Materials for Bahá'í Faith - Interfaith Power & Light€¦ · • Highlights from four lessons in...

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Materials for Bahá'í Faith Submitted by:

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the U.S.

Optional Supplement For Children’s Classes

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 288

To the Children’s Class Teachers: Every child is a noble being with latent gifts and capacities that are valuable to all humanity. For a new generation to create a better world, however, those children require spiritual education to develop the beliefs, habits and behaviors that are conducive to the advancement of civilization. The curriculum used in Baha’i children’s classes around the world places emphasis on learning to think, to reflect and to apply spiritual laws to the life of the individual and society. To build on the groundwork laid by the curriculum, this document is offered as a resource for children’s class teachers seeking to plant the seeds of environmental stewardship and justice in the fertile soil of their pupils’ young hearts. One suggestion for using this resource is to integrate themes that relate to climate change, featured in a 2009 issue of Brilliant Star magazine, with four selected lessons from the Ruhi Institute curriculum. When possible, teachers may wish to accompany the lessons with an outdoor activity for hands-on exploration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Objective: To integrate awareness about Earth’s changing climate into virtues lessons carried out by classes promoting Baha’i spiritual education of children, and to share ideas with children’s class teachers for earth-friendly activities and learning materials. Included below are: • Highlights from four lessons in Level 1 of the Ruhi curriculum for Baha’i spiritual education of children:

each lesson covers a spiritual principle that relates to how children can help protect the environment.

• Highlights from an award-winning environmental issue of Brilliant Star magazine, a Baha’i publication for children. (Selected electronic copies included in this document. More available upon request!)

Ruhi Book 3 lesson highlights: The following citations of lesson materials refer to the book—titled Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1—used to offer Baha’i spiritual education to all children in the community. Based on the belief that the education of children is essential to the transformation of society, the materials seek to start small children on the path towards developing the spiritual qualities needed to draw closer to God. The book is available to order from www.bahaibookstore.com.

“Unity,” Lesson 1, pp. 37-39 “Justice,” Lesson 3, pp. 42-44

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“Service,” Lesson 5, pp. 46-48 “Kindness,” Lesson 12 pp. 62-64

Brilliant Star magazine highlights: The following pages are extracts from the March/April 2009 issue of Brilliant Star titled “Caring for Our Planet” which won the 2010 APEX Award of Excellence for Green Writing. The issue was produced in observance of the “UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005-2014.”

“Caring for Our Planet” March/April 2009 p. 4 Happy Earth Day song (Pair with the lesson on Unity) p. 5 How Big is Your Footprint (Pair with the lesson on Justice) p. 7 Spring Fling Fun (Pair with the lesson on Service) p. 10 Message in a Bottle (Pair with the lesson on Kindness) p. 20-21 Forest Photo Expedition (Pair with the lesson on Service) p. 28 Living in a Green House (Pair with any of the four lessons!)

4 MARCH/APRIL 2009Brilliant Star

MUSIC CAFÉMUSIC CAFÉ

©1992 John Forster and Tom Chapin Limousine Music Co. and The Last Music Co. (ASCAP)For this song and more, visit www.tomchapin.com.

*Repeat melody of this line for the next two lines.

“Music, sung or played, is spiritual foodfor soul and heart.” —Bahá’í Writings

Happy, happy Earth Day. Happy, happy Earth Day.Every time I smell a flower, or feel the morning dew,*Every time I see a baby learning something new,

I’m amazed again how blessed we are, andit’s all thanks to you.

Happy Earth Day (x3) to you

3

HAPPY EARTH DAYBy John Forster and Tom Chapin

I invited everyone to an EarthDay Birthday Party at the MusicCafé. Did you know the earthis 4.5 billion years old?

And scientists are discoveringnew things about our planetevery day. That’s somethingworth singing about!

5MARCH/APRIL 2009 Brilliant Star

Stuart & Gabriella’s Footprint Quiz

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ScoringOften = 1 point • Sometimes = 2 points • Rarely = 3 points TOTAL POINTS: ___

Our amazing Earth is an oasis of life. All living things—especially people—use food, water, land, and energy. But many of those resources are limited.If we use them irresponsibly, life on our planet may be in danger.

