Parents and Teachers
Teaching Tools & Ruhi Classes
Teachers’ Guides & Resources
Supplementary Resource Guide for Seasonal Schools
To complement the “Spirit of Community” issue of Brilliant Star magazine produced in collaboration with the seasonal schools office, this supplementary resource guide offers additional lesson plans and activities surrounding the same themes of Shoghi Effendi and race unity.
The guide is categorized by theme, and includes both Brilliant Star resources and materials from other sources. At the end of the guide, you can also find resources for games and skits that can be used with all ages and themes.
NOTE: For most Brilliant Star pages in the guide marked Pre-K/Kindergarten (PK) and Early Elementary (EE), some adaptation will be necessary. Some pages may have information that can be shared with younger kids, but not necessarily presented as-is. Other pages may include activities that can be used with that age group with adaptation to the explanations. (For example, active games that illustrate the concept of privilege can be used with younger kids, with the lesson focused on the more basic concept of fairness/unfairness and justice/injustice.)
Resources are also marked with suggested age groupings:
Pre-K/Kindergarten (PK) - ages 4-5
Early Elementary (EE) - ages 6-8
Late Elementary (LE) - ages 9-11
Junior Youth/Youth (JY) - ages 12-15
THEME: Shoghi Effendi
Non-Brilliant Star Materials - Shoghi Effendi
Pre-K/Kindergarten (PK)
Core Curriculum preschool lesson plan on The Guardian
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/preschool/ps4_guardian.pdf
Early Elementary (EE)
Core Curriculum lesson plan on The Guardianship (Level 1)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/WO_LPG_Level%201_Guardian.pdf
Late Elementary (LE)
Core Curriculum lesson plan on The Guardianship (Level 2)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG_WO2cg_guard.pdf
Junior Youth/Youth (JY)
Core Curriculum lesson plan on The Guardianship (Level 3)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG_WO3cg_guard.pdf
Empowering Words: Extracts from the Letters and Messages of Shoghi Effendi for Inspiration, Guidance, and Vision, compiled by Joanna Tahzib-Thomas
https://bahai-library.com/pdf/t/tahzib-thomas_empowering_words.pdf
Brilliant Star Materials - Shoghi Effendi
Shining Lamp Biography of Shoghi Effendi PK EE LE JY
One-page synopsis of Shoghi Effendi’s life and service.
Shoghi Effendi: The Guardian (Maze and Quote) | PK EE LE JY
Introduction about Shoghi Effendi being named The Guardian. Kids complete a maze through the mountains of Switzerland, where Shoghi Effendi spent eight months preparing himself for his new role, finding letters to complete a quote along the way.
Full Speed Ahead (Word Scramble) | PK EE LE JY
Read a short introduction about Shoghi Effendi’s leadership. Unscramble the letters on the train cars to find virtues that helped Shoghi Effendi lead the Bahá’í community.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2010/Full_Speed_Ahead_JF10_p7.pdf
Images/Photos for Shoghi Effendi Theme | PK EE LE JY
Shoghi Effendi
https://media.bahai.org/history/other-historical-figures/the-guardian/
As a child:
https://www.bahai.org/shoghi-effendi/imageviewer/life-work-shoghi-effendi#img-1
As a young man, close up:
https://www.bahai.org/shoghi-effendi/imageviewer/life-work-shoghi-effendi#img-2
Video slideshow of Shoghi Effendi’s life with a spoken recollection of Leroy Ioas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wWVTEQbyVM
Bahá’í World Centre:
Video of the Bahá’í gardens in Haifa, to show Shoghi Effendi’s design and vision:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJ96h7X5c4
Progress of the Shrine of the Báb:
https://www.bahai.org/the-bab/visualjourney/shrine-of-the-bab#img-1
THEME: Race Unity
Non-Brilliant Star Materials - Race Unity
Pre-K/Kindergarten (PK)
Core Curriculum preschool lesson plan on the Oneness of Humanity
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/preschool/ps4_humanity.pdf
Early Elementary (EE)
Core Curriculum lesson plan on the Oneness of Humanity (Level 1)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG-Oneness1-Humanity.pdf
Core Curriculum lesson plan on Race Unity (Level 1)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG-Oneness1-RaceUnity.pdf
Unity lesson, quotes, songs, and printable coloring pages
http://www.supportingthecoreactivities.org/additional-virtue-unity/
Lesson Plan on the Importance of Unity (can keep focus on race unity)
Includes craft, songs, game, etc.
http://www.supportingthecoreactivities.org/theme-4-lesson-10/
Lesson Plan on the Importance of Justice (can keep focus on racial justice)
Includes craft, songs, game, etc.
