Social Justice Curricula

For All Ages - From UUA and Non-UUA Sources

The programs listed below address issues of justice throughout the lifespan as education for peacemaking and justice-building. Peace and justice are interdependent. Peace and justice are at once ideal goals and actual processes.

Primary (Grades 1-3)   |   Elementary (Grades 4-6)   |   Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7-8)   |   Senior High (Grades 9-12)   |   Adult   |   Multi-age

Primary (Grades 1-3)

Caring for Our Planet Earth by Tirrell H. Kimball. 5 sessions. Promotes respect and care for the earth. Children learn to protect and care for nature and the environment and "to feel empowered to be part of the crew on our spaceship Earth." Themes include natural resources, garbage handling and recycling, taking action, and celebration. (Green Timber Publications, 1990)

Experiences with the Web of Life by Marjory M. Donn, Abby L. W. Crowley, Jean Rashkin, Carla Miller, Charles Tompkins and Penny O’Brien. 45 sessions. This yearlong curriculum introduces children ages five to eight to the Unitarian Universalist Principle of respect for the “interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. (Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 1998)

In Our Hands, Grades 1-3: A Peace and Social Justice Program by Samuel Goldenberg, Eleanor Hunting, and Mary Thomson. 16 sessions. In this program, children explore peace and fairness through stories, discussions, and activities. Participants learn constructive ways of resolving conflict and promoting peace in their own lives. They learn to see their connections to the larger community, to the natural world, and to the Unitarian Universalist peace and justice heritage. (UUA, 1989) At UUA Bookstore.

Rainbow Children A Racial Justice and Diversity Program for Ages 5 to 8: Rainbow Children A Racial Justice and Diversity Program for Ages 5 to 8 by Norma Poinsett and Vivian Burns. 12 sessions. This is an anti-bias, pro-diversity curriculum that addresses racial and ethnic prejudice while affirming the inherent worth and beauty of the child, the family, the community, and the diversity of humankind. Beginning with the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child, it celebrates the differences and commonalities of all people. (UUA, 1995)

Elementary (Grades 4-6)

Caring for Our Planet Earth by Tirrell H. Kimball. 5 sessions. Promotes respect and care for the earth. Children learn to protect and care for nature and the environment and "to feel empowered to be part of the crew on our spaceship Earth." Themes include natural resources, garbage handling and recycling, taking action, and celebration. (Green Timber Publications, 1990)

In Our Hands, Grades 4-6: A Peace and Social Justice Program by Barry Andrews and Pat Hoertdoerfer. 16 sessions. Provides opportunities for children to explore their own knowledge and feelings about peace and justice. Helps children learn about various concepts of peace and justice and explore how to promote peace and justice within themselves, in their relationships with others, in their roles as Unitarian Universalists, and as human beings on our earth. (UUA, 1990) At UUA Bookstore.

Junior High/Middle School (Grades 7-8)

Beyond Pink and Blue: Exploring Our Stereotypes of Sexuality and Gender by Tracey Robinson-Harris and Ritch C. Savin-Williams. 12 sessions. Invites participants to examine our cultural understandings of gender identity and gender roles, sexuality and what it encompasses, and how stereotypes and prejudice influence the way we think and act as males and females. Through small-group work, experiential exercises, and discussions, participants assess their own attitudes, actions, and feelings about gender roles and identity. (UUA, 1994)

Race to Justice: A Racial Justice and Diversity Program for Junior High by José A. Ballester y Marquez and Robin Gray. 15 sessions. Promotes self-esteem, reduces prejudice, and affirms racial, ethnic, cultural, and familial diversity. Directly addresses the definition and nature of racism in age-appropriate ways, engages participants in hands-on activities, and builds community. (UUA, 1995) At UUA Bookstore.

Senior High (Grades 9-12)

Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health, and Justice: Resources for Communities of Faith, Sarah Gibb, Ed. This is a resource book for anyone interested in advocating for sexuality education in the congregation or larger community and interested in learning about issues surrounding sexuality education. Using case studies and articles, it offers suggestions to congregations about how to introduce Our Whole Lives (or sexuality education generally) to the congregation, how to handle difficult issues, how to respond to inquiries from the media, and much, much more (Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

Beyond Pink and Blue: Exploring Our Stereotypes of Sexuality and Gender by Tracey Robinson-Harris and Ritch C. Savin-Williams. 12 sessions. Invites participants to examine our cultural understandings of gender identity and gender roles, sexuality and what it encompasses, and how stereotypes and prejudice influence the way we think and act as males and females. Through small-group work, experiential exercises, and discussions, participants assess their own attitudes, actions, and feelings about gender roles and identity. (UUA, 1994)

