GRADE 1 LESSON 2
WELCOME
The lesson this week is about justice
How do we know that we are acting with Justice? How can we tell if someone is using Justice when dealing with us? As we learn the quote this week, listen to the songs and story let us see if we can answer some of these questions. We will continue to memorize the prayer “O God Guide Me..” The quote this week is “Tread Ye the path of Justice”
PRAYER
He is God! O God, my God! Bestow upon me a pure heart, like unto a pearl
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
EXPERIMENT
Water goes from Pure – Then impure – Then pure again (symbolizes purifying our heart. )
SONGS
QUOTE
Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path.
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
MEANING OF WORDS
Tread
- Many leaves have fallen from the trees in the forest, covering the path. Fumiko walks through the forest. She treads the leaf-covered path.
- Pedro likes to help all his friends play happily together. Pedro and his friends are very unified. Pedro treads the path of unity.
Path
1. Luis has a donkey. He took it to graze in a meadow and left it alone. The donkey found the path home by itself.
2. There are two ways to go to school. Millie always likes to take the path that goes by her grandmother’s house.
Justice
Carlos was given crayons to hand out during class. There were ten crayons and five children. Carlos gave two crayons to each child. Carlos acted with justice in handing out the crayons.
Anna has lots of water in the well in her yard, but sometimes her neighbor’s well runs dry. Anna never allows this neighbor to suffer and always makes her feel welcome to take water. Anna loves justice.
MEMORIZATION AID
To memorize the quote, try taking out keywords in the sentence. Have the children have to work out together to find which word would best fit that gap
Picture
Word document with photos to help memorize the quote
STORY
The following story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá illustrates how just He was. In recounting the story, you can emphasize the actions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that show His concern for justice and help the children see how they could follow His example. As always, if you keep the different parts of the story clearly in mind and tell it with joy and sincerity, the children will understand it better.
One day, ‘Abdu’l-Baha wanted to go from ‘Akka to Haifa. He went to take an inexpensive seat in a regular coach. The driver was surprised and must have asked himself why ‘Abdu’l-Baha was so frugal as to ride in this cheap coach. “Surely, Your Excellency would prefer to travel in a private carriage,” he exclaimed. “No,” replied the Master and He traveled in the crowded coach all the way to Haifa. As He stepped down from the coach in Haifa, a distressed fisherwoman came to Him and asked for His help. All day she had caught nothing and now had to return home to her hungry family. ‘Abdu’l-Baha gave her a good sum of money, turned to the driver, and said, “Why should I ride in luxury while so many are starving?
GAMES
- OBSTACLE COURSE
- Just or Not Just
- The “Sharing” game
The goal is to show that the straight path is the better path to take. Create an obstacle course but as a path going in circles all over the place. The aim is for the children to get from point A to point B. Make it as convoluted as your space allows.
Make a second path with no obstacles, make it straight from point A to point B
Let the children see who can get to the end of their path first.
Below is an example of an obstacle course.
- Make little signs that say “just” and “not just” on either side. You can tell the children a story, or just give them scenarios – and they have to hold up their sign and tell if it’s “just!” or “not just”. The children can give their own examples. E.g.: – (J) Sharing crayons with others
– (J) Following the rules when playing a game.
– Taking away someone’s toy without asking to use it.
– (J) Making sure everyone gets a slice of cake.
– Cutting in front of others in line without permission.
– (J) Taking equal turns on the swing.
– (J) Finding a game everyone can enjoy.
– Taking someone’s candy if they were mean to you.
One good way to do this activity is to have a sheet that all of the children stand on. Fold the sheet in half for the second attempt. And keep folding the sheet in half, and see how small you can get it with everyone still being able to fit on it.
CRAFTS
MAKE A PUZZLE WITH WORDS FROM THE QUOTE
Material Needed
Template Pdf OR pre-cut blank jigsaw puzzle (from the dollar store). Pencil colors. Imagination
Instructions
- Each child gets a pre-cut jigsaw puzzle to draw their interpretation of the path of justice or
- The picture to colour and cut out
Make a Path of Justice
Materials: A long piece of paper
Pencil
Instructions:
- Draw a straight pathway on the paper
- Children then trace their feet on the pathway and make footprints along the ‘Class Justice Path’.
- Once they have done this they can decorate the outside of the pathway with many flowers & leaves from the garden that grows abundantly when there is justice.
Note: the children can also draw in their notebooks the straight path and decorate around it. You can also print the quote and add it to the drawing.
Another activity for the Path Of Justice.
The Materials Needed: Markers, The quote “Tread Ye The Path Of Justice….” The footsteps
The path (paper or cardstock or notebooks)
Instructions
Have the quote printed so that the children can copy it onto their sheets of paper. Option to have the quote ready for kids to stick on the paper.
Have footsteps cut out or have the children cut out the footsteps themselves and glue them to the paper.
Option to have the definition of the words written on the side.
RESOURCE
What is Kindness?
Kindness involves caring about the well-being of others. It means showing concern for anyone or anything you encounter, and recognizing that everything is part of God’s creation. You can extend kindness to people, animals, and the environment. Kindness means caring for others and the earth as much as, or even more than, you care for yourself.
Kindness is expressed through small gestures that brighten people’s lives, moments when you care for an animal, and daily acts of concern for the earth. It is shown by offering love and support to someone who is sad or in need of help.
Hi, Carolyn!
Thanks for putting this together! There are so many resources and options! We in the Charlottesville, Virginia cluster really appreciate it and used it at our first class on December 18, 2022. Today is our next class and we’re excited! Thanks for being there for us.
Alláh-u-Abhá!
Pam
Dear Pam,
I am so happy that there is value in these resources. I try to link to what I find and always looking for more. The stuff I develop is more fun for me than I can say. Please let me know if I can support you wonderful teachers and parents in any other way.
Carolyn