Hand Swirl Tree

Activities to Pair with Books and Music

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE  Please use these ideas in ways that work best for your children.  The Concepts listed and Bible Readings are for grown-up background material to support you.  Reading aloud the book together, or watching on YouTube, creates special experiences especially when the Wondering Questions are used.  Enjoy together!
Concepts: Kindness, Gratitude, Empowerment
Bible or Quaker wisdom: 1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  (English Standard Version)

THE BOOKS AND MUSIC

We offer two books with music. While both work with the same concept of sharing our gifts, the first book is more appropriate for younger children and the second book is best used with upper elementary and older.

Good People Everywhere, by Lynea Gillen (youngers)
Illustrator: Kristina Swarner
Publisher: Three Pebble Press, LLC
Copyright:  2012


Song: This Little Light of Mine #266 Worship in Song
https://hymnary.org/hymn/WinS1996/266
YouTube, Soweto Gospel Choir: (one of many YouTube versions)


Flowers for Sarajevo, John McCutcheon (olders)
Illustrator:  Kristy Caldwell
Publisher:  Peachtree Publishers
Copyright:  2017

Grade 4 PS249 – classroom teacher gives background information to book (0-3:02) and then reads it.  9 minutes -along with interjecting reflective questions

Music: listen to John McCutcheon sing‚ “In the Streets of Sarajevo”

Note:  Click on the CC button on the button navigation bar to see the lyrics.


WONDERING QUESTIONS:  Wondering Questions give children an opportunity to reflect on the story, make it their own, and use their creative thinking.  Wondering Questions do not have right and wrong answers; they encourage imagination and deep reflection.

I wonder what part of the story you like best?
I wonder where you would put yourself in the story?
I wonder what suggestions this story has for you and/or our family?
I wonder which “gifts” you may wish to share?

ACTIVITIES:  Multigenerational

Explore together with children what special “gifts” you each have that you can share with others.  Ideas may include helping with chores, making a greeting card and sending to someone who is lonesome, playing music by telephone or Zoom and telling jokes, even giving extra hugs to those you are near.  We all have ways to help and be kind to others.  Be creative and invent your own ideas!

Author: Sparklers Working Group

Illustrator

Publisher: FGC

Age Group: 13 to 15 years, 6 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years

Preparation Time

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TopicsAll-Age Activities, COVID-19 Pandemic, Grandparents, Home, Home Religious Education