Curriculum: We Are Many, We Are One
We Are Many We Are One encourages young children to:
- Learn how to play and work cooperatively
- express their feelings about themselves and others
- see congregations as places for making and caring about friends
- appreciate how we are all alike yet different
- view nature as a source of gifts that needs our care
- celebrate the different religions and cultures of the world
Unit one "We tell Unitarian Universalisst Stories, We Live Unitarian Universalist Ways," emphasizes the purposes and affirmations of our Unitarian Universalist community and promotes our UU principles and values.
Unit two, "Nature Gives Us Gifts, Nature Needs Our Care" builds on young children's natural interest in the wonders of nature. These seven sessions encourage participants to recongnize the miracles of the earth as their own special treasures, which deserve our appreciation and rely on our care.
Unit Three, "We Are Alike, We Are Different," celebrates the uniqueness and value of each participant, while fostering group identity. These sessions form the core of this curriculum, promoting UU relationships and anti-bias values.
Unit Four, "We Learn From Others, We Celebrate Life," introduces the values of various religions and cultures and reveals the diversity of human experience.
Each We Are Many session stands alone--stories, activities, and projects do not continue from one Sunday to the next, Continuity is provided by the ritual of the format, the teaching team, and the them of "many" and "one" --community and individuality, alike and different, humankind and me. Teachers are invited to adapt sessions by using their own creative imaginations and the special talents o their congregation. No time limits are designated for various activites, but a timeline guide is offered. The structure of each session plan includes: Entering Activity, Circle Time, Activity, Story Time,Snack, and Closing ritual.
