Summer 2010 Children's LGL
Summer Sundays for Children at UUCC: Our Children's Garden
The Children of UUCC are planting and tending a garden this summer! This unit is part of our Ethical Eating initiative, as children learn to garden and explore the growth of plants, they gain greater appreciation for the goodness of the earth, the value of fresh, healthy foods, and of our own interconnectedness to all living things.
On Summer Sundays, children attend the Time for All Ages, approximately the first fifteen minutes of worship, and are then dismissed to meet as a multiage group for Growth and Learning activities, from 10:15 AM- 11:15 AM. Each Sunday session includes an opening chalice lighting and sharing, indoor and outdoor learning experiences, a game, a story &/or guided meditation, and a closing session.
Summer Program Dates and Description of Activities
May 30 and June 6: Planning and Planting We planted the Children's Garden of UUCC 2010.We'll be growing cucumbers, squash, dill, radishes, basil, rosemary, and some nasturtiums. We can't wait to see these all coming up! We did our first "Garden Meditation" and we read the story, "The Dandelion Seed."
June 13: Sunday's Rock: Children are invited to bring a rock for the labyrinth and help to build its walls! The creator of the labyrinth project, Sarah Coombs, will introduce our UUCC kids to labyrinths and their use, and allow the children to try the labyrinth and also to help build its walls. Join us for this special day!
June 20: Seed Magic Children will dissect a seed to learn about its parts and how it germinates and grows, and prepare a "seed salad" for a special snack!
June 27: What is Soil Made of? Children will learn how soil is formed, and explore its components.
July 4: No Children's Program due to holiday weekend
July 11: Different Soils Children will compare explore different types of soil and make a "soil salad."
July 18: Parts of a Plant Children will learn about the parts of the plant, and which parts we eat of all our favorite vegetables. We'll make a "Parts of the Plant Salad" in which each ingredient represents a different part of the plant. ( carrots for roots, celery for stems, etc.)
July 25: Water, Water Children will learn about the water cycle and explore the need for water to sustain all life forms.
Aug. 1: To Weed or Not To Weed Children will explore the concept of weeds- unwanted plants in the garden. Lesson include a fun group game on weeds.
Aug. 8: What's Great About Gardening 1 Children will learn about the food pyramid and the components of a healthy diet which gardening contributes. We'll compare foods from garden, grocery store, and farmers' market for their taste and value.
Aug. 15 What's Great About Gardening 2 Children will explore food systems and transportation issues
Aug. 22 Variety Children will learn how variety and diversity contribute to a healthy garden, a healthy ecosystem and even a healthy diet! Play the "Garden Survivor" game.
Aug. 29 Children's Chapel Welcome and Welcome Back! We'll reconnect with those we haven't seen over the summer with a fun children's chapel for all ages. And gather in some harvest from our summer garden!
Sept. 4 Labor Day Weekend No Children's Program due to holiday weekend
UUCC MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, WE NEED YOUR HELP MAINTAINING THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN this Summer!
Someone will need to give the children's garden some water between Sundays during the hot, dry weeks ahead. If you live near OBIC, or could come by once or twice during the week to help out, PLEASE SIGN-UP for ONE WEEK this summer. Our hope is that several families/ individuals will volunteer to do garden watch for one week each and share the responsibility. The garden is to the right of the downstairs entrance to OBIC as you face the building. Gardening tools are in the shed near the playground outside OBIC- in a small, rectangular gardenbed.
Please contact Carla Miller in you can contribute a week's worth of gardencare!