About Sexual Abuse: A Program for Teens and Young Adults
UUA
Groundbreaking program offers guidelines for identifying symptoms of abuse, true stories, profiles of typical offenders and more. Contains extensive bibliography. Use on its own or as a part of Life Issues for Teens.
Africa’s Past; Impact on Our Present
UUA Multimedia Kit
Eight-session multimedia program helping to discover some of the sources of racism in the commonly help misconceptions about the history of African civilizations of the past and the Atlantic slave trade. Participation in the program helps Black Americans develop a sense of pride in their heritage, and helps other Americans become aware of value and respect the rich traditions and immense achievements of Black American ancestors.
An award winning tape and study guide produced in Minneapolis providing factual information about AIDS and AIDS prevention
Beyond Pink and Blue: Exploring Our Stereotypes of Sexuality and Gender
UUA
Engaging program help young UU teens affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, including themselves. 12-section program explores concepts of gender role and identity, stereotypes of women and men as portrayed in the media and in religious myths, prejudices about lesbian, gay and bisexual people and other related issues. Participants learn how to identify sexism by conducting a sexism audit of their own church.
Breath of Wind
VHS
This begins with a mother reading an African myth to her two children at bedtime. Mythological characters such as coyote come alive and join the family’s conversation about the value of myths and the ways people have made sense of their worlds through stories. Grade 3–8. 25 minutes.
Can of Squirms
Parent Education Materials
Discussion starts to encourage meaningful, interesting dialogue between individuals on values related issues. Leader’s guide and 100 questions.
Celebrations around the World: Multicultural handbook
Carole S. Angell
For each month of the year, here are celebrations, festivals or religious holidays observed by countries and cultures from Australia to Zimbabwe. Includes background and context of more than 300 different observations, making this a fun, easy way to bring the world’s cultural celebrations into your home or classroom.
Coming Of Age: Deepening Ties Within Your Congregation
UU Church of Greater Lansing
Coming of Age program developed by UU Church of Greater Lansing Includes Chalice Circle Retreat and Wilderness Journey retreat. Year long curriculum includes rituals, learning, testing and celebration. Each youth develops a faith statement over the yearlong course. Includes mentoring by adults in congregation. Summer reading list included to be used before curriculum year. Facilitators, youth, and mentors all wear stoles throughout the program year.
Coming of Age Program: Life Journeys
Prairie Star District
A coming of age program for ninth and tenth graders. The purpose of this program is to build awareness that all of life is a journey. In that journey there are certain transitions in which one can consciously participate. Components include retreats and group service projects.
Connecting with the Earth
Canadian Unitarian Council
This intergenerational course is designed with programs for four age groups: primary, junior, youth and adult. The overall aim is to create opportunities for participants to develop a more spiritual relationship with the world around them. This is also an exploration which helps to affirm and promote the seventh principle of UUism. The course is designed to promote the following attitudes:
— Gratitude, awe, wonder and respect for the land and nature’s bounty
— Appreciation for the spirituality of all life and our spiritual connection with nature
— Some understanding of the wholeness, completeness and mystery of life
— Awareness of the inter-communion of all living and non-living components of the earth community
— Understanding of the concept of a sustaining use of natural things, finding a use for everything
Creative Conflict-Solving for Kids
Peace Education Foundation
For grades 5–9 — includes stories, poetry, cartoons, role plays, discussions, journal writing, exercises in mediation and brainstorming and helps students deal constructively with conflict, build self esteem, make responsible decisions, develop sensitivity to all people and respect human differences. Teacher’s guide, poster.
Fighting Fair
VHS
This VHS tape and accompanying teacher’s guide and activities resource focuses on nonviolent solutions to conflict, and draws from the life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Developed for Grades 4–9, application can be broader.
