Learning Unitarian Universalist Values with LEGO and Bluey
With the new year, we launched two new curricula in our classrooms.
Previously, children had been separated by age to attend matching lessons in different classrooms, but for whatever reason, the curriculum that had worked so well last church year just wasn’t landing the same with the children or teachers this year.
Now, after children take the flame of our chalice from the Sanctuary to their classrooms, the children get to decide, no matter their age, which classroom they’d like to visit each week.
In our Juniper classroom, we are using a curriculum written by Leann Pomaville out of Racine, Wisconsin that utilizes the popular Australian television series to teach UU values. The first week, children discussed inclusivity and played a game with feather wands. Children from age 3 through 10 participated in the lesson and the teachers reported that everyone had a great time practicing inclusivity and checking for consent. In future weeks, the children and teachers in this space will explore themes of perseverance, teamwork, respect, and so much more.
In the Redbud room, we are using an adaptation of LEGO curriculum by Kathy E. Smith out of Baton Rogue, Louisiana. The lesson begins with a moment for centering followed by a story and discussion that fit with that week’s theme and then ends with a choice between a LEGO activity and something else. For the first week of UU Values with LEGO, the value was covenant and the theme stated that “every person is important.” Children in this class, again spanning from age 3 through 10, made faces out of building bricks this week. In coming weeks, themes will include pluralism, generosity, and justice with activities ranging from towers to ziplines to mandalas and more.
Children are encouraged each week to choose whichever classroom is best for them. We know that some kids will want to pick a different class from week to week, others may follow a friend or sibling, and still others will pick the same class every week. And, as always, children are welcome to stay with their families in the Sanctuary during service if that’s the best choice for them.
If you are interested in learning and growing alongside the children in a classroom once a month as an RE teacher, please email me at education@uusic.org.
