Lesson four - pages 8/9 Daydreaming

Aim for the book

To explore real and visionary journeys encountered in life.

Learning objectives

• To know that daydreams are often hopes for the future.
• To be able to separate imagination from reality.
• To understand that daydreaming can inspire action.

Background

Mary, Jesus' mother, must have had plenty of time to reflect on her extraordinary experiences after the angel told her she was to be the mother of Jesus. She, like all parents, would treasure those early days and years of Jesus' life. Mary, however, was not alone in reflecting on where Jesus' life would lead. Christians believe God's Spirit reached out to the prophets of Israel and to Mary to give them a vision of God's kingdom - and Christians believe that this gift of visionary insight, or prophecy, continues today.

Bible references

Luke 2.51, Acts 2.17

Key words

• Imagination
• Hope
• Future
• Dream

Activity one - hopes for the future

• You will need
  A board and board marker or a large sheet of paper and felt pens.
  It would be helpful to have a collection of baby requisites such as: a nappy, baby clothes, cream, lotion, cotton wool, bottle and so on.
  Bible story from Luke 1.26-38.
• Start
  Ask if any child has recently had a new baby or knows that a new baby will soon be added to their family.
• Develop
  How did they feel when they heard the news?
  What preparations need to be made for a new baby? (Perhaps decorating a room, getting a cot, buying things, borrowing things.)
  Show the items collected and make a class list to include these items.
  What does a baby need that cannot be bought? (Love and care.)
• End
  Tell the Bible story in simple language. Discuss Mary's feelings and hopes for her baby.

Activity two - dreamy music

• You will need
  The picture 'Daydreaming' from the book In Journeys.
  A piece of gentle music such as 'Gymnopedie 3' by Satie.
  Drawing materials.
• Start
  With the children, look at the picture and discuss:
  What is the girl doing?
  Why do you think that?
• Develop
  Make sure that the children are sitting comfortably, perhaps with their eyes closed.
  Explain that you are going to play them a piece of music for a few minutes. Play the music.
  Ask them to open their eyes.
  Ask 'What pictures came into your mind as you listened to the music?' 'What did you think about?'
• End
  With the least disturbance of movement from the listening positions, ask the children to try and draw a picture about the thoughts they had as they listened.

Activity three - growing up

• You will need
  The picture 'Daydreaming' from the book In Journeys.
  Pencils and writing paper.
• Start
  Look at the picture with the children and discuss.
  What is the little girl doing? How do you know? What might she be thinking about?
• Develop
  Explain that daydreams are often hopes for the future. Perhaps the little girl is thinking about her life when she grows up.
  Discuss the children's aspirations for their adult life.
• End
  Write about the aspirations of the girl in the picture, or a fictitious character, or personal hopes.
• Assessment opportunities
  Make a list of preparations to be made before a visitor comes to stay. Do these show love and care to make the visitor feel welcome?
  Repeat the listening exercise in Activity Two, using music in a different mood. Can the children respond sensitively to music?
  Are the children at a stage when they can think into the future?

Web site links

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/6579/DaydreamingInTheHerbGarden/

For a site of pink fairies (but some imaginative thought) read these poems at this extraordinary site.

Activity checklist

Activity one - hopes for the future

A board and board marker or a large sheet of paper and felt pens.
It would be helpful to have a collection of baby requisites such as: a nappy, baby clothes, cream, lotion, cotton wool, bottle and so on.
Bible story from Luke 1.26-38.

Activity two - dreamy music

The picture 'Daydreaming' from the book In Journeys.
A piece of gentle music such as 'Gymnopedie 3' by Satie.

Drawing materials.

Activity three - growing up

The picture 'Daydreaming' from the book In Journeys.
Pencils and writing paper.

© Lorna Hughes