2019/2020
Sing to the Power
Grades 4/5 – Ages 9-10*
Sing to the Power affirms our Unitarian Universalist heritage of confronting “powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.” Participants experience their own power, and understand how it can help them to be leaders.
Sing to the Power uses a metaphor of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—as a framework to explore different forms of power. Four four-session units explore each element. The four elements are illustrated with a large paper or fabric wall hanging begun in the first session and decorated throughout the program.
* Age in September is preferred placement. For any exceptions please contact the Director of Religious Education.
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Elementary Our Whole Lives for Grades 4-5
(9-10* years old) Elementary OWL class – Spring semester
Afternoon classes, starting in January
What is Our Whole Lives? ( OWL)
Our Whole Lives (commonly referred to as “OWL”) is a lifespan sexuality education series based on a philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education. The title, Our Whole Lives, expresses the belief that sexuality education is a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and values about identity and relationships, intimacy and health.
OWL courses at all levels support the formation of a healthy relationship with one’s own body and with other people. OWL equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, comprehensive sexuality education provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps to clarify values, build interpersonal skills, and foster understanding of the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality as well.
Who Leads OWL Courses?
OWL volunteers are chosen very carefully, and must attend professionally-led Leader Training courses before leading this class. A team of male and female leaders is provided at all levels, with a minimum of two adult leaders per class.
What topics are covered specifically in Elementary OWL for Grades 4-5?
Session topics include: Values and Sexuality, Family Relationships, Puberty; Physical and Emotional Changes, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation, Health and Safety, Communication, and Decision-Making.
What is the role of parents and caregivers in Elementary OWL?
Parents are their children’s primary religious and sexuality educators. Elementary OWL provides parents and caregivers with resources and support that will help them talk about sexuality more effectively with their children.
Parents are included in an orientation session as are their children. In addition, parents are encouraged to purchase and refer to The Parent Guide to OWL. Following each session, a Homelink will provide parents with topics for conversation at home. The children will have some light homework; reading assignments in the book It’s Perfectly Normal. They are encouraged to share and discuss each chapter with their parents.
We will also offer two parent conversations during the children’s class time. These sessions are opportunities for parents to learn more about child development, communicating with children about sexual issues, sexuality in the middle school, and other topics of interest. These sessions are also a time to discuss general parenting concerns with other parents of children in this age group, and to offer each other support.
OWL is….
learning to love and respect our bodies, ourselves and others, for Our Whole Lives.
NOTE:
There will be a $100 charge for families not already actively supporting UUCC with their time and treasure. Because the cost of training facilitators and purchasing curricula is high, we ask members to contribute $50 for the class. In all cases, if the cost is prohibitive, please speak to Robin Slaw, Director of Religious Education, about a scholarship.