RE for Children & Youth: Class Descriptions

REGISTRATION AND CLASSES

Parents should complete a registration form at the beginning of the year or soon after their children and youth begin attending Religious Education classes at UUFCC.  Forms are available in the lobby, in the RE wing, or may be obtained from the Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE), the Religious Education Committee (REC) chair, or the teachers.  Completed forms should be returned to the DLRE or the teacher.

The REC has decided to begin using the Tapestry of Faith on-line curricula from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).  The curricula encompasses the themes that we have used as the basis for our program in previous years - Unitarian Universalist Identity, World Religions, Jewish and Christian Heritage, the Interdependent Web, and Life Issues.  The curricula were developed to be appropriate for specific age groups and levels of development.

Nursery and Toddler Room - Room 4

This room is for infants with their parents, or toddlers ages 1 to 3, who are walking but may not be potty trained. There are two paid child-care providers in the room every Sunday during the service, and during the Lifespan Learning Hour. Child-care providers have completed training in childcare and/or CPR.

Pre-Kindergarten - Room 5

Curricula: “Chalice Children” and “Celebrating Me and My World”

“Chalice Children” is comprised of 5 units that explore the church as a special place, church as people, celebrating holidays, the wonder of the universe, and making friends. “Celebrating Me and My World” has 3 units that celebrate the wondrous qualities of children and animals, objects, and people around them. These curricula provide experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring, and help pre-schoolers develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life.

Kindergarten - 1st Grade - Room 6

Curriculum: “Creating Home”

This program helps children develop a sense of home that is grounded in faith. The program speaks of home as a place of belonging and explores the roles each of us play in the homes where we live. The program introduces the concept of a “faith home” - the Fellowship - which shares some characteristics with a family home. Like a family home, a faith home offers its members certain joys, protections, and responsibilities.

2nd - 4th Grades - Room 2

Curriculum: “Toolbox of Faith”

Invites participants to reflect on qualities of our Unitarian Universalist faith, such as integrity, courage and love, as tools they can use in living their lives and building their own faith.

5th - 8th Grades - Room 3

Curriculum: “Riddle and Mystery”

The purpose of Riddle and Mystery is to assist middle schoolers in their own search for understanding. Each session introduces and processes a Big Question. The first 3 questions are: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? The next ten include Does God Exist? And What Happens When You Die? The final three are Can We Ever Solve Life’s Mystery? How Can I Know What to Believe? And What Does Unitarian Universalism Mean to Me?

Senior High School - Sept 16 - Dec 16, 2012 - Room 1 (9:45-11:15am)

Curriculum: Our Whole Lives for 10th-12th grades

The OWL curricula were developed by a joint task force of the UUA and the United Church of Christ. It is based on the philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education, which helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. OWL is about values, respect, emotions, and justice. It is about the sacred aspects of sexuality, which is part of the miracle of creation. OWL helps participants develop and articulate their religious and sexual values. It also helps parents fulfill their role as the primary educators of their youth on sexuality issues. OWL creates a partnership between the family and the church through parent orientation and parent education. It is responsible sexuality education based on approaches that work - approaches that increase knowledge, communication, safety, and health.

Senior High School - YRUU - Room 1 (11:30am-12:30pm)

Program: The youth program includes aspects of leadership, learning, worship, social justice, and social activities. The Youth Adult Council (YAC) will lead the business part of YRUU meetings, and work with the advisors in developing their programming. Members of the youth group nominate and elect the representatives on the YAC.

Questions? Contact Director of Lifespan Religious Education