Parents and Teachers
Teaching Tools & Ruhi Classes
Teachers’ Guides & Resources
Teachers’ Guide, “Creating Art with Heart,” Part 1
This guide is a tool to assist teachers of children’s classes and junior youth animators in using Brilliant Star’s “Creating Art with Heart” issue in the classroom. While Brilliant Star is developed for kids aged 7-12, many younger and older kids enjoy learning from it. Activities can be adapted and expanded to engage ages 4-14. You’re invited to explore this guide and to share your own ideas in our Facebook group, Brilliant Star Idea Exchange.
Key themes in this issue:
- Tips for using the power of the arts to uplift our spirits and our communities
- Using arts to share spiritual truths and bring people together
- Enkindling love and reinforcing our shared identify as one human family
- Applying creativity to various aspects of life, including the sciences
- Practicing curiosity, learning, and a growth mindset with the arts
- Seeing mistakes as a natural part of learning and reflecting on them to grow
- Getting inspiration from spending time in nature, relaxation, play, and meditation
- Celebrating diversity and collaboration in creative endeavors
- Virtues of creativity, perseverance, courage, learning, joyfulness, and cooperation
You can search, download, or print the full issue here.
Copies are available for purchase at bahaibookstore.com.
We recommend Google Chrome for viewing and downloading PDFs.
For each page, you’ll find discussion questions and activities to enhance learning.
“Creating Art with Heart” Pages, Part 1
2 – Share Your Art & Soar!
3 – Enchanting Art
4-5 – Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Art Is Worship
6 – Maya’s Mysteries: Bust Out of Boredom
7 – BEE-utiful Teamwork
8-9 – Nur’s Nook—Be-LEAF in Unity: Make a Leafy Pinwheel
10 – Quiz: Are You an Explorer?
You Can Find Part 2 Here (pages 11-19)
You Can Find Part 3 Here (pages 20-29)
AGE GROUPS:
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5)
Early Elementary (6-7)
Late Elementary (8-10)
Junior Youth (11-14)
Introduction to Theme
Open the magazine and lay it flat on the table so students can see the full wrap-around cover art. Ask each student to name something from the cover art that catches their attention. Once everyone has commented, discuss how the illustration conveys the theme of the issue–building unity in our families and communities. What questions do they have about that theme? What topics do they expect will be addressed? [Concept by Celia Taghdiri]
PAGE 2: SHARE YOUR ART & SOAR!
> PURPOSE
This page invites kids to express their creativity in a variety of ways and share their art with Brilliant Star. It may be displayed on the website and shared on social media. Kids who respond by November 2, 2025, will be mailed a free Lightning & Luna sticker!
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- What’s your favorite way to express yourself through the arts? (Prompt if necessary: Drawing? Painting? Singing? Dancing? Acting? Playing an instrument?)
- Do you like sharing your art (of any kind) with others? Who do you share it with?
- What virtues do you use when you’re doing something creative?
- This page invites kids to create a drawing, take a picture of themselves doing a service project or showing some art they made, or make a video. Which one of those things would you like to do? (It’s okay to ask a parent or an older sibling for help if you need it.)
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
- What’s your favorite way to express yourself through the arts?
- Do you enjoy sharing your art (of any kind) with others, or do you prefer to keep it to yourself? If you do you share it, who do you like to share it with?
- Are there some forms of art you do with others (such as dancing, singing, acting, playing music, or participating in a writer’s group) and some you pursue on your own? How does it feel to make art as part of a group and how does it feel to work alone?
- What virtues do you use when you’re doing something creative?
- This page invites kids to create a drawing, take a picture of themselves doing a service project or showing some art they made, or make a video. Which one of those things would you like to do?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> Read—or share the video of someone reading—a book about making art. For example:
The Art Lesson, by Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator)
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TUQ4F27HMo
ish, by Peter H. Reynolds (Author, Illustrator)
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bBt3f1QWpk
The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds (Author, Illustrator)
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjWtLi4a8lg
After reading the books, invite kids to draw something that makes them happy. Ask each kid to share their drawing. When the first kid agrees to share, ask them to talk about what they drew and why it makes them happy. Model saying something positive about some aspect of the drawing. Invite other kids to comment on each other’s drawings—always keeping it positive.
