To Everything Teaching Guide
To Everything is based on the book of Ecclesiastes from the Old Testament. Bob Barner chose to illustrate the passages that he felt were the most universal and most accessible for children.The book is designed to convey a sense that certain events and the feelings they evoke are natural and that there truly is a season, a time, and a purpose for everything.

To Everything can be used as a springboard for discussion about the choices we make and the effects of our actions upon others.These discussions may take place during a single reading or over a period of several days as different parts of the verse are explored.

As the book is read aloud, allow extra time for children to look closely at the illustrations. After a complete reading, go back to the beginning and have discussions related to each page.

The illustrations in To Everything were done in paper collage.The papers were torn by hand or cut with scissors and glued down. Make your own collage with colored papers, magazine pages, newspaper, or things like buttons or used stamps.

Cycles
To Everything shows that changes are a part of life. Several passages relate to cycles —"To everything there is a season," "A time to be born, a time to die," and "A time to plant, a time to pick"— are wonderful springboards to science discussions.

Focus Questions for Younger Children

  • The seasons follow a cycle and change in the same order once a year. Can you name the seasons? What are some things that happen in each season?
  • Do you feel differently during different seasons?
  • Describe the butterfly's life cycle. How do butterflies begin their life?
  • Name some other things that follow cycles.

    Follow-up Activities

  • Create a paper collage showing a favorite season.
  • Illustrate a panel (accordion fold) story to show the butterfly's life cycle or another life cycle.

    Follow-up Activities for Older Children

  • Plant some seeds and/watch what happens. Keep a plant journal to write in, illustrate, measure, and label drawings as the plants grow. Conduct experiments with different growing conditions. What happens when plants don't have enough light? Or enough water? Or healthy soil?
  • Think about places where you have seen flowers (or plants) growing outdoors. How do they make you feel? If you could create a garden, what would you plant?
    Design a garden for people to visit. Draw a detailed map of the garden— or create a garden collage to share with others.

    Feelings
    Feelings and emotions are natural. Some emotions are strong and can be expressed by crying or yelling; others are quiet and may not be expressed as easily. Discuss ways that people show different emotions. Share personal experiences related to strong emotions, such as sadness, joy, love, and anger.

    Focus Questions for Younger Children

  • Think about a time when you cried. What happened? What made you feel better?
  • Describe a time when you laughed.What made you laugh?
  • What are ways to show love? How do you show love to others?
  • Are there times when you have felt angry?
  • What caused that feeling? What made you less angry?

    Follow-up Activities
    Create a collage or illustration that depicts a feeling. Can the use of different colors illustrate a feeling? Can images be used to symbolize an action?

    Focus Questions for Older Children
    Share personal experiences related to strong feelings such as "A time to cry, a time to laugh," "A time for love, a time for anger," or "A time to mourn, a time to dance."

    Follow-up Activities
    Work in small groups to discuss a personal experience related to a strong feeling. Write a script, rehearse roles, and perform a short skit. Create a collage that depicts a feeling. How can the use of different colors illustrate a feeling? Can images symbolize an action?

    Giving and Receiving
    Many of the verses in the book relate to the idea of giving and receiving. Mother birds give nourishment to their chicks, lions protect their cubs. Every day, by interacting with others, we give and we receive.

    Focus Questions for Younger Children
    What does it mean to give and receive? When are times that people may give something to others or receive something from others? Share a time when you gave something or received something. How did it make you feel? Giving and receiving are not always about presents. What other things do people give and receive?

    Follow-up Activities
    Use collage materials to create a card for someone which marks a particular occasion like a birthday or other event.

    Focus Questions for Older Children
    Discuss the artwork for "A time to hold, a time to let go." What actions are shown? What would the consequences be? What would happen if you kept fireflies in a jar?
    Share personal experiences that you've had related to making a decision about letting go. How did you feel while you were making the decision? How did you feel afterward?

    Resolving Conflicts
    People have opinions that show their point of view. When people can't agree or share each other's point of view, conflicts arise. Sometimes people are able to work together and reach an agreement. When this doesn't happen, conflicts can result in physical actions such as yelling, fighting, or even in war.

    Focus Questions for Younger Children
    Share and discuss a problem that you have had. What did you do about it? Where did you go to get help? Were you able to solve the problem? How? Think of words you use to hurt others. What words can you use to help others feel less hurt?

    Follow-up Activities

  • Create a collage that shows people working together.

    Focus Questions for Older Children

  • Share personal conflicts you've had. How did you respond? How was the conflict resolved?
  • Think of words you use to hurt others. What words can you use to help others feel less hurt?

    Follow-up Activities

  • Role-play situations that show how to solve differences. (Identify problem, examine multiple solutions, determine points in agreement, work out compromises on both sides.)
  • Discuss world events and countries where wars are taking place.
  • Investigate (or report) on the circumstances that have caused the conflict to escalate into war. Examine how war affects people? What is being done to resolve the conflict? Who is involved in the problem solving process?
  • Create a collage that shows important individuals, community groups, or world organizations helping others.

    • Go to: To Everything