Picture Book of Unitarian Universalism Class Page
21 February 2016
Today we read Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corrine Naden. Nine-year-old Ron loves going to the Lake City Public Library to look through all the books on airplanes and flight. Today, Ron is ready to take out books by himself. But in the segregated world of South Carolina in the 1950s, Ron's obtaining his own library card is not just a small rite of passage. It is a young man's first courageous mission. In this inspiring story, based on Ron McNair's life, a little boy, future scientist, and Challenger astronaut. desegregated his library through peaceful resistance.
Goal: To further examine our 4th Principle "We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life."
Today we read Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corrine Naden. Nine-year-old Ron loves going to the Lake City Public Library to look through all the books on airplanes and flight. Today, Ron is ready to take out books by himself. But in the segregated world of South Carolina in the 1950s, Ron's obtaining his own library card is not just a small rite of passage. It is a young man's first courageous mission. In this inspiring story, based on Ron McNair's life, a little boy, future scientist, and Challenger astronaut. desegregated his library through peaceful resistance.
Goal: To further examine our 4th Principle "We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life."
14 February 2016
Today we read, All I See is Part of Me by Chara M. Curtis. In a journey that carries the reader far beyond the printed page, a child discovers his common link with all of Life. Inspired by Sister Star, he finds the light within his heart and as his vision expands, he sees that same light in all other things.
Goal: To understand one of the sources of Unitarian Universalism as the wonder we all share, “the direct experience of mystery” as described in the sources of our living tradition.
Today we read, All I See is Part of Me by Chara M. Curtis. In a journey that carries the reader far beyond the printed page, a child discovers his common link with all of Life. Inspired by Sister Star, he finds the light within his heart and as his vision expands, he sees that same light in all other things.
Goal: To understand one of the sources of Unitarian Universalism as the wonder we all share, “the direct experience of mystery” as described in the sources of our living tradition.
31 January 2016
We've read Stone Soup by Marcia a couple times in 2015-2016. Once in the fall and again today. This week all the children were together as we read the classic story and discussed the themes in the story. Then we read through the latest version of the story, written by Jennifer Hadley, in preparation for our Stone Soup service on 7 February. We practiced the updated story set in America with refugees from another land as our "travelers".
We've read Stone Soup by Marcia a couple times in 2015-2016. Once in the fall and again today. This week all the children were together as we read the classic story and discussed the themes in the story. Then we read through the latest version of the story, written by Jennifer Hadley, in preparation for our Stone Soup service on 7 February. We practiced the updated story set in America with refugees from another land as our "travelers".
17 January 2016
Today we read, Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson. The book takes its inspiration from "Civil Disobedience," in which Henry David Thoreau describes a night spent in jail. In this story Henry the bear, confined to a cell after refusing to pay taxes to a state that allows slavery, takes his crayons and begins to draw pictures on the wall. Reminiscent of Harold and the Purple Crayon, Henry then climbs into the scene he is creating. Hiking along the mountain path, he befriends a traveler who is walking northward to freedom, obviously an escaped slave. Clearly the bear, like the man, sees things a little differently from most. Henry David Thoreau hoped others would also stop paying their taxes. If enough people went to jail, the leaders of the country would change the laws and end slavery forever. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther Kind were inspired by Thoreau’s writings.
Goal: To become familiar with the idea that one person can help bring peace and justice to the world.
Today we read, Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson. The book takes its inspiration from "Civil Disobedience," in which Henry David Thoreau describes a night spent in jail. In this story Henry the bear, confined to a cell after refusing to pay taxes to a state that allows slavery, takes his crayons and begins to draw pictures on the wall. Reminiscent of Harold and the Purple Crayon, Henry then climbs into the scene he is creating. Hiking along the mountain path, he befriends a traveler who is walking northward to freedom, obviously an escaped slave. Clearly the bear, like the man, sees things a little differently from most. Henry David Thoreau hoped others would also stop paying their taxes. If enough people went to jail, the leaders of the country would change the laws and end slavery forever. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther Kind were inspired by Thoreau’s writings.
