Celebrating Our Origins in the Universe:
A Unitarian Universalist Religious Education Curriculum About the Story of Creation from the Big Bang through the Evolution of Humans

By Adrian Melott, M. Div., Ph. D. and Gaye Gronlund, M. A.

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Theme and Description

This curriculum is designed to introduce children in first through fifth grades to scientific concepts about the Universe and the origins of life, including human life, on Earth. It includes two picture books, How We Happened: The Beginning of Everything, and The Tree of Life: The Wonders of Evolution.

Goals for Participants

To understand scientific concepts such as the Big Bang, gravity, expansion and contraction, evolution; of Earth, and the properties of light and sound;
To learn about and utilize the scientific method;
To understand that scientific concepts change over time as scientists learn more about a phenomenon;
To recognize the interconnectedness of all living things;
To satisfy children’s innate curiosity and interest in the world around them – to address the ever-present “why;”
to be able to relate scientific concepts to children’s everyday lives.

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Age Range

Grades 1-5 The authors suggest that grades 1-3 and grades 4-5 be grouped together.

Size of Group

Flexible

Space Requirements

A classroom with plenty of table space for creative activities. Also includes a Family Night Sky Watch which works best if city lights are avoided.

Number and Length of Sessions

15 lesson plans, plus a Family Night Sky Watch and an optional worship ceremony. Includes outlines for programs up to 22 weeks.
Length: Unspecified – probably 45-60 minutes

Leader Training

No training is required, although leaders are encouraged to read two specific Scientific American articles for background for program. A scientific background in this field of inquiry would clearly be a plus, if not a necessity.

Leader Preparation

No extensive preparation required beyond reading the session plans and gathering the required materials which range from crayons to photographs of the Earth and pictures of dinosaurs.

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Strengths

Consistent session structure.
Presents complex ideas in a manner accessible and engaging to elementary school children.
Offers different hands-on experiences to enliven concepts for the participants.
Reinforces the Unitarian Universalist principles of interconnectedness and the use of reason and inquiry.
Opens sessions with UU worship elements.
Includes adaptations for use with older participants.

Limitations

Some aspects of the curriculum might be a little young for the older children in the age range.
Assumes a lot of good discussion will take place in the group.
To be effective, needs to have a Universe-knowledgeable person on the teaching team.

Adaptability

An appendix includes Extension Lessons to adapt the curriculum from 15 to 22 sessions.
Includes suggestions for different activities appropriate to the different age groups, grades 1-3 and 4-5, allowing this curriculum to be used in two separate religious education classes.
Could be used in a grades 1-6 small church school with learning centers for different subgroups.

Unitarian Universalist Values

#Promotes respect for the interdependent web of all existence and a direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder. #Cultivates an understanding of the scientific method, the evolution of scientific knowledge, and the role of reason in the search for Truth.

Reviewed on June 30, 1996

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