UUA Religious Education: Curricula

UU Heritage & Identity Curricula

Preschool (Up to Age 5)

Celebrating Me and My World: A Unitarian Universalist Preschool Curriculum by Debora Chandler Pratt. 37 sessions. This full-year curriculum celebrates the wondrous qualities of children and the animals, objects, and people around them. Provides preschoolers with experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life. (UUA, 1995) At UUA Bookstore.

Chalice Children: A Unitarian Universalist Preschool Curriculum by Kate Tweedie Erslev. 36 sessions. Based upon a philosophy that a child’s spiritual development is related to direct experience, this curriculum helps young children learn what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Using a chalice theme, children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others, and explore a sense of belonging. (UUA, 1998) At UUA Bookstore.

Unitarian Universalist Alphabet by Helen Zidowecki. 30 sessions. The curriculum for preschool and kindergarten offers an introduction to UUism through stories. It develops an awareness in children of their UU congregation as a good place to be. Lessons are arranged by the first letter, A to Z, of each topic, which usually deals with a famous UU individual. Each lesson can stand alone. (Helen Zidowecki, 1999)

We Are Many, We Are One: A Unitarian Universalist Preschool Curriculum by Colleen M. McDonald. 36 sessions. This yearlong preschool curriculum offers children the grounding of a religious community and tradition, along with the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. The underlying theme throughout is anti-bias and multicultural education, which celebrates diversity and interdependency. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Primary (Grades 1-3)

A Stepping-Stone Year: A Program for Eight to Ten Year Olds by Margaret K. Gooding. 35 sessions. This program is based on the premise that religion helps people find answers to important life questions and that a religious community can help people in their search for answers. Units include Beginning Myths, Stories Science Tells Us, The Wonder of Birth, Adventures of Our People (American, Canadian, and English UUs), Wonderings About Death, and Making Decisions. (UUA, 1989) At UUA Bookstore.

Around the Church Around the Year: Unitarian Universalism for Children Kindergarten to Grade 2 by Jan Evans-Tiller. 32 sessions. Through this curriculum, 5 to 7 year olds become acquainted with their own Unitarian Universalist community: the people, buildings, rituals, and celebrations, and the basic tenets of Unitarian Universalism. (UUA, 1990) At UUA Bookstore.

Love and Help: A Program in Unitarian Universalist Identity for 7 to 11 Year Olds by Jill Bauer. Originally designed for UU Cub Scouts, this workbook can be used by girls or boys, in or out of scouting, with a helping parent or teacher. Through various activities, children learn about self, family, religious community, and Unitarian Universalism. Upon completion of the program, children are eligible to receive an emblem and certificate from the Youth Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association. (UUA, 1984) At UUA Bookstore.

Spirit of Adventure: UU Identity for 2nd-5th Graders by Kate Tweedie Erslev. 35 sessions. This is an active Unitarian Universalist Identity curriculum for children using the themes of sports, medicine, food, science, building, exploring and the web of life as ways to discover the people and values of our Unitarian Universalist faith. (Kate Tweedie Erslev, 2005)

The UU Kids Book by Barbara Marshman, Charlene Brotman, Ann Fields. This is an activity book for children ages 6 to 10. A wide variety of activities, games, and projects introduce children to UU history, identity, and values. (Brotman-Marshfield, 1989) At UUA Bookstore.

UU Super Heroes by Gaia Brown, Illustrations by Terry Stafford. 17 sessions. 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. (Gaia Brown, 2004)

We Believe: Learning and Living Our Unitarian Universalist Principles by Ann Fields and Joan Goodwin. 22 sessions. This program for small, multi-age groups, builds on the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism. Since Unitarian Universalists often state what we do not believe, the editors chose to work from the very foundation of our faith when developing this curriculum. The activities encourage participants to incorporate the Principles into their lives. (UUA, 1998) At UUA Bookstore.

What Is Religion: For Others and for Us? by Virigina S. Steel. 27 sessions. Focuses on church, religion, holidays, and Unitarian Universalism. Helps children feel a part of a loving and worshiping community. Provides opportunities to practice UU values and experience freedom of inquiry and a quest for understanding. Introduces religious concepts and language to help understand God, religion, Jesus, Bible, prayer, worship, and religious holidays. (First Parish in Wayland, 1984)

Elementary (Grades 4-6)

Beginning Unitarian Universalism by Mary Ann Moore and Helena Chapin. 26 sessions. Enables children to claim their religious identity as Unitarian Universalists. Arranged in 7 units based on the UU Principles and Purposes. (Winchester Unitarian Society, 1985)

Holidays and Holy Days: A Whole Year of Celebrations by Charlene Brotman, Barbara Marshman, and Ann Fields. In this program, participants learn about the origins and meanings of holiday and holy day celebrations. The authors state, "Holidays are the natural, age-old vehicle of religious socialization. Their festivities tell a story which children absorb with delight, through experiences far more than through words. Decorations, colors, costumes, dances, lights, songs, foods, festivity, gifts, excitement, pageantry, solemnity, ceremony, and ritual: it is of these that tradition is woven, that memories, beliefs, values, fears, hopes, and reverence are transmitted. A holiday is not something to talk about . . . it's something to DO." The program is divided into three calendar sections: fall, winter, and spring. (Brotman-Marshfield, 1983)

The Life and Teachings of Jesus by Donna Wheelock and Judith Hoehler. 25 sessions. Explores the events of Jesus's life, his teachings, and the customs of the times. Offers opportunities for discussion, activities for enrichment, and celebrations. (Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, 1980)

Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7-8)

