RE Resources for July 19th ~ Wonder World:  Nature, Science and the Interdependent Web

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Our Summer Religious Exploration Program for Children and Families

Science and Nature are two strands in the interdependent web that holds our Universe together and helps us explain how and why things exist and happen. Both are part of our “wonder world.” Summer is a time to get outside and to explore our environment. And we can still do that, even with the restrictions imposed by COVID-19.  Each week, we’ll offer an activity that gets you outside and gets your hands dirty, and one that explores science from a UUKids perspective. 

Wonder World Week 3
Nature and Science in the Forest

An engaging lesson plan complete with a kid-friendly meditation, story, art project ideas,  and science videos for families to share together. 

Part I: Nature: Imagery Among the Trees

 

1: Start with this guided meditation for all ages: (pdf)

Moving as quietly as you can, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. (pause) Take a deep breath. (pause) Notice how your body feels. Notice how your mind feels. Take a couple of long, slow breaths, in and out, in and out, and begin to let go and relax your body and mind. (pause) Take another full breath, and as you breathe out, relax your legs and your arms. Breathe in, and as you breath out, relax your abdomen and your chest. Breathe in again, and as you breathe out, relax your face and your head.

Now take a moment to imagine a sunny meadow. It is summertime, and the meadow is carpeted with grasses and wildflowers. In the middle of the meadow, you see a large, beautiful old tree. It can be any type of tree that you want. Take a good look at the tree. This tree is your special tree, and you can imagine it any way you want. Notice its overall shape and color. Notice its leaves and branches. Notice any flowers or berries it may have. Notice any nuts or pods just beginning to form.

Gaze at your tree with its many branches and begin to walk toward it. Feel the sun shining its gentle warmth on you as you walk toward the tree. Breathe in the fresh, clean air around you. As you get closer, notice that the air is even fresher and more pure.

When you reach the tree, walk slowly around it. Look up into its brown branches and notice all the green leaves waving in a gentle breeze. Put your hand out and feel the texture of the bark around the large, old trunk. When you have walked almost all the way around the tree, imagine a rope and slat ladder hanging from one of the lower branches of your tree. (pause)

Climb up the ladder and into the tree. Imagine that today, climbing into your tree is as easy as lowering yourself into a comfy chair. You have all the strength and agility you need to fully explore your tree. Wherever you want to go in your tree, a ladder appears so that you can easily explore that part of your tree.

As you climb, you may encounter creatures that live in or visit the tree. If you see a bird, a spider, or another creature, greet it with a nod and thank it for sharing its tree with you.

If you wish, climb to the very top of the tree. Take half a minute to continue to explore your tree. This is all the time you need.

(After 30 seconds) Now that you have explored your tree, find a comfortable place to rest. Maybe there is a spot near the main trunk where a branch comes out at the perfect angle to form a seat. Sit down here or any other comfy spot. Relax . . . and think about the wonderful time you have had exploring your tree. In a moment I will ask you to slowly sit up and open your eyes.

(Pause for about 10 seconds) Now, slowly sit up and gently open your eyes, share your meditation journey.

 

2: Read this story:

The Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones (pdf)

This is the ancient forest.

This is the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

These are the roots that draw food from the soil

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

These are the tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

These are the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

This is the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

These are the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

This is a hollow in the tree,

Home of the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

This is the woodpecker,

Searching for ants,

That started the hollow in the tree,

Home of the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

This is the saucy, chattering squirrel,

That scolds the woodpecker,

Searching for ants,

That started the hollow in the tree,

Home of the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

This is the hungry, stealthy marten

That stalks the saucy, chattering squirrel,

That scolds the woodpecker,

Searching for ants,

That started the hollow in the tree,

Home of the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

These are the fir cones that fall from a branch,

And startle the hungry, stealthy marten

That stalks the saucy, chattering squirrel,

That scolds the woodpecker,

Searching for ants,

That started the hollow in the tree,

Home of the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

That grows in the ancient forest.

This is the three-hundred-year-old tree,

That grows from the fir cones that fall from a branch,

And startle the hungry, stealthy marten

That stalks the saucy, chattering squirrel,

That scolds the woodpecker,

Searching for ants,

That started the hollow in the tree,

Home of the sleepy owlets,

That are fed by the owl that flies at night,

That hunts the voles and mice that tunnel,

And eat tiny, underground truffles

That grow on the roots that draw food from the soil,

To nourish the three-hundred-year-old tree

 

3: Artistic expression

Use whatever art supplies you have on hand to create your own version of the Ancient tree in the forest. Some examples:

https://www.pinterest.com/familythemeday/tree-crafts-and-arbor-day-projects-for-kids/

https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/10-BEAUTIFUL-FALL-TREE-ART-PROJECTS-FOR-KIDS/

 

4: Go out among the trees…there are so many places to hike in Flagstaff. An easy family hike departs from behind the tennis courts at Thorpe Park.  

 

Part II: Science

Some videos about the “science of trees”  (skip over ads).

What was most interesting and surprising in these videos?