UU Stories
November 2012
UUFA
Preschool –
Kindergarten Class
(Please leave this copy in the classroom)
UU Stories (A UUFA Story Curriculum for Preschool Children)
Story collections, activities, and prompts provided by Lori Allen, DYCM.
The Program
I have a best friend. That best friend is me! (From Nancy Carlson’s I Like Me!)
Each time our preschoolers come to the fellowship, they take a journey. It is a journey taken
alone and in community — a journey of inward exploration and outward connections to our
faith community; a Unitarian Universalist journey, open to stories and understandings from
many perspectives.
This program helps children develop a sense of self and awareness of other’s selves. Each
week the children hear a story about someone like them, a family like theirs, or about feelings
they have experienced.
The stories used to convey this awareness are preschool stories that celebrate self, families,
our world, and our UU faith tradition. There are also stories that help children understand
that a wide range of feelings and emotions are experienced by all people.
After each story is read, there are three questions, or variations on the questions, that the
children will be asked to consider. The questions are: What was your favorite part of that
story? Have you ever felt like anyone in this story – who, why? Would you like to be a
character in this story – which one? Why?
After the story, you may want to do a craft project, act out the story, or suggest the children
focus their free play on the story theme. Some craft projects are suggested, but teachers are
invited to think of their own projects. Playdough play, outdoor walks, singing, rhythm
instruments or any other way teachers feel comfortable engaging with the children are
acceptable learning activities.
The stories are current and engaging. However, if you ever have a story you’d like to share –
do so. No need to check first, bring your passions and love for our children to the time you
share with them.
Thank you for choosing to be with these children – you are going to learn a lot!
Lori
EVERY SESSION OVERVIEW
Each session of this program includes the most basic of UU spiritual activities, chalice-lighting.
Most young children love ritual, and the use of this ritual in the sessions will help them feel
comfortable when they come to their classroom each week. Here is the basic overview for
each session:
Weeks 1, 2, 3 of each month, children start upstairs in Channing/Barton Room for Children’s
Worship with the older children.
Week 4 of each month, do a chalice lighting and checking in. Story if you feel like it, or just free
play.
Week 5 – if there is one, is for family social action and environmental projects. No RE teachers or
planning necessary.
Welcome – Put on Name Tags (Children without name tags make them during free play.)
Chalice Ligthing –
We light this chalice (hold hands to form chalice)
To celebrate Unitarian Universalism (make each thumb & index finger a “U”)
This is the church of the open mind (cover forehead with hands, then open)
This is the church of the helping hands (extend both hands in front of self)
This is the church of the loving heart (clasp both hands over heart)
Sharing - ask children to share something about their week.
Story – gather children so all can see the pictures and read today’s story to them. All
storybooks are in the book stand in the room.
Discussion - Each week ask these three questions. Do not vary from these questions too
much, do not share more about yourself than the questions ask, and do not answer the
questions for the children. Be okay with those who pass, be patient with slow talkers, and be
comfortable with silence when waiting for replies. Do not tell different stories as part of your
answers to the questions.
What was your favorite part of that story? Have you ever felt like anyone in this story – who, why?
Would you like to be a character in this story – which one? Why?
Activity, Free Play & Snack – As children finish their activity, invite them to free play with
the furnishings/toys in the room. You can participate as a peer, but do not direct play, other
than to intervene if someone is being mistreated or there is fear of injury. Let children work
out their own disagreements when possible. Snacks & cups are in the kitchenette if you
choose to do snack time. Place used cups in the designated bin.
When the weather permits, take the class outside during free play. See how amazing their
bodies really are! How fast can they run? How high can they jump? Can they stand as straight
as a tree? Can they sound like an owl? Expend some energy!
SESSION ONE OVERVIEW (November 4, 2012)
Welcome –
Chalice Ligthing –
We light this chalice (hold hands to form chalice)
To celebrate Unitarian Universalism (make each thumb & index finger a “U”)
This is the church of the open mind (cover forehead with hands, then open)
This is the church of the helping hands (extend both hands in front of self)
This is the church of the loving heart (clasp both hands over heart)
Sharing - ask children to share something about their week.
Story– A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan
Discussion – Which friend in this story reminds you of you? The funny friend? The star
friend? The quiet friend? Tell us about the differences in your friends a school or in your
neighborhood? What are some of the differences between all the friends here in our class
today? What was your favorite part of this book?
Activity – Give each child a copy of the rainbow page below. Have them color the rainbow
and then draw people that represent themselves and their friends under the rainbow.
