Lisa Elliott
(508) 992-7081
DREFairhaven@aol.com
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OUR
CURRICULUM
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PERMISSION SLIP (doc)
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Unitarian
Universalist
Society of Fairhaven
About our Curriculum
OUR YOUNGEST CHURCH SCHOOLERS
Nursery care for infants and Toddler Play: Our primary goal with our youngest children is to nurture their sense of trust and comfort in the people and places beyond their family and home. The church school community can provide that first step into the larger world. Your children will find loving care, first friendships, and a choice of toys appropriate to their varying ages, interests, learning abilities and emotional needs.
Preschool (for children entering kindergarten in 2010 and 2011) - Our 3 and 4-year-old class will use the Chalice Children curriculum. Based on the premise that children learn best through experience, this program helps nurture spiritual growth, creativity and a sense of community through imaginative activities. The themes for the year are: Church is a Special Place, Church is People, We Celebrate Holidays, We Wonder, and We Make Friends.
Kindergarten and Grade 1 - Young children have always enjoyed the colorful illustrations and rhyming texts of “The Sneetches” and “Horton Hears a Who”. With activities and discussion, our focus will be on the moral Lessons from Dr Seuss, contained in nine of his popular stories. During the winter and spring terms, this class will use the Treasure Hunting curriculum. Each lesson explores a different Unitarian Universalist principle or value through craft projects, stories, songs, games and discussions. As a reminder of each weeks’ lessons, each child will make or receive an object to put in their individual treasure chests.
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
Fall
Grades 2 and 3 – UU Super Heroes is a new values-based Unitarian Universalist identity curriculum that introduces primary children to stories of UUs who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to live their lives fully and make the world a better place for others
Grades 4 and 5 – Beginning UUism teaches children how Unitarian Universalists learn and worship together, celebrate special events, care for our church, serve and care for others and what we think about God, the Bible and Jesus.
Grades 6 and 7 – Traditions With a Wink is a new UU identity curriculum for middle schoolers with fun activities that help this age group connect to issues and stay enthusiastic about their church experience. Sample lessons are: Cyberspace Church Visit, Chalice in a Bag, and The Black Box.
Late Fall: Theme – Celebrating the Holidays
Following the Thanksgiving Service on November 23, the children will begin their holiday service project on November 30. On December 7 and 14, they will prepare for the Intergenerational Holiday Service on Dec. 21. (There will be no church school on December 28.)
Winter
Term: theme - Jewish and Christian Heritage
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familiar stories from Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
Grades 2 and 3 – Super Heroes – Bible People
Grades 4 and 5 – Living the Promise
Grades 6 and 7 – A Kingdom of Equals
(On alternate years, the elementary children will learn about Religious of the World during the winter term.)
Spring Term: Theme to be announced
YOUTH PROGRAM
Grades 8 and 9 – Neighboring Faiths introduces youth to the traditions and practices of other religious groups in their community. Together, adult leaders and youth will select 6-8 world religions they wish to learn about, visit, and relate to their own developing faith. Previous groups have visited a Buddhist temple, Jewish synagogue, Catholic church and a variety of protestant congregations. An optional activity is to plan and host an inter-faith youth group event.
Grades 10 through 12 – Our older high schoolers have several options: attending adult worship, singing in the adult choir, assisting in a church school class, or participating in Youth Group. Youth Group meets on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30 and will experience Small Group Ministry, participate in youth-selected social justice projects, occasionally attend adult worship in the Sanctuary, and maybe plan and host a district youth conference.
ADULT EDUCATION
Consistent with our commitment to life-span religious education, programs will be offered throughout the year and announced in our church newsletter. These may include speakers and discussions, small group ministry, affinity groups, meditation circles and curriculum series.