Session 12: Beauty in Nature Part of World of Wonder In This Section Introduction From World of Wonder Imagine a glorious full moon coming over the tops of the spruce, big and yellow, shedding a mysterious light on everything... the moonlight had colour, you could see to paint and be able to appreciate the colour of things. — Arthur Lismer, Canadian Unitarian artist, 1948 This session explores the... Session-at-a-Glance From World of Wonder Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — Treasure Stones 10 Activity 3: Eyes on Nature 20 Activity 4: Reflecting on Beauty 15 Faith in Action: Sowing Seeds of Beauty 60 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game 10 Alternate Activity 2: Sensory... Spiritual Preparation From World of Wonder Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. Picture in your mind's eye your favorite places to play in nature when you were a child.... Opening From World of Wonder Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Group Covenant (Session 1) Chalice-Lighting Words (Session 1) Leadership Chart (Session 2) Preparation for Activity Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a... Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game From World of Wonder Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Inflatable earth ball or globe, available from http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-k…; Preparation for Activity Inflate the earth ball or globe. Description of Activity This activity engages active learners while... Activity 2: Story - Treasure Stones From World of Wonder Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Treasure Stones" A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as stones, an Arthur Lismer painting, a paintbrush, a painter's palette, a paint-covered smock A chime or rain stick Optional: Fidget Basket... Activity 3: Eyes on Nature From World of Wonder Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Choose an outdoor location, preferably with a diversity of living things. Gather materials for Activity 4, Reflecting on Beauty, and take them with you so that you can complete Activity 4 outdoors. Description of Activity Bring the group outside. Activity 4: Reflecting on Beauty From World of Wonder Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper on clipboards for all participants, and a variety of implements such as color pencils, crayons, markers, chalk, or pastels Preparation for Activity Plan to lead this activity directly after Activity 3, Eyes on Nature, preferably in th... Closing From World of Wonder Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, Mural Image - Lismer Painting, and tape Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1, Mural Image - Lismer Painting, preferably in color. Leader Reflection and Planning From World of Wonder Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately after the session, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with other team leaders and the religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Were all children actively engaged?... Faith In Action: Sowing Seeds of Beauty From World of Wonder Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Dry red clay and compost, perennial wildflower seeds suitable for your local climate, large bowls, and water Cookie sheets Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Optional: Brown lunch bags and markers Optional: A copy of the book Miss Rumphius by Barba... Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game From World of Wonder Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ball of yarn Preparation for Activity Clear an open space where the group can sit in a circle. Make sure you know each participant's name so you can prompt others in the circle. Description of Activity This activity makes the concepts of... Alternate Activity 2: Sensory Beauty Walk From World of Wonder Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Identify a safe, accessible, and naturally beautiful outdoor place for children to embark on a walk. Description of Activity Ask the children to get ready to go outside. Tell them each will have a turn to "spy" something beautiful outside. Remind... Alternate Activity 3: Appreciating Nature Indoors From World of Wonder Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Selection of natural items Drawing paper on clipboards, and art materials such as chalk, pastels, color pencils, markers, or watercolors (and brushes) Optional: Soft sculpture clay Preparation for Activity Gather natural items.... Taking It Home From World of Wonder Imagine a glorious full moon coming over the tops of the spruce, big and yellow, shedding a mysterious light on everything... the moonlight had colour, you could see to paint and be able to appreciate the colour of things. — Arthur Lismer, Canadian Unitarian artist, 1948 IN TODAY'S SESSION... we... Treasure Stones Janeen K Grohsmeyer From World of Wonder In a time not so long ago and in a place not so far away, there lived a boy named Arthur Lismer. Arthur always had a pencil in his pocket, because Arthur loved to draw. He drew clouds. He drew birds. He drew flowers. He drew many beautiful things. And he drew pictures of stones.... Leader Resource 1: Mural Image - Lismer Painting From World of Wonder Arthur Lismer, from Wikipedia. The Guides Home, Algonquin (1914, National Gallery, Ottawa) was an experiment in impressionism.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Find Out More From World of Wonder Arthur Lismer (1885-1969) Arthur Lismer was born in Sheffield, England, in 1885. His parents and grandparents were Unitarians, and the family attended the Unitarian chapel in Sheffield.... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: World of Wonder NEXT: Introduction Download all of World of Wonder (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.