2011 – 2012 BuxMont Religious Education Curricula: Summer Program for age 3 – 6th Grade Keepers of the Earth (June 18th to September 11th) (rm. 105) Each week will include a story from a Native American culture and hands-on environmental learning activities focused on caring for the planet earth, the home we share with all living things. Fall of 2011 through Spring of 2012 2 & 3 Year Olds (rm. 103) Class Liaison: Rachel Thierolf Curriculum: Chalice Children Teachers: Emily Hartwell, Barbara Preuninger, Julia Reisse, Brandy Strake This class helps our youngest children learn about our Fellowship and gain a sense of belonging through concrete experiences with their teachers and classroom. The format will be informal and flexible; children must turn 2 by September 1 to participate. 4 & 5 Year Olds (rm. 105 – morning) Class Liaison: Donald Roeber Curriculum: Love Surrounds Us Teachers: Patty Deeken, Diana Doherty, Melissa Freilich, Emily Vincent At the core of our Unitarian Universalist community are our seven Principles. The Principles encompass all the ingredients of a good and faith-filled life based on equality, freedom, peace, acceptance, truth, care, and love. This program explores all the Principles in the context of Beloved Community of family/home, school, neighborhood. Children engage in activities that emphasize the love they feel in community. Grades 1 & 2 (rm.104) Class Liaison: Dianne Miller Curriculum: Love Will Guide Us Teachers: Alisa Brownlee, Melissa Egbertson, Julie Kimmel, Lynne Nugent Questions such as, "Where did we come from?", "What is our relationship to the Earth and other creatures?", "How can we respond with love, even in bad situations?", and "What happens when you die?" inspire children to seek guidance in life from our Unitarian Universalist Sources. This class teaches our children that asking questions is valued in Unitarian Universalism, even as they begin to shape their own answers. Grades 3 & 4 (rm. 101-A) Class Liaison: Grant Alger Curriculum: Love Connects Us Teachers: Ira Baeringer, Diane Breen, Linda Miller, TBA This program celebrates important ways Unitarian Universalists live our faith in covenanted community. Moved by love and gathered in spirit, children embrace our responsibility toward one another and the world at large. We encourage one another's search for truth and meaning, and strive to be active in peace-making and other efforts to improve our world. Grades 5 & 6 (rm. 101-B) Class Liaison: Jenn Kloss Curriculum: Amazing Grace Teachers: Julie Bartol/Francie Hoch, Barb Chiesa-LaSalle/Jenn Kloss, Ellen Happ, Naline Lai This class helps children understand right and wrong and act on their new understanding. Its purpose is to equip them for moving safely and productively through the middle- and high school years, when they will be continually tugged toward both ends of the ethics continuum. Children will come to recognize and depend on their Unitarian Universalist identity and resources as essential to their movement toward understanding, independence, and fulfillment of personal promise. Grades 7 & 8 (rm. 106 – morning) Class Liaison: Blair Alegant Curriculum: Popcorn Theology and The Gospel According to The Simpsons Teachers: Sally Frazee, Betts Gambrill, Lee Anne/Bill Hartwell, Cindy Mullikin/Barb Chiesa-LaSalle These curriculum use movies and a popular TV show to explore theological and ethical issues. Youth will explore choices, truth and meaning, doing right, questions and seeking answers, and learn about other faith traditions and the interfaith dialogue we engage in as Unitarian Universalists in America. Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grades 7 & 8 (rm. 105 – evening) Teachers: Howard Bennett, Treva Burger Our faith-based sexuality education program presents a comprehensive approach to human sexuality in an age-appropriate manner and is based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice and inclusivity. Youth learn to clarify their values and religious beliefs and apply these values to their behavior. OWL emphasizes the worth and dignity of each participant, and provides information and skills youth can use throughout life. This class meets at 6 PM on Sunday evenings. Youth Group for Grades 9 – 12 (rm. 106 - evening) Class Liaison: Treva Burger Curriculum: Movies, Social Action, Worship, Fellowship & Fun Advisors: Barbara Preuninger, Linda Neeld, Buzz Neeld, TBA The goal of the youth group is age appropriate UU community, which offers support and challenges as our youth grow toward young adulthood. There will be social time, social action, watching and discussing movies, and preparation of a youth worship service.