Curriculum

At First Parish, our religious education curriculum is chosen to reflect a progression in a child’s spiritual development from preschool through 8th grade.

A child’s beginning experience in church school addresses a basic understanding of church and faith, the 7 Unitarian Universalist Principles, issues of diversity and difference, and meaningful stories from the Bible and other spiritual works.

As a child grows in our program she or he begins to dig more deeply into a personal connection to a spiritual life, assembling the necessary tools to make good moral choices, to commit to principles of social justice and equality, and to a lifelong exploration of various truths.

In the junior high years, children in our program begin to genuinely use these tools as they examine a variety of faiths, explore human sexuality, and create and enact social justice projects that are deep and meaningful. Our capstone Coming of Age program for 8th graders connects youth with mentors and guides them through a culminating process of self-discovery, ending with a recognition ceremony in which youth share their own personal credo.

Our two youth groups, one for junior high and one for high school aged teens, help the youth to seal their lifelong connection to Unitarian Universalism broadly and the First Parish community in particular.

Our 2011-2012 Curriculum

BABIES AND YOUNG TODDLERS

We offer free childcare in a safe nursery environment each Sunday. Staffed by a trained team of one adult and one teen, the nursery features play and stories that are age appropriate. First Parish has a diapering policy so we can follow your wishes with regard to changing diapers. In order to honor our very smallest visitors, the nursery also has a “no shoes” policy.

PRESCHOOL UU Greatest Hits

Our 10-month preschool curriculum offers children the grounding of a religious community and tradition, along with the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. It incorporates plenty of free play, and the will use our church playground as weather permits.

KINDERGARTEN Rainbow Children

This curriculum affirms the inherent worth and beauty of human diversity. It is an anti-bias program that focuses on racial and ethnic prejudice aimed at guiding our children to a deeper understanding of genuine openness and connectivity with others.

GRADE ONE UU Bible Heroes

In first grade, we introduce our children to the stories of people from the Bible who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to lead their lives fully and make the world a better place for others.

GRADE TWO Faithful Journeys

This Tapestry of Faith curriculum takes children on a pilgrimage of faith, exploring how Unitarian Universalism is relevant in their choices and everyday actions. Stories about real people model how participants can act faithfully as UUs in their own lives.

GRADE THREE Moral Tales

Moral Tales provides third graders with the spiritual and ethical tools needed to make choices and take actions reflective of their Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values. As much of our curriculum does, Moral Tales, draws regularly on our seven UU Principles.

GRADE FOUR Toolbox of Faith

Taking a deeper look at Unitarian Universalism in thought and practice, we encourage children are to reflect on the qualities of our UU faith. Examining concepts like integrity, courage and love, the children build a set of tools useful for living their lives faithfully.

GRADE FIVE In Our Hands

Children explore their own knowledge, feelings and imagination about issues of peace and justice; conflict and resolution. They will look both externally at the broader world and internally at their own sense of peace and justice within themselves.

GRADE SIX Neighboring Faiths

Exploring world religions is a hallmark of Unitarian Universalist education. Our grade six students are introduced to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups in their community. This program includes several visits to other faith communities.

GRADE SEVEN Compass Points

Students go on a reflective and spiritual journey, sorting through feelings about themselves and their world, while learning to think independently, assume responsibility, and make decisions about the value and practice of radical hospitality.

Term 2 Our Whole Lives

A capstone of UU education, Our Whole Lives (OWL) addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical and cultural aspects of sexuality for adolescents. Teachers for this course undergo additional training and certification. A parent orientation is included.

GRADE EIGHT Heeding the Call

Heeding the Call is a social justice curriculum that not only explores linked oppressions in our society, but also engages youth in actual social justice projects.

Term 2 Coming of Age

Our church community acknowledges the transition from youth to young adulthood in a Coming of Age service which is a rite of passage held every Spring. The Coming of Age program features an exploration of one’s own values and faith with the culmination of a written and expressed personal credo.

Other Youth Programs…

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP

Our belief is that the worship experience can help children connect their faith to their life in important ways. To that end, we offer a variety of opportunities for children to experience worship. In addition to Sunday classes, regularly scheduled multi-generational services and Children’s Chapel give youth a more direct connection with the worship experience.

YOUTH GROUPS

We provide a “lifeline” and a safe haven of acceptance and encouragement where youth can become strong individuals.

While exploring their spirituality and the meaning of their lives, our youth work to treat the earth and each other responsibly as they live out their UU faith by bringing values of justice and peace to an often hurting and troubled world.

Junior Youth Group (grades 6-8) meets monthly High School Youth Group (grades 9-12) meets most weeks

CHILDRENS CHOIR

All children from Grade 1 on up are welcome to participate in the Children’s Choir. If a child or youth has an individual gift of voice or instrument, there are many opportunities for solo presentations. For more information about music at First Parish please contact the Assistant Music Director, Kate Campe at katherine.campe@gmail.com.

Religious Education Committee…

The RE Committee oversees the church’s program of religious education for children and youth. Working with the RE Director, the committee addresses curriculum, educational policy, special events, staffing and budget for programs that cover children and youth from nursery through Grade 8. Meetings are on the first Thursday of each month and are open to all.

R.E. Committee Chair: Liz Rover Bailey R.E. Committee Members: Alan Robins, Kim Lorimier, KristinNeff, Kelly Connolly, Dan Scanlan and Geri Sheehan Youth Advisor/Intern Minister: Christian Schmidt, YAC Committee Chair: Nancy Winbury and Tony Cicala

Religious Education A Cooperative Program for Children and Youth 2010-2011 (to download or print)