For people who love to read, finding out that a favorite author has written a new book, is like Christmas in July – an unexpected, but thoroughly enjoyable surprise. So it is with favorite UU curriculum writers. One of my favorites, Kate Tweedie Covey, from Boulder Valley UU Fellowship, is releasing a new curriculum entitled, “Picture Book Unitarian Universalist” in April 2009.
It is based on the 36 best picture books for teaching young children about the love, reason, tolerance and good works that make up our faith. Geared toward Kindergarten through 2nd graders, this year long curriculum teaches our younger UUs the art of self-expression, to value individuality, to think for themselves and simplify their lives, and to understand that everything is connected – in fact, radically related. They will hear about people whose novel ideas and discoveries helped to transform our faith – people like Maria Mitchell, Henry David Thoreau, and Fannie Farmer.
The RE Team has approved the purchase of 4 copies of the curriculum and I have pre-ordered it. ...I have proposed the idea of a RE Giving Tree. Here’s how it will work… I will set up a tree in the fellowship hall and hang pictures of the needed “Picture Books” from the branches. I will include the price – what it will cost to order it new or used from Amazon.com. You can then peruse the pictures of the books and prices and decide if you or your family would like to donate money toward a particular book. After you choose one, you pull the picture off the tree and write your name and book title in a notebook which will be next to the tree. Then, you fill out a bookplate which will be attached to the front of your donated book when it arrives. You put your cash or check in an envelope marked, “Picture Book UU” and you’re done!
This curriculum will be used from September 2009 through May 2010 – and include books on major holidays such as (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, MLK Day, Valentine’s Day, Earth Day, and Summer Solstice). There are books referring to the Bible, such as, “Psalm Twenty-Three” and “The Golden Rule” and books explaining evolution such as “The Everything Seed” and “From Lava to Life: The Universe Tells our Earth’s Story”. There are also the classic/must reads that many UU parents recognize – “Old Turtle”, “Miss Rumphius” and the tear-jerker – “Love You Forever”.
The RE Team is getting quite adept at spotting a good curriculum when we see one. (We’ve learned from a few bloopers in the past). And this one looks like a winner. ..help to pass on our values through some great books.
Picture Book Unitarian Universalism is based on the following books:
1) The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater
2) Old Turtle by Douglas Wood
3) Henry Builds a Cabin by D.B. Johnson
4) Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkof, Craig Hatkof
5) To Everything There is a Season by Leo and Diane Dillon
6) Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson
7) Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
8) If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier
9) Fanny in the Kitchen by Deborah Hopkinson
10) Psalm 23 by Tim Ladwig
11) Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child (A Thanksgiving Session)
12) Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth by Douglas Wood
13) Elijah’s Angel by Michael J. Rosen
14) One Candle by Eve Bunting (A Hannuka Session)
15) The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer (a Winter Solstice Session)
16) This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten (a Christmas Session)
17) On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
18) The Everything Seed by Carole Martignacco
19) Maria’s Comet by Deborah Hopkinson
20) Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson (a M.L.King Day Session)
21) The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
22) St. Valentine by Robert Sabuda (a Valentine’s Day Session)
23) In God’s Name by Sandy Sasso
24) Born with a Bang, the Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story by Jennifer Morgan
25) Families by Susan Kuklin
26) Henry Works by D.B. Johnson
27) All I See is Part of Me by Chara Curtis
28) Spring Equinox by Ellen Jackson
29) The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper
30) Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco (an Easter Session)
31) Earth Day Birthday (an Earth Day Session)
32) From Lava to Life, the Universe Tells our Earth’s Story by Jennifer Morgan
33) Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (a Mother’s Day Session)
34) Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
35) Summer Solstice by Ellen Jackson
36) God in Between by Sandy Sasso
Note: You must order the picture books separately. You can request the books from your local library or bookstore. There is also a Listmania list on Amazon.com so that you can order the books used or new. Estimated cost will be between $40.00 and $150.00 for the entire set, depending on whether you order new or used. For one idea on ordering the books, visit the review below.
