Preschool - Grade 6

Fall 2010 Religious Education Opportunities

Preschool (Ages 3-4) – We Are Many, We are One

This UUA curriculum is based on the philosophy that young children learn about relationships through relationships. They also have a lot of questions at this age: What is a person? Who am I? How am I related to others? Why do I come to this place each week? How am I related to the world around me? How do I treat others? We'll explore some answers to these religious and spiritual questions with our youngest class. The primary goal for this class will be to create an atmosphere that invites religious growth and learning in a loving, secure atmosphere filled with caring adults and peers. They'll become aware of some of the important Unitarian Universalist symbols and values as they light their chalice each week and share their own important personal stories. This class for this age group will only be offered at the 9:30 AM religious education session.

Early Elementary (Kindergarten – Grade 2) – Around the Church, Around the Year

This UUA curriculum is designed to help children feel more a part of our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and understand the faith and practices of Unitarian Universalism in the context of our faith community. They will learn more about our people, building, rituals and celebrations. By the end of the year, the children in this class should be more familiar with our congregation's staff and lay leaders and the work that they do. They will also know our building inside and out and have a sense of the spiritual and social life of the congregation, as well as their own spiritual and social connections with our community. This class for this age group will be offered at both the 9:30 AM and the 11:30 AM religious education sessions.

Intermediate & Upper Elementary (Grades 3-4 AND Grades 5-6) – Unitarian Universalism: Wisdom that Spans Our Past, Present and Future

This curriculum helps children see where their lives and the choices they make intersect with our Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values. Each session begins with the ritual of lighting the chalice and sharing, or ‘checking in.’ Then, using contemporary children's literature, a story or biography is shared. These stories highlight themes from Unitarian Universalist Principles or the lives of people whose lives and actions have exemplified UU values and our faith traditions. Each week, students have time for discussion, a year long arts project based on the artist's trading card tradition, or the opportunity to engage in self determined activities that allow students to get to know their peers better.These classes for this age group will be offered at both the 9:30 AM and the 11:30 AM religious education sessions.

Summer RE Calendar

Supervision, which may include stories, drama, games, outside play, or crafts, will be available during the summer Sunday Morning Programs for children who will be in Kindergarten – Grade 5 in Fall 2010. (Children younger than this may remain in the nursery for the summer, children who are older may attend the service or be employed as a children’s childcare provider or nursery helper if they have completed the UUFA childcare orientation.) There will only be nursery care for children age four and younger on summer Sunday's that are also holiday weekends. Here is the tentative Summer schedule:

May 30 – Memorial Day Holiday – Nursery Care Only

June 6 – All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

June 13 – Brian's Last Sunday – All Congregation Service – Nursery Care Only

June 20 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

June 27 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

July 4 – July 4^th Holiday – Nursery Care Only

July 11 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

July 18 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

July 25 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

August 1 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

August 8 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

August 15 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

August 22 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

August 29 - All Age Summer Program AND Nursery Care

September 5 – Labor Day Holiday – Nursery Care Only