Children's Curriculum - 2011-2012

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.

Nursery/Childcare

9:00-11:30 am

Birth to Four Years - Great Beginnings:
Infants and children under the age of four are in the nursery during pre-service events and the Sunday ser­vice. Children can join the group anytime during the scheduled hours. Our staff provides a warm, accepting atmosphere where trust can be formed.

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

Four-year olds/Kindergarten - The Many and One Year:
We Are Many, We Are One In this curriculum children gain support and affirmation for their individuality, experience a sense of belonging in the group and congregation, and begin to learn how to help make their class a peaceable, friendly place.

1st Grade - The Discovery Year:
A Discovery Year/Rainbow Children The first grade curriculum is a combination of A Discovery Year which offers children a chance to understand and “discover” things about themselves, others, their congregation and their world and Rainbow Children, an anti-bias curriculum.

*Our Whole Lives Program will be offered for 10 weeks in winter/spring.

2nd/3rd Grades - The Celebration Year:
Holiday and Holy Days Our third graders will celebrate the Holy Days and Holidays from many religions and cultures. Celebration is a part of a universal response to Life. It is through rituals that we learn about what we, as human beings, deeply believe. Our children will become aware of values that affirm life within a variety of cultures and perspectives.

4th/5th Grades - The Bible Year:
Bibleodeon/Timeless Themes This class will spend the year examining issues that have been central among peoples’ concerns throughout history. They use stories from the Hebrew or Christian Bible as the basis. A variety of curricula are drawn upon to create the year’s learning.

6th/7th grade – The Faiths Year:
Neighboring Faiths This program 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.

*Our Whole Lives – will be offered for the 6th graders in an evening retreat format beginning in the winter.

High School

8th/9th grade – The Coming of Age Year:
CoA Handbook/Compass Points Our ninth graders begin a year-long journey to examine and reaffirm their own values and beliefs and make their own choices about their social and religious commitments. The year culminates with a Coming of Age ceremony in the spring.

10th/11th/12th Grades - The Youthie Years:
Youth Group This consists of a flexible but structured program for our youth. The group determines the exact content of the sessions. The group will be engaged in activities here at CUC as well as in the community. Many youth teach Sunday school to the younger children.

Our Whole Lives Lifespan Comprehensive Sexuality Education Series

Our Whole Lives is an age appropriate comprehensive sexuality education program that promotes sexual health. The series has four primary goals: to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information; to increase self-esteem and understanding relationships with and relationships towards others; to develop interpersonal skills including communication, decision making and problem solving; and to teach responsibility for personal health and safety. Parents are required to attend an orientation in order for their children to participate.