Moral Tales, week 1; also, let me remind you that the ice cream sundae was invented in Ithaca *grin*

[edenfalling]

Today was not much of a lesson, as such. First classes never are; they're for introductions, nametags, and sometimes basic procedural things like writing a classroom covenant and explaining the pattern that subsequent lessons will take. Except today was also Water Communion, which meant the kids were down in the sanctuary until 11:15 rather than until 10:45, so we only had half an hour. We did nametags, a basic opening -- chalice lighting, pass the squeeze, joys and sorrows -- and then some icebreaker/bonding games, which were basically designed to integrate the 3rd grade and 2nd grade kids, because they haven't previously shared a class.

We had ten kids (three from 3rd grade, seven from 2nd grade) and four teachers, and our classroom is very small and uncarpeted, so we decamped to the Arch Room for the morning. We also will have the use of the room across the hall (except for the weeks when the 1st grade is doing the OWL program) for spillover or maybe supplementary arts and crafts activities, which should come in handy since our class could easily hit fourteen kids.

Anyway, I think the intro went fairly well, and Helen Ann and I explained to David and Joanna most of the stuff we'd talked about yesterday. They also filled out the potential schedule, which means that tomorrow (when I am less tired) I get to take that information and write it up in a more useful format, then email it to them and Jennifer (the DRE), because while I am not fond of scheduling, I do a careful and thorough job of it -- and, frankly, I am a bit of a control freak and don't quite trust other people to do it properly. *wry*

After class we had the kids clean up a bit, and then led them over to the annex for ice cream, because today was not just Water Communion -- the first day of regular services is also Sundae Sunday, in honor of the invention of the ice cream sundae. For those of you who don't know the story, the ice cream sundae was invented in Ithaca in 1892, when a soda fountain owner whipped up a few scoops of vanilla ice cream with cherry sauce and a candied cherry for the Unitarian minister after a service one Sunday. We like to keep the tradition alive at First Unitarian. :-)

Then I went to work. End result? I left home shortly before 10am, and did not return until shortly before 10pm. Long day. I am out of practice at this!

Comments

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

We had our water communion today, too!

This fall, I am not teaching Sunday school, serving as Board president (or, in fact, on the Board at all), or chairing any committees for the first time in many years. I hardly know what to do with myself when I wake up in the morning.

I knew about the sundae being invented in Ithaca, but I'd somehow missed the Unitarian connection. That information — and, preferably, the whole Sundae Sunday tradition — needs to be shared more widely. I did have an excellent strawberry milkshake at our picnic this afternoon, though.

[edenfalling]

I think Sundae Sunday should be a nationwide UU tradition. Ice cream for everyone!!!

I hardly know what to do with myself when I wake up in the morning. Go to the service, perhaps? ;-)

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

Oh, Sundays are easy--I hardly had a free minute yesterday. It's the rest of the week, with the kids in school and the fate of the congregation not in my hands, when I'm kind of at a loss. Don't worry, though, I'm handling it. ;-)