Pinterest Pick Thursday (erm...Friday)

I'm a day late and a buck short it seems.  I am sorry.  I spent all of yesterday cleaning my office.  It has become a tradition of sorts, cleaning my office in December.  I've read that people with messy work spaces are usually very creative.  I hope that is true, or else I really have no excuse for how bad I let my office get over the past year.

Hey, did you know that cleaning is actually a spiritual practice?

Pinterest Pick of the Week

Holiday Cleaning

Faith Formation Component

Content

Time for Activity

A Day

Recommended Age

2 and up

Materials

Cleaning Supplies, Organizational Instruments, A Computer with Internet Access

Activity

There are many holidays that call for cleaning - Yule, Chinese New Year, Clean Monday, and Monday, just to name a few.  Learn about these holidays with your family by viewing the playlist below...

Now, prepare your house for whatever holiday you are celebrating next (Chalica, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years) by cleaning.  Even children as young as 2 can contribute.  Heck, my daughter (3 yr old with Cerebral Palsy) can even help me with the dishes, and often does (she loves to help).  A Mom's Take provides this free printable of age appropriate chores.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids.  Can be
downloaded by following the link above.

Original Sources
YouTube playlist features clips from ajambor99, WatchMojo.com, Athens Living and CNN.  You can learn more about the holidays featured in these films, and what cleaning has to do with each holiday,  by visiting the websites below.  All other sources cited above.

• Yule - Orknejar
• Chinese New Year - Wikepedia
• Clean Monday - Wikepedia
• Passover - Hebrew 4 Christians

Happy Holidays!

- Ms. Meredith

P.S. There will be no Pinterest Pick Thursday on Christmas.

Pinterest Pick thursday

Welcome back to Pinteret Pick Thursdays.

Let me ask you, have you ever had one of those, 'Aha' moments?  Has there ever been a topic, subject, or game that multiple people have tried to explain to you, but you have never really been able to grasp?  Then, someone else comes along and explains it in such a way that it all suddenly makes sense to you?

Stock photo: A boy looks surprised.  The thought
bubble above his head exclaims 'Oh, I get it now!'

I LOVE those moments.  In my student teaching days, I lived for those moments with my students.  But, let me tell you, I love having one of these moments as much as I love giving one of these moments.  And, today, I had one that I just must share with all of you...

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Parable of the Polygons

Faith Formation Component
Context

Time for Activity
0.5 Hours

Recommended Age
4th Grade and Up

Materials
A computer with internet access

Activity
This activity is pretty easy.  But, you'll need some mental bandwith to process what is going on.  It is a thought experiment on bias - what it is, how it affects our world, and what can be done to combat it.  So, I suggest you don't do this when you or your family is too tired or worn out.  Here is what you should do...

• Gather your family around a computer.
• Visit 'Parable of the Polygons.' Read and play through the post (make sure you allow your children to play as well).
• As you do, stop after every simulation and deconstruct together.  Ask yourselves:
• What is happening here?
• What does this simulation teach us about the world in which we live?
• Once you have finished with the post, wonder about these questions:
• The post makes it clear that history influences the present.  How has our nation's history shaped our present when it comes to race relations / immigration / disability / class / gay pride?
• What bias's do you possess?
• At the end of the post, the two shapes had to work side by side to get to the 'box of friendship.'  What can we do in the real world to get ourselves into the 'box of friendship'? (Make a list, make a plan, and execute).
• Is all bias bad? (ex. Bias against strangers).

If you are an adult doing this activity alone.  Or, if you are doing this activity with your youth, you may also wish to explore what role you play in combating bias as an ally.  Visit Anne Bishop's website, Becoming An Ally, to learn more.

Original Sources
All original sources cited above.

Now, if only someone could teach me how to play Euchre this easily.

Wishing you well,

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 7 (A Day Late)

Yesterday was the last day of Chalica.  The First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati celebrated with an intergenerational Chalica service.  We sang songs, shared stories, read poetry, decorated the mitten tree, and lit 8 candles in all - one for each principle, plus our Chalice.  It was a lovely celebration.

First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati: Chalica Altar

As for yesterday's principle, we were to honor our 7th principle, 'Care for the Interdependent Web.'

In honor of that principle I added a McDonald's Happy Meal toy to my altar.  Are you confused?  Let me explain.  You see, every December, my husband and I visit our local thrift stores and gather all the happy meal toys we can find.  Then, we bring them back home, where we transform them into Christmas Tree Ornaments.  We reuse (or, up-cycle) these cheap plastic toys so that they don't end up in landfills.  This is just one of the many ways my family cares for our Earth.  What about you?

Chalica Altar: Day 7

Princess Peach Happy Meal Toy

I'd love to hear how you celebrated Chalica this year.  Feel free to leave a comment with a 'stand out' story or random thought.  I'd love to hear what you have to say.

For now, I will leave you with the final Chalica Shorts playlist.  Enjoy!


Regards,

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 6

Happy Chalica!

Today is the second to last day of Chalica and we are to honor our 6th principle 'build a fair and peaceful world.'  What are you doing to fulfill that call?

