DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
BARTHOLOMEW AND THE OOBLECK

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

SETTING THE STAGE:
STORY SYNPOSIS: The King asked for something new to come from the sky and received oobleck, which created quite a mess. The King's apology was needed for the oobleck to disappear.

AFFIRMATIONS:
We are always learning.
We help take care of our world.
THEME: The environment
Thanksgiving
PREPARATION: Observe the sky and think about how do you react to the sky at different times and in different weather conditions.

NEEDED: Bartholomew and the Oobleck, Random House, 1949 Pictures of rain, snow, sunshine, fog, different kinds of clouds, etc. Focus is on the sky

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

CHECK-IN: Welcome. Each person says his or her name briefly tells something that was important to them since the last time the group met, such as went well during the last week, or something that did not go well.

Leave an empty chair or space 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
Bartholomew and the Oobleck

EXPLORING:
Environmental focus:
Talk about the sky and the different things that we get from it, using the pictures. Are there any things that they remember about the sky or rain, snow, sun? Possibly go outside to look at the sky right then, and talk about what they see.
What would happen if it did not snow, or rain? What would happen to plants, rivers, lakes? What would we do about water to drink, take a bath, go swimming?

What would happen if we did not have sunshine? How would things grow?

What happens when there is too much snow or rain?
Do people create any of the problems that result when there is too much snow or rain? (where we place buildings, such as in flood plains; driving in bad weather)
How do we protect ourselves from weather? (lotions, hats, being sensible about the amount of time in the sun, drinking water)

How much do we want?
The king wanted something new from the sky. Was he happy when he got it?
What do you do when you something that you do not have? How can we appreciate what we have? How can we help to get things that we might want?

Taking responsibility for ourselves
How does it feel when something we have done creates a problem for us or for someone else?
Have you ever said that you were sorry for something that you did? Have you ever heard anyone say "I'm sorry"?
When someone blames a person when it is not really that person's fault (such as in relationships, bullying), how does that person respond? Focus on taking responsibility for selves only, and not having to response to blame for something that is someone else's responsibility. (Difficult concept for younger children, but need to talk about is as a way of building self-esteem.)

CLOSING
Actions: Sun--arms in circle over head
Rain--move hands down with fingers moving
Snow--move hands down in gliding motion, fingers together
Fog--fingers make circles around eyes to show difficulty in seeing

We get many things from the sky. Let's give thanks for them, and make the motion as each is mentioned.
"We are thankful for the sun ...(call out things..)
"We are thankful for the rain...
"We are thankful for the snow...
"We are thankful for the fog.....

Group review
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, or if there are special events in the time before they meet again.

Rev. Helen Zidowecki, May 2003