Religious Exploration Resources for May 10th, 2020

Religious Exploration for Youth  – Beacon At Home 

“Horton Hears A UU: Life Lessons from Dr. Seuss”

May 10, 2020 – “Daisy Head Mayzie”

 

Daisy-Head Mayzie is the last children’s book officially written by Dr. Seuss, although he did not illustrate it, nor was it published until 1995, after his death. The book is about a schoolgirl named Mayzie McGrew who one day suddenly sprouts a bright yellow daisy from her head. It causes alarm in her classroom, family, and town, until an agent makes her a celebrity.

Themes: Unexpected things can happen to us. Sometimes the most unusual things can make us special.  

Watch the Read-along book:  https://youtu.be/kYvGsaz0Hsg

Watch the Animated version:  https://youtu.be/GoyK_sEaSt4

Discussion about the story and these themes:

  • How would you feel if something as strange as what happened to Daisy happened to you? What did you think of how the other kids, the teacher, the principal, her parents and others reacted to the daisy?
  • What makes you special? Do we sometimes get picked on or bullied for being different or for ways we are special? Have you ever felt like Daisy when she says, “Nobody loves me?”
  • What unusual things are happening right now as we have to stay at home? How do you feel about that?

Focus on Flowers:
What is your favorite flower? Here is a video of different flowers to give you some ideas called “The 25 most beautiful flowers in the world”:  https://youtu.be/DU5joSi-bVU

Activity: Make paper daisies
Directions: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-Paper-Daisies/
There are many other DIY tutorials on line for making paper flowers
Headband – If you have the material such as poster board, staples and pipe cleaner or wire, make a Daisy headband and look like Mayzie.

Activity: Plant some flowers or seeds in a flower pot 

What is the tradition behind the Unitarian Universalist Flower Ceremony (or communion)?
The Flower Ceremony, sometimes referred to as Flower Communion or Flower Festival, is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community.
Originally created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek of Prague, Czechoslovakia, the Flower Ceremony was introduced to the United States by Rev. Maya Capek, Norbert’s widow.
In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. The congregation and minister bless the flowers, and they’re redistributed. Each person brings home a different flower than the one they brought.

Activity: Send a photo (even a selfie) of yourself alone or with your family to Rev. Robin at minister@beaconuu.com

 

Lastly, here are some May-themed activities!

  • May Calendar with fun holidays (such as National Limerick Day):  May Calendar
  • More May-themed family friendly activity ideas:  May Activities