Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Riddle and Mystery: A Program on the Big Questions for Grade 6

Activity 3: WCUU - The Dream

Activity time: 17 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Microphone(s), video camera(s) and tripod(s), real or simulated
  • For studio set
    • Backdrop made in Session 1
    • Painter's tape or masking tape
  • Leader Resource 1, WCUU Script - The Dream
  • Paper for On-Air People's name cards, markers and string or tape
  • Timepiece (minutes)
  • Optional: Music player for theme song (see Session 1)
  • Optional: Studio lights (flashlights will do)
  • A copy of the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources (Session 1, Leader Resource 1, or a poster in your meeting space)

Preparation for Activity

  • Retrieve real or simulated television studio equipment, backdrop made in Session 1 and other WCUU materials.
  • If necessary, arrange furniture, set up and test equipment and post backdrop. If you plan to record WCUU:
    • Make sure electrical outlets are nearby if you will need them.
    • Pay attention to lighting. Do not set On-Air People in front of a sunlit window.
    • If you are using on-camera microphones, direct On-Air People to speak toward the camera. Invite the Director or Floor Director to use the phrase "Quiet on the Set... Rolling... " followed by a silent countdown from five, using the fingers of one hand, ending with pointing to the On-Air Person to cue them to begin speaking.
  • Copy Leader Resource 1 for everyone who will need a script for the broadcast. This script has eight On-Air People: Anchor, NUUs (pronounced "News") Analyst, a UU Kid and five Detectives. If the group is small, omit some parts or ask some youth to play more than one part; co-leaders can be Studio Crew. If the group is large, expand the Studio Crew.

Description of Activity

Participants present a WCUU show involving eight On-Air People-Anchor, NUUs Analyst, a UU Kid and five Detectives.

Assign roles, using volunteers for On-Air People and Studio Crew. The Studio Crew might include a director, a floor director, a camera operator, a sound engineer, a lighting director, a script supervisor and multiple production assistants. You might invite the Kid for the Day to be the Anchor or UU Kid.

Give all who need to follow the script a moment to look it over. Review it with the youth if any participants have limited reading skills.

Tell the group when the show should end to keep the session on schedule; assign a Studio Crew member (director or floor director) to watch the time.

Let the broadcast begin.

At the end of the broadcast, ask participants how it went. Ask them to summarize a Unitarian Universalist response to today's Big Question: How can I know what to believe? Ask the youth:

  • Now how would you answer the question?
  • Is it reasonable for people to have different answers to the big questions-just as people create different kinds of art and like different kinds of music?
  • Do you think non-UU viewers would understand Unitarian Universalism better after seeing this WCUU broadcast?

Including All Participants

Youth with limited mobility can be On-Camera People or Studio Crew; arrange the "studio" so they can perform their role or tasks seated.