Resources -- where to learn more
We all have much to learn. That is one reason why we have LIFESPAN religious education!
We are all learners as well as teachers. It is always a two-way process-- teaching and learning.
RE teachers are not expected to know everything! It is actually better when RE teachers have inquiring minds and curiosity about the unknown. This is good modeling for our children.
Below is just a sampling of the many resources that are available for teaching RE at church and at home if you are a parent. This list will be added to over the months.
NEW After the Election -- Connection to Teaching RE
The 2016 US presidential election is over but questions are continuing and are likely to continue with the prospect of many changes and challenges. All of this is bound to show up in some way while working with various ages in RE. Here are some resources for you as an adult, parent, and/or RE teacher:
Resources for teachers and families
Provocative articles -- These are offered as food for thought, not necessarily suggestions. They come from varied religious traditions. In no particular order...
We are all learners as well as teachers. It is always a two-way process-- teaching and learning.
RE teachers are not expected to know everything! It is actually better when RE teachers have inquiring minds and curiosity about the unknown. This is good modeling for our children.
Below is just a sampling of the many resources that are available for teaching RE at church and at home if you are a parent. This list will be added to over the months.
NEW After the Election -- Connection to Teaching RE
The 2016 US presidential election is over but questions are continuing and are likely to continue with the prospect of many changes and challenges. All of this is bound to show up in some way while working with various ages in RE. Here are some resources for you as an adult, parent, and/or RE teacher:
- Meck Groot, a staff member of the New England Region of the UUA, wrote an insightful piece in the Region's monthly newsletter, "Disagreement and Connection After November 8." It is the first article. There is more to the newsletter that you might find interesting.
- "What Do We Tell the Children?" by Dr. Ali Michael.
- The UUA website has a robust section on religious education, also known as faith development. There are many pages devoted to the Tapestry of Faith curricula for all ages, as well as links to webinars, videos, and blogs. You can click and click some more.
- There is a special search feature for Tapestry of Faith and all the items contained in it. You can search for stories, readings, and search by age group, Principle, Source, and more.
- The link to Spirit Play has been identified in earlier pages. Here is is again.
- Teaching Tolerance is a website for school teachers that has useful information for all kinds of teachers about promoting diversity, equity, and social justice.
- All about "multiple intelligences theory," a theory that much of our RE methodology is based upon.
Resources for teachers and families
- Every issue of UU World magazine includes Families: Weave a Tapestry of Faith, the pull-out section of topical, timely, and fun activities and stories to share at home. Editor, Susan Dana Lawrence. Family pages are archived as PDFs.
- Call and Response is a blog site that addresses issues having to do with 21st century Unitarian Universalist faith development.
- Living the Principles is a website created by a UU minister and religious educator team and is all about the multigenerational program they created about the UU Principles.
- Raising Race Conscious Children is an excellent resource for adults trying to talk about race with young children.
- "The Fallacy of 'You can Believe Whatever You Want'" -- a blog entry from UU religious educator and parent about a common misconception when learning about UUism.
- "Ten Tips for Talking with Your Kids About Terrorism" This is from a pediatric mental health specialist. There are a number of other resources on this topic too.
- A YouTube with a review of a book we have in our RE library -- "Eboo Patel on Muhammad: The Story of a Prophet and Reformer"
Provocative articles -- These are offered as food for thought, not necessarily suggestions. They come from varied religious traditions. In no particular order...
- "Why Jesus Taught with Questions Instead of Answers" link
- "Why We Don't Have Children's Church Anymore" link
- "Ultimate Guide to Keeping Young Children with You at Church" link
- "Broken Behavior: Going to Church with a Challenging Child" link
- "Nurturing Generosity in Children" link
- "Even Babies Discriminate" link
- "Beyond the So-Called First Thanksgiving: 5 Children's Books That Set the Record Straight" link
- "7 Reasons Why 'Colorblindness' Contributes to Racism Instead of Solving It" link
- "Daddy, I Wish There Weren't Any Black People" link
- "The Pray-Ground" link