Ghosts and Visions — play
Alorie Boyle Parkhill
Dreamers learn from their UU past and from visions of the future. Sections about UU heritage may be extracted for use in a smaller service. Original music. 70 minutes
Global Summit, The Peace Game
Jeff Liebmann, 1st Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
Strategic card game for 1–6 players ages 10 and up. Players represent nations using economic, political, and social resources to resolve threats to world peace. Players also respond to events at home affecting available resources. Everyone wins if they maintain peace as well as the balance of international power. Playing time is about 30 minutes.
God Power
Mary Ann Moore
Fifteen-session program for 7th and 8th graders. Each session includes opening ritual and activity, readings, God power practices and closing meditation. Some topics include: interdependence, oneness, diversity, ethical behavior, Justice, nonviolence, compassion, beauty, renewal, mystery and within/beyond.
Growing Good Kids
Free Spirit
Grades 3–8. 28 original activities that promote self-awareness, compassion and leadership. Creative and fun activities build students’ skills in problem solving, decision-making, cooperative learning, divergent thinking, communication and more. Also promotes self-awareness, tolerance, character development and service to others. Provides parents and teachers with a broad selection of meaningful and enjoyable enrichment activities.
A Growing Up Year
Margaret Gooding
UUA
A year-long program designed for sixth and seventh graders helps participants synthesize their experiences in home, school and community with their experiences in their church/fellowship to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the role of religion in their lives and the world. Includes many ideas for group building and social interaction. Intergenerational applications are possible.
Heresy Apparent
Jeff Liebmann
A 10-session curriculum developed to expose youth to the rich and interesting history of UUism that is their religious heritage. The purpose is to provide a fun and educational experience for Jr and Sr High youth either in a church year program, week long summer camp, or weekend youth conference setting. The sessions include the heresies of: anti-trinitarianism, universal salvation, religious questioning, faith in action, reason, resistance, nondiscrimination, inclusion, challenging assumptions, and the questing mind. Includes cards for famous UUs with pictures and brief biographies.
How Can I Know What to Believe?
Charlene Brotman
UUA
Divided into five sections: How can I know what to believe about: People? God? Death? Religion? Believing? Year long curriculum includes leaders guide, idea pages for students, games, puzzles, crafts, dramatizations, role plays, discussion ideas.
How Others Worship
UU Christian Fellowship 1978
A curriculum for grade 7 with 21 lessons using Church Across the Street, Great Religions of the World and The Bible. Quizzes, crossword puzzles and other materials are included which can be photocopied
Images for Our Lives
Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul
Two twelve-week units: Judeo-Christian Heritage and World Religions. Each unit includes detailed lesson plans divided into the following levels: grades 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, junior high. These curriculums can be described as a “tradition-sensitive, child-centered, values-oriented religious education program for grades 1st–junior high.” Please specify Judeo Christian or World Religions
In Our Hands
Andrews, Branch, Lane, and Rosen
UUA
Twelve sessions designed for junior high. This includes handouts, games and songs. Topics include: building a Utopian society; what about hunger and poverty? The UU story and vision; exploring politics and protest.
It Starts With Me
Judith Burch, Winnipeg, Manitoba
A course for older children on community service, for ages 10–13, contains information and a wide range of creative activities that focus on the concept of community and an awareness of oneself as a part of a community; the importance of volunteerism to the local community; different forms that community service and social activism can take with an emphasis on simple acts of kindness, human rights and environmental protection.
Kids Guide to Working Out Conflicts: How To Keep Cool, Stay Safe, and Get Along
Naomi Drew
Builds on the experience of today’s middle schoolers in turning ugly situations into opportunities for positive relationships. Includes guides to solving conflict, becoming a better listener, win-win strategy, managing anger and stress, bullying, and reproducible pages.
Kids Speak Out On “Stuff”
RE Dept UU church of Verdugo Hills
Seeds of Simplicity VHS
A unique seven-minute video containing three “Unstuff” public service announcements created by kids for kids. Many of us are concerned about the impact of our country’s possession obsession on children, so the RE classes at the UU church of Verdugo Hills came up with the idea of producing this professional kids video on values and voluntary simplicity. Voluntary simplicity isn’t about living in trees or telling other people what to do; it simply refers to living deliberately, living an ‘examined life.’ It helps people decide for themselves how to live more sustainably on the planet, fostering greater personal fulfillment and service to others in the process.
