it will be accessible to everyone in the group. Make sure that the children bring their coats and any other outdoor apparel appropriate for the weather.... Taking It Home: The Wonder of Weather From Chalice Children For the sun, for rain and thunder, for the seasons' harmony . . . — "For the Earth Forever Turning," Hymn 163 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "We wonder about the weather." The weather is part of our natural world.... Find Out More From Chalice Children The quote for this session comes from "For the Earth Forever Turning" by Kim Oler, Hymn 163 in Singing the Living Tradition.... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.