DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
THE 500 HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS (5-8 Years)

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

SETTING THE STAGE
STORY SYNPOSIS: Bartholomew tried to take off his hat before the King, but another hat appeared. This made the King angrier and angrier. Would Bartholomew ever be able to take off a hat without another one appearing? (12 minutes)

AFFIRMATIONS: We are fair and kind to each other.

THEME: Responsibility for own actions

PREPARATION: Consider a time when you felt that the punishment that was ordered did not seem to fit the action that needed correction.

NEEDED: The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Vanguard Press, 1938 (1989 edition also available)
Picture of scenery or activity
Pennies -- start collecting several prior to the session

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 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
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

EXPLORING:
The way we look at things
The King and Bartholomew each had great views from their windows, but their views were different and made them feel differently. Do you have to see things the same as other people? Does everyone see things the same as you do? Why?

Possible activity: Have a picture with several components: children playing, or scenery with various people and animals. Ask each participants to tell what they see. Does everyone see the picture the same?

Do people all over the world have the same customs as here? Does everyone take off their hat at the same things, like when they are indoors? Does everyone eat with knives, forks and spoons as we do? How do we react to the differences, like teasing or punishing a person , or understood?

The way things make us feel
Have you ever tried and tried to do something the way you are supposed to and it still does not come out right (like Bartholomew trying to take off the hats)? Have you ever felt that you were punished unfairly? When you are punished for something, is it because of you as a person or because of something that you did? Has anyone said to you, "I love you, but not what you did"?

Have you ever been chased because someone wanted something that you had?
(This is actually the premise behind a some games. Possibly play a game in which someone is chased, followed by a game that is cooperative so that everyone is included and everyone 'wins'.

Counting for a cause: Pennies or hats
If there is a specific social action cause, or just to collect funds for Religious Education, ask people in the congregation to donate pennies. Have the pennies in a large bowl. As the story is read (or reread), count a penny for each hat. Do you have enough pennies to cover all of the hats?

CLOSING
If you have used the pennies activity, bring the pennies to the closing. Give thanks for the contributions and explain what the money is being used for.

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