WELCOME!
Curriculum
Renaissance
Module
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Life becomes religious whenever we make it so:
when some new light is seen,
when some deeper appreciation is felt,
when some larger outlook is gained,
when some nobler purpose is formed,
when some task is well done.
The function of the church for both young and
old is not to give us on Sunday certain kinds of
religious experiences… but rather to teach us
how to put religious and ethical qualities into all
kinds of experiences.
Sophia Lyon Fahs
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Introductions
I am________from____________
where I ________________. One
thing you don’t know about me is
________. Something I left
behind is_______.
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Orientation Game
Stand up….
• If your title is DRE
• If you have lifespan responsibilities
• If you work full time
• If you work half time
• If you work quarter time
• If you work as a volunteer in the RE program
• If you’re and RE Committee chair or
member
• If you are a parish minister
• And so on…
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Covenanting
Handout 1
If there anything missing that would
make our learning community safe
and productive?
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Renaissance Program
Handout 2
Administration
Adult Faith Development
Curriculum Planning
Ministry with Youth
Multicultural Religious Education
Philosophy of Religious Education
Teacher Development
UU Identity
UU History (online)
Worship for All Ages
UU Theology (coming soon)
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Curriculum Planning Module Goals
• To clarify and expand understanding of curriculum, religious education and
faith development
• To learn about Tapestry of Faith as a core UU curricular resource; how to adapt
and use it with various models and many different contexts for lifespan
faith development
• To learn about other curriculum sources and resources and where to find them
• To understand the total curriculum planning process and consider strategies to
use the process effectively in ones own congregation
• To practice evaluating and adapting curricular plans
• To learn how to use curriculum choices and implementation to foster inclusive,
multicultural, multigenerational faith communities
• Working in teams, to develop useable curricular projects to bring home to
congregations
• To network with other religious educators and be affirmed and nurtured by a
supportive community.
What are your goals?
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Curriculum Planning Module Outline
Handout 5
Session 1 What Is Curriculum?
Session 2 Tapestry of Faith: Planting Seeds
Session 3 Growing the Program
Session 4 Curriculum Planning Teams at Work
Session 5 Group Presentations and Closing Worship
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Defining Curriculum
What words or phrases come
to mind when you hear the
word, “curriculum?”
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Journal
How would you define curriculum?
Discuss
How does Maria Harris define
curriculum?
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Explicit Curriculum
Implicit Curriculum
Null Curriculum
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Group Work
What examples of the explicit, implicit
and null curricula can you think of in your
congregation?
What are their implications in your RE
visions and goals?
How do they impact your curriculum
planning?
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Planned Learning Opportunities
Planned – It is OK to identify something worth
learning.
Learning- To learn is to change, not all changes are
equally significant. Some changes are so significant
they are transformational.
Opportunities – A curriculum provides
opportunities…. It cannot guarantee participation
or specific outcomes.
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What is Religious Education?
Journal
What was your most
significant religious education
experience?
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Journal
Religious education is….
You will be asked to read your
definitions in the next session.
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Each participant is invited to
share their definitions of
religious education.
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* What are the commonalities among these different
definitions?
* What was your source of your definition?
* What is the relationship between religious education and
faith development?
* What terms are used in your congregation for “religious
education” and why?
* Does your congregation share your understanding of what
constitutes religious education?
* Think back to the most significant religious education
experience you identified in the last session. What
does that say about your understanding of religious
education?
At the most basic level, what is it all about? What is
the purpose?
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Tapestry of Faith
Who has used any Tapestry of Faith
programs? Which ones?
Briefly, what was your experience?
What challenges did you face? What
successes have you had?
Power Point Presentation
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David and Goliath
Activity and Five
Smooth Stones
Discussion –Tapestry of
Faith as a versatile
resource
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The Curriculum Planning Process
Curriculum Planning – An Ongoing Process
1. Religious Education Philosophy
2. Assess the Needs
3. Set Goals
4. Review Resources
5. Develop a Curriculum Plan
6. Implement the Program
7. Evaluate
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UU Curriculum Eras
What did you learn from this discussion?
Any surprises?
Does this history explain anything about
Unitarian Universalism for you?
In what ways is your religious education
program a product of our time?
In what ways is your program prophetic?
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Extending Radical Hospitality
What are your challenges for including the
diversity of children, youth and adults who
come through your doors?
How have you met these challenges? What has
worked and not worked?
Who are your allies in this effort?
What resources are available?
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Journaling
Spend some time reflecting
on your own response to
the concept of applying
anti-bias, inclusive lenses to
all your curriculum planning
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Curriculum Planning Teams
Form groups of 3-6 people
3 ½ hours to plan /create report
Create 20 minute report
10 minutes for questions/feedback
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Group Presentations and
Worship
Module evaluations online
State something you will take home
with you from the module
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