Mabon: Fairy Tales & Balance
Classic fairy tales teach us about choices and consequences. The Three Little Pigs shows us the value of hard work, while Goldilocks teaches us about finding balance - perfect themes for the autumn equinox.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence
As we watch leaves fall and animals prepare for winter, we see how all of nature works together in cycles.
Learning Goals
Language Arts
- • Learn letters D, E, F, G, H from stories
- • Retell stories in sequence
- • Write simple sentences
- • Build vocabulary (size, feelings words)
Math
- • Numbers 11-20
- • Comparing numbers (greater/less)
- • Addition facts to 10
- • Counting by 2s
Form Drawing
- • Squares and rectangles
- • Circles
- • S-curves and flowing lines
- • Symmetrical designs
Social-Emotional
- • Understanding consequences
- • Finding balance
- • Accepting differences
- • Practicing gratitude
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Three Little Pigs
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Autumn begins - what are we building? What makes a strong foundation?
📖 Language Arts
Letter D from picture - Door of the brick house. Retell story in sequence
🔢 Math
Numbers 11-15. Counting by 2s. 'Three pigs, three houses...'
🌿 Science & Nature
Building materials - straw, sticks, bricks. What makes things strong?
✏️ Form Drawing
Square and rectangle forms - like doors and windows
🧶 Handwork
Build with natural materials - sticks, clay, straw
📚 Story
The Three Little Pigs
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter D
- Three Little Pigs animated
Shows:
- How Houses Are Built for Kids
Audiobooks:
- The Three Little Pigs
Week 2: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
🕯️ Hearth Circle
What does 'just right' mean? Finding balance in our lives.
📖 Language Arts
Letter E from picture - Everyone's porridge bowls. Comparing words: big/medium/small
🔢 Math
Comparing numbers - greater than, less than. Size ordering
🌿 Science & Nature
Bears preparing for winter - what do animals do in fall?
✏️ Form Drawing
Circle forms - like bowls, bear faces
🧶 Handwork
Clay bowls (three sizes), bear finger puppets
📚 Story
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter E
- Goldilocks animated
Shows:
- Wild Kratts: Bears
Audiobooks:
- Goldilocks audiobook
Week 3: The Shoemaker and the Elves
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Who helps us when we can't see them? Gratitude for invisible helpers.
📖 Language Arts
Letter F from picture - Fine shoes the elves made. Rhyming words
🔢 Math
Numbers 16-20. Pairs and doubles - two shoes make a pair
🌿 Science & Nature
Nocturnal animals - who works at night while we sleep?
✏️ Form Drawing
Pointed forms - like elf hats, shoe tips
🧶 Handwork
Simple sewing - felt shoe ornament or pouch
📚 Story
The Shoemaker and the Elves
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter F
- Elves and Shoemaker animated
Shows:
- How Shoes Are Made
Audiobooks:
- The Shoemaker and the Elves
Week 4: The Ugly Duckling
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Have you ever felt different? Everyone belongs somewhere.
📖 Language Arts
Letter G from picture - Graceful swan. Feelings words vocabulary
🔢 Math
Addition facts to 10 - duckling story problems
🌿 Science & Nature
Bird migration - where do birds go in fall? Swan life cycle
✏️ Form Drawing
S-curves - like swan necks, flowing water
🧶 Handwork
Watercolor swan painting, feather collection
📚 Story
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter G
- Ugly Duckling animated
Shows:
- Wild Kratts: Birds migrating
Audiobooks:
- The Ugly Duckling
Week 5: Balance & Equinox
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Day and night are equal. What brings balance to our family?
📖 Language Arts
Letter H from picture - Harvest moon. Review D-H, write simple sentences
🔢 Math
Equal groups, halves. If we share 10 apples between 2 people...
🌿 Science & Nature
Autumn equinox - tracking daylight, why leaves change color
✏️ Form Drawing
Symmetrical forms - balanced designs
🧶 Handwork
Balance mobiles, leaf pressing
📚 Story
Why Leaves Change Color (nature tale)
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter H
- SciShow Kids: Equinox
Shows:
- Nature: Fall colors
Audiobooks:
- Autumn stories collection
Week 6: Mabon Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Mabon gratitude ritual - share thanks, break bread, honor the harvest
📖 Language Arts
Review D-H. Create illustrated fairy tale page in Main Lesson Book
🔢 Math
Review 11-20, addition practice. Harvest counting activities
🌿 Science & Nature
Nature walk - collect fall treasures, observe animal preparations
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a harvest border combining all forms learned
🧶 Handwork
Apple crafts, gratitude tree with paper leaves
📚 Story
Student choice - retell favorite fairy tale from unit
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Fall celebration videos
- Cosmic Kids: Autumn
Shows:
- Nature: Autumn harvest
Audiobooks:
- Favorite fairy tales
🍂 Mabon Celebration Ideas
- • Create a family gratitude feast with harvest foods
- • Make a nature altar with collected leaves, acorns, and apples
- • Balance eggs on the equinox (they really do balance easier!)
- • Visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch
- • Donate food to a local food bank
- • Make apple cider or apple butter together
- • Create a gratitude tree with paper leaves
- • Act out favorite fairy tales as family plays