Free Play & Snack – Bring a snack from home or choose something from the kitchenette on
the lower level. Glasses and napkins/paper towels are available in the kitchenette. Instead of
glasses, you can suggest that children go to the drinking fountain when they are done with
their snack. We suggest water for snack – no juice is provided.
Remember, going outside for free play (with supervision of course) is always an option during
nice weather. Today you could find places on the UUFA property that would be good places
to stand when viewing a rainbow. Exploring, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles are favorite
activities.
SESSION TWO OVERVIEW (November 11, 2012)
Welcome –
Chalice Ligthing –
We light this chalice (hold hands to form chalice)
To celebrate Unitarian Universalism (make each thumb & index finger a “U”)
This is the church of the open mind (cover forehead with hands, then open)
This is the church of the helping hands (extend both hands in front of self)
This is the church of the loving heart (clasp both hands over heart)
Sharing - Ask them what their favorite part about coming to the UUFA is.
Story – We Are All Alike . . . We are All Different By Cheltenham School Kindergarteners
Discussion - What are some ways everyone in this room is alike? Different? Why is it good to be
different from each other? Or the same as one another? Did you see any pictures of people who look
like you or your family in this book? Which pictures? What would the world be like if everyone was
exactly the same? What is your favorite food? (Note how many differences and similarities there are
in the favorite foods.)
Activity – Same and Different Scale This is like the “values voting” that older children and
adults sometimes do at the UUFA. To help make this clear for the children you’re going to
have to give more specific directions, using two distinct areas for them to go. For example:
Swimming. Go and stand by the door if you like to go swimming. Go and stand by the table if
you do not like to go swimming. Stand half-way in between the door and the table if you
sometimes you like swimming and sometimes you don’t. Ask one or more child to tell about
what they like or don’t like about swimming. You may also want to have an adult standing at
each place they are to go – or have the adults participate with the children. Other ideas for
comparision are:
Favorite foods, pets, seasons, coming to the UUFA, running, listening to stories, art, etc.
Bring a snack from home or choose something from the kitchenette on the lower level.
Glasses and napkins/paper towels are available in the kitchenette. Instead of glasses, you can
suggest that children go to the drinking fountain when they are done with their snack. We
suggest water for snack – no juice is provided.
Remember, going outside for free play (with supervision of course) is always an option during
nice weather. Exploring, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles are favorite activities.
SESSION THREE OVERVIEW ((November 18, 2012)
Welcome – Put on Name Tags (Children without name tags make them during free play.)
Chalice Ligthing –
We light this chalice (hold hands to form chalice)
To celebrate Unitarian Universalism (make each thumb & index finger a “U”)
This is the church of the open mind (cover forehead with hands, then open)
This is the church of the helping hands (extend both hands in front of self)
This is the church of the loving heart (clasp both hands over heart)
Sharing - ask children to share something about their week.
Story – The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
Discussion - What was your favorite part of that story? Have you ever felt like anyone in this story –
who, why? Would you like to be a character in this story – which one? Why? What are you thankful
for? Who knows what holiday is coming up? Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? (You can remind
children that we celebrate Thanksgiving because we are grateful we have plenty of food to eat when
we are hungry, we have warm houses to live in, and we have many people who love and take care of
us. ) What are you thankful for?
Activity – Share with the children that many people eat turkey at Thanksgiving. Because of
this, when we see turkeys, it reminds us of Thanksgiving. Today you are going to make simple
turkeys that children can take home to share with their families.
Help each child trace around their hand – fingers stretched out wide – on a piece of
construction paper. Have them color an eye on the thumb and a wobbler hanging down from
the thumb. The fingers are the “feathers.” Help them write a word or two on each feather that
states what they are thankful for. They can color and embellish the turkey. If they want to cut
it out, great! Send this thankful turkey home with them to share with their family.
Free Play & Snack – As children finish their activity, make sure they have a nametag as well.
Help them find markers and stickers to decorate a blank nametag to keep in the classroom all
year. Invite them to free play with the furnishings/toys in the room. Bring a snack from home
or choose something from the kitchenette on the lower level. Glasses and napkins/paper
towels are available in the kitchenette. Instead of glasses, you can suggest that children go to
the drinking fountain when they are done with their snack. We suggest water for snack – no
juice is provided.
Remember, going outside for free play (with supervision of course) is always an option during
nice weather. Exploring, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles are favorite activities.
Sunday, November 25, 2012 – All Congregational Service – APPLE COMMUNION.