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The Language of Hope

Activity Objective:
The young people will be led to personal reflection and expression of the meaning of hope.
Lesson Outcome:
The young people should be able to explain the virtues of faith, hope, and love.
Materials
  • Scratch paper, one sheet per young person
  • Pencils
  • Two sheets of paper (4.5 x 5.5 inch) per young person
  • Eight-inch piece of string (one per young person)
  • Tempura paints
  • Black markers
  • Small containers for paint
  • Newspapers
  • Instrumental music
  • CD player
Directions:
Share with the young people the form of Japanese poetry called haiku. Explain that a haiku has three unrhymed lines. The first line has five syllables, the second has seven syllables, and the third has five syllables.
  • Allow the young people time for silent reflection and to gather their ideas about how to describe hope. Then have them use scratch paper to write two haikus about hope. The haikus should refer to nature and use a simile or metaphor. For example:

Glowing orange sun
Darting through scattered gray clouds
Reminds me of hope

  • Distribute the sheets of paper (4.5 x 5.5) and the string.

Direct the young people to follow these steps:
Dip the string in tempura paint.
On one of the sheets of paper, form the string into a design.
Cover the design with the other sheet of paper.
Place a book on top.
Slowly pull out the string.
Remove the book and separate the papers to dry.
Print or write the haiku with black marker on the dry paper.

  • Display the artwork.
Learning Styles:
Art/Space Smart,Self Smart,Word Smart
Approximate Time:
25 minutes
Hints:
Playing instrumental music helps to create a reflective atmosphere.

Have several containers of each paint color to alleviate congestion.

Cover painting surfaces with newspaper

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