Goal: To become familiar with the idea that one person can help bring peace and justice to the world.
13 December 2015
Today we read This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten. Wondrous things are happening in this humble little stable. Here is the traditional Nativity story told in a simple format which conveys the light and love in which the baby was born.
Goal: To be familiar with the story of the birth of Jesus.
Today we read This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten. Wondrous things are happening in this humble little stable. Here is the traditional Nativity story told in a simple format which conveys the light and love in which the baby was born.
Goal: To be familiar with the story of the birth of Jesus.
6 December 2016
Today we read, Elijah’s Angel by Michael Rosen. Religious tolerance is the theme of this story about an elderly Christian barber and the Jewish child who befriends him. As a hobby, the African American barber makes woodcarvings--many of which refer to events or characters in the Bible. Michael, a 9-year-old Jewish boy, often visits the barbershop just to admire old Elijah's carvings. One day when Hanukkah and Christmas overlap, Elijah gives Michael a special gift, a carved guardian angel. When Michael finally reveals the carved angel to his parents, they help the young boy understand how expressions of friendship, love, and protection can be carried into any home, regardless of the household's religion. Michael J. Rosen based this story on the real-life Elijah Pierce (1892-1984), a lay minister, barber, and woodcarver from Columbus, Ohio, whose award-winning woodcarvings are now owned by the Columbus Museum of Art. Goal: To be familiar with religious tolerance and the celebration of friendship and compassion. |
15 November 2015
Today we read, Over the River and Through the Wood; a Thanksgiving Poem by Unitarian Lydia Maria Child. This story uses Unitarian Lydia Maria Child's 1844 poem,"A Boy's Thanksgiving Day." The illustrator, Christopher Manson, offers woodcuts done in a primitive style, reflecting the era. Child's time-honored poem successfully evokes the happy mood of a traditional and idealized family holiday gathering. Modern society remembers the tune, but she was also an abolitionist, a suffragette, and worked for Native American rights in the 1800’s.
Goal: To begin to understand that we need a balance of joy and justice in our world.
Today we read, Over the River and Through the Wood; a Thanksgiving Poem by Unitarian Lydia Maria Child. This story uses Unitarian Lydia Maria Child's 1844 poem,"A Boy's Thanksgiving Day." The illustrator, Christopher Manson, offers woodcuts done in a primitive style, reflecting the era. Child's time-honored poem successfully evokes the happy mood of a traditional and idealized family holiday gathering. Modern society remembers the tune, but she was also an abolitionist, a suffragette, and worked for Native American rights in the 1800’s.
Goal: To begin to understand that we need a balance of joy and justice in our world.
25 October 2015
Today we read, Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth by Douglas Wood. This book explores ideas about prayer. On their walks together in the woods, a boy’s grandfather shares that trees, rocks and streams pray, as sure as people do: "The tall grass prays as it waves its arms beneath the sky, and flowers pray as they breathe their sweetness into the air." The boy listens hard to hear the natural world's prayers, but never quite hears them. Later, as he grieves the death of his grandfather, the slightly older boy comes to understand Grandad's message. Finding the beauty in others and in the world, is a prayer in itself. Goal: To be familiar with prayer as a way of practicing gratitude. |
18 October 2015
Today we read, Henry Builds a Cabin by D.B. Johnson. Walden's chapter on "Economy," by Henry David Thoreau, generates the tale of Henry, a bear outfitted in a farm hat and an outdoorsman's warm clothes. Henry diagrams his dream house, a one- room cabin. "He borrow[s] an ax and cut[s] down twelve trees," hews the pine logs into thick posts for the cabin's frame, and constructs his walls from the weathered boards and windows of "an old shed." When friends like Emerson and Alcott pronounce the cabin "too small," Henry replies, "It's bigger than it looks." He proudly guides them to a vegetable garden ("This will be my dining room") and a winding path to the pond ("This will be the ballroom"). The conclusion finds Henry happily lolling outdoors in his "library," resting his feet on the windowsill; he gets under his roof only when it rains.
