Children's Religious Education at Prairie UU Society
Coming Events
Sunday
morning RE classes will resume
on January 8, 2012. The theme is
Social
Justice.
Please fill out the registration
form
and return it to Rebecca Malke.
Wild
Wintering will be on February
18. More information can be found
here
.
A calendar of events
for Spring 2012 can be found here.
The religious education program at Prairie involves children in a wide variety of activities, meant to make learning exciting and enjoyable. Children are full participants in the program, sharing their ideas and opinions, and using their creativity. The program includes several different types of experiences:
In this year (fall 2011 and spring 2012) our classes will focus on "Social Justice."
Unitarian Universalism Principles for Children
from Beginning Unitarian Universalism
We believe that each and every
person is important.
We believe that all people should
be treated fairly.
We believe that our churches are
places where all people are accepted and where we keep on learning together.
We believe that each person must
be free to search for what is true and right in life.
We believe that everyone should
have a vote about the things that concern them.
We believe in working for a
peaceful, fair and free world.
We believe in caring for our planet Earth.
Religious Education Classes
Our theme changes each year, using curricula on Unitarian Universalist principles and practice, social and environmental justice, study of the world's religions, and age-appropriate human sexuality. This year's theme is Social Justice.
Classes for the 2011-2012 school year
Preschool/Kindergarten
Nursery: Infant through about age 2 ½ Childcare provider:
Our youngest children are cared for from 9:45 to 11:45 am each Sunday when there is a service at the Prairie
meeting house. We provide a safe and fun atmosphere. Crafts, stories, play and snacks are part of the activities.
Preschool-2nd grade Text:In Our Hands and Teaching Conflict Resolution Through
Children's Literature
For this age group justice is defined as fairness. This program will help
children explore their own feelings about conflict and unfairness and look
at constructive ways of both resolving conflicts and promoting peace and
fairness in their personal relationships. Some of the themes emphasized
are: cooperation, communication, emotional expression, appreciation for
diversity and conflict resolution.
Grade School
Grades 3rd-6th Text:In Our Hands
Teachers will use the In Our Hands curriculum to teach how all the earth's
inhabitants are interrelated and interdependent. Through this curriculum
as well as field trips students will learn about issues that are happening
in their community such as hunger and homelessness and how these same
issues are affecting people globally. There will be a strong emphasis on
the environment in this class. They also will learn about the
contributions of past and present Unitarian Universalists to the causes of
peace and justice.
Middle School & High School
Grades 7-12 Text:In Our Hands as well as music, movies, and TV episodes to help
facilitate discussion.
Early in the year participants will be asked to plan and implement a
social action project that will later be a Sunday service program for the
congregation.
The class will be linked to the People's Action for Rural
Awakening, (www.paraindia.org) a nonprofit organization in southern India
which is partnered with the UU Holdeen India Program. Their work is to
fight for the rights of women, children and Dalits (untouchables).
Students will use Skype to speak live to students in India to learn about
child labor and how the caste system in India is similar to racism in
America.
Later in the year students will learn how music from different cultures as
well as modern American rock music has played an important role in
educating and helping people fight for social justice. Some of the issues
to be discussed are LGBTQ rights, hunger, homelessness and the
environment.
Intergenerational Services
Several of our Sunday services each year are intergenerational, designed to fully engage both children and adults. These services are often arranged around holidays, and can include crafts, dance, music, skits and readings. Children often participate in presenting or even leading these services, which are among our most enjoyable Sunday programs. During these
services there are no regular RE classes and infant care is provided downstairs.
Spirit Circles
Once a month all the children gather before their classes for a “spirit circle.” The circle is a chance for the children of all ages to be together, and share movement, song, and spirit. We open the circle with a poem as we light the chalice:
We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism.
We are the church of the open mind.
We are the church of the loving heart.
We are the church of the helping hands.
Special Seasonal Overnights
Three times during the school year, Prairie hosts a social event open to all RE participants in grades K-12 and their invited guests. The fun starts on Saturday evenings, and most children opt to stay overnight. A fourth event in the summer is from Friday evening to Sunday morning, and is just for students Middle and High School age. These are big highlights of the year for our kids. The biggest event of the year is Prairie's Annual All-Ages Congregation Retreat, a fun weekend for kids and their families.
Fall Frolic
Wild Wintering
Spring Fling
Summer Spree
“Service Sundays”
All classes participate in a community service project, giving students a chance to live their principles. These projects can range from a fund-raising walk, baking cookies for the homeless, raking leaves for our elderly members, or cleaning up trash littering the neighborhood.
Other special activities
“Nifty Gifty” One Sunday in December students make craft gifts for friends and family using simple materials, assisted by some of our more artistic members.
“Mystery Friends” In early spring students exchange letters for four weeks with Prairie adults. They don't know who their partner is at the start, but they usually figure it out by the time everybody guesses during the party at the end!
Director of Religious Education
Rebecca Malke was hired by our religious education program on April 16, 2006. She studied both journalism and world religions in college, and brings that knowledge to assist us in making our Religious Education program both enriching and fun for our youth. Rebecca has been a Unitarian Universalist since 1998, and a member of Prairie since 2006. Facebook users can follow her RE updates at Rebecca Prairie Dre.
Several of our Sunday services each year are intergenerational, designed to fully engage both children and adults. These services are often arranged around holidays, and can include crafts, dance, music, skits and readings. Children often participate in presenting or even leading these services, which are among our most enjoyable Sunday programs. During these
services there are no regular RE classes and infant care is provided downstairs.
Once a month all the children gather before their classes for a “spirit circle.” The circle is a chance for the children of all ages to be together, and share movement, song, and spirit. We open the circle with a poem as we light the chalice:
“Nifty Gifty” One Sunday in December students make craft gifts for friends and family using simple materials, assisted by some of our more artistic members.