Session 29: Closing Sunday Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children When our heart is in a holy place, we are blessed with love and amazing grace . . . — from "When Our Heart Is In a Holy Place," Hymn 1008 in Singing the Journey The theme of this session is "Saying goodbye to friends." It's time to celebrate this group of friends in the Chalice Children group... 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: Everybody Pictures 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Goodbye Party 15 Alternate Activity 2: Chalice in a Bag 15... Spiritual Preparation From Chalice Children Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Saying goodbye to friends can be hard. How do you react to goodbyes? Do you feel impatient or embarrassed, unwilling to engage with the poignancy of the moment? Do you breathe deeply and hold the moment in your head and heart?... 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 the end of this program Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the childre... 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 time you meet will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to... 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: You Be You by Linda Kranz, 2011. A companion book to the bestselling Only One You, Kranz once again uses her famous "rockfish" to express the themes of diversity,... Activity 5: Everybody Pictures From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Blank Canvas for Everybody Pictures, and white copy paper Color construction paper, approximately 11x17 inches Glue stick and permanent marker Color markers and crayons for children to share "Goodbye" music and equipment that all... Activity 6: Circle Games From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction. Plan how you will pace the activity so you have time to teach children the two signs for the Goodbye Song and to end with... 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 curriculum? Why? What was the best part of this year? Why? What might we change for next year? Why? Alternate Activity 1: Goodbye Party From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Refreshments and decorations for a party Optional: Digital camera or smartphone Preparation for Activity Choose a festive snack to serve, being sure to accommodate any allergies and food restrictions among the group.... Alternate Activity 2: Chalice in a Bag From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity For each child: a two- or three-inch diameter clay flower pot; a three-inch saucer or flower pot base; one battery-operated, LED tea light; a six-inch gift bag with handles; and, a paper plate Newsprint or large roll of paper Washable tempera paint... Taking It Home: Closing Sunday From Chalice Children When our heart is in a holy place, we are blessed with love and amazing grace . . . — from "When Our Heart Is In a Holy Place," Hymn 1008 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "Saying goodbye to friends." We said goodbye to one another by celebrating this group of friends... Leader Resource 1: Blank Canvas for Everybody Pictures From Chalice Children Across the top of a blank 8 1/2 x 11-inch page, write "Goodbye, Chalice Children!" Across the bottom, write the name of your congregation, and the year (optional: and the season or months) of your program. If you wish, draw thick lines along borders to make a frame for the contents—the drawing or... Find Out More From Chalice Children Peruse other Tapestry of Faith online curricula. The UUA provides four programs for grades K/1: Creating Home by Christy Olson and Jessica York, Wonderful Welcome by Aisha Hauser and Susan Lawrence, Love Surrounds Us by Rev.... 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