Make a Pledge Payment
Children's Curriculum
Year’s Focus: The sources of our living tradition, including the wisdom of world religions and Judeo-Christian teachings while honoring personal experience and a sense of wonder
Nursery, Ages 0-3 – “We Are Unitarian, Universalists . . .”
Our Childcare Coordinator, Tiffany Mendez, and her assistants are ready, willing and able to care for children who are newborns through 3 years of age. The nursery is located at the far west end of the hallway, on the right side in Room 15. Babies are kept happy and comfortable with loving care from our experienced staff and parent volunteers. Toddlers play with toys, are offered a snack, and enjoy the play yard.
Pre-K – Kindergarten (4-6 years old) – Treasure Hunting is the theme that creates a concrete way for children to become involved in the excitement of the search for the meaning of life. It addresses issues that children face daily, explores the meaning of Unitarian Universalist principles and values, and emphasizes an accepting and caring community.
1st - 2nd Grade (6-7 years old) – Free To Believe explores UU principles and sources while nurturing the social, emotional and spiritual lives of children. The curriculum focuses on UU principles, values and beliefs and on life’s “big questions” (about God, death, the creation of life) through hands-on activities, stories, games, songs and discussions.
3rd - 4th Grade (8-9 years old) – Holidays & Holy Days teaches children about the origins and meanings of holiday and holy day celebrations. The author states, “Holidays are the natural, age-old vehicle of religious socialization. Their festivities tell a story which children absorb with delight, through experiences far more than through words. Decorations, colors, costumes, dances, lights, songs, foods, festivity, gifts, excitement, pageantry, solemnity, ceremony, and ritual: it is of these that tradition is woven, that memories, beliefs, values, fears, hopes and reverence are transmitted. A holiday is not something to talk about . . . it’s something to DO.” The program is divided into three calendar sections: Fall, Winter, and Spring.
5th - 6th Grade (10-11 years old) – Bibleodeon (Sept. through Feb.) and 5th-6th Grade Our Whole Lives (Feb. through Apr. – 8 weeks)
Bibleodeon introduces Hebrew and Christian scriptures by presenting the best-known Hebrew and Christian stories through interactive challenges such as investigating the Cain-Abel crime scene! Students explore connections between biblical events and UU principles, and between biblical ideas and their own lives.
5th-6th Grade OWL will comprise the remaining eight classes of the program year. Participants learn about and discuss the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision-making. Each session includes Homelink – a homework activity for parents and children to complete together. A parent orientation and parental consent is MANDATORY for students to participate in the OWL program. Parents are encouraged to visit the OWL website at http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/ourwhole/ -
7th- 8th Grade (12-14 years old) –Fighting Invisible Tigers/Popcorn Theology (Sunday mornings)
This class will focus on creating a trusting community focused on discussing issues important to the lives of its participants. The “Fighting Invisible Tigers” curriculum helps teens discover how to manage stress in their lives. “Popcorn Theology” uses popular films such as Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings as jumping off points for meaningful discussions about life, values and theology.
Junior High Our Whole Lives (OWL) (7th-8th graders - alternating Sunday afternoons – 11-1:30 p.m. for approximately 25 weeks)
OWL is the award-winning sexuality education program that provides teens with the information needed to understand their emerging sexuality and to make informed choices as they grow into adulthood, including values, faith and sexuality, communication and gender relations. The class is taught by a team of trained facilitators, and attendance at the parent orientation on August 26, 2009, and a signed parent consent is MANDATORY for participation in this program. Parents are encouraged to visit the OWL website at http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/ourwhole/
9th-12th Grade (14-18 years old) –Senior High/YRUU
Our high school group, Young Religious Unitarian Universalists meets regularly on Sunday mornings for worship, fellowship, and all around fun! The senior high group follows a small group ministry format with topics chosen and led by the group. This group also participates in Pacific Southwest District events such as mini-conferences, camps and District Assembly.