Kingdom of Equals: Jesus’ radical path to love and justice
Binkley and McKeel
Curriculum in 33 lessons for grades 4–7 with introduction to life and teachings of Jesus based on four Gospels of New Testament enlightened by 20th century archeological, linguistic and theological findings and interpretations. Attempt to “deal with the life of the person Jesus and not with Jesus the Christ as developed after his death by Christian theology”
Life Journey
Fenders
Twenty-eight sessions for 12–15 year olds presenting participants with the human life cycle and the physical, emotional and social challenges unique to each stage. Exercises, games and activities are included.
Listening Between the Lines
Tim Murphy
100 songs in a curriculum designed to used to supplement other curricula to enliven and keep youth interested. Each lesson takes an individual song and encourages discussion around the lyrics and the message they present. Questions and/or suggestions for particular ideas that can be addressed are listed to facilitate discussion.
Living in UUville
Jeff Liebmann
A 10-session program for youth by youth. While the program can be led or co-led by adults, each session is specifically designed to be facilitated by a team of youth leaders. The goals include: giving youth opportunity to explore the full meaning of the Principles in their lives; an environment that encourages individual initiative and teamwork. The sessions apply the Principles to real life issues and problems including: being placed in the Michael Servetus Academy, a school for UUs; being placed in UUville, a city in which all citizens are UUs; being placed in UUSA in which all citizens are UUs; and being placed in a global summit as representatives of an Earth where everyone is UU.
Mediation for Kids
Peace Education Foundation
Curriculum, poster and reproducible handbooks. Lessons include active listening, paraphrasing, conflict clues, fighting fair, the mediation process and a certificate for those who complete the curriculum. For grades 4–9
Messages in Music: UUism for Junior High
UUA
23-session program introducing the principles of UUism to 12–14 year olds. Participants examine how UU principles are adhered to or violated in contemporary music and in our culture.
My Unitarian Universalist Journey: Workbook and Adult’s Guide
Cullin, Tricco, Warren
Rites of passage program for 7 years and older culminating in ceremony of recognition. Can be used as semesters curriculum
Neighboring Faiths: Exploring World Religions with Jr Hi
UUA
Thirty-two flexible sessions explore different faith traditions, from historical origins to their presence in today’s multi-religious reality. Participants plan their own program by choosing the religious groups they want to learn about, visit and relate to their own growing faith. Includes historical resources and tips for visiting other faiths, hosting guests, creating worship experiences and more. Adaptable for senior high youth and adults.
New You the Creator
Richard Kimball
Green Timber Publications
Activity based program of creative empowerment. Basic message expressed in the title: You the participant are, can be, and should be one of the creative forces in the world. 2006 revision adds rich spiritual elements, nine sessions on creating community and more. 50 sessions included, each 75 minutes, packed with creative activities like role plays, drawing, photography, sculpting, The theme of spirituality touches every session, begins and ends with rituals. Can be used with original version [see: You the Creator].
One World One Earth
New Society Publishers
Ages 3–15. Imaginative learning activities and discussion starters make this the perfect guide for explaining difficult and sensitive issues — human rights, environmental concerns and more. Includes suggestions for action and reading.
Our Whole Lives, Grades 7–9
Pamela Wilson UUA
Presents a comprehensive approach to human sexuality in an age-appropriate manner, through 25 sessions. Includes Sexuality and Our Faith 7–9 companion. Advocacy Manual included. Two copies of each book are included for team teaching of material. Slide set must be purchased separately from UUA.
