Storytelling for Hope and Healing: Magis Deo Kids Lentent Activity

 Magis Deo Kids Lenten Activity: Storytelling

Saturday, March 20, 2021

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Objective: To prepare their hearts to receive the message of Lent -- Christ gives His life for my good.

Story: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Context: Magis Deo Kids age 5 - 12 years old; most of them are children of Magis Deo couples and families; school aged children living through pandemic times

Learning Experience

1. Priming Activity: 

• Opening Prayer

• Song: Peace. Love and Joy

• Motive Questions: How can love be given away? What does that mean? Think of something that is important to you. so Would you be willing to give it away?

2. Encounter with story: The Giving Tree

Our story for today is about a tree who gives to a boy. As you listen to the story, think of something that is important to you. Would you be willing to give it away for someone else’s happiness?

Storytelling of the Giving Tree

Encounter During Reading 

• Why did the boy love the tree? What actions and activities did the tree and the boy have together that made them happy/love each other?

• Look at the drawing on this page. Read the phrase: And the boy grew older. What do you think of this phrase and the drawings that go with it? I think something is changing...

• Look at the drawing on this page. Read the phrase: And the tree was often left alone. Imagine the tree being lonely. How does it feel to be lonely?

• Why was the tree happy when the grown up boy picked her apples to sell in the market?

• Look at this page where there is a drawing of a tree stump. Read the phrase: And the tree was happy, but not really. Let us wonder. Why is the tree unhappy? Make a guess or give predictions. Let us find out if your guesses and predictions fit into the next part of the story. Don’t feel bad if your guess or prediction did not match the story. The important thing is, you and I are thinking through the story together. :-)

• The boy, now an old man returned to the tree. In the end, what made the tree happy?

3. Responding to story

Let us have a few moments to breathe. 1-2-3-4-5. Stretch your arms. Stretch your legs. Drink a glass of water. Then come back for activities!

Breakout Rooms

BR 1 - Art activity

BR 2 - Art activity

BR 3 - Group Talk / Story Buzz Group

BR 4 - Group Talk / Story Buzz Group

BR 5 - Group Talk / Story Buzz Group

4. Closure

• Sharing of Art works and Worksheets (work in progress)

• Closing Prayer: Bible Passage