DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS

HORTON HEARS A WHO

(NOTE: Please review the Introduction before using this Session Plan. Thank you.)

SETTING THE STAGE
STORY SYNPOSIS: Horton has a hard time convincing others that he has heard a voice on a speck of dust. He has a hard time protecting the Whos. The Whos have to cooperate in order to make themselves heard. (10 Minutes)

AFFIRMATION(S): Everyone is important.
We are fair and kind to each other
THEMES: Every voice needs to be heard.
Cooperation gets things done.
PREPARATION: Consider a time when you helped someone, even when others may have thought that you were not too wise in providing that help. Think about how to help others when they cooperate and when they do not.

NEEDED:
Horton Hears a Who, Random House, 1954
Cotton balls, markers
Yarn to make a web

SESSION PLAN
OPENING: Selected by the group. This can be used each session.

CHECK-IN: Welcome. Each person says his or her name. Allow time for each person to briefly tell something that went well since the group last met, or something that did not go well.

Leave an empty chair for someone who is missing from the group that day, or to recognize that others are welcome to be invited to join the group.

STORY: Horton Hears a Who
EXPLORING:
Bullying (Note to Facilitators: An important focus of this dialog is to have the group listen to each of the participants if and as they tell stories of being in uncomfortable situations, without giving advice or "you could have" or "you should have." However, the group can also raise some concrete suggestions about what can be done if the situation arises again. This dialog could also elicit a range of situations from teasing to severe abuse. If there is need to process any of the situations beyond the group setting, like a child appearing to be in danger, let the child know that you would like to talk with him/her further, and then follow your congregation’s procedure, if there is one in place. If there is no procedure, talk with the Director of Religious Education and minister and parents, as needed.

What did they like about the story? What upset them?
How do you think Horton felt when he first heard the voice?
When he couldn't hear it?
Have you ever felt like the a Who, thinking that no one listens to you?
Have you ever had someone attack you with words that hurt or physically?
Have you ever had someone give you a hard time? Has anyone ever taken away your things?
How did that make you feel? Happy? Sad? Angry? Upset?
What did you do?
Did you need help? Who was there to help you? Or how did you get help?
Do you have any ideas about what you would do if you find yourself in that situation again?

Have you ever helped anyone who is in trouble?
How did helping make you feel?

Option: Give each person a cotton ball. Using a maker, have each person make some mark on the cotton ball. Put the marked balls into a bowl with all of the cotton balls to create "Who-ville".

Cooperation
Horton was the one who was taking care of the Whos. But they had to take part in helping themselves. How did they help themselves? Did everyone have to help, or just a few?
Has anyone asked you to help with something, and you did not think that your help would make a difference?

Or create a web: Have the group in a circle. Holding onto the end of a piece of yarn, toss the ball to a person across the circle. Again, hold the yarn and toss the ball, continuing until everyone has received the yarn and is holding onto yarn. Hold the yarn tight, without pulling people out of the circle format. Every person needs to hold the yarn. Have one person drop the yarn and notice what happens to the web. As more people drop the yarn, the web collapses.

When does this apply? Such as cleaning up at church, etc.

Social Action makes a difference
Involve the participants in social action in which they actually have contact with the people whom they are helping. CLOSING:
Start a group whisper with "A person’s a person, no matter how small." Gradually increase the pitch until the group is yelling, then gradually lower the voices again to a whisper.
Each person takes a Who from the dish.
Invite each person to say how he or she is going to take care of his or her Who.

GROUP REVIEW AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
What did they like about the session? (theme, activities, someone special being there, etc.)

Announce the story for the next session and who will be the adult facilitator(s), or if there are special events in the time before the group meets again.

Rev. Helen Zidowecki, May 2003