Paradigms Lost and Gained
Jeff Liebmann
A 10-session curriculum for Jr and Sr High youth that helps teens recognize elements of their lives that are ‘toxic’ and to move towards using their Sacred Voice to articulate their anxieties. The program teaches youth basic life skills through an approach of identifying one’s core mission, prioritizing goals, evaluating performance and keeping balance in one’s lives. This curriculum uses a variety of fun and challenging approaches to help youth explore themselves and their relationships with others. For the primary game element that runs throughout the program (and can involve the entire church community), the youth see themselves as a company and earn stock in themselves through their actions. Also included is an Adult Supplement — Paradigms Regained. This supplement is intended to run concurrently with the youth program. Optimally, churches will offer both programs as youth and adult religious education at the same time.
Peace Experiments
UU Peace Network
A five-session curriculum offering over 100 activities and specific lesson plans for K–2, 3–4, 5–6, junior high, senior high; a workshop for adults; an intergenerational celebration; and a teacher training workshop. Materials could be adapted for a weekend workshop.
People Like Me
Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul
VHS
UU pioneers come to life: Fanny Kemble, 19th century abolitionist; Henry David Thoreau; Beatrix Potter and James Reeb. Grades 5–12. 23 minutes
A Place At the Table: Struggles for Equality in America
Southern Poverty Law Center
Recommended for grades 8 and above and including a documentary film exploring the historical struggle for equality through the eyes of today’s young people, a richly illustrated text and a complete teacher’s guide. Material spans 3 centuries to show how individuals and groups have toppled barriers in education, transportation, voting, employment and housing. Teacher’s guide describes various ways to use the video and accompanying text.
Ten magical plays for children to celebrate the good will and hope that Christmas and Easter symbolize in UU heritage and culture.
Popcorn Theology
Michelle Richards
Exploring issues of theology and ethics through film with UU middle school youth. Examines how the choices we make affect our lives and the lives of others, how truth and meaning relates to perspective and point of view; how the right of conscience calls us to do what is right; how our faith can help us understand our questions, seek answers, and deal with the trials of life.
Quest
Alorie Boyle Parkhill
A group of Questions demand answers from Life, who responds with examples of many religious possibilities. Good for a small cast. 40 minutes
Quest VHS
1st UU Church — Rochester
This Alorie Parkhill play was performed in 1990. Use this tape to plan your own performance, and/or as a resource for curricula such as Beginning UUism, How can I Know what to Believe?, We Believe, A Stepping Stone Year. 35 minutes
The Questing Year
Tirrell H. and Richard S. Kimball
Written for 6th graders; suitable for individual grades 6–8 and for combined groups with 5th graders and up. This curriculum engages participants in four quests designed to help them seek and develop their own answers to deep life questions about human faith and web of all existence. Connected through social action and spiritual search, the Mystery Quest, the Inner Quest, the Action Quest, and the UU Quest are all challenging and fun. The class uses music and meditation to experience religious mystery, creates personal aliens and mirror boards for exploring self, runs a social action project to help others outside the church, and explores the lives of outstanding UUs through a reproducible booklet included in the basic text. Twenty four sessions.
Race to Justice: A Racial Justice and Diversity Program for Jr. High
Gray & Marquez
UUA Racial Justice Curriculum Team
This curriculum celebrates human diversity — racial, ethnic, cultural, and familial — as a positive, enriching fact of life. Participants are introduced to concepts of prejudice and individual, cultural and institutional racism. RTJ nurtures group building, encourages intergenerational connections within the congregation, and invites junior highers to affirm important religious values — particularly our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Designed for ages 12–14 this program may be adapted for senior high. Fifteen 60 minutes sessions.
REACH
UUA
Collections of resources and references reprinted from REACH packets. The following are available:
Adult Education for Small Societies
Christmas
Considering Worthship with Children
Easter and Spring
Peace Resources
UUism for Small Societies
Resources for Youth Program for Small Societies
Religion in Life — Boy Scouts
UUA — Wayne Arnason
Independent study program about Unitarian Universalism is great for junior high boys. Fulfills the Boy Scout Emblem program. Participants will need The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide.
