Session 20: Rainbows Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children All the colors, as a rainbow appears when a storm cloud is touched by the sun. — "De Colores," Hymn 305 in Singing the Living Tradition Rainbows are part of our natural world. Contact with the natural world is one of the 12 main types of experiences connected with natural religious development in... 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: Painting a Rainbow 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. The rainbow is a transient, beautiful feature of nature, appearing rarely enough to cause us to pause and wonder. Its magic has been the focus of many legends and folklore.... 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 Rainbow-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 A picture of a rainbow Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wal... 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: The Rainbow Book by Kate Ohrt, 2011. This book explores the relationship between colors and the sentiments they might inspire. Does yellow suggest happiness? Is blue... Activity 5: Painting a Rainbow From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Watercolors or tempera paint in rainbow colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (dark blue), and violet (purple) Heavy stock white paper, two or three pieces for each child A paintbrush for each color of tempera paint, or a can of water to... Activity 6: Circle Games From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Recording of the "Rainbow Song" or other music Optional: Scarves or crepe paper streamers, in colors of the rainbow Optional: Percussion instruments Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters ... 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? Taking It Home: Rainbows From Chalice Children All the colors, as a rainbow appears when a storm cloud is touched by the sun. — "De Colores," Hymn 305 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "We wonder about rainbows." Rainbows are part of our natural world. Contact with the natural world is one of the 12 main... Find Out More From Chalice Children On YouTube, this Vsauce video shows the science of rainbows. "http://www.uuframingham.org/Sermons/2013.10.06%20Somewhere%20Under%20th… Under the Rainbow" is a sermon given by Rev. Kathleen Hepler, First Parish in Framingham, MA, October 6, 2013. PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.