> On another day, ask kids to make two drawings of something basic, like a tree, a house, some flowers, or a fish. Explain that the first drawing should be fairly simple, because they’ll only have 5-6 minutes to do it. For the second drawing, tell kids they’ll have 15-20 minutes to draw a wild and crazy or super-fancy version of the same item. In other words, they should let their imaginations run free. The item doesn’t have to look realistic and can be any color(s), size, or shape.
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Ask kids to make two drawings of something basic, like a tree, a house, some flowers, or a fish. Explain that the first drawing should be fairly simple, because they’ll only have 5-6 minutes to do it. For the second drawing, tell kids they’ll have 15-20 minutes to draw a wild and crazy or super-fancy version of the same item. In other words, they should let their imaginations run free. The item doesn’t have to look realistic and can be any color(s), size, or shape.
PAGE 3: ENCHANTING ART
Discover the magic of making stuff!
> PURPOSE
This piece depicts the magic of the arts and their power to help you express yourself and enchant the world around you. Readers learn tips for exploring the arts with authenticity, joy, and an open mind.
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- What is art?
- What kind of art do you like to make?
- Does art take patience sometimes?
- Do you like making art with your friends and family?
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
- What kind of art do you like to make?
- What kinds of art do you appreciate most?
- How can we not be critical of ourselves when making art?
- What’s a piece of art you created (or admire) that’s significant to you?
- Why is art important to society?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> Invite kids to get creative with this coloring sheet and discuss what the quote means.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol53/V53N2_Waves_One_Sea_Opt.pdf
> Make an art project from Nur’s Nook, like a paper airplane!
Nur’s Nook: Make a Paper Airplane & Fly with Joy
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nook-make-a-paper-airplane-fly-with-joy
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Give students a piece of paper and ask them to design their own art studio. What kind of art forms would it include? After students complete their drawings, ask them to share with the class.
> Make an art project from Nur’s Nook, like this welcoming door!
Nur’s Nook: Connect with Your Community—Create a Welcoming Door
PAGE 4: BAHA'U'LLAH'S LIFE: ART IS WORSHIP
How does art connect to our spirits?
> PURPOSE
This page describes poetry revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and His encouragement of the arts as worship. It briefly profiles three early followers who were artists and how support of the arts continued after His passing. Four craft activities are pictured with QR codes linking to the pages with instructions on Brilliant Star’s website.
> QUOTE:
“Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation.”—Bahá’u’lláh
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- What are some of the different types of arts you enjoy?
- How do you feel when you’re creating art?
- Why do you think Bahá’u’lláh says that arts, crafts, and sciences “uplift” us?
- Do you have to be really good at arts, crafts, or science for it to be worship?
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
-
What are your favorite arts to practice?
-
What are some ways the arts, crafts, and sciences uplift the world?
-
It’s easy to feel critical of ourselves if arts and crafts don’t turn out like we expect. What helps you be kind to yourself (or turn off your internal critic)?
-
What are some ways that sciences can be creative?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> The image in the story is one of the artifacts included in the 2017 exhibit related to Bahá’u’lláh at the British Museum. Summarize the story for students and discuss what it would have been like to attend the exhibit. Invite kids to draw a picture or design inspired by the exhibit (for example, the picture could show people attending the exhibit, reflect the spiritual concepts in an abstract way, or something else).
https://news.bahai.org/story/1220/exhibition-bahaullahs-writings-opens-british-museum
> Early followers
Three early followers are mentioned in the article. Share with students some details about each person’s life.
Táhirih
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/shining-lamp-tahirih
Nabíl-i-A‘zam
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/shining-lamp-nabil-i-azam-18311892
Mishkín-Qalam
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2016/Shining_Lamp_Mishkin_Qalam_ND16.pdf
> Art Activities
Guide students in creating one or more of the art activities from page 5. (Sweet Superheroes and the Origami Friend-Ship are well suited to younger students). For each craft, read the introduction on the original magazine page and discuss the quote.
> Sweet Superheroes*
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nook-giving-thanksmake-a-super-gift
Printable PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2019/V51_N1_P8_Bounty_Nur_Super_Gift_RS.pdf
*Check with parents or guardians about food restrictions.
