DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
ON BEYOND ZEBRA (3-6 Years)

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

SETTING THE STAGE
STORY SYNOPSIS: Fanciful creatures and places with letters created beyond Z. (10 min.)

AFFIRMATION(S): We are always learning.

THEME(S): Imagination
There is more to the world than we sometimes think.
PREPARATION: Reflect on something that you have done beyond what you have done before.

NEEDED:
On Beyond Zebra, Random House 1955
Pictures of alphabet so other languages, such as Greek, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese.
World Map
The word "peace" (or another word) written in different languages.
Paper, markers, glitter to decorate original letters

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 On Beyond Zebra
EXPLORING
Creativity (Use one)
1. Make their own letters, such as starting with an initial and adding different parts to it, or creating their own letter. Urge creativity.

2. Pull letters (usual letters or ones created by the participants) from a box to create a new word, or a word from the letters created by the children. Try to pronounce the word. Give it meaning. This a name for the group.

World view: wonder of world communications (6-8 years)
Not every country uses our alphabet. Show different letters: Greek, Hebrew, Russian, Chinese or Japanese. If possible, show them their names written with different letters.
Map -- show different languages in different parts of the world, with the intent of showing that much of the world has different letters from ours. This is also a time to mention that a variety of languages may still use the same letters, but not all languages use letters with the same pronunciations.
Have you met someone who has a different language from you? How do you relate to someone who uses different letters and a different language?
With so many different languages, how can people communicate to take care of each other, to help each other, to avoid conflict?
The United Nations with the series of interpreters might be an example of this.

CLOSING:
Create a chant from the word created from the letters or use "peace". Repeat the word, changing tone and loudness, ending on soft slow repetitions followed by shouting the word.

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 they meet again.

© Rev. Helen Zidowecki, May 2003