Mabon: Harvest, Balance & Home
We explore flood stories, farming, and house building while celebrating the autumn harvest and finding balance.
Teaching Note: Hebrew stories are studied as literature alongside other cultural myths, finding common wisdom across traditions.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Noah's Ark & Flood Stories
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Many cultures have flood stories. Why do you think this is?
📚 Language Arts
Read Noah's Ark as literature. Compare to Gilgamesh flood story. Journal: What do flood stories teach?
✖️ Math
Multiplication review. Two-digit addition with regrouping
🌱 Science
Water cycle - where does rain come from?
✏️ Form Drawing
Wave and water forms
🧶 Handwork
Build a simple boat from natural materials
📖 Story
Noah's Ark (Genesis 6-9 as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Celtic flood myths tell of lands lost beneath the sea
Abrahamic:
Noah builds an ark to save animals from the great flood
Connection:
Both traditions tell of water cleansing the world for a fresh start
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Noah's Ark animated
- Water Cycle for Kids
Shows:
- Flood Myths Around World
Audio:
- Bible Stories for Children
Week 2: Balance & Harvest Gratitude
🕯️ Hearth Circle
At Mabon, day and night are equal. How do we find balance in our lives?
📚 Language Arts
Write about balance. Compare harvest festivals from different cultures
✖️ Math
Two-digit subtraction with regrouping. Equal groups
🌱 Science
Autumn equinox - why day and night are equal
✏️ Form Drawing
Symmetrical forms - mirror images
🧶 Handwork
Create a balance scale from sticks
📖 Story
The Story of Demeter and Persephone (Greek)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Mabon celebrates autumn equinox - perfect balance of light and dark
Abrahamic:
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) gives thanks for harvest
Connection:
Both traditions pause to give thanks when harvest is gathered
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Autumn Equinox Explained
- Sukkot for Kids
Shows:
- Harvest Festivals
Audio:
- Greek Myths for Young Children
Week 3: Joseph's Coat & Family Stories
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Joseph's brothers were jealous. How do we handle jealousy in our family?
📚 Language Arts
Read Joseph story as literature. Discuss family dynamics. Write about sibling relationships
✖️ Math
Introduction to fractions - equal parts
🌱 Science
Colors in nature - why leaves change color
✏️ Form Drawing
Color wheel forms - blending
🧶 Handwork
Weaving with autumn colors
📖 Story
Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors (as myth)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Harvest time brings families together to work and celebrate
Abrahamic:
Joseph's story shows family conflict and eventual forgiveness
Connection:
Both traditions value family bonds and working through difficulties
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Joseph animated
- Why Leaves Change Color
Shows:
- Autumn Nature
Audio:
- Joseph Story for Children
Week 4: Farming & Practical Life
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Farmers work hard all year. How can we appreciate their work?
📚 Language Arts
Read about farming in ancient times. Compare to modern farming. Write a thank-you to farmers
✖️ Math
Fractions - halves, thirds, fourths. Sharing harvest equally
🌱 Science
How farms work - crops, animals, seasons
✏️ Form Drawing
Field and furrow forms - parallel lines
🧶 Handwork
Visit a farm or create a farm diorama
📖 Story
Ruth and Naomi (as literature)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Pagans honor the land spirits who help crops grow
Abrahamic:
Ruth gleans wheat in Boaz's field - kindness to strangers
Connection:
Both traditions teach generosity and sharing the harvest
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Farm Life for Kids
- Ruth Story animated
Shows:
- Modern Farming
Audio:
- Farm Stories
Week 5: House Building & Shelter
🕯️ Hearth Circle
What makes a house a home? What do all homes need?
📚 Language Arts
Read about different types of homes around the world. Write about your ideal home
✖️ Math
Measurement - inches, feet. Measuring rooms
🌱 Science
Building materials - wood, stone, brick, straw
✏️ Form Drawing
House forms - squares, rectangles, triangles
🧶 Handwork
Build a small shelter from natural materials
📖 Story
The Three Little Pigs (as building lesson)
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Ancient peoples built homes aligned with sun and seasons
Abrahamic:
Sukkot involves building temporary shelters (sukkahs)
Connection:
Both traditions recognize shelter as sacred and necessary
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Houses Around World
- Building a Sukkah
Shows:
- How Houses Are Built
Audio:
- Three Little Pigs variations
Week 6: Mabon Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Mabon ritual - give thanks for harvest, balance light and dark, prepare for winter
📚 Language Arts
Write a harvest poem. Share gratitude lists
✖️ Math
Review fractions and measurement. Harvest math problems
🌱 Science
Preparing for winter - how animals and plants get ready
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a harvest border with autumn forms
🧶 Handwork
Harvest feast, apple crafts, gratitude altar
📖 Story
Share favorite stories from the unit
🌍 Stories from Around the World
Pagan:
Mabon feast celebrates second harvest with apples, grains, vegetables
Abrahamic:
Sukkot feast lasts seven days with special foods and prayers
Connection:
Both traditions gather community for feasting and gratitude
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Mabon Celebration
- Sukkot Traditions
Shows:
- Autumn Festivals
Audio:
- Harvest Stories Collection
🍂 Mabon Celebration
- 🟡 Create a harvest feast with seasonal foods
- 🟡 Build a gratitude altar with autumn leaves and apples
- 🟡 Make apple cider or apple butter
- 🟡 Visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch
- 🟡 Write thank-you notes to farmers