> Blessed Is the Spot Prayer Book
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/a-prayer-to-share
Printable PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/characters/pdf-character/SO13_NurPrayerBk_Com.pdf
> Origami Friend-Ship*
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/all-aboard-make-an-origami-friend-ship
Printable PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/characters/pdf-character/SOND14_NurOrigamiShip_Com.pdf
*Check with parents or guardians about food restrictions
> Bird Puppet
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nookfly-with-equality-make-a-bird-puppet
Printable PDF:
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol53/Nur_Bird_Puppet_V53N1_Opt.pdf
Bird Pattern PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/characters/birdpattern.pdf
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Early followers
Three early followers are mentioned in the article. Ask groups of students to read expanded stories about them from Brilliant Star’s website. Then invite each group to present a summary of what they learned.
Táhirih
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/shining-lamp-tahirih
Nabíl-i-A‘zam
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/shining-lamp-nabil-i-azam-18311892
Mishkín-Qalam
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2016/Shining_Lamp_Mishkin_Qalam_ND16.pdf
> The image in the story is one of the artifacts included in the 2017 exhibit related to Bahá’u’lláh at the British Museum. Read the news story with the class.
https://news.bahai.org/story/1220/exhibition-bahaullahs-writings-opens-british-museum
Break the class into small groups and invite groups to create a skit, song, or poster inspired by the museum exhibit.
> These are the two Hidden Words featured in Bahá’u’lláh’s handwriting. Read them as a class and invite kids to share their thoughts about their meaning. How might we apply these concepts in our everyday lives?
“O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.” (Arabic 68)
“O YE SONS OF SPIRIT! Ye are My treasury, for in you I have treasured the pearls of My mysteries and the gems of My knowledge. Guard them from the strangers amidst My servants and from the ungodly amongst My people.” (Arabic 69)
Then ask students to complete the “Signs of Oneness” activity to explore one of these quotes in more depth:
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2019/Signs_of_Oneness_v50n6.pdf
> Guide students in creating one or more of the art activities from page 5. For each craft, read the introduction on the original magazine page and discuss the quote.
> Sweet Superheroes*
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nook-giving-thanksmake-a-super-gift
Printable PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2019/V51_N1_P8_Bounty_Nur_Super_Gift_RS.pdf
*Check with parents or guardians about food restrictions
> Blessed Is the Spot Prayer Book
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/a-prayer-to-share
Printable PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/characters/pdf-character/SO13_NurPrayerBk_Com.pdf
> Origami Friend-Ship*
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/all-aboard-make-an-origami-friend-ship
Printable PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/characters/pdf-character/SOND14_NurOrigamiShip_Com.pdf
*Check with parents or guardians about food restrictions
> Bird Puppet
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nookfly-with-equality-make-a-bird-puppet
Printable PDF:
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol53/Nur_Bird_Puppet_V53N1_Opt.pdf
Bird Pattern PDF: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/characters/birdpattern.pdf
PAGE 6: MAYA'S MYSTERIES: BUST OUT OF BOREDOM
Can boredom be a good thing?
> PURPOSE
This piece explores how boredom can actually be beneficial if approached with a growth mindset. Readers are presented with creative activities to bust out of boredom. Many of them can be adapted for a classroom setting.
> QUOTE
“All the existing sciences and crafts, all the great undertakings and myriad discoveries ... were at one time hidden and concealed mysteries, and it is that all-encompassing human power that has discovered them ...” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- What does it mean to be bored?
- Have you ever felt bored?
- What do you do when you’re bored?
- What are some fun things you like to do every day?
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
-
Do you ever feel bored?
-
What circumstances lead you to feeling bored?
-
What are three ideas from the Use Your Imagination challenge that you are most excited to try?
-
When is boredom no longer a good thing?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> Bunny Breathing
Ask kids to pretend they’re bunnies! Demonstrate how to sniff the air, rapidly breathing in three times (sniff, sniff, sniff) before breathing out slowly and silently through your mouth. They can hop around too! You can ask them to imagine they smell different nature scents, like pine trees, roses, or fresh dirt. This activity is meant to develop mindfulness and imagination, two qualities that help bust boredom.
Find the original activity here:
https://earlyimpactlearning.com/16-mindfulness-activities-for-preschoolers/
> Bell Meditation
Have a bell or another instrument that’s able to produce a long, sustained sound. Ask kids to sit quietly in a circle and close their eyes. Ring the bell. After the sound fades, try these variations:
- Kids raise their hands and then put them down when they can no longer hear the bell.
- Kids try to mimic the noise of the bell.
- Use other objects that have a sustained noise. Ask kids how each sound makes them feel.
