Our Whole Lives (OWL) helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, sexual health and behavior. OWL provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics including relationships, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality.
In the OWL suite of sexuality education resources, interactive workshops and activities engage participants, while step-by-step instructions for program planners and facilitators help ensure success.
Seven levels speak to participants’ needs, by age group.
Parents and Caregivers
The information and attitudes that adults share with their children—intentionally or by default—carry extraordinary power. Many adults struggle to wield this power effectively and confidently. Often, their own experiences, perspectives, and worries get in the way.
Parents As Sexuality Educators: Small Group MinistrySmall Group Ministry
In a small group setting, adults explore their roles as the most important sexuality educators their children will have. Twelve 90-minute sessions.
Grades K-1
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for Grades K–1, 2nd ed., UU edition,* is an eight-workshop curriculum that helps children ages five through seven begin the lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and values about identity, relationships, safety and health.
It offers new and expansive ways of addressing gender identity and roles, sexual orientation, race, and ability. New activities, songs, and movement breaks keep young children interested and energized and facilitator tips ensure that all activities are accessible to every child. Sexual abuse prevention is addressed in a trauma-informed manner by placing the responsibility for prevention on adults, not on children. This edition teaches that babies begin with an egg, sperm, uterus, and someone to care for them, with several options for how those combinations may occur. Parents receive support for sharing their own family conception story at home.
Other Editions
- Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades K-1, 2nd ed., United Church of Christ Edition
- Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades K-1, 2nd ed., Secular Edition
Parent Resources
- Under Your Wing is a series of short videos that support parents and caregivers as the primary sexuality educators of their children ages 5-7. In each video there are conversation tips and at-home reading recommendations related to topics children are curious about.
- Bibliography of Sexuality Education Books and Websites for Grades K-6 (PDF, 7 pages)
Grades 4-6
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades 4–6, 2nd (Secular) Edition is ten-workshop curriculum is designed to help children ages nine through twelve to gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to understand and express their sexuality in holistic, life-enhancing ways.
This comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program introduces key topics like values, body image, gender and sexual identity, peer pressure, and healthy relationships with sensitivity and inclusiveness, yet without specifically religious doctrine or reference. Participants will read It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris.
Faith-Based Supplement
Sexuality and Our Faith, Grades 4-6, Second Edition serves as a companion text that affirms church as a place to ask questions in the search for truth, meaning and understanding. It stresses love, justice, equity and responsibility as well as our need for support and nurturing. It contains Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ supplements, each grounding sexuality education in the participants’ own faith communities.
Parent Resources
- Under Your Wing is a series of short videos that support parents and caregivers as the primary sexuality educators of their children ages 8-12. In each video there are conversation tips and at-home reading recommendations related to topics children are curious about.
- Bibliography of Sexuality Education Books and Websites for Grades K-6 (PDF, 7 pages)
Grades 7-9
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades 7–9, 2nd (Secular) Edition models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. A holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded.
Read detailed descriptions of the OWL 7-9 units and workshops.
Faith-Based Supplement
Sexuality and Our Faith, Grades 7-9, 2nd Edition emphasizes the development of religious community, spiritual depth, prophetic vision, and action for justice. Assists youth in clarifying values congruent with their religious beliefs and emphasizes the worth and dignity of each participant.
Grades 10-12
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades 10–12, UU Edition * helps teens acquire information and skills while they gain confidence in their ability to make decisions aligned with their values and life goals.
This edition provides twelve ninety-minute workshops that provide developmentally appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education on topics including values, sexual health and pleasure, body image, gender identity, sexual attraction, healthy relationships, consent, and in-person and online communication. It embodies the values of Self-Worth, Responsibility, Sexual Health, and Justice and Inclusivity.
It is inclusive of diverse identities and abilities and is informed by the National Sexuality Education Standards, 2nd Edition.
Other Editions
- Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades 10-12, 2nd ed., United Church of Christ Edition
- Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades 10-12, 2nd ed., Secular Edition
Other Resources
Young Adults
Unitarian Universalist Views on Sex
Firmly grounded in scientific evidence and with a commitment to social justice, Unitarian Universalism joyfully embraces human sexuality in all of its complexity. To read this pamphlet click here.Pack of 25 pamphlets.
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Young Adults, Ages 18-35 (Secular) helps participants navigate young adulthood with accurate information, increased self-knowledge, enhanced safety and strengthened interpersonal skills. 14 sessions.
Faith-Based Supplement
Sexuality and Our Faith, Young Adult serves as a companion text that affirms church as a place to ask questions in the search for truth, meaning and understanding. It helps participants apply their religious values to issues such as body image, birth control, sexual health, sexual fantasizing and family life. It contains Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ supplements, each grounding sexuality education in the participants’ own faith communities.
Other Resources
Adults
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Adults (Secular) Using values, communication skills and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. Builds understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives. Suggests 12 workshops, plus introductory and concluding sessions, but adaptable for many formats.
Faith-Based Supplement
Sexuality and Our Faith, Adult Invites adults to strengthen connections between their sexuality and spirituality, between their values and their behavior, between themselves and their religious community. Offers suggestions for group building and for creating a worshipful context for the program.
Other Resources
Older Adults
Curriculum
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Older Adults (Secular) is a holistic sexuality education program for older adults that models and fosters caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It balances knowledge-building with exploration of attitudes, values, and feelings about one’s own and others’ sexuality. This program is comprehensive and progressive, addressing sexuality with candor, sensitivity, and respect for older adults’ wisdom and life experience.
Our Whole Lives, Older Adults addresses Sexuality and Values; Attitudes about Aging; Examining Sexual Scripts; The Sexual Body; Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity; Intimacy; Sexual Consent and Boundaries; Family Matters; Sexuality and Loss; Reframing Sexuality, Disability, and Chronic Illness; Body Image; Dating as an Older Adult; Safer Sex; and Sex Play Beyond Basics. This curriculum is comprised of fourteen two-hour workshops, four of which can stand alone.
Faith-Based Supplement
Sexuality and Our Faith, Older Adult provides the spiritual tools to undertake a sexuality education program rich with reflection, conversation, meaning making, and personal growth. Includes ritual, faith-based readings and discussion questions that connect sexuality and spirituality as well as values and behavior. Deepens understanding of Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ history and commitment to healthy sexuality.