Session 16: Working Together - Closing
Part of Moral Tales
Activity time: 3 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Moral Compass poster
- A bold marker, or a piece of card stock and tape or a stapler
- Newsprint, markers, and tape
- Optional: One copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition
- Optional: Music CD or tape, and music player
- Optional: A guitar, piano or other instrument
Preparation for Activity
- Look at Hymn 414 in Singing the Living Tradition, "As We Leave This Friendly Place," and make sure you can lead the group in singing it. If it is unfamiliar, you might ask your music director to teach it to you before this session.
- If this is the final session of Moral Tales, you may wish to choose a special closing to punctuate this ending. You may invite the children to "pass the peace" or lead them in singing "Go Now in Peace." Find these in Session 1, Leader Resource, Alternate Closings.
- If you are uncomfortable leading a song, you can invite a musical volunteer to do it for you. Or, ask your music director to record the song, and use the recording to lead the group. You might even like to record the congregation's choir singing it.
- If this is your last session with this group of children, you may wish to incorporate words that indicate you have enjoyed working with these children. You may like to describe some things you have learned from your time with them.
- Write the words of the closing song on newsprint and post where the children will be able to see it during the Closing.
- Place the Moral Compass poster where all of the children can see it during the Closing.
- If you have not done so earlier in this session, write the word "Cooperation" on a piece of card stock to attach to the Moral Compass poster. Or, if you prefer, plan to write the word "Cooperation" directly on the poster.
- Customize, print out, and photocopy the Taking It Home section for all participants.
Description of Activity
Gather the group in a circle. Thank the children for participating and sharing their stories and ideas in this session.
Point out the Moral Compass poster. Say, in your own words:
Our Moral Compass shows us ways to do good things and make good decisions. Today we heard a story about a family who discovered what an important tool working together can be. Working together can help us do acts of goodness and justice.
Ask the group what the word is for working with others. Affirm "cooperation." If the word is already on the Moral Compass poster, indicate it.
If you have not added "Cooperation" to the Moral Compass poster earlier in this session (Activity 4: What Would UU Do?), say:
If we are going to do what our inner voices and our hearts tell us is right, then we must learn how to work together with others. Let's put "Cooperation" on our Moral Compass.
Write or post "Cooperation" on the Moral Compass poster.
Acknowledge the group for the ways in which they worked cooperatively today. If this is your final session with these children, now would be a good time to tell the group that you have enjoyed working with them and to mention some things you have learned in your time with them in Moral Tales.
If this is the final session and you have not done cumulative activities, use the Moral Compass poster to refresh the group about the other virtues they have explored together with you in Moral Tales. Remind them that these are just a few of the directions that can help us find ways to act with goodness and for justice.
If there will be another Moral Tales session, remind the children that next time they meet they will have a chance to add more gems to the Gems of Goodness jar. If appropriate, remind them that when the jar is full of gemstones, you will have a special celebration. Encourage them to try using cooperation in the acts of goodness and justice they may do.
Lead the children in singing Hymn 414 in Singing the Living Tradition, "As We Leave This Friendly Place." Or, lead the group in another closing song, reading, or activity you have chosen for this session. If the words are unfamiliar to some of the children, teach it line by line and then sing it once through together.
The lyrics to "As We Leave This Friendly Place" are:
As we leave this friendly place,
Love give light to every face;
May the kindness which we learn
Light our hearts till we return.
Distribute the Taking It Home handout you have prepared. If any children need to take home a Gems of Goodness notebook and parent handout, make sure they have these. Thank the children and dismiss the group. If this is the final session of Moral Tales, take special care to say each child's name and make eye contact when you say goodbye.