Religious Growth & Learning Curriculum
Primary Cluster (Preschool-1st grade) RG&L Curriculum
The Primary Cluster does not follow a curriculum per se, but draws inspiration from many sources. Through a brief worship circle designed to meet the needs of curious and active young children, followed by a time of creative exploration, children in this class experience spiritual growth, creativity, and connection to their UU community by being involved in hands-on rituals: stories, sharing, simple rhymes, finger plays, games, arts and crafts projects, dramatic play, and, weather permitting, lots of outdoor play on our playground. A “quiet corner” is always available for those needing it.
Primary Cluster children spend time each year learning about First Parish: touring the building and ringing the church bell (not an easy task!), meeting some of the staff and lay leadership, and learning some of the church’s proud heritage in relation to the history of Lexington. They are also introduced to the seven principles, some famous UUs (Henry David Thoreau, for example), and the concept of social action/justice through stories and active play. The Primary Cluster is led by professional teacher, Meghan Guidry, with support from three Classroom Guides (adult volunteers) each week.
Elementary Cluster (2nd-4th grade) RG&L Curriculum
Elementary Cluster children engage in a yearlong series of activities geared to pique their curiosity and develop their understanding of the current topic. Explorations include informational DVD introductions, opportunities for dramatic expression, dance, feast making, arts and crafts, and lively discussion, all led by professional teacher, Marcie Porter Griffith, plus one Classroom Guide (adult volunteer). As in the Primary Cluster, class begins each week with an age appropriate worship circle.
Elementary Cluster children spend the first month of class time playing fun community building games and getting to know each other in a relaxed fun-filled setting. This year’s focus is Unitarian Universalist identity. We’ll explore this topic through a year long series of activities geared to peak children’s curiosity and develop their understanding of our denomination.
Included as part of the Elementary Cluster year, three to four social action Sundays are planned where the children work with adult volunteers and other children and youth (5-8th graders) on meaningful service projects. Additionally, in most years class is suspended for the first two Sundays in December when pageant preparation takes precedence before the production of the annual holiday pageant. Elementary Cluster children are encouraged to take part in the pageant as actors or singers — always a lot of fun!
Intermediate Cluster (5th & 6th grades) RG&L Curriculum
The Intermediate Cluster follows a two year course of study focusing on Unitarian Universalism. The first year’s curriculum is entitled “The Questing Year,” and the second year’s curriculum is “Traditions With a Wink.” Both curricula invite the learner to “go deeper” in his or her exploration of faith by developing his or her understanding of the foundations of Unitarian Universalism and the people who have shaped it, encourage working for social justice, and guide the participant in self discovery through meaningful but fun and age appropriate activities. Intermediate Cluster classes are led by a team of two volunteer teachers for each of three terms.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Designed specifically for 4th-6th graders, OWL is an excellent, comprehensive human sexuality curriculum that helps participants gain the knowledge, values, and skills to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. It is offered every other year for 8 weeks on Sunday evenings (next class will be in the fall of 2009).
Intermediate Cluster Youth Group
The Intermediate Cluster Youth Group primarily focuses on community building activities, often off-site on Saturdays. Each monthly session is led by parents of the group, with support of the RG&L Committee and the DRE. Recent events include bowling, indoor rock climbing, an in-church sleepover, a trip to George’s Island in Boston Harbor, and baking for a bake sale to grow a scholarship fund to offset costs for future trips.
Junior Youth Cluster (7th & 8th grades) RG&L Curriculum
Like Intermediate Cluster children, youth enrolled in the Junior Youth Cluster follow a two year course of study loosely based on the curriculum, “Neighboring Faiths.” In the first year the focus is “Wisdom of the World’s Religions,” and the second year’s theme is “Our Jewish and Christian Heritage.”
Each religion being explored will begin with a DVD introduction, overview and discussion, then a visit to a house of worship. Often, a guest who practices the religion being studied will visit the class and offer his or her knowledge of that faith.
This engaging two year program for 7/8th graders invites the participant to, “reflect on the unique and universal religious experience, explore their own values as they relate to other faith traditions, become more aware of the many connections between Unitarian Universalism and other faith traditions, strengthen their commitment to the UU faith and community, increase their understanding and appreciation of religious diversity, and build relationships with their peers, adult leaders, the congregation and the wider community.”
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Designed specifically for middle school youth, OWL is an excellent, comprehensive human sexuality curriculum that helps participants gain the knowledge, values, and skills to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. It is offered to 8th graders every other year on a weeknight (next class will begin in the fall of 2009).
Junior Youth Group
Junior Youth begin their year with a 24-hour retreat designed to be a relaxing, fun-filled time to get to know one another better. Weekly youth group meets on Sunday evenings from 7:00-9:00 pm. It is led by four trained volunteer advisors with support and leadership from a professional Youth Programs Coordinator. Junior Youth Group is designed to bring 7/8th grade youth together in a relaxed and safe environment where they will be honored as the individuals that they are, each bringing their unique gifts to the group.
Senior High Youth Cluster (9th-12th grades) RG&L Curriculum
While a formal Sunday morning program for high school youth is not currently offered at First Parish, high schoolers are invited and encouraged to attend the weekly Sunday morning worship service and any Adult Programs that interest them.
Like Junior Youth, the Senior High Youth Group begins the year with an offsite retreat to plan the year ahead, and to join together in fellowship. After the initial kick-off retreat, youth enrolled in the Senior High Youth Cluster meet every Sunday evening, starting the year with a bridging ceremony for the incoming 9th graders. Youth leadership is nurtured and empowered by trained volunteer adult advisors, and a professional Youth Programs Coordinator.
The First Parish Senior High Youth Group is active! Among many other activities and events, the youth lead an annual worship service for the entire congregation, participate in the annual City Year Serv-a-thon, volunteer at the Boston Food Bank, bake pies at Thanksgiving for both a local soup kitchen and the congregation, go on retreats, have sleepovers at the church, host a morning food booth on Patriots Day, manage their own finances, and participate in district and national UU opportunities (district conferences and General Assembly, the national annual gathering of UUs). For the past two years, members of the Senior High Youth Group traveled to New Orleans to gut houses and help rebuild the city after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Every other year, 9th and 10th graders are also offered a yearlong Coming of Age (COA) program in addition to youth group. Coming of Age is a yearlong exploration of faith that includes reflection, challenge, service, and celebration. The year ends with the COA class leading the congregation in worship, often touted as one of the most meaningful services of the year. COA will be offered in 2008-2009.