In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program, Senior High by Eleanor Hunting, Virginia Lane, and Harold Rosen. 12 sessions. Involves young people in considering the nature and meaning of peace and social justice. They explore some or all of the following topics: the nature of conflict, conflict management and resolution, paths to peace and justice, common UU faith-stances and their relationship to peace and justice, peacemakers and justice-builders, critical peace and justice issues, the ways people act for peace and justice, and UU worship services for peace and justice. Participants are invited to undertake both a social action project and a peace and social justice worship service for their congregation. The program ends with reflection and celebration. (UUA, 1990)

Thinking the Web: Unitarian Universalism and Controversial Moral Issues for High School by Jeff Liebmann. 25 sessions. This year-long curriculum for high-school youth investigates political, constitutional, and legal issues facing the United States. After instruction in the techniques of "systematic thinking dispositions," it moves on to discussions such as issues abortion, death with dignity, the legalization of drugs, censorship and pornography in the media, capital punishment, gun control, weapons of mass destruction, and peacemaking versus just war. (Jeff Liebmann, 1998)

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity: An Anti-bias Program for Adults by Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani. 8 sessions. Helps people overcome bias and celebrate diversity through telling their stories and listening to others. Engages participants in a variety of activities to examine and challenge ableism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, and classism in the safe, caring, and respectful environment of religious community. Ends with an invitation to action. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Adult

Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health, and Justice: Resources for Communities of Faith, Sarah Gibb, Ed. This is a resource book for anyone interested in advocating for sexuality education in the congregation or larger community and interested in learning about issues surrounding sexuality education. Using case studies and articles, it offers suggestions to congregations about how to introduce Our Whole Lives (or sexuality education generally) to the congregation, how to handle difficult issues, how to respond to inquiries from the media, and much, much more (Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

Gender Justice: Women’s Rights Are Human Rights by Elizabeth Fisher and Linda Gray MacKay. 6 sessions. Produced by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee following the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, in 1995, this series of workshops focuses on developing a basic understanding of issues that are key for women all over the world today. A major component of the series revolves around developing local action(s) that can be undertaken by workshop participants. (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 1996)

In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program, Adults by Robert C. Branch, Samuel Goldenberg, and Mary Thomson. 6 sessions. Encourages participants' collaborative inquiry into many peace and justice issues. Among the topics considered are personal decision making, attitudes toward interpersonal conflict, and envisioning a more peaceful and just world community. Each session allows plenty of opportunity for reflection and discussion. Participants perform a variety of explorative activities, which helps them go beyond information about issues to integrate their knowledge, feelings, and values into their own lives and to act effectively for peace and justice. (UUA, 1990)

The Safe Congregation Handbook: Nurturing Healthy Boundaries in Our Faith Communities, Patricia Hoertdoerfer and Frederic Muir, Ed. This is a comprehensive resource guide that provides congregational leaders the skills and structure to nurture healthy relationships and safe boundaries in our faith communities. The handbook includes essays by clergy and lay leaders, and lesson plans for 12 workshops (each with two formats to accommodate 45-minute and 2-hour time spans). Also includes helpful checklists for conducting safety needs assessments and an annotated list of resources on topics such as abuse, interpersonal violence, and harm prevention. (UUA, 2005) At UUA Bookstore.

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity: An Anti-bias Program for Adults by Jacqui James and Judith A. Frediani. 8 sessions. Helps people overcome bias and celebrate diversity through telling their stories and listening to others. Engages participants in a variety of activities to examine and challenge ableism, racism, heterosexism, ageism, and classism in the safe, caring, and respectful environment of religious community. Ends with an invitation to action. (UUA, 1996) At UUA Bookstore.

Welcoming Congregation, Second Edition:: Resources for Affirming Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and/or Transgender Persons by Scott Alexander, Keith Kron, Meg Riley. 14 sessions. The resource manual for The Welcoming Congregation Program (WCP). WCP is a voluntary program that helps congregations become more intentionally inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people by helping them confront homophobia in their congregations, both in individuals and the institution. This manual includes an attitude questionnaire, leader guidelines, 14 workshops, and extensive background reading. (UUA, 1999) At UUA Bookstore.

Multi-age

Connecting with the Earth by Martha Nabatian. Sessions are based on Canada's geographical features: woodlands, prairies, oceans, lakes, rivers, and the Arctic. Helps participants develop a more spiritual relationship with the world around them. (Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC), 1993)

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