Carry the Flame: A Self-Discovery and Religious Identity Program for UU Youth by Lori Berger McDermott. A series of three workbooks for three age levels: Early Elementary, Middle Elementary, and Upper Elementary/Junior High. This program seeks to expand participants' self-awareness, spirituality, and religious identity by exploring the UU Principles. The program is self-paced and interactive, and can be used with a mentor or within a group. (First Religious Society, Carlisle, MA, 1993)

God Power by Mary Ann Moore. 15 sessions. This 15-session curriculum for grades 7-8 seeks to explore the concepts of God and Power, and the combining of those concepts to create God Power. Manifestations of divinity in this world are seen as the workings of power defined not as “control” but as the creative forces that abound in the universe and in us. (Jim Moore, 1996)

Messages in Music: Unitarian Universalism for Junior High by Elizabeth May Strong. 23 sessions. Explores ways in which the UU Principles and Purposes are expressed and violated in our society. Using contemporary music as a focus, young people learn to incorporate and express UU values in their lives through two projectsÑa musical presentation and a congregational worship service. The first part of the curriculum focuses on the Principles, the second on the Sources of the living tradition. (UUA, 1993)

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.

Religion in Life: A Program of Study, Reflection, and Action in Religious Living by Cynthia Breen and Keith Kron. 9 sessions. This program is designed for Unitarian Universalist Boy Scouts. Completion of the porogram leads to awarding of the Religion in Life emblem (available from the UUA Bookstore). The program is carried out in cooperation between the Boy Scouts, an adult mentor, and a Unitarian Universalist congregation. While originally designed for Boy Scouts, it is also used as a UU identity program for youth not involved in scouting. (UUA, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

Side by Side: Mothers and Daughters Exploring Selfhood and Womanhood Together by Mary Bly, Beth Graham, Judith Reinauer. 7 sessions. In Side by Side, mothers and their pre-adolescent daughters get a rare opportunity to deepen their communication with each other, sharing thoughts and feelings about growing up as girls and women in today’s society. The program challenges our culture’s narrow definition of the feminine, countering messages in music, television, advertising, and other media. (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, NY, 1998)

Traditions with a Wink!: UU Identity Curriculum for Middle Schoolers by Kate Tweedie Erslev. 44 sessions. 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. (Kate Tweedie Erslev, 2000)

Senior High (Grades 9-12)

Dare To Know:: “Isms” Linking Humanism and Unitarian Universalism for High School Youth by Jeff Liebmann. 23 sessions. This year-long curriculum for high school youth introduces participants to Humanism and to other contemporary “isms.” Rather than provide definitive answers to questions about the nature of existence or the purpose of life, this program uses a discussion format to give participants tools for finding their own answers. The curriculum is divided into five modules: “Origins of Humanist Thought,” “The Tools of the Humanist,” “Humanism and Social Relations,” “Humanism, Politics, and Economics,” and “Humanism and the World.” (Jeff Liebmann, 1999)

Philosophy-Making: A Process Guide for Unitarian Universalist Growth and Learning by Elizabeth Anastos and David Marshak. Helps congregations develop a usable philosophy of lifespan religious education to guide their program planning in accordance with their beliefs, values, and priorities. Contains workshops for three processes of various lengths. (UUA, 1984)

Thinking the Web: Unitarian Universalism and Controversial Moral Issues for High School by Jeff Liebmann. 25 sessions. This year-long curriculum for high-school youth investigates political, constitutional, and legal issues facing the United States. After instruction in the techniques of "systematic thinking dispositions," it moves on to discussions such as issues abortion, death with dignity, the legalization of drugs, censorship and pornography in the media, capital punishment, gun control, weapons of mass destruction, and peacemaking versus just war. (Jeff Liebmann, 1998)

Truth and Meaning: Questions about the Western Religious Heritage of Unitarian Universalism for High School Youth by Jeff Liebmann. 25 sessions. This curriculum for high-school youth explores questions about Western religions that young people encounter in their daily lives. In particular, it compares and contrasts Unitarian Universalism with other Western religions. The sessions are grounded in the format of questions about religious practices and theological concepts, life and afterlife, religious "extremes," religious prejudice, and dogma and creeds. Rather than offer concrete answers, the questions invite youth to develop their own answers. (Jeff Liebmann, 1998)

Adult

Our Unitarian Universalist Story by Carol D. Meyer. 6 sessions. Explores UU identity within the context of the history and heritage of Unitarianism and Universalism. Readings, discussions, and activities help participants explore their spiritual development, religious attitudes, values and beliefs, and current theological trends and issues. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Remember Universalism Into Life by Raymond R. Nasemann and Elizabeth M. Strong. 8 sessions. A discussion guide for The Universalist Heritage, a book of 15 keynote addresses delivered by Unitarian Universalist ministers at the annual meeting of the New York State Convention of Universalists from 1976 to 1992. (New York State Convention of Universalists, 1982)

The Safe Congregation Handbook: Nurturing Healthy Boundaries in Our Faith Communities, Patricia Hoertdoerfer and Frederic Muir, Ed. This is a comprehensive resource guide that provides congregational leaders the skills and structure to nurture healthy relationships and safe boundaries in our faith communities. The handbook includes essays by clergy and lay leaders, and lesson plans for 12 workshops (each with two formats to accommodate 45-minute and 2-hour time spans). Also includes helpful checklists for conducting safety needs assessments and an annotated list of resources on topics such as abuse, interpersonal violence, and harm prevention. (UUA, 2005) At UUA Bookstore.

Multi-age

Worth and Dignity of All People by Marjorie Dunn. Based on the first Principle - the inherent worth and dignity of every person - for grades 1 to 8 in 4 grade levels (1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 7 to 8). Themes include building a caring/respectful group; understanding people with disabilities; understanding/overcoming racism, sexism, homophobia, and prejudice. Each theme is addressed in age-appropriate ways. (Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 1993)

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