Experiences with the Web of Life

By Marjory M. Donn, Abby L. W. Crowley, Jean Rashkin, Carla Miller, Charles Tompkins and Penny O’Brien

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Theme and Description

This yearlong curriculum introduces children ages five to eight to the Unitarian Universalist Principle of respect for the “interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Goals for Participants

To develop awareness of the interdependence of living things and each child’s place within the web of life;
To nurture children’s enjoyment of nature;
To encourage children’s natural sense of wonder and awe;
To gain awareness of, and comfort with, change and growth as characteristics of living things (including birth and death);
To develop respect for all living things;
To develop a desire to protect the environment.

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Age Range

Children ages 5-8 (Early Elementary)

Size of Group

Flexible

Space Requirements

A regular RE classroom, plus accessibility to places outdoors.

Number and Length of Sessions

45 sessions
Length: 75 minutes, with suggestions for adapting to 60 minutes

Leader Training

Professional educational experience or training is not required, although it is recommended for classes with ten participants or more. The sessions are intended to be team-taught by two teachers.

Leader Preparation

1-3 hours per session. In addition to more typical preparations, it expects that leaders will have scouted out the outside field trip locations prior to classes in order to have a familiarity with the plant and animal life there.

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Strengths

Sessions have a consistent, detailed format and provide plenty of background information.
Hands-on experience is the main focus of each session.
An abundance of supplementary material, such as songs and poems.
Relates explicitly to the seventh UU Principle.
Includes a song tape.

Limitations

Urban congregations might have difficulty accessing a “nature corner” that can be observed regularly.
Requires somewhat above-average teacher commitment.

Adaptability

Number of sessions as well as length of sessions can be adapted.
Offers many suggestions for successful adaptations.
Outdoor time can be adapted to many different locations and weather conditions

Unitarian Universalist Values

The explicit purpose of this curriculum is to provide the building blocks toward respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Uses a variety of sources, emphasizing both scientific observation and spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions that celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Reviewed on June 30, 2004

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