Link to original activity here:
https://earlyimpactlearning.com/16-mindfulness-activities-for-preschoolers/
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Poster of Inspiration
Ask participants to make a poster of five to eight inspirational ideas to try when they feel bored. They could be fun, silly activities or purposeful ideas to help them work toward a goal. Decorate the posters. Invite participants share their posters when they’re complete.
> Adventure List Interviews
Ask students to get in pairs and interview each other about adventure lists (things they want to do someday). These can be long-term goals they’re working toward or fun, whimsical things they would like to do. Give each student a few minutes each to interview each other, then have everyone regroup and introduce the person they interviewed to the class, sharing one of that person’s list items. After everyone has shared, encourage students to think of ways they can work toward their adventure list goals—especially in moments of boredom!
PAGE 7: BEE-UTIFUL TEAMWORK
Cooperation can lead to fruitful ideas.
> PURPOSE
This piece explores the mutually beneficial relationship of bees and fruit trees, and how teamwork and different points of view can help us bear fruit when working on creative projects. Readers complete a word drop activity to find qualities that help us get creative with others.
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- Do you know what bees do when they land on flowers?
- Do you know how trees make fruit?
- Do you like making art with friends and family?
- When you’re working on something with your family or a team, what are ways to be a good team member?
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
- How do bees pollinate fruit trees?
- Can you think of a time working with others helped you with a creative project?
- Why do you think working with diverse people makes a group more creative?
- How can we stay open-minded to people’s ideas?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> Bee & Flower Craft
Make these fun bees and flowers. Then, have kids go around with their bees and land on each student’s flower, to demonstrate pollination.
> Beehive Builders
Hide yellow paper cups (pollen) around for kids to find. Once they’ve found all of them, have kids come together and build a tower together out the paper cups. This will symbolize their beehive and honey combs. Each kid takes turns placing 1 cup on the tower until it’s complete.
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Pollinating Pals
Invite students to learn more about pollinators with this pollinator find:
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2019/V51_N1_P19_Bounty_Pollinator.pdf
> Pollinating Ideas with Encouragement
Talk with students about goals they have for the future. Examples might be to make a new friend, learn a new skill, plan a service project, or create art. Each student writes a goal in the center of a small paper plate or on a circle of colored paper (this will be the center of a flower). The goal can be short-term or long-term; it’s up to them!
Ask students to cut out paper petals for the flower, one for each student in the class, and set them by their plate. Students line up and visit each person’s flower, read their goal, and write words of encouragement on one of the paper petals. After they’re done, they stick the petal to the flower center with tape or glue. Continue until everyone has added a positive petal to each student’s goal.
Example:
Goal – Write a play
Words of encouragement – That’s so cool! I can’t wait to read it. You got this!
Goal – Plant vegetables in the community garden
Words of encouragement – Great idea! You can do it! Sounds healthy and delicious!
PAGE 8: NUR’S NOOK—BE-LEAF IN UNITY: MAKE A LEAFY PINWHEEL
Nature can inspire cool art!
> PURPOSE
This piece explores how nature can inspire us to find ways to face challenges, go with the flow, and live in harmony with each other. Readers learn how to make a fun leafy pinwheel craft.
> QUOTE
“Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.”
— Bahá’u’lláh
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- How do you feel when you’re playing outside?
- What helps you feel better when you’re upset?
- How can you show kindness to new kids you meet?
- How do you feel when a new kid asks you to play with them?
- What helps when you can’t play with a friend you want to see?
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
- How does being out in nature make you feel?
- Can you think of a lesson or wisdom you’ve learned from nature? (For example, what's something in nature that shows strength or patience?)
- Have you ever felt anxious about losing a friend? What did you do?
- What helps you when your friend isn’t available to hang out with you?
- How can you open your heart to making new friends?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> Breezy Pinwheel Activity
After the kids create their pinwheels that spin, invite them to try these experiments with them to make them spin:
- Blow on them like a gentle breeze.
- Blow on them in random spurts, like a gusty day.
- Blow on them like a windstorm—as hard as they can!
- Blow on them like the lightest breeze—as light as possible.
- Run in a straight line while holding the pinwheel.
- Prop it up on the ground to see if there’s a breeze blowing, and note which direction.