An ecological footprint is one way to measure the resources we use. Ahealthy footprint means we’re using our fair share, and leaving enough forothers, now and in the future. But some footprints are too big—people usemore than their share. Other people don’t have enough food, water, andother things needed for healthy lives.

When we practice moderation, taking just what we need, our ecological foot-prints can be just the right size. Try the quiz below to measure your footprint.

Mark your answer for each statement below. Then add up your points.

19 or less: Small Footprint.You’re using resources carefully.Keep up the awesome work!

20–29 points: Medium Footprint.Good start. Look for evenmore ways to conserve.

30–39 points: Big Footprint.Work on your earth-friendlyhabits. Check the quiz for tips.

10

11

12

13

looks okto me.

No, My ecological foot-print. It shows how much ofthe earth’s resources I use.

Stuart, i think myfootprint mightbe too big.

7

8

9

How Big Is Your Footprint?

I get involved in outdoor projects,such as gardening or cleaning.

;Often ;Sometimes ;Rarely

My family uses energy-efficientlight bulbs and appliances.


I help recycle or reuse paper,plastic, and packaging.


I bike, walk, or take publictransportation when I can.


I turn off lights, TVs, computers,and other electronics whenthey’re not in use.


I use refillable containers whenI pack my school lunch.


I try to do things without usingelectricity, such as taking stairsinstead of elevators.


When I’m shopping, I choose itemswith little packaging.


At the store, I ask for no bag orbring a reusable bag.


I choose fresh food, like fruitsand vegetables.


I try to buy items made fromrecycled materials.


I try to buy used clothes, toys,and books, instead of new.


I close the doors and windows whenthe heater or air conditioner is on.


To learn more about ecological footprints, see www.zerofootprintkids.com.


Spring Fling Fun

Spring break in Portland is just around thecorner, and two schools are celebrating. Onehas a “green school” program, and makes

more earth-conscious choices than the other. Greenschools work on saving resources such as water andelectricity, and keeping school healthy and safe.They make sure students get fresh air and natural

light. Kids take field trips to explore nature andwildlife. They learn about the environment whilegrowing food in school gardens, packing lunchesin reusable containers, and exchanging books andgames. Putting all of these projects into action helpsthe school, the community, and the planet. Whichof the two schools below is “greener”?

List eight things at one school festival that show respect for the earth,and eight things at the other that need to change or can improve.

Sidetracked School

Smart School

SPRING FLINGCAR POOLPARKING

GARDENS

PARTY

TOYSWAP

FAVORS

NATURE

VIDEOGAMEMARATHON

ADVENTURE

HIKE2pm

2pm

FOOD FROM SCHOOL GARDEN

Boxed Lunches

CANS BOTTLES

TRASH TRASH

PAPER

SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

CARSON

CARBON M


Message in a Bottle

Activity based on studies from the U.S. Geological Survey. Learn moreabout the polar ice cap at www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/polaraction.pdf.SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

I C E

M E L 2 I N G

W A R M

F O O D

S W I M M E R S

S M A L L

N O R 2 H

S N O W F L A K E S

E A R 2 H

C H A N G E

Dear Friend,

I’m writing from a drifting piece of _ _ _ in the Arctic Ocean. I don’t know how long it

will last. You’ve probably heard that a lot of ice here is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , because the

earth’s climate is getting too _ _ _ _ . That’s very bad news for us

polar bears! We walk on ice to hunt. With less ice, we can’t find enough _ _ _ _ . We’re

good _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , but now the ice can be too far away. More bears get tired

and go hungry. Scientists say two-thirds of us could die in the next 50 years if something doesn’t

_ _ _ _ _ _ . But you can help! If _ _ _ _ _ _ reduce pollution and use less

energy, the _ _ _ _ _ may not get so warm. Everybody can make _ _ _ _ _

changes, and lots of small things can have a big effect—like _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

combining to make a giant snowball. When you have chances to recycle or turn off lights,

think about us up here in the _ _ _ _ _ .

Thank you for helping,NANUQ THE POLAR BEAR

EFGH

ABCD

IJKL

MNOP

QRST

UVW

XYZ

P E O P L E

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

2

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

While my service club was cleaning up the beach today, I found this message in abottle. It’s from a polar bear! The bottle must have floated a long way south,far from the Arctic Ocean. It sounds like the polar bears really need help. Thebear who sent this message is named Nanuq. He used a special snowflake code forsome of the words. Can you help me figure them out? Use the key below. thanks!


