Session 25: Teddy Bear Month — Friendship Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children When I am lonely, will you be my friend? — from "When I Am Frightened," Hymn 1012 in Singing the Journey The theme of this unit, and this session in particular, is that the Chalice Children group (and our congregation) is a place to make friends and to be a friend, and that being a member of this... 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: Bear Beds 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. What are some ways that you experience friendship? Do you have friends who live far away? How do you make new friends? How do you keep your old friends? Reflect on these words attributed to C.... 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 Items for an activity relating to Teddy Bear Month Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you a... 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 Leader Resource 1, Teddy Bear Month Invitation, one copy for each child Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Extra stuffed animals, for those who did not bring one Feelings Chart... 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: Patchwork Helps a Friend by Gail Greiner, illustrated by Jacqueline Schmidt, 2013. Patchwork, a colorfully quilted stuffed bear, sets forth on a quirky journey and... Activity 5: Bear Beds From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Bear-sized boxes, one for each child Felt Materials to decorate boxes, such as color markers, stickers, cloth scraps, glue sticks Moistened paper towels Optional: Digital camera or smartphone Preparation for Activity Gather some stuffed animals to... Activity 6: Circle Games From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Teddy Grahams Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction. Display any posters you have made.... 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: Teddy Bear Month — Friendship From Chalice Children When I am lonely, will you be my friend? — "When I Am Frightened," Hymn 1012 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . The theme of this unit, and this session in particular, is that our congregation is a place for making friends and being a friend, and that being a member of this group... Leader Resource 1: Teddy Bear Month Invitation From Chalice Children Send this letter to the Chalice Children families before Session 25. Dear Chalice Children families: For the next four sessions, the Chalice Children are celebrating Teddy Bear Month! Children are invited to bring a small stuffed bear or other favorite cuddly stuffed animal each Sunday.... Find Out More From Chalice Children Did you know that teddy bears are named for President Theodore Roosevelt? Learn the http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/site/c.elKSIdOWIiJ8H/b.8684621/k.6632/… Teddy Bear Story. Read "Friendship as a Calling," a sermon preached by Barbara F.... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.