Nursery

Childcare for infants 6 to 36 months is offered each Sunday at 9 and 11 am. The nursery is managed by the Child Care Committee. The nursery is staffed by our paid child care provider and assistants. Sound from the sanctuary is available in the nursery.

Preschool Group

This group consists of children who are three and four years old. This is generally their first experience with church school, and our primary focus is to make them comfortable with each other and their teachers and ease their separation from their parents. This year we will use a curriculum from the UUA titled Celebrating Me and My World. This is designed to provide a variety of stories and activities that will develop a positive self image and engage children in the joy of sharing and being in a group. It provides experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring, and develop a sense of being connected with all of life.

Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten class will be using a curriculum called A Discovery Year. The purpose of this curriculum is to give youngsters an age-appropriate introduction to Unitarian Universalism, and to the philosophy and goals reflected by the UU principles and expressed by the varied activities of the larger WBUUC community. It offers opportunities for discovery and celebration as children explore themselves and others , their families and church, the wonders of nature, and religious and cultural days.

Elementary Grades 1-6

Fall Trimester: Sept 14-Nov.30

The first trimester focus will be Unitarian Universalism. Grades 1 & 2 will use a new curriculum titled Free to Believe. This is an experiential program designed to nurture the emotional, social and spiritual life of children. The goals include becoming familiar with the Unitarian Universalist principles, connecting those with their own lives, and understanding that church is a place where all are valued for who they are. This year we will operate our upper four elementary grades as separate classes, if numbers warrant. It is our hope that smaller classes produced by this change will prove more comfortable for children and teachers. Grades 3 & 4, though separated will both use We Believe. At this age we hope to develop a sense of pride in the childís religious identity. The classes will spend time on each of our UU principles, encouraging the children to incorporate the Principles into their lives. Grades 5 & 6, also separated, will both use The Questing Year. This curriculum engages the children in four different quests connected through the central themes and purposes of faith development and social action. It is both challenging and fun, and designed to help develop an age-appropriate understanding of their religious identity.

December Sundays

We will start our second trimester on Dec. 7 and have regular classes for the first two December Sundays. December 21 and 28 will be special holiday celebration services. Both will be multigenerational services with no RE classes held. Our nursery will be open as usual. Winter trimester then resumes with regular classes on January 4.

Winter trimester: December 7- March 1

The winter teaching trimester will see a change of focus in these groups to World Religions. Grades 1 & 2 will continue with last yearís Stories About God. This curriculum uses stories from various religious backgrounds to explore the concept of deity. Grade 3 will use Timeless Themes to study the religious literature that is central to our culture and Unitarian Universalist heritage. This curriculum strives to create a connection between todayís issues and those which inspired the writers of the Christian and Hebrew Bible. Some of the themes are transcendant power, human responsibility, love of freedom, respect for the beliefs of others, and love of oneís neighbor and forgiveness. Grade 4 will use Holidays and Holy Days, where the children will be introduced to feasts and festivals of various cultures and religions with a goal of developing an interest in and an understanding of the ethnic traditions of our world neighbors. Grade 5 will use a new curriculum titled Bibleodeon. This is another of the new Shelter Rock series, dealing with gaining some knowledge of the Christian Bible in a way that is engaging and fun for children this age. Grade 6 will use a curriculum developed by Rachel Brown, a member of First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis. The topic Buddhism - will enable them to have a more in depth understanding of this major world religion.

Spring Trimester: March 8 - May 31

Spring trimester will have a focus on Ethics and Decision Making. Grades 1 & 2 will use UU Super Heroes, a curriculum that introduces children to stories of Unitarian Universalists who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to live their lives fully and make the world a better place for others. Grade 3 will use Donít Laugh at Me and portions of Moral Tales, which is a new curriculum from the UUA. Using these two curricula the children will explore and state the feelings they have had when they or others are targeted with disrespect. Using tools provided they will explore expressing themselves in nonthreatening ways, identifying prejudice, and understanding the hurtful effects of ridicule, scorn, name-calling, bullying, intolerance and other forms of disrespect they encounter in their lives. Grade 4 will use Worth and Dignity of All People. Themes include building a caring and respectful group, and understanding and overcoming racism, sexism, homophobia, and prejudice. Each theme is addressed in an age appropriate manner. Grade 5 will use a new curriculum for us ñ Who Belongs Here - which explores the timely topic of immigration. Grade 6 will be offered the opportunity to take Our Whole Lives, the excellent sexuality education program developed by the UUA. In this class the focus is on the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read Itís Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris and examine topics such as values and sexuality, and communication and decision making.

If you have questions about our religious education program for children call the office at 426-2369 and ask for:

Janet Hanson, Director of Religious Education

Religious Education Program

 Attendance

While we are delighted to have children attend every Sunday, we recognize that such regularity is sometimes not possible.  Whatever the reason for intermittent attendance, every effort is made to include each child on any given Sunday.  Of course, regular attendance will provide more complete exposure to each learning focus, and encourage the children to make friends. This fosters growth of the sense of loving community so important to our parents and guardians.

Classrooms

Classrooms are assigned at each service according to numbers registered in each group. Doors in the RE wing are marked with the group assigned to that particular room, and a map for each service is posted on the doors to the RE wing. Religious Education greeters are in the entryway and are available to show you to a classroom.

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