4- and 5-year-olds Pre-School
This group continues to explore their growth as individuals within a community. With an emphasis on empathetic relations, the children look at their ability to create a better world. The children explore diversity, cooperation, and service. This class is introduced to the subject of religion with holiday celebrations and deeper exploration of their very own church.
Kindergarten and First Grade
We Are Unitarian Universalists and Wisdom Tales
This group of children spends the first part of the year exploring Unitarian Universalism by exploring our church, our values, symbols, and special practices (like the Water Communion.) The class continues with an introduction to world religions with an emphasis on Hinduism and Buddhism. It concludes with a unit using some of the best of contemporary children's literature in order to explore our religious values and their expanding sense of ethics.
Second and Third Grade
How Miracles Abound (year one)
The goal of this curriculum is simple: to explore the miraculousness of life and the world. In a world that more and more divides into two camps (one religious and one scientific), this curriculum is an endeavor to combine these two views. With the assumption that what we discover through science need not threaten our understanding of the world, but instead enhances and enlivens our experience in this world, the children explore the natural world with a scientific and religious lens. For example, when the class has trees as a theme, they hear a Polynesian myth that explains why leaves are flat, conduct an experiment to understand photosynthesis, and prepare the Sunday School Sheltering Tree and Mitten Tree social action projects. Through a mix of scientific understanding, artistic encounter, social justice, and metaphor from stories of the world's religions, the children encounter the world with a mix of reason and awe.
Fourth Grade
History of Religious Thought
This class begins their exploration of religion by going back to the very beginning of religious thought and traveling forward through the history of religion. They learn about magic and make their own cave paintings, pretend to be hunters and gatherers as they explore Goddess worship, and simulate life in traditional India as they explore the concept of Karma. The group also examines how religions influence one another and are concerned with similar issues by comparing flood myths from around the world. The class concludes with an analysis of their religious values in today's world with discussion and role play around ethical dilemmas.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
Bibleodeon
Understanding and engaging our Biblical religious heritage is one of the most important elements of a Unitarian religious education. With this curriculum (developed by the Shelter Rock UU Congregation), the class explores the trials and tribulations of Cain and Abel, Samson and Delilah, King David and Solomon. The ethical teachings and challenges of Jesus are also examined. This class promotes a reasoned and modern approach to the Bible as well as an attempt to engage the issues with which these ancient personalities grappled.
Seventh Grade
Race to Justice and Our Whole Lives (OWL)
The seventh grade is the first part of our Coming of Age program. In this two-year endeavor, the young people are asked to closely examine and articulate their values and beliefs, and to examine their implications in the world. The goal is to help young people to define their moral compass as they begin to face major decisions in their lives. To this end, the seventh grade uses two curricula: "Race to Justice" and "Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education."
In the fall, the class explores the issue of racism. This serious topic is approached in a fun and engaging manner with games and activities. Topics covered include exploring personal heritages, personal experiences with prejudice, and racism in the media. An additional section covers the history of Unitarian involvement in civil rights issues and the class members interview members of the congregation to hear stories about race from people they know. This class is an exploration of how we live our UU values of inherent worth and dignity and equity and justice for all.
In the winter and spring the class participates in the OWL program. "Our Whole Lives" is an engaging and progressive approach to sexuality education. The curriculum assumes that youth have a right to receive complete information about sexuality and have support in making decisions about sexual matters. Consistent with our UU principles, OWL is based firmly on the values of self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity. We all care deeply for our children and want the best for them. Today's young people face decisions about relationships, sexual behavior, drugs, unchaperoned parties, and other serious issues at younger and younger ages. OWL is an opportunity for kids to get honest, helpful information in a warm and supportive atmosphere.
Please note: Parental permission is required for young people to participate in this program. A parent orientation is scheduled for the afternoon of October 28. Young people who do not participate in the program or who start attending once the session has begun may join with the fifth and sixth grade class, attend church services, or serve as an assistant in a Sunday School class.
Eighth Grade
Coming of Age / Affirmations Program
The purpose of the Coming of Age program is to foster and support our young people as they enter adolescence and begin the process of developing a mature identity; to develop a group of peers who will support one another through high school in an honest and gentle manner; to develop healthy and lasting relationships between youth and adults; and to recognize the growing independence of and to encourage and to help formulate youth development in such a direction that they become individuals capable of facing the challenges of life and to experience life's joys.
This group of young people have the opportunity to focus their thoughts on their religious beliefs and attitudes and develop the skills to articulate them. Working with adult mentors and as a group, they read and discuss a variety of authors in the UU arena, compare beliefs and experiences with those of other religious traditions, engage in social action projects, take field trips and have fun.
At the end of the year, the members of the class are honored by delivering their affirmation/belief statements to the congregation during a Sunday morning service. This is a wonderful opportunity for the young people to clarify their values and religious understandings as they enter the grown-up world with its many pressures and decisions.
The three key elements of exploration are:
• Beliefs and values clarification through class and group discussions, mentor discussions, minister discussions, and keeping a journal throughout the year.
• Examination of our faith tradition through study of the development of Jewish and Christian theology, the development of Unitarian and Universalist theology, visiting Unitarian Universalist churches in the area, and participating in congregational activities.
• Personal growth and responsibility through participation in social action projects, service to the congregation, experiencing physical challenge (for example, participation in a high ropes course), and preparation and presentation of an Affirmation statement.
The year for this group culminates with a trip to Boston. This trip is an opportunity for the young people to visit the locations where Unitarianism first developed in this country. It is also a lot of fun! The trip is funded through parent contributions, support of the congregation and various fundraising activities.
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Please contact our Religious Educator through
if you have questions about the program or if you would like to receive a prospectus on our Religious Education program for children, youth, and families. You can download our Religious Education Registration Form to fill out at home and bring with you on Sunday morning.