Goal: Encourage children to think for themselves and to simplify their lives.
Today we read, Henry Builds a Cabin by D.B. Johnson. Walden's chapter on "Economy," by Henry David Thoreau, generates the tale of Henry, a bear outfitted in a farm hat and an outdoorsman's warm clothes. Henry diagrams his dream house, a one- room cabin. "He borrow[s] an ax and cut[s] down twelve trees," hews the pine logs into thick posts for the cabin's frame, and constructs his walls from the weathered boards and windows of "an old shed." When friends like Emerson and Alcott pronounce the cabin "too small," Henry replies, "It's bigger than it looks." He proudly guides them to a vegetable garden ("This will be my dining room") and a winding path to the pond ("This will be the ballroom"). The conclusion finds Henry happily lolling outdoors in his "library," resting his feet on the windowsill; he gets under his roof only when it rains.
Goal: Encourage children to think for themselves and to simplify their lives.
11 October 2015
Today we read, Old Turtle by Douglas Wood. When all of creation--trees, stones, ants, the sky, fish—-begins arguing over who or what God is, quiet Old Turtle is the only one who has the wisdom and ability to see beyond herself to capture the essence. The debate escalates until Old Turtle finally speaks: "STOP!" She accepts and incorporates the beliefs of all the creatures: "God is indeed deep," she says to the fish in the sea, "and much higher than high," she tells the mountains. "God is gentle and powerful. Above all things and within all things... God IS." Old Turtle, after silencing the crowds with her understanding, makes a prediction about the appearance of a new "family of beings" in the world. These beings, human beings, do appear, and soon are fighting among themselves over the nature of God. It is only when people start listening to the mountains and winds and stones and stars that they actually begin to hear--and to heal the earth.
Today we read, Old Turtle by Douglas Wood. When all of creation--trees, stones, ants, the sky, fish—-begins arguing over who or what God is, quiet Old Turtle is the only one who has the wisdom and ability to see beyond herself to capture the essence. The debate escalates until Old Turtle finally speaks: "STOP!" She accepts and incorporates the beliefs of all the creatures: "God is indeed deep," she says to the fish in the sea, "and much higher than high," she tells the mountains. "God is gentle and powerful. Above all things and within all things... God IS." Old Turtle, after silencing the crowds with her understanding, makes a prediction about the appearance of a new "family of beings" in the world. These beings, human beings, do appear, and soon are fighting among themselves over the nature of God. It is only when people start listening to the mountains and winds and stones and stars that they actually begin to hear--and to heal the earth.
27 September 2015
In preparation for the Blessing of the Animals we read selections from Brother Sun, Sister Moon, by Margaret Mayo, about the life of St. Francis. Born into a wealthy family, he led a dissolute life as a young man. Then one day he had a conversion experience while passing a poor leper's hut. From that day on, Francis dedicated his life to helping the poor and outcasts of society and to teaching respect for all living things.
In preparation for the Blessing of the Animals we read selections from Brother Sun, Sister Moon, by Margaret Mayo, about the life of St. Francis. Born into a wealthy family, he led a dissolute life as a young man. Then one day he had a conversion experience while passing a poor leper's hut. From that day on, Francis dedicated his life to helping the poor and outcasts of society and to teaching respect for all living things.
20 September 2015
Today we read, The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, a witty story of Mr. Plumbean, who lives on a very neat street where all the houses look the same. One day (no one knows why), a seagull drops a can of orange paint on Mr. Plumbean's roof -- and nothing is ever the same for Plumbean or his neighbors. Children are reminded, in a funny and entertaining way, of the joys of individuality and self-expression.
Today we read, The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, a witty story of Mr. Plumbean, who lives on a very neat street where all the houses look the same. One day (no one knows why), a seagull drops a can of orange paint on Mr. Plumbean's roof -- and nothing is ever the same for Plumbean or his neighbors. Children are reminded, in a funny and entertaining way, of the joys of individuality and self-expression.