Samhain: Legends & Ancestors
As the veil between worlds thins, we move from fables to legends - stories of real heroes who showed courage, compassion, and faith. We honor our ancestors and face our fears like Saint George faced the dragon.
UU Principle Focus
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Every person who lived had worth and dignity. We honor ancestors and learn from heroes who showed compassion to all.
Learning Goals
Language Arts
- • Understand legends vs fables
- • Identify character traits
- • Write about heroes
- • Interview and record family stories
Math
- • Multiplication by 3s
- • Multiplication by 4s
- • Multiplication by 6s
- • Review and practice
Form Drawing
- • Bird and wing forms
- • Flowing fabric forms
- • Tree and branch forms
- • Dragon and shield forms
Social-Emotional
- • Honoring ancestors
- • Facing fears with courage
- • Compassion for all
- • Understanding life cycles
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Saint Francis of Assisi
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The veil thins between worlds. Who do we remember who loved animals and nature?
📖 Language Arts
Introduction to legends vs fables. What makes someone a 'saint' or hero?
🔢 Math
Multiplication by 3s - skip counting. Groups of 3 animals
🌿 Science & Nature
Birds - Francis preached to birds. Local bird identification, bird feeders
✏️ Form Drawing
Bird forms - wings, feathers, flight patterns
🧶 Handwork
Bird feeder making, bird seed ornaments
📚 Story
The Legend of Saint Francis and the Birds
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Saint Francis animated
- Wild Kratts: Birds
Shows:
- Nature: Birds
Audiobooks:
- Saints and Heroes for Kids
Week 2: Saint Martin and the Beggar
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Sharing what we have with those in need. How can we help others?
📖 Language Arts
Character traits - what made Martin heroic? Descriptive writing about heroes
🔢 Math
Multiplication by 4s - skip counting. Dividing the cloak in half
🌿 Science & Nature
Wool and fabric - where clothes come from. Sheep, spinning, weaving
✏️ Form Drawing
Cloak and fabric fold forms - flowing lines
🧶 Handwork
Simple weaving on cardboard loom, fabric crafts
📚 Story
The Legend of Saint Martin and the Beggar
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Saint Martin's Day videos
- How wool becomes fabric
Shows:
- Sheep and wool production
Audiobooks:
- Hero legends for children
Week 3: Honoring Ancestors
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Create ancestor altar. Share stories of family members who have passed.
📖 Language Arts
Family stories - interview family members. Write about an ancestor
🔢 Math
Review multiplication 2s, 3s, 4s. Word problems about families
🌿 Science & Nature
Life cycles - all living things are born, live, and die. Decomposition in nature
✏️ Form Drawing
Tree forms - family trees, roots and branches
🧶 Handwork
Memory stones, ancestor crafts, photo frames
📚 Story
Family stories and ancestor tales
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Coco (Disney/Pixar)
- Day of the Dead traditions
Shows:
- How families remember ancestors worldwide
Audiobooks:
- Stories about remembering loved ones
Week 4: The Legend of Saint George
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Facing our fears with courage. What 'dragons' do we face in our lives?
📖 Language Arts
Elements of legends - hero, challenge, triumph. Compare to fables
🔢 Math
Multiplication by 6s - skip counting. Dragon scales, knight's armor
🌿 Science & Nature
Reptiles - real dragons (Komodo dragons, lizards). Scales and cold blood
✏️ Form Drawing
Dragon and shield forms - curves and angles
🧶 Handwork
Shield making, dragon puppets, armor from cardboard
📚 Story
The Legend of Saint George and the Dragon
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Saint George animated
- Wild Kratts: Reptiles
Shows:
- Komodo dragons
Audiobooks:
- Dragon legends
Week 5: Samhain Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Samhain ritual - dumb supper, ancestor stories, honoring the cycle of life
📖 Language Arts
Write a legend about a family hero. Create illustrated legend book
🔢 Math
Review all multiplication facts learned. Math games
🌿 Science & Nature
Signs of late autumn - animals preparing for winter, last harvest
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a memory border with forms from the unit
🧶 Handwork
Jack-o-lantern carving, costume completion, ancestor altar
📚 Story
Student shares their family legend
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- Samhain traditions
Shows:
- How animals prepare for winter
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
- • Act out the legend of Saint George
- • Make soul cakes to share with neighbors
- • Create a "hero cape" and discuss what makes someone heroic
📚 About Legends
While fables feature talking animals with morals, legends are stories about real (or possibly real) people who did extraordinary things:
- • Saints - people known for holiness and good deeds
- • Heroes - people who showed courage and helped others
- • Ancestors - our own family heroes
- • Legends may be exaggerated but are rooted in real people
- • They teach us what qualities a culture values