Traditions with a Wink!
UU Identity Curriculum for Middle Schoolers

By Kate Tweedie Erslev

Web site

www.uure.com

---

Theme and Description

Written in response to her congregation’s need for a good Coming of Age program, Kate Tweedie Erslev’s Traditions with a Wink! offers a comprehensive UU identity course for middle school students. The lessons use diverse sources such as the Internet, the UU hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition, the Bible, UU history, and UU rituals including the Flower Communion.

Goals for Participants

To develop a UU identity which goes beyond “we can believe anything we want;”
To learn about Unitarian and Universalist history, including Jewish and Christian roots, our Principles and Sources, including the use of science and reason;
To learn about a diversity of UU communities by Internet and/or “real life” visits;
To use UU rituals and hymns to delve more deeply into Unitarian Universalism;
To learn about our traditions of good works;

---

Age Range

Grades 6-8

Size of Group

Unspecified

Space Requirements

A space with plenty of room to move around and conduct activities

Number and Length of Sessions

44 sessions
Length: Unspecified

Leader Training

None required. It is recommended that the same person or team teach this class for the entire year.

Leader Preparation

Suggestions for preparation are included at the beginning of each lesson. No preparation times are given.

---

Strengths

Uses a diverse set of resources and approaches to assist in the development of UU identity.
Clear, consistently structured lesson plans, including an “Our Tradition” section which explicitly links the topic being studied with Unitarian Universalism.
Incorporates the Internet into a lesson that exploreds other UU congregations.
Includes a comprehensive list of references.
Suggests a service project and a social night gathering for each section of the program.

Limitations

Some congregations might not have Web access during their religious education program, but the objectives of the lessons asking for Internet access can be achieved in other ways.
Its eclectic use of many different cultural and religious traditions may distract from what is actually Unitarian Universalist.

Adaptability

Sessions can be adapted or omitted to adjust to a congregation’s schedule or needs.

Unitarian Universalist Values

This curriculum is specifically designed to explain and affirm the history and application of Unitarian Universalist values.

Reviewed on June 01, 2006

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100