Children's Curriculum

The curricula used in our Religious Education Program are chosen from the vast range of materials published within our denomination. The curricula are chosen to best facilitate the child's natural progression into awareness of self, other, and the world of which we are a part.

Pre-K

10:00 am

Birth to Three Years: Great Beginnings...
Infants and children under the age of three are in the nursery during the Sunday ser­vice. Our staff provides a warm, accepting atmosphere where trust can be formed.

10:00-11:25 am

Pre Kindergarten (3 & 4 Year OIds):
Chalice Children believes spiritual development is related to direct experiences. We nurture young children's spiritual growth, creativ­ity, and connection to their UU community through rhymes, games, stories and activi­ties.

Kindergarten & Elementary

10:00-10:25 am

Children's Worship:
Grades K-5 begin with a 25 minute Chil­dren's worship, then proceed to class. On designated Sundays, K-9 will be in the sanctuary for the family service.

10:25-11:25 am

Kindergarten:
A Discovery Year which offers children a chance to understand and "discover" things about themselves, others, their congregation and their world.

First/Second Grades:
This is a special year at CUC. The children are embarking on their first "study" of the UU 7 principles and 6 sources with the Free to Believe curriculum. The year concludes with the "Affirmation" ceremony as part of the flower festival.

Third Grade:
Our third graders celebrate the Ho?J Days and Holidays from many religions and cultures. Each child is required to teach two classes with his/her parent, inviting home dialogue and research that provide the fundamentals of group participation.

Fourth Grade:
The fourth graders turn to stories from the Hebrew or Christian Bible to examine central human issues using the curriculum Bibleodeon.

Fifth Grade:
The Questing Year engages our kids in learning "quests" throughout the year. These quests are designed to teach them about themselves, Unitarian Universalism, social action, and spiritual exploration. The year culminates with the fifth graders presenting a worship service for Children's Worship.

Youth Curriculum

(Please note: We are in the midst of making some changes to the 6th and 7th grade curriculums. In the spring, the classes will be doing the same curriculum. This transition will be complete after the 2008-09 year.)

Middle School

10:00-11:25 am

Sixth Grade:
Fall: Our Whole Lives will be offered for 8 weeks in the fall. See Our Whole Lives for details.
Winter/Spring: Neighboring Faiths introduces youth to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups in our community. They compare and contrast other faiths to UU principles and beliefs. (This year's 6th grade will do Social Justice and Action next year when they are in 7th grade.)

Seventh Grade:
Fall: In Race to Justice the participants will explore issues of prejudice (racial, ethnic, cultural, and familial) from a UU perspective.
Winter/Spring: Neighboring Faiths introduces youth to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups in our community. They compare and contrast other faiths to UU principles and beliefs.

Eighth Grade:
The eighth graders will be participating in the most extensive of the Our Whole Lives curriculum modules throughout the year. Parents must attend an orientation prior to enrollment. See Our Whole Lives for details.

High School

10:00-11:25 am

Ninth Grade:
Our ninth graders begin a yearlong journey to examine and reaffirm their UU values and beliefs. The year culminates with a Coming of Age ceremony in the spring.

Tenth-Twelfth Grades: Youth Group
The Youth Group consists of a flexible but structured curriculum-based learning experience. The youth will choose from a variety of curricula that cover UU identity development, world religions, and anti-oppression. Youth have the opportunity to help in the RE program on Sunday mornings. See the director of Religious Education for placement.