Home Faith Development Children

Preschool Through Grade 8

Classes and Curricula

 

Three- and Four-Year Olds

We are Many, We are One

 

This curriculum creates an atmosphere inviting religious growth and learning. Its lessons foster the freedom to learn and discover each preschooler’s uniqueness. The underlying theme is anti-bias and multicultural education, which celebrates diversity and interdependence.

 

Kindergarten

Creating Home

 

Children develop a sense of home that is grounded in faith and ask questions about the purpose of having a home and the functions a home serves for humans and other animals. The program introduces the concept of a “faith home,” our congregation, which shares some characteristics with a family home. Children explore the deep sense of sacredness, the beauty of hospitality, and the gift of loving relationships that a home can represent.

 

First Grade 

 Treasure Hunting

 

Children get involved in the excitement of searching for meaning in life at the concrete level of their understanding. Through games, crafts, songs, and stories, children explore the meaning behind a UU principle or value. Every week, children make or receive an object symbolic to that week’s theme to put in a personal treasure chest and in a class treasure chest. These lessons teach them about the truly valuable “treasures” of our UU beliefs.

 

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

This 8-session curriculum supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies, and families. Following a parent meeting and parent-child orientation, the seven sessions engage children with stories, songs, and activities. A key component is the weekly HomeLink - a homework project for parents and children to do together that promotes dialogue between them about these important topics.

 

Second Grade

Moral Tales 

 

Children learn about spiritual and ethical tools they will need to make choices and take actions reflective of their UU beliefs and values. Moral Tales aims to help raise children who have been provided with tools that will help them to discern what is right and true, to hear and follow the call of love, and to turn their moral beliefs and ethical concerns into concrete action.

 

Third Grade

Stepping Stone Year

 

How did the world begin? What is my place in it? What is right? What is wrong? How can I make decisions? What can I do to make my life worthwhile? During this year, children begin finding their own answers to such questions. They have fun and are challenged as they look at various perspectives on these questions from myths to modern science. They also learn the basic principles of UUism and the people who have been living examples of these values. This year ends with a special Recognition Ceremony in May. 

 

Fourth Grade

Holidays and Holy Days 

 

Children study the sacred days of the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, and other world religions. As they learn about how others think about God, prayer, and the right ways to live, they affirm their own UU beliefs and the concept “under the sky, all people are one family.” Decorations, colors, costumes, dances, lights, songs, foods, festivity, gifts, solemnity, ceremony, and ritual - it is of these that tradition is woven, that memories, beliefs, values, fears, hopes, and reverence are transmitted. A holiday isn’t something to talk about - it is something to do. 

 

Fifth Grade 

Toolbox of Faith

Children reflect on the basic qualities of our faith, such as integrity, courage, and love. They learn these qualities are tools they can use to live their lives and build their faith. Reflecting on these “tools,” children gain insight into what makes our UU faith a faith for life.

 

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

This 8-session program helps fifth graders learn about and discuss the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision-making. Each session includes a HomeLink - a homework activity for parents and children to complete together. 

 

Sixth Grade

Neighboring Faiths 

 

This curriculum explores the history and development of different faith traditions. Participants plan their own program by choosing which religious groups to learn about, visit, and relate to their own growing faith. 

 

Seventh Grade

Compass Points

This full-year program is designed specifically for adolescents as they explore their selves, their beliefs, their UU faith, and their relationships with others and the world. The year is divided into five “journeys”: The Journey, Traveling North (faith as a guide for the spiritual journey), Traveling East (the circles of life), Traveling South (connections to our UU faith), and Traveling West (connections to the world and the web of life). 

 

Eighth Grade 

Our Whole Lives (OWL) 

 

OWL is a comprehensive sexuality education program that includes age-appropriate information about human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It’s grounded in a holistic view of  sexuality. OWL addresses not only the physical components of our lives, but also the spiritual, emotional and cultural. Instructors are required to attend OWL teacher training. Parents are required to attend a Parent Orientation Meeting in September. Youth are expected to attend each weekly class.