Samhain: Stories of Transformation
As the veil between worlds thins, we explore fairy tales of transformation and magic. The Frog Prince becomes royalty, children outsmart a witch, and princesses dance in secret underground kingdoms.
UU Principle Focus
2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
We honor all people - those living and those who have passed - with compassion and respect.
Learning Goals
Language Arts
- • Learn letters I, J, K, L from stories
- • Identify story structure (beginning/middle/end)
- • Use describing words (adjectives)
- • Write about memories
Math
- • Subtraction facts to 10
- • Counting by 3s
- • Introduction to money (coins)
- • Number words
Form Drawing
- • Spiral forms
- • Maze and path designs
- • Repeating patterns
- • Flame shapes
Social-Emotional
- • Facing fears with courage
- • Honoring ancestors
- • Understanding transformation
- • Processing death naturally
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Frog Prince
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The veil thins between worlds. What magic might we find?
📖 Language Arts
Letter I from picture - Into the well the ball fell. Beginning/middle/end of stories
🔢 Math
Subtraction introduction - 'The princess had 5 golden balls and lost 1...'
🌿 Science & Nature
Frogs and transformation - tadpole to frog life cycle
✏️ Form Drawing
Spiral forms - like a well going down, a frog jumping
🧶 Handwork
Wet felting a ball, frog finger puppet
📚 Story
The Frog Prince
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter I
- Frog Prince animated
Shows:
- Wild Kratts: Frogs
Audiobooks:
- The Frog Prince
Week 2: Hansel and Gretel
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Sometimes we face scary things. What helps us be brave?
📖 Language Arts
Letter J from picture - Journey through the forest. Describing words (adjectives)
🔢 Math
Subtraction facts to 10 - breadcrumb story problems
🌿 Science & Nature
Forest ecosystems - what lives in the woods? Food chains
✏️ Form Drawing
Maze and path forms - like trails through the forest
🧶 Handwork
Gingerbread house (graham crackers), trail mix making
📚 Story
Hansel and Gretel
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter J
- Hansel and Gretel animated
Shows:
- Nature: Forest animals
Audiobooks:
- Hansel and Gretel
Week 3: The Twelve Dancing Princesses
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Honoring ancestors - who came before us? Share family stories.
📖 Language Arts
Letter K from picture - Kingdom underground. Number words (twelve, first, second)
🔢 Math
Counting by 3s. Twelve princesses, twelve nights, twelve pairs of shoes...
🌿 Science & Nature
Underground world - caves, roots, animals that live below
✏️ Form Drawing
Repeating patterns - like dancing feet, rows of trees
🧶 Handwork
Paper shoe decorating, simple dance choreography
📚 Story
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter K
- 12 Dancing Princesses animated
Shows:
- Underground worlds for kids
Audiobooks:
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Week 4: The Tinderbox
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Create ancestor altar. Light candles for those who have passed.
📖 Language Arts
Letter L from picture - Lantern light in darkness. Sequencing events
🔢 Math
Money introduction - copper, silver, gold coins in the story
🌿 Science & Nature
Fire and light - candles, lanterns, how fire works safely
✏️ Form Drawing
Flame forms - flickering, rising shapes
🧶 Handwork
Lantern making (paper or jar), candle decorating
📚 Story
The Tinderbox by Hans Christian Andersen
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Sesame Street: Letter L
- The Tinderbox animated
Shows:
- How candles work
Audiobooks:
- The Tinderbox
Week 5: Samhain Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samhain ritual - dumb supper, ancestor stories, honoring the cycle of life and death
📖 Language Arts
Review I-L. Write about a family memory or ancestor story
🔢 Math
Review subtraction, money. Counting candy, fair sharing
🌿 Science & Nature
Death and decomposition in nature - leaves falling, composting
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a memory border design
🧶 Handwork
Jack-o-lantern carving, costume completion, memory stones
📚 Story
Family stories and ancestor tales
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
- Coco
Shows:
- Day of the Dead traditions
Audiobooks:
- Spooky but not scary stories
🎃 Samhain Celebration Ideas
- • Create an ancestor altar with photos, candles, and favorite foods
- • Host a "dumb supper" - a silent meal honoring the dead
- • Carve jack-o-lanterns to light the way for spirits
- • Tell family stories and look through photo albums
- • Visit a cemetery to leave flowers and tidy graves
- • Bob for apples - a traditional Samhain game
- • Make soul cakes to share with neighbors
- • Act out transformation fairy tales in costume