Adventure awaits you in the Budongo Forest of Uganda. Your trip supports the environmentand local culture — also called eco-travel. You’ll hike through lush greenery with a nativeguide, on carefully-designed trails. You’ll see fascinating animals without disturbing their

natural habitat. And your trip will help Uganda’s people, because you’ll stay in a local inn andbuy delicious native foods.

In this game, you set off on your imaginative journey. As an eco-traveler, you conserveresources, respect ecosystems, and learn about cultures. Find a friend or two and explore amazingAfrica, while keeping it healthy for future travelers.

AN EARTH-FRIENDLYGAME FOR 2–6 PLAYERS

2-3 = Leave water running.Lose a turn.4 = Buy gift made from endangered species.Lose a turn.5 = Feed cookies to animal.Lose a photo (if youhave one).6 = Ignore local culture.Go back to Start.7 = Drop litter.Lose a photo (if you have one).

8-9 = Bring too much luggage.Lose a turn.10 = Take photo without permission.Lose a photo

(if you have one).11 = Supplies have excess packaging.Go back to Start.12 = Keep lights on when leaving room.Lose a turn.

RULES: Decide who goes first.On your turn, roll both dice and move forward or backward.You may use the same path more than once.Check the keys for the action on each square.If you land on a Share Square, answer and then roll again.Your goal: take photos of fivedifferent animals, then be the first to return to Start by the exact roll of the dice.

Big Footprint Key — Roll Dice for Outcome

MATERIALS:Two 6-sided dice;token (like a coin or pebble),paper,andpencil for each player

Share SquareWhat creature do youwish you could see?

ShareSquare

START

How do you help the earth?

Elephant Shrew

Kingfisher

Onacamera square,record your photoby writing thecreature’s nameon your paper.

Hornbill

Forest Photo Expedition


2-3 = Buy locally-made souvenir.Roll again.4-5 = Recycle trash.Go to Chimpanzee.6 = Conservewaterwith quick shower.Go to any square.7 = Resist touching animal.Go to Olive Baboon.8 = Volunteer to help clean up.Go to Hornbill.

9 = Avoid animal breeding grounds.Go to any square.10 = Use refillable water bottle.Go to nearest camera.11 = Learn local phrases.Go to Bee-eater.12 = Use digital camera, instead of disposable one.

Go to nearest camera.

Backpack Key—Roll Dice for Outcome

ShareSquare

ShareSquare

Where do youwant to visit,and why?

What’s your favoritenatural wonder?

Share Square

Chimpanzee

Giant Forest Hog

Bee-eater

Flycatcher

Soldier Commodore

Olive Baboon

Black & White Colobus

What outdooractivities do youenjoy, and why?

28 MARCH/APRIL 2009Brilliant Star SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 26

LIVING IN A GREEN HOUSEY ou care for the earth when you’re cleaning up

a park or walking in an Earth Day parade. Youcan also help our planet from your own home.

From the shower to the refrigerator, you constantlyuse energy and resources at home. And everything in

your house—TV, toothpaste, tennis shoes—needsenergy to manufacture, package, and transport. Thatadds up to lots of choices—to waste resources or toconserve. Even small changes in your daily habits canhelp the earth. Over time, you can have a big impact.

Look around the Verde home to find the words missing from these energy-saving tips.Write them in the blanks. Then try the tips at your house.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

your trash.

Use reusable_ _ _ _ and

containers.

Take _ _ _ _ _ showers.

Turn off_ _ _ _ _

when brushing.

Walkor_ _ _ _when you can.

Use natural _ _ _ _ _.

Use rechargeable_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

_ _ _ _ _ _on what you need

before openingthe refrigerator.

Choose items withthe _ _ _ _ _

packaging.

Turn _ _ _electronics

when not in use.

Use energy-saving

_ _ _ _ _.

_ _ _ _windows

for fresh air.

decide

least

off

energy

Open

bulbs

bags

save

recy

cle

earth

conserve

batteries

short

light

bike

water

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