Order it! Your options:
1) Order an instant electronic PDF file.
PDF e-file: $120; special price for those who own a print copy - $60.00.
Note: Push the "Return to UU Curricula" button on your PayPal receipt for your instant download link.
or
2) Order a print copy (3 ring notebook, ready to use, 223 pages.) Free Shipping! First copy: 120.00
Addl copies: $60.00. Use the Order Form.
or
3) Send a check and receive the e-file link. Use the order form.
Download these sample lessons to check out the easy, creative and meaningful ways that Picture Book U.U. will guide teachers and engage young children!
#1 - The Big Orange Splot
A witty story of Mr. Plumbean, who lives on a very neat street where all the houses look the same. One day (no one knows why), a seagull drops a can of orange paint on Mr. Plumbean's roof -- and nothing is ever the same for Plumbean or his neighbors. Children are reminded, in a funny and entertaining way, of the joys of self-expression.
Walden's chapter on "Economy," by Henry David Thoreau, generates the tale of Henry, a bear, Henry plans a one-room cabin. When friends like Emerson and Alcott pronounce the cabin "too small," Henry replies, "It's bigger than it looks." He proudly guides them to a vegetable garden ("This will be my dining room") and a winding path to the pond ("This will be the ballroom"). The conclusion finds Henry happily outdoors in his "library,"; he gets under his roof only when it rains. Children are encouraged to think for themselves and to simplify their lives.
The facts of science and the wonder of myth combine in this unusual creation story written by a U.U. minister that finds the universe in an acorn. The story moves from a plant's origins in a seed to how the universe began. The words offer a unique, cosmic view that celebrates the divine without rejecting science.
Children are encouraged to understand that everything is related. "To know this at a heart level, to live into it with deep reverence, is my hope for us all.” – author’s note by Rev. Carole Martignacco
7) Discounts for multiple copies after your first copy ordered.
It’s easy to encourage multi-age congregational involvement with:
1) A list of special optional visitors who can share their gifts one time with the children, such as a rubber stamper or an astronomer.
2) A list of items that congregants can share with the children one time, such as quilts or a pet turtle.
Plus it’s fun for the children with options for:
Junk sculpture, bells for joy and justice, playdough menorahs, sarong dramatic play, “Pin the Star on the Constellation” game, Milky Way™ Bar meditation, and other creative activities.
I’ve selected the 36 best books that I could find that illustrate our identity. Each book must meet my high requirements for use in my own Religious Education program. Each book needs to have engaging illustrations of the right size for reading aloud, use language appropriate for primary aged children, and have the right amount of text.
Each accompanying session includes:
• set up suggestions,
• an entering activity,
• a sharing circle,
• 3 - 6 activity choices,
• a closing statement,
• teacher background information,
• and a parent handout for taking home.
In this introductory section, you will find:
1) How to order the Picture Books
2) Complete Booklist of Picture Books
3) a list of optional things to do in advance,
4) a list of optional special visitors whom you can invite to certain sessions.
5) a script for a Parent or Teacher Orientation and handouts.
6) the Do-Re-Mi Principles song as a poster to hang up in your classroom.
7) suggestions for how to read a picture book to a group of children.
PBUU Downloads - adapt these for your own use!
1) Sortable spreadsheet of each PBUU Session with the Principle, Source, Belief, UU Identity, and Theme represented by the session. Sort to find all the sessions on the "Web of Life," or on our source of "Jewish and Christian heritages." See the U.U. Equations page for a description of the Principles, Sources and Beliefs used in PBUU.
2) List of Optional Visitors you may wish to invite for use during Parent Orientation or on classroom door. Perhaps there are parents who would like to share their gift of rubber stamping or their hobby of astronomy. As always, these are entirely optional and there are other activity suggestions provided.
3) List of Optional Items for use during Parent Orientation or on the classroom door. Who might have a pet turtle or some angel collectibles? As always, these are entirely optional, and there are other suggestions for activities.
