The lesson this week is about justice
What is 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”
ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SAY A PRAYER?
Suggested Prayer:
O God! Rear this little babe in the bosom of Thy love and give it milk from the breast of Thy Providence. Cultivate this fresh plant in the rose garden of Thy love and aid it to grow through the showers of Thy bounty. Make it a child of the kingdom, and lead it to Thy heavenly realm. Thou art powerful and kind, and Thou art the Bestower, the Generous, the Lord of surpassing bounty.
REMEMBER, WE ARE MEMORIZING THE PRAYER “O GOD GUIDE ME”
LISTEN AND VIEW ON YOUTUBE
Los Nice Guys:
Memorization aid: IMAGES HERE
Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path.
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
Listen and View on Youtube
Meaning of Words in This Quote:
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 aids
Spiritual Cookies #2 Justice
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?
Video this story
OBSTACLE COURSE
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.
GAME SUGGESTIONS:
Just or Not Just
Making 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.
The “Sharing” game
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.
MAKE A PUZZLE WITH WORDS FROM THE QUOTE
Justice Puzzles
Material Needed
- PDF template PRINTED OR pre-cut 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 color and cut out
Make a Path of Justice
Materials
- Get a long piece of paper
- Pencil
Instructions:
- Draw a straight pathway on the paper
- Children then trace their feet walking 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.
Thank you to Jaleh Sanii for sharing this craft!
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.
Color page free from Teachers Pay Teachers
Download here
Unity and Justice coloring pages from Teachers Pay Teachers
Download Here
Other Lessons on Justice
The online platform has other resources and links to other blogs. Here is one of my favorites for the lesson on Justice
Download all lesson 1 material on Google Drive here