DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
I HAD TROUBLE GETTING TO SOLLA SOLLEW (6-9 Years)

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

SETTING THE STAGE

STORY SYNPOSIS: The narrator has adventures traveling to Solla Sollew to escape trouble, only to find that the no one can get in. It returns home to face troubles. (10 min.)

AFFIRMATION(S): Everyone is special and important
We have a say about things that are important to us. THEME(S): Facing troubles, choices

PREPARATION: Consider how you handle troubles that come your way.

NEEDED:
I Had Trouble Getting to Solla Sollew, Random House, 1965

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

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 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
I Had Trouble Getting to Salla Sollew

EXPLORING
Reflections
NOTE: This session can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. These questions can be used as written here. Or if there is space, or if the group can go for a walk, move to a different location (room, part of a yard) to discuss each of the sections. This gives an opportunity to move around and also helps to change the focus of the problem. If there are a number of leaders available, different people can be involved with different sections.

There are various ways of looking at different parts of this story. The overall themes relate to facing trouble rather than running away from it, or that things might be worse if you try to run away, or that there are always choices in how to react to problems. However, there are various other sub-themes presented by different parts of the adventure, and these questions relate to some of those themes.

Have you ever had a day when everything seemed to go wrong? Can you give an example of a trouble or problem, small or large?
What did you do about the trouble? Did you face it or try to get away from it?
As each participant tells of troubles, what troubles have you had that others have also had? Did you deal with the trouble any differently that the other person? Did you have problems that no one else in the group mentioned?
What part of the story felt like something that happened to you?
Focus on the uniqueness of problems, and that each person reacts to even a common problem in his/her own way.

One-Wheeler Wubble
When the narrator was feeling all of the trouble, it was vulnerable, or able to be persuaded to do things that might not be good choices.
Have you followed or gone with someone who promises you something that sounds very good?
How do you make the decision to go? What do you think about?
How does it feel when someone takes advantage of you? How does that make you feel about yourself? What can you do to get out of that type of situation?

Dr. Sam Snell
Who can make you feel better when things go wrong?
How can you help make someone else feel better?

Midwinter Jicker
Have you ever been really alone? Were you scared? What did you think about to help not feeling so scared?

The General and the war
Have you had someone help you, even when you didn't ask for help, and then expect you to do something for them? Is that fair?
Have you ever helped someone, even if they did not ask, then expected them to help you in return? Is that fair?

The Doorman
What happens when you get where you think you want to be? Is it as good as you expected?
What choices do you have, when someone invites you to go with them, and makes big promises, like "no more troubles"? Will there ever be a time when everything is "perfect"?

So, when troubles come, and things do not go the way you want them to, what do you do? Are there any special things that you do that gives you energy or ideas about how to deal with the problems (including spiritual practices of meditation, relaxation, walking or something active)?

CLOSING:
Boasting session: Ask each participant to say something that they do or have done well in the last week After each person speaks, the group responds with "Hurrah!" or "Good Going" or some other affirmative cheer. When the group has finished, give a group cheer.

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, or if there are special events in the time before the group meets again.

© Rev. Helen Zidowecki, May 2003