UU Super Heroes

By Gaia Brown, Illustrations by Terry Stafford

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Theme and Description

UU Super Heroes is a values-based Unitarian Universalist identity curriculum that encourages children to explore the lives of famous people who were Unitarians, Universalists or Unitarian Universalists.

Goals for Participants

To introduce children to the stories of Unitarians, Universalists and Unitarian Universalists;
To show how the lives of these people confirm the principles that Unitarian Universalists strive to promote;
To learn some of the traditions of both our Unitarian Universalist faith movement and our individual congregations;
To encourage the children to live their own lives fully and to use their own positive “super powers” to grow both spiritually and ethically.

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Age Range

6-9 year-olds

Size of Group

Flexible

Space Requirements

Several of the lessons require a great deal of space, therefore if the class normally meets in a small room an alternative room may be necessary unless the group can do the activity outdoors.

Number and Length of Sessions

17 sessions
Length: 60 minutes

Leader Training

No formal training required, but a teaching team is recommended.

Leader Preparation

1 - 2 hours

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Strengths

Includes many physically active and engaging activities as well as craft projects and stories;
Includes comments in the margins from the congregations where the curriculum was field tested so you can get a good idea of how the various items in the session plan worked and some alternative ideas that were implemented;
The “theme song” for the curriculum is a snappy tune with a great deal of appeal for this age group; the curriculum includes a copy of the song on CD (along with sheet music);
Most of the stories are included with the curriculum, so teachers do not have to spend time hunting down out-of-print books or finding alternatives;
Each lesson is connected to one or more of the Unitarian Universalist Principles.

Limitations

Has only 17 lessons, so it must be combined with another curriculum or additional activities if a full-year plan is needed;
The lesson on Christopher Reeve (and the story in particular) were written prior to his death and would need to be adapted to reflect this fact;

Adaptability

This curriculum is highly adaptable and includes within it a number of suggested alternative activities for each of the lessons.

Unitarian Universalist Values

Each lesson of this curriculum explicitly incorporates one or more of the Unitarian Universalist Principles. This curriculum has lessons on the Unitarian Universalist core values of letting your conscience be your guide, welcoming people of all abilities, and caring for the earth. The lesson on Pete Seeger includes an opportunity for the children to participate in a social action project.

Reviewed on May 05, 2005

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