http://www.supportingthecoreactivities.org/theme-4-lesson-11/
Late Elementary (LE)
Core Curriculum lesson plan on the Oneness of Humanity (Level 2)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG-O-2-humanity.pdf
Core Curriculum lesson plan on the Oneness of Humanity (Level 3)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG-O-3-humanity.pdf
Junior Youth/Youth (JY)
Core Curriculum lesson plan on Race Unity (Level 2)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG-O-2-race-unity.pdf
Core Curriculum lesson plan on Race Unity (Level 3)
http://core-curriculum.bahai.us/downloads/lpgs/LPG-O-3-race-unity.pdf
Brilliant Star Materials - Race Unity
Subtopic: The Idea of Race
Does Race Exist? (True or False Quiz) | EE LE JY
Intro explores the scientific question of whether there are multiple races. The quiz includes scientific questions about the human species.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/MA17p20_Maya_Race_Quiz.pdf
Fun Facts about the Human Race (Missing Letter Activity) | PK EE LE JY
Intro from robot Hoshi explores the idea of race. For the activity, kids have to figure out which letters are missing from word or words in a list of facts about the human race.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2013/Hoshi_Adventures_MJ13_p27.pdf
Colors of Humanity (Rainbow Bubbles Craft) | PK EE LE JY
Intro explains melanin and why humanity has so many different skin colors. A simple craft made from recycled materials helps kids celebrate the different colors of humanity.)
Subtopic: Understanding Prejudice, Stereotypes, Privilege
Privilege: An Unfair Game (Active group games) | PK EE LE JY
Four active games that illustrate what privilege looks like. Intro explains that some groups, because of power dynamics throughout history and because of oppression based on race, gender, and other qualities, have some automatic advantages in society.
Journey to Freedom (Maze) | EE LE JY
Intro about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Activity is a maze along the journey to freedom in the north.
Respectful Remedies (Word Fill-in) | EE LE JY
Intro about microaggressions—what they are and the impact they have. Kids find words that are missing from tips for stopping microaggressions. https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/Respectful_Remedies_MA17_p13.pdf
Sheep Smarts (Visual Matching Activity) | PK EE LE
Intro about stereotypes—what they are and the impact they have. Kids find specific sheep in a scene, whose names include virtues such as Creative Clyde and Kind Katie.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/Sheep_Smarts_MA17_p7.pdf
Take a Bite Out of Stereotypes (Word Search) | PK EE LE JY
Intro about how stereotypes can lead to wrong assumptions and unfair prejudices. Kids find virtues and ideas in a word search that help us appreciate diversity and avoid stereotypes.
Escape the Pens of Prejudice (Visual Matching Activity) | PK EE LE
Intro about stereotypes—what they are and the impact they have. Kids find specific pig personalities in a scene, with names like Active Arlo and Tidy Tully.
Monsters of the Mind (Negative-Positive Matching) | EE LE JY
Intro about how prejudice is tricky and how we can try to stop prejudiced thoughts in their tracks. Activity: Match each negative monster with the positive book that will help them (e.g., Selfish Stanko should read “Giving is Grand”).
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2011/Monster_Mind_MJ11p17.pdf
More Monsters of the Mind (Negative-Positive Matching) | EE LE JY
Intro about how prejudice is tricky and can sneak up on us. Activity: Match each negative monster with the positive book that will help them (e.g., Gossiping Gulzo should read “Run from Rumors”).
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2014/More_Monsters_Mind_MJ14p17.pdf
Uprooting Racism (Virtue Item Find) | PK EE LE JY
Intro about how racism is like a weed with its roots intertwined deep in our society. Uprooting it will take hard work and we each have to dig deep into our own hearts to root out any trace of it. Kids find items in a garden scene that are named for virtues needed to overcome racism.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/Uprooting_Racism_MA17_p10.pdf
Riley’s Rainforest: Our Unfair Brains (Informative article and list of tips) | EE LE JY
Article examining how bias and prejudice come naturally to humans because our brains are always trying to categorize things. Includes a list of tips for resisting forming prejudices.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/Riley_Biases_MA17_p12.pdf
The Hair We Wear (Culture Clue Matching) | EE LE JY
Intro about how hairstyles have always been a significant element of various cultures, but also have been used as a means of discrimination. Readers match kids with their countries based on clues about where they live and how hair is significant in their cultures.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/The_Hair_We_Wear_MA17_p27.pdf
Subtopic: Taking Personal Action
Are You Building a Prejudice-Free Future? (Self-Assessment Quiz) | EE LE JY
Quiz that helps kids evaluate ways they are helping break the cycle of prejudice and discrimination.