Ask kids to sit in a circle and ask them to blow on their pinwheel if…
- Their favorite color is [name a color]
- They like this kind of food [name a food]
- They like this kind of animal [name an animal]
- They have a pet
- They like playing [name a game or sport]
You can come up with more questions too. The goal is for kids to see that they share many similarities. It’s also a fun way for them to express themselves.
> Outdoor Art
Explore some more types of nature-inspired art with your students.
Wild Windcatcher
Find an arm-length stick. Gather diverse nature items. Cut natural string or twine in different lengths. Tie items to strings so they dangle from the stick. Tie a string to each end of the windcatcher for hanging.
Sun Prints
On a sunny day, arrange nature items on dark-colored construction paper. Cover with a plastic sheet protector held in place with rocks or an empty picture frame. Wait 4–6 hours. Once the paper color fades, remove the nature items, and you have a sun print! Create a card or give it as a gift.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol52/Maya_Outdoor_Art_V52N4_Opt.pdf
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Are You Welcoming to All?
Invite students to delve more into Nur’s feelings about his friend making a new friend. You can ask them questions, like:
- If Nur had let himself believe that Neon liked to hang out with Sasha more than him, what would have happened to their friendship?
- How might that make Neon feel if Nur drifted away with no explanation?
- How can nature help us reconnect with ourselves and inspire new ideas?
- Have you ever had a time when nature helped you feel better, or sparked an idea?
- How can we open our heart to new people and friends?
Then, invite them to take this interactive quiz about being welcoming to all.
Quiz: How Welcoming Are You?
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/quiz-how-welcoming-are-you
Printable PDF:
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/Wel coming_Quiz_MA17_p6.pdf
> Riley’s Rainforest: Unwind in Nature
Learn more about the benefits of being in nature by reading this story from Riley’s Rainforest. There are fun ideas to relax outdoors, too.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/rileys-rainforest-unwind-in-nature
> Maya’s Mysteries: Harmony in Nature
Play this creative version of nature bingo to find virtues expressed in nature, and to see how creatures live in harmony.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol52/V52N1p12_Maya_Bingo_link.pdf
PAGE 10: QUIZ: ARE YOU AN EXPLORER?
Answer the questions and get your score
> PURPOSE
This page presents the concept of exploring new things and following your curiosity, which often leads to creative endeavors. Information about the brain and the link between curiosity and happiness is shared. Readers are invited to test themselves (on paper or on the website) and get their score.
> QUOTE
“Invention and discovery are penetrating hitherto unknown fields, revealing new wonders and hidden secrets ...” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá
> QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
- What does it mean to be curious?
- What are some things you’re curious or you’d like to learn more about?
- What’s an example of a time you tried something new, like a game, sport, food, or activity?
- How does it feel to try something new and love it? What do you do if you don't love it?
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
- What are some things you’re curious about? How do you explore them?
- What’s an example of a time you tried something new, like a game, sport, food, or activity?
- Do you ever see things on TV or the internet and wonder if they’re true? How do you decide?
- What is it like when a friend has an opinion that’s different from you? Are you able to talk about it?
> ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE LEARNING
Pre-K/Kindergarten (4-5) | Early Elementary (6-7)
> Nur’s Nook:Create a Treasure Chest Gift
Create a fun treasure chest to hold photos, drawings, and souvenirs. You can keep it or give it to a friend. What kinds of things will you put inside?
For younger students, teachers may want to prepare some of the craft steps ahead of time.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nookgems-of-friendship-create-a-treasure-chest-gift
> Nature Games
Take the students on a nature hike and invite them to carefully observe the world around them. Try out some nature games, such as an Alphabet Hike, where you find something in nature for each letter of the alphabet. Or do a rainbow hike and find something for each color of the rainbow.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2011/Exploring_a_World_of_Wonder_JA11p4.pdf
Late Elementary (8-10) | Junior Youth (11-14)
> Nur’s Nook:Create a Treasure Chest Gift
Create a fun treasure chest to hold photos, drawings, and souvenirs. You can keep it or give it to a friend. What kinds of things will you put inside?
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nookgems-of-friendship-create-a-treasure-chest-gift
> Explore Your True Self
Invite students to complete a journal activity about their virtues, goals, and dreams. If they’re comfortable sharing, invite them to talk about some of their answers. Discuss the quote on the page. What does it mean to have gems in our souls?
Quote: “The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves.” —Bahá’u’lláh
Printable PDF Activity:
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2018/MA18_My_True_Self.pdf
Updated on 5.21.25