Multiculturalism Curricula

For All Ages - From UUA and Non-UUA Sources

Some of the programs listed below focus primarily on racism; others address a number of "isms." All can contribute to anti-oppressive multicultural education.

Primary (Grades 1-3)   |   Elementary (Grades 4-6)   |   Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7-8)   |   Senior High (Grades 9-12)   |   Adult

Primary (Grades 1-3)

Celebrating Family by Tirrell H. Kimball. 5 sessions. Explores concepts of family, including non-traditional family structures. Seeks to give each child a sense of belonging and a sense that his or her family is unique, precious, and as real as any other. (Green Timber Publications, 1990)

Rainbow Children A Racial Justice and Diversity Program for Ages 5 to 8: Rainbow Children A Racial Justice and Diversity Program for Ages 5 to 8 by Norma Poinsett and Vivian Burns. 12 sessions. This is an anti-bias, pro-diversity curriculum that addresses racial and ethnic prejudice while affirming the inherent worth and beauty of the child, the family, the community, and the diversity of humankind. Beginning with the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child, it celebrates the differences and commonalities of all people. (UUA, 1995)

Elementary (Grades 4-6)

Celebrating Family by Tirrell H. Kimball. 5 sessions. Explores concepts of family, including non-traditional family structures. Seeks to give each child a sense of belonging and a sense that his or her family is unique, precious, and as real as any other. (Green Timber Publications, 1990)

Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7-8)

Beyond Pink and Blue: Exploring Our Stereotypes of Sexuality and Gender by Tracey Robinson-Harris and Ritch C. Savin-Williams. 12 sessions. Invites participants to examine our cultural understandings of gender identity and gender roles, sexuality and what it encompasses, and how stereotypes and prejudice influence the way we think and act as males and females. Through small-group work, experiential exercises, and discussions, participants assess their own attitudes, actions, and feelings about gender roles and identity. (UUA, 1994)

Neighboring Faiths: Exploring Religion with Junior High Youth by Christine Reed and Patricica Hoertdoerfer. 34 sessions. Inspired by the UU classic, Church Across the Street, this yearlong curriculum helps youth in grades 7-9 learn about their own Faith and other faith traditions through interactive experience such as field trips and interviews. These encounters with other religions are given meaning through periods of reflection and discussion about Unitarian Universalist and personal beliefs and values. (UUA, 1997) At UUA Bookstore.

Senior High (Grades 9-12)

Beyond Pink and Blue: Exploring Our Stereotypes of Sexuality and Gender by Tracey Robinson-Harris and Ritch C. Savin-Williams. 12 sessions. Invites participants to examine our cultural understandings of gender identity and gender roles, sexuality and what it encompasses, and how stereotypes and prejudice influence the way we think and act as males and females. Through small-group work, experiential exercises, and discussions, participants assess their own attitudes, actions, and feelings about gender roles and identity. (UUA, 1994)

Neighboring Faiths: Exploring Religion with Junior High Youth by Christine Reed and Patricica Hoertdoerfer. 34 sessions. Inspired by the UU classic, Church Across the Street, this yearlong curriculum helps youth in grades 7-9 learn about their own Faith and other faith traditions through interactive experience such as field trips and interviews. These encounters with other religions are given meaning through periods of reflection and discussion about Unitarian Universalist and personal beliefs and values. (UUA, 1997) At UUA Bookstore.

Sacred Threads: An Asian Religions Curriculum for High School Youth by Jeff Liebmann. 20 sessions. This curriculum introduces high school youth to some of the basic concepts, beliefs, and practices of major Asian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism, Zen, and various folk religions. (Jeff Liebmann, 1997)

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity: An Anti-bias Program for Adults by Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani. 8 sessions. Helps people overcome bias and celebrate diversity through telling their stories and listening to others. Engages participants in a variety of activities to examine and challenge ableism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, and classism in the safe, caring, and respectful environment of religious community. Ends with an invitation to action. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Adult

Rise Up and Call Her Name: A Woman-honoring Journey Into Global Earth-based Spiritualities by Elizabeth Fisher. 13 sessions. This multimedia program provides a unique format for learning about goddesses from a variety of traditions, hearing and telling personal stories, creating sacred art, participating in rituals, talking about important questions in feminist spirituality, and engaging in personal discovery. Includes a leader's guide, video, 2 audiocassettes, sourcebook and journal, and a goddess booklet. (Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation, 1994)

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity: An Anti-bias Program for Adults by Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani. 8 sessions. Helps people overcome bias and celebrate diversity through telling their stories and listening to others. Engages participants in a variety of activities to examine and challenge ableism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, and classism in the safe, caring, and respectful environment of religious community. Ends with an invitation to action. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

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