How Welcoming Are You? (Self-Assessment Quiz) | EE LE JY
Quiz that helps kids evaluate ways they can embrace diverse people and make sure everyone feels welcome.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/Welcoming_Quiz_MA17_p6.pdf
What Do You Say About Prejudice? (Role Play) | EE LE JY
Three scenarios help kids figure out ways to respond in real-life situations involving prejudice.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2016/What_Do_You_Say_MJ16_p16.pdf
What Do You Say About Injustice or Racism? (Role Play) | EE LE JY
Three scenarios help kids figure out ways to respond in real-life situations involving injustice or racism.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2017/What_Do_You_Say_MA17_p19.pdf
Stopping Prejudice (Word Scramble and Tips) | EE LE JY
Intro about prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. Kids unscramble words in a list of tips for stopping prejudice and exploring diversity. https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2014/Stopping_Prejudice_MJ14p9.pdf
Subtopic: Stories Addressing Race Unity
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Kindness in New York | PK EE LE JY
Story of the African American boy ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called a “black rose,” and how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá used a piece of chocolate to show how his skin color was beautiful and something to celebrate.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2015/Abdul_Baha_Kindness_MJJA15.pdf
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Great Voyage: Last Glimpse | PK EE LE JY
Story that includes some examples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings on eliminating prejudice.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2012/ND12_Abdul-Bahas_Voyage.pdf
Subtopic: Music Celebrating Unity in Diversity | PK EE LE JY
Sheet Music: “One Family”
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2011/Music_One_Family_MJ11p20.pdf
Sheet Music: “Stand With Me”
Sheet Music: “One Day”
Video: “One Day”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs
Sheet Music: “A World of Difference”
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/pdf-play/WorldDifference__MJ10p20_Music.pdf
Music Video: “Unite” by Ali Youssefi
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/videos/unite
Subtopic: Inspiring Bahá’ís who Worked for Race Unity | EE LE JY
Sadie Oglesby
Sadie Oglesby was a black Bahá’í in the U.S. who, with Shoghi Effendi’s encouragement, helped the early American believers work on freeing themselves from racism and prejudice and recognize the importance of focusing on race unity.
Dr. Alain Locke
Dr. Locke was a black writer and poet who shed light on the African American experience through his writing.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/explore/pdf-shininglamp/SL_ALocke_JA09p22.pdf
Robert Abbott
Robert Abbott founded The Chicago Defender, a publication that reported the hardships that African Americans suffered. He met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá later in life.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2018/JF18p26_SL_Robert_Abbott.pdf
Agnes Parsons
Agnes Parsons was a white American Bahá’í who was asked by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to organize a race amity conference. She felt unprepared and unworthy for the task, but she persevered and succeeded.
Louis Gregory
Louis Gregory was a black American Bahá’í who was encouraged by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to speak out about race unity.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/explore/pdf-shininglamp/Louis_Gregory_MJ10p22.pdf
David Kellum
David Kellum was a black American Bahá’í who created the Bud Billiken Club in Chicago, the purpose being “to bring the children of the world closer together and show that all the world is kin.”
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2011/SL_David_Kellum_MJ11p18.pdf
Subtopic: Living Examples of Working for Race Unity | EE LE JY
“I Have a Dream”
12-year-old Brian gave a talk for MLK Day about the resilience of the Baha’is in Iran.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2013/I_Have_a_Dream_MJ13_pp24-25.pdf
Stargazer interview: Dr. William “Smitty” Smith
In 2010, Smitty founded the National Center for Race Amity at Wheelock College in Boston. As executive director, he organizes events such as plays, discussions, concerts, and films exploring friendship and cooperation.
Stargazer interview: Tod Ewing
Tod Ewing founded a diversity training company, which helped organizations build unity among people of different races, among other race unity based projects.
Stargazer interview: Dr. Randie Gottlieb
Dr. Gottlieb founded UnityWorks, training schools and organizations to respect and appreciate diversity.
Stargazer interview: Dr. Joy DeGruy
Dr. DeGruy wrote a book about racism, and she teaches students, organizations, and businesses about race unity and diversity.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/explore/pdf-stargazer/Joy_DeGruy_JA09_r3.pdf
Video of Dr. DeGruy telling a story about her white sister-in-law using her racial privilege to help stand up for justice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTvU7uUgjUI
Stargazer interview: Andrea Hope
Andrea Hope talks about how conversations about race were the most challenging part of her childhood.
More Than Two Colors: Andrea Hope also wrote more about her experiences growing up in a mixed race family here: https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/more-than-two-colors
Stargazer interview: Dr. June Manning Thomas
Dr. Thomas faced racial prejudice growing up in a small town in South Carolina. She became a professor who trains students to help cities solve many kinds of problems, including job loss, poverty, and discrimination.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2014/SG_June_Thomas_JF14p18p19.pdf
Intergenerational/Group Games and Activities
Celebrate Unity: Brilliant Star Treasure Box
Group games and activities that encourage unity, appropriate for a variety of ages.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Treasure_Box_MJ15_Celebrate_Unity.pdf
New World Order Games Manual from Linden Qualls
Over 150 unity-building games. This is an incredible resource. Look through the Table of Contents for unity-themed games.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c174b3_019f23d2520940f3983b59ca238b287c.pdf
Skits and Dramatic Activities from Linden Qualls
Look through the Table of Contents for unity-themed skits.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c174b3_e7433ec3372c4325aebf73aab8def38b.pdf
Updated on 5.05.19