Youth
Programs
Religious Education for Children at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Idaho Falls 2007-2008
The objective of our Church School is to provide the setting, the resources, the incentive, and the compassionate and interactive instruction which will enable our children to better understand themselves and others, the world around them, and some of the important aspects of the worlds religions in order to achieve religious liberty.
Purpose
The purpose of the children's religious education program is to develop in the child an awareness and appreciation of self, family, others, as well as the various aspects the environment around them.
As the students grows older they are introduced to various religions, mainly Judeo-Christian, both historically and philosophically. The origin and development of Unitarian Universalism is also covered.
Methodology
The Unitarian Universalist Association has developed a broad range of classroom topics that cover ages from preschool to high school, as well as adult continuing religious education classes.
With our small class size, we rotate among various courses in each grade range so that the students can experience the full range of course material.
Each class is usually a stand-alone topic which does not require continuous attendance.
Classes usually include a gathering time, introduction of a moral, ethical, or religious concept, a story to reinforce the theme and present options, an activity such as a play or arts and crafts related to the theme, a discussion period, and closure of the topic. Children are encouraged to express their opinions.
Features
Baby sitting is provided for those of toddler age and below. The Nursery has a crib, playpen, and a wide variety of interesting toys to keep toddlers busy. Toddler gates and an experienced, personable babysitter are provided.
Preschool classes usually include the three to five year olds. The course material emphasizes personal awareness and awakening to others and the external world. There is a focus on activities to keep both hands and minds busy. This year the text is "Celebrating Me and My World."
Primary classes are for six to eight year olds. The emphasis in Primary is addressing a variety of life situations, such as birth, death, fears and relationships. The text for this year is "Thinking, Feeling, Behaving."
Intermediate classes learn about the various aspects of the worlds religions, as well as the origins, history and famous people of Unitarian Universalism. Each story has a moral, which is introduced in everyday terms prior to reading the story and discussed thereafter. An activity follows to reinforce the theme. Students range from 9 to 11 years old.
The three year schedule of planned courses in each of the classes for the Years 2006-7 through 2008-9 is presented below.
RE Schedule
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2006-7 |
2007-8 |
2008-9 |
Preschool
(3-5 years) |
"Windows and Discovering our World" |
"Celebrating Me and My World" |
"Chalice Children" |
Primary
(6-8 years, Gr. 1-3) |
"Timeless Themes" and "In Our Hands" |
"Thinking, Feeling, Behaving" and "We Believe" |
"Around the Church, Around the Year" |
Intermediate
(9-11 years, Gr. 4-6) |
"Timeless Themes" and "In Our Hands" |
"Travel in Time" and "What is Religion" |
"A Stepping Stone Year" or "A Kingdom of Equals (Historical Jesus vs. Christian Jesus)" |
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