This week the kids learned about social action, the democratic process, and fall plants and leaves. The K-2nd and 3rd-6th graders studied principle 5: the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. The preschoolers planted flowers and discussed fall plants. The infants and toddlers also studied fall plants and picked leaves outside to inspire drawings.
In the 3rd-6th grade class, the kids studied principle 5 by voting on their social action project for the month of November. Starting in two weeks, the K-2nd and 3rd-6th graders will spend 4 weeks on a social action project of their choice. On Sunday the 3rd-6th graders chose ethical eating. They will learn about eating locally through farmers and People’s grocery store. Then they will prepare a locally grown snack for the fellowship. As they discussed in class, even preparing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich involves a LOT of gasoline. Eating locally supports our neighboring farmers and saves valuable resources. Stay tuned for more developments in their social action project plan.
In the K-2nd grade class, they started with their rehearsal of the 7 Principles song. They will perform it for the fellowship in 2 weeks! Then they read the story of Ruby Bridges. Ruby was a first grade girl who helped integrate her New Orleans school. When she was surrounded by hate she focused on love. They also did a time line of voting rights. Then they talked about what they can give to help others. They drew themselves going into a “giving machine” and what gifts would come out the other side. Nick drew xs and os to give Molly kisses and hugs. So awesome!
In the pre-K room, the focus of the day was plantings. They started the lesson by drawing flowers while Sandy read two books about colorful plants. Then they went outside and planted bulbs. It will be a long wait, but in the spring they will be able to enjoy their colorful flowers. When they came inside they pretended to be flowers. They started out as bulbs and with the help of water and sun turned into beautiful flowers. The “beautiful flowers” then sat down for a snack of apple slices and goldfish. Sandy cut the apple diagonally so the kids could see the flower pattern inside. Yummy and educational!
In the nursery, the infants and toddlers read three books about the seasons and then went outside to look for
leaves. They walked around Memorial Garden and everyone picked a leaf to take inside and draw a picture. A perfect lesson for a beautiful fall day!
If you would like to continue these lessons at home with your kids, here are some suggestions: For 3rd-6th graders, promote the democratic process as a family. Vote for dinner choices, chores, games to play, etc. For K-2nd graders, construct a giving machine. Then brainstorm all of the ways you and your children can give to others. For preschoolers, plant flower bulbs at your house or pick some of those remaining flowers in your garden to bring inside. Then talk about the colors and names of flowers. For infants and toddlers, go for a walk and try to catch leaves as they fall from trees or collect them from the ground to make a fall collage.