Curricula Topics (K-8th Grades)
With the understanding that people learn and grow through a variety of experiences, the lessons use literature, art, activities, games and discussion to explore topics. Each grade studies the same topic on the same week for continuity of learning within families. The lessons build on each other from 1st — 7th grade so that they start with the basics in the lower grades and build to more philosophical discussions of what they have learned as they move into the middle school years. Lesson topics are listed below.
Exploring Ethical Culture
In an effort to give our children a good understanding of Ethical Culture and its purpose, there are lessons on our founder, Felix Adler; the first St. Louis leader, Walter Sheldon and other Ethical Culture figures. The children will also learn how Felix Adler and his vision have affected our world today through the development of the ACLU and other socially conscious groups. These lessons also include in-depth exploration of each of our Core Values and the reasons why we feel these particular values should be applied to our daily lives. It is important for children to understand why something is important in order to begin to incorporate it into their daily lives. We encourage critical thinking in these discussions to foster a better understanding of what being ethical really means.
Character Education
So often our children are faced with moral dilemmas and situations where they must learn to make an ethical decision. Lessons in ethics and character development are presented to the children at an age-appropriate level, along with activities and stories to help them process the ideas they have been discussing. These lessons are based on our Twelve Core Values.
Religions of the World
In order to respect someone else’s religion, you must understand that religion. That is the basis of our instruction in religions. The children will learn about Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism and others. As the children get older, the lessons become more in depth so as to foster a true understanding of where these religions came from and why they exist.
Community Service
Preschool In an effort to have our children understand the kind of difference they can make in the world and how important it is to give back to our community we have several community service projects each year. We have collected school supplies for refugee children, pet supplies for the Humane Society, winter clothing for the homeless and canned goods. We have also adopted families for the holidays, helped sort canned goods for Operation Food Search, participated in a Forest Park clean up and tree planting for Earth Day, and worked with Beyond Housing to help beautify a neighborhood recreation facility. There are at least 2 Community Service projects each year.
The formal classes
* Instill a sense of humanity's common religious heritage
* Encourage students to appreciate their connection to the world
* Help children develop ethical approaches to everyday situations
* Make students aware of the primacy of ethics to religious belief
Because all people—and particularly children—learn and grow through a variety of experiences, the lessons use literature, art, activities, games, and discussion to explore each topic.