Session 7: The Beauty of Nature

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

Earth was given as a garden … — Hymn 207 in Singing the Living Tradition Celebrate the wonder of the changing of seasons and the growth of flowers from seeds and bulbs. Sharing the miracle of growing things helps children experience joy and appreciation as part of living in the interdependent…
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: Planting Bulbs 10 Activity 6: Seed in a Bag 5 Activity 7: Circle Games 10 Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Imagine being of preschool age and just discovering the wonder of the changing of seasons, of the growth into flowers from seeds, the mystery of bulbs, and the transitions of the leaves. How have we, as adults, forgotten this…
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 and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, story books, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Bean seeds spread on a tray, surrounded by paper, crayons, and markers Preparation for Activity Make…
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….
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 Flowers and other items (e.g., leaves, weeds, branches) Bulb (e.g., flower, onion, or garl…
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: That’s Not a Daffodil! by Elizabeth Honey, 2011. When Tom’s neighbor Mr. Yilmaz gives him a brown bulb, Tom can’t believe it will grow into a flower. “That’s…
Activity 5: Planting Bulbs
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Bulbs, such as daffodils, at least one per child Trowels, at least one per child Water in a watering can or hose Optional: Gardening gloves, one pair for each person Preparation for Activity Locate a place outdoors to plant bulbs. Check with your…
Activity 6: Seed in a Bag
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Photo of Bean Plant Bean seeds, at least four per child Paper towels, at least one per child, or cotton balls, at least six per child, moistened Clean, clear plastic bags, one per child, and a permanent marker, such as a Sharpie (…
Activity 7: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Towels, large scarves, or small blankets, one for each child Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the story, games, and songs. Description of Activity Welcome, Chalice Children Sing “Welcome, Chalice Children” to the tune of…
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelopes for handouts, a hole punch, and ribbon or yarn Preparation for Activity Copy the Taking It Home handout for each child. Bring the “lit” preschool chalice to the activity…
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: The Beauty of Nature
From Chalice Children

Earth was given as a garden … — Hymn 207 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION … the theme was the beauty of nature. We celebrated the wonder of the changing of seasons, and the growth of flowers from seeds and bulbs. Sharing the miracle of growing things helps children…
Leader Resource 1: Photo of Bean Plant
From Chalice Children

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

Watch a time-lapse video of radish seeds germinating, on YouTub…;. Or, watch this short video (1:18) of a seed germinating, on the http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/other-shows/videos/assignment-discove… Channel website. Read the sermon,…