Religion in Life — Girl Scouts
UUA — G. Fokolt, M. Skwire, E. Sprague
Flexible, independent study program for junior high girls to explore and understand their UU beliefs. Fulfills Girl Scout emblem program. Participants will need The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide.
Religions: Encountering people of Other Faiths
Charles Hambrick and others
Abingdon Press
Introduces youth to other faith traditions. Features nine session plans with discussion topics, articles, activities, games and other learning experiences. Also includes a glossary and statistics on world religions.
Sexual Harassment and Teens: A Progam for Positive Change
Strauss and Espeland
UUA
Timely program addresses the causes, effects and laws concerning sexual harassment. Examines school policies, presents case studies, describes a procedure for preventing harassment — and can be taught in just three days. Includes questionnaires, activities, extensive resources and reproducible handouts. Grades 7–12
Talk with Teens about Health and Stress
Free Spirit
Junior and Senior High. Fifty guided discussions — topics include success and failure, loneliness, procrastination and test scores. Helps teens share feelings and concerns, gain awareness and self-esteem, make better decisions and cope with stress.
Talk with Teens About Feelings, Family, Relationships, and the Future
Free Spirit Press
Junior and Senior High. Fifty guided discussions offer safe avenues for young people to “just talk.’ From mood swings and teen suicide to love and happiness, each ready-to-use guide contains informative background material, important guidelines and reproducible handouts. Concrete, step-by-step instructions for any adult trying to affirm teens.
Traditions With a Wink: UU Identity Curriculum for Middle Schoolers
Kate Tweedie Erslev
44 lesson curriculum for middle schoolers teaches an understanding of UU faith that can replace the vague “anything we want to” statement of “what we believe” with “We come from a long tradition of questioning and searching. We come from a long tradition of loving kindness and good works” A Chosen Faith by Buehrens and Church is the framework for educating the teachers. The goal is to teach our UU traditions while adding the fun with which middle schoolers connect to issues and stay enthusiastic about their church experience. Curriculum includes a coming of age service.
What Do You Do When . . . ? or UUs Don’t Do Hell
Cassandra Amesley 1st Unitarian Church of Des Moines
Play
Play written by members of 1st Unitarian Ds Moines presents scenarios depicting experiences UU young people have with other, mostly Christ, youth. All scenes are actual stories of children’s comments about their experiences. Play runs 45–50 minutes and can be staged with selected scenes with discussion.
What Do You Stand For?
Free Spirit Press, 1997
Invites kids ages 10 and up to explore and practice honesty, empathy, integrity, respect and more. Includes quotations, activities, problem-solving exercises, true stories and reproducible handouts.
Win! Win!
Peace Education Foundation
This curriculum brings the Fighting Fair philosophy to secondary school students. This new teen unit consists of a set of magazines, a video and a teacher’s guide. Rather tan sticking to the traditional workbook format, Win! Win! Has the look of a high quality magazine featuring lively writing, full color photos and cutting edge graphics — designed for today’s sophisticated teens. Features celebrities like Will smith and guest writers such as Dave Barry. Includes video featuring five scenarios that address sexual harassment, discrimination and peer pressure.
World Religions
UUA Multimedia Kit
Year long curriculum which overviews the world’s religions. 1987
Worth and Dignity of All People
UUA
A curriculum deigned so that the whole church school or summer program can address at the same time an important topic of social concern. The five sessions for four age levels (1–8 grade) begin with a focus on caring and fairness within the classroom and move on to a consideration of bias in society. An additional resource book is included for grades 5–9. Curriculum includes cassette of songs and story. Topics covered: Understanding people with disabilities; Learning about racism; Understanding and overcoming ageism; Understanding and overcoming sexism; confronting homophobia; UU Principles.
You the Creator
Green Timber Publications
A 37-session curriculum develop for UU youth and adaptable for adults which proclaims that the participants are, can be, should be creative forces in the world, covering seven topics: religion and creation; religion and creative arts; religion and creativity; creativity and self; practical creativity; universal creative force, and creativity for all. [See also: New You the Creator]