On my Chalica Altar today, I have placed one of my daughter's old outfits.  Just recently, she outgrew all of her 3T clothing.  And, so, next week, all of her old clothes will go to a family in need.

Chalica Altar: Day 6

Now, for your Chalica Shorts...

Happy 6th day of Chalica!

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 5

Happy Chalica and TGIF!

Today,  we reflect on our 5th principle,  'everyone has a voice.'  In honor of this principle I added an orange to our Chalica altar.  Food is a big point of contention for my family.  My husband has very definite views on what is and is not dinner food (FYI, oranges are not dinner food).  And, my niece practically keels over at the sight of anything healthy.  As for my daughter, well, she doesn't really eat by mouth.  So, most meals in my house are compromises.  Sometimes, we will even vote on what we don't want (as opposed to what we do want) just so we can come to a consensus.

Chalica Altar: Day 5

What does your family compromise on regularly?

Here are your Chalica Shorts for the day...

Wishing you courage so that you can make your voice heard!

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 4

Happy Chalica!

Pinterest Pick Thursdays will return next week.  For now, I just wanted to make a quick post about the fourth day of Chalica.

On this day, we honor our fourth principle, 'the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.'  Or, as we tell our children, 'we search for what is true.'  In honor of this principle, I have placed our COSI bottle on our Chalica Altar.

Chalica Altar: Day 4

For those of you who aren't from Ohio and don't know what COSI is, it stands for the 'Center of Science and Industry' and it is a wonderfuly science museum for children of all ages.  If you are ever in Columbus, you must go.

Now, here are your Chalica Shorts for the day...


Happy fourth day of Chalica!

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 3

Happy third day of Chalica!

Today,  on our Chalica altar,  I have placed just a few of my family's favorite books.   I chose books for today's altar because today we honor third principle,  which states 'we are free to learn together.'  So, learning,  books,  you get it, right?

Chalica Altar: Day 3, with books 'Ready Player One,'
'Weird Parents,' 'Why?' and 'Is that my cow?'

As for my gift today,  I gave those around me the gift of my time.  My husband and I enjoyed watching one of our favorite shows,  my niece and I talked about life,  and my daughter and I visited a local Lego display (pictures below).   While none of these activities were wholly educational,  at least we were together.

Back to the Future Delorean in the Wild West Lego Display.

My daughter, sending her letter off to
Santa in a Lego mailbox.

Now, here are today's Chalica Shorts...

Happy Chalica!

- Ms. Meredith

P.S. If you haven't read 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline you really should.  You are missing out!

Chalica: Day 2

Happy Second Day of Chalica!

Last night,  in honor of our first principle,  I picked out small gifts for each member of my family from the dollar bin - small trinkets I thought they would find amusing or useful.  You can see my daughter's toy bus on the corner of the altar, below.  You can also see the pictures from yesterday on the opposite corner.  I compiled the pictures and placed them in a small, red, paper basket to make room for other items, like the cards you see below.

Chalica Altar: Day 2

Now, you may be wondering about those cards.  Well, those are today's gifts of course!  You see, on this second day of Chalica we honor our second principle, "justice,  equity and compassion in human relations."  Or, as we tell our children "be kind in all you do."  And so, I have written a few cards - one for each member of my immediate family.  Each card contains a special message, geared toward the recipient, letting them know just how much they are loved and valued.  I know from experience what a kindness cards can be.  So, I hope these cards will bring at least a little sunshine into the lives of my family members.

Now, what about you?  What are you doing for this second day of Chalica?

You can view today's 'Chalica Shorts' below.

Happy Chalica!

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 1

Happy first day of Chalica!

Lily and I put together the beginnings of our Chalica Altar last night.

Chalica Altar

You can see from the picture above that there isn't much to it.  A simple candle for our chalice, a copy of 'My Chalica Book: A Beginner's Guide (Third Edition)' and the 'Happy Chalica' poster hanging above.

I am particularly proud of the Chalica poster because it was something Lily and I created together.  She cut out and glued the construction paper pieces to the larger paper.  Then, I wrote a principle on each piece of construction paper.  And, as we created this poster together, I talked about the principles, what each of them meant, and explained Chalica to her (well, as much as you can explain anything to a 3 year old).

I'll admit the altar looked a little bare, but as I said earlier, this was just the beginning.  As part of my celebration of Chalica this year, I plan to add something to the altar each day - something that represents the principle of the day.  Today, as you can see, I added old pictures of my family (Mom, Dad, brother, and my self).  Family is the most important thing to me.  And, on a day when we are to celebrate that 'all people are important,' these pictures provide a good reminder that I should treat everyone I encounter like family.

Chalica Altar, Day 1

Now, I am happy to introduce 'Chalica Shorts!'  Every day this week you can visit here or YouTube, and be treated with a 'principle of the day' playlist.  Each playlist will run between 10 and 15 minutes, and will include a special message from our minister, as well various YouTube videos.  Think of it like a mix-tape, but for each day of Chalica!

So, here it is, 'Chalica Shorts: Day 1.'




Hoping you know just how important YOU are...

- Ms. Meredith