Roots Class (pre-k to 1st) w/Laura:

This Sunday in Roots we read ‘Change Sings” by Amanda Gorman. This book is a poem with illustrations that show children learning how to make a difference in their community and the world. We also watched a video of children singing “We are the World” We talked about children being able to spread the message of how to make a difference and love through song. And that children can make a difference too. After that, we wrote our ideas about we hope Wildflower adopting the 8th principle will do and what we can do to make it happen. 

Seedlings Class (2nd to 5th) w/Piaf:

This week we began with an active game where we raced around the room touching different colors to represent each of our 8 Principles and then discussed what the 8th Principle meant. In kid language it states that we are FOR diversity and AGAINST racism and other oppressions, so we brainstormed some examples of each. Finally, the kids wrote what it meant to them to be part of a church that has passed the 8th Principle on index cards that later were hung up in the Community Room.

Wildflower Youth Group (Middle & High School) w/Solveij:

Today in Youth Group the youth checked in about how they’re feeling as mthe school year comes to an end. They shared that they want to see Wildflower take action to address racism and oppression of all kinds. Finally, they worked on wall hangings representing the 8 Principles and a poster to promote Youth Group to their friends. 🙂

Roots Class (pre-k to 1st) w/Laura:

This Sunday in the Roots class we observed Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by reading the book. “Eyes that Kiss in the Corners” by Joanna Ho. In this book a young girl notices her eyes are different from her classmates.  She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother’s, and her little sister’s. “They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future.”  We talked about how everyone is different by playing a game of Simon Says with aspects of the way we look, our families and our interests.  

Seedlings Class (2nd-5th) w/Piaf:

We reviewed how the two U’s from our UU faith came together in the 1960 and had to “hunt” for principles they agreed on, leading to our first 6 principles, with 2 more being added later. Then we went on a “hunt” for parts of our principles that I had hidden around the room, assembled them into posters, and added illustrations to show what each one could look like.
Wildflower Youth Group (Middle & High School) w/Solveij:

Today we talked about what tests and brings us hope, learned a song to remember our UU principles and started making wall hangings to represent the 8 Principles.

Roots Class (pre-k to first) w/Laura:

Today in the Roots class we read a story about a “no gifts” birthday party. We discussed how it would be hard to not receive gifts at your birthday party, but that the gifts are not what make a party fun. Also that it would be nice to give the gifts to children who had less. As an activity, we sorted some of Laura’s compost, recycling, and trash and learned the differences between them.

Seedlings Class (2nd to 5th) w/Piaf:

This week we discussed how the Unitarians and Universalists came to together to form our UU tradition and how they had to figure out a set of agreements, or covenant, for how they would be together. We learned how our UU principles have gone from 6 to 7 to our current 8. Finally, we created a class covenant, and used toy animals to act out being out of covenant and being called back into covenant.

Wildflower Youth Group (Middle & High school) w/Solveij:

Today we talked about how the youth define work and the victories of the labor movement. 

Roots Class (pre-k to first grade):
Today in the Roots class, we discussed the meaning of Earth Day and how we can help the earth. Everyone was in agreement that electric cars were a really good way to help the environment. Another idea to help the earth was to plant trees because they provide oxygen.  We also learned about “upcycling” trash by creating suncatchers from plastic water bottles.

Seedlings Class (second – 5th grade):
This week, we hung up the “stained glass” chalice we had made a few weeks ago and talked about how young people’s imagination can be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. We used a large assortment of animal figurines to illustrate how Greta Thunberg’s school strike grew from a single person who could imagine a different future into a worldwide movement. Then we each chose an animal that represented us and explained why. 

Wildflower Youth Group (Middle & High School):
Today in Wildflower Youth Group we learned about the radical roots of Earth Day as massive protests across the country, where an estimated 1 in 10 people in the US participated. Youth shared reflections about climate change, profit-seeking being a central cause, and what would be possible if we continued the radical origins of Earth Day through organizing to support indigenous protectors of the land and water.

**We don’t meet next week (Apr 10) but we’ll be back on Apr 17 (Easter) with a special CYRE that includes treats and an egg hunt!

Roots (pre-k to 1st) & Seedlings (2nd-5th) Class:
This week we discussed the book Perfect Square, a story of a square that is torn and crumpled and ripped, but always used the pieces to make lovely pictures like fountains and rivers. We talked about ways to handle negative experiences and emotions, how we might help ourselves and others feel better. Most everyone agreed that petting an animal was one of the best ways to feel better. Then we made our own pictures from torn paper. We also sang “Peace like a River” and talked about hymns being the songs you sing at church.

Wildflower Youth (Middle & High School):
Our youth did some pair sharing about people who inspire us and the qualities we see in them. The youth also had fun creating a mock-up of a poster to promote our youth group!