From New York YM: Conflict Transformation Resources
Compilations
Quaker Testimonies Handouts
K-12 Religious Education Curricula, 1987-2009
Organized by topic, listed alphabetically, then chronologically when known (date reflects updated edition).
Because of the material being older, Friends are encouraged to review it for bias and assumption and through the lens of inclusive language. Adaptation may be needed, and is encouraged. There is wonderful material here, created with care — use what serves you!
Faith and Practice
- From the Center Out (for kindergarten to 8th grade, 1999)
- George Fox: Four Lessons (for 7-11 years old)
- God Is… (all ages, 2000)
- Growing in the Light (for pre-K to 1st grade, 1998)
- Growing in the Light (for grades 2-5, 1996)
(see “Older Youth” section below for Growing in the Light curricula for Grades 6-12 and adults) - Obadiah: Four Lessons (for First Day Schools, 1996, by Merril Dutton)
- Quakers Answer the Call (for all ages, 1999)
- Shaking Out the Truth (for K to 12th grade, 1998)
- Teaching Quaker Faith and Practice to Children (for First Day Schools, 1997)
- Teaching the Queries to Quaker Children (for First Day Schools, 2001)
- Truth in Action (for K to high school, 2001)
- Walking Cheerfully (for First Day Schools and all ages, 2002)
Spiritual Nurture
- Brothers and Sisters All (for First Day Schools, 1997)
- Food for Body and Spirit (for First Day Schools, 1992)
- Losses and Healing (for pre-K to 8th grade, 2002)
- My Mandala – What is your Spiritual Journey? (for Kindergarten to 5th grade, 2017, by Stacy Schanno)
- Work is Love Made Visible (for various ages, 1994)
Teaching about Testimonies
- Blessed are the Peacemakers (for all ages, 1989)
- Peaceable Kingdom (for all ages, 2003)
- Quaker Kidz Bring the Peace (for all ages)
- Speak to the Earth and It Shall Teach Thee (for all ages, 1987)
- Stewardship of Time, Money and Talent (for First Day Schools, 2002)
Lives of Friends
- The John Woolman Curriculum (for pre-K to 8th grade, 2000)
- Lucretia Mott: Each Little Act of Kindness (for different age groups, 1993)
- Stand Your Ground: The Life and Accomplishments of Paul Robeson (for K to 8th grade, 1999)
- William Penn: The Feather and the Sword (for grades 4-8, 1993)
- William Penn: Young Rebel (for various ages)
NOTE: Neither curriculum speaks to Penn being a slaveholder. Friends are encouraged to use teachable moments to offer our children a more accurate picture of Penn’s life and Quaker history regarding the enslavement of people of African descent. If you create or become aware of lessons about Penn that share a broader, more honest history, please be in touch with the Youth Religious Life Coordinator.
Bible and Interfaith Studies
- Exploring My Friends’ Beliefs: A Study of Judeo-Christian Faith in One’s Neighborhood (for grades 7-12, 1997)
- Teaching Children About Jesus, I (for various ages, 1999)
- Teaching Children About Jesus, II (for various ages, 2000)
- Teaching the Bible to Quakers (various ages, 2009)
- Teaching the Old Testament to Quaker Children (for elementary and middle school, 2001)
Celebrations
- Celebrating the Seasons (for First Day Schools, 1994)
- Christmas Programs with a Twist (all ages, 1991, by Elinor P. Briggs)
Older Youth
- Growing in the Light (for grades 6-8, 1999)
- Growing in the Light (for high school and adults)
- Just Do It! How to Plan and Staff a Youth Gathering (for high school, 1990)
- Wild Things: A Recipe for Running an MS Gathering (for Middle School Friends, 1996, by Jennifer Galloway)
- Working with Middle Schoolers (1992, by Linda Brick and Barbara Henderson)
Worship with Children & Youth
Worship with Children and Youth
- Teaching the Practice of Worship
- Meeting for Worship: A How-to Guide by 6th Graders
- Worship Sharing with Children
- Exploring Vocal Ministry with Young People
- Being Present: The Worship Bowl Lesson
- Start with Worship
- Meeting for Worship in the Classroom
- Heart Sharing
- Foundations for Worship
- A Recipe for Intergenerational Worship
Racial Justice Curricula and Resources for Children
Talking with Children About Racism and Inclusion
- Talking About Racial Injustice with Children (a collection of resources for families and adults who work with children, June 2020)
- Talking to Children after Racial Incidents An interview with Howard Stevenson, a clinical psychologist at Penn Graduate School of Education.
- Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events Links to specific current events and guidance for parents, families, and caregivers. Also: Explaining the News to Our Kids on the Common Sense Media website.
- Coming Together: Talking to Children About Race and Identity Developmentally appropriate resources from Sesame Street for exploring racial justice and celebrating identity with young children. It’s Sesame Street, so there are songs, stories, activities, and familiar furry friends to help.
Resources for Anti-Racism Learning and Action
- Black Lives Matter Instructional Library (several books, across ages)
- Compiled by Pheobe Defino. An excellent collection of children’s racial justice books all in read-aloud format. Sections/shelves focusing on: Activism and Advocacy, Self-love and Empowerment, Black History, Libros en Espanol, Additional Resources and Contact.
- Children and Youth Resources Exploring Racism and Racial Justice (by Melinda Wenner Bradley, PYM) list of websites, blogs, online articles, curricula and children’s literature that begins with framing queries:
- How do we approach the work of teaching/learning about undoing racism for both Friends of European and African descent? Other People of Color?
- What scaffolding or tools can we create/recommend for working with a book resource? (queries, wondering questions, etc.)
- How do we prepare the way in our meetings and RE programs for ALL children to feel welcomed, included and fully participatory in the Religious Society of Friends? How do we signal welcome and inclusion to visitors?
- Racial Justice Curriculum for Young Friends (by Lisa Graustein, New England Yearly Meeting, for middle and high-school age Friends)
- “Something Happened in Our Town” — lesson based on a children’s story about racial injustice, told from two perspectives, that of a Black family and a white family. Created by Friends at Madison Meeting in Northern Yearly Meeting
- Protest Song Activity (created by the KidsBridge Center)
Native Justice
- Choosing Excellent Children’s Books By & About American Indians
created by the The Indian Affairs Committee of Salem Quarter, guidance for choosing books; there are many newer picture books which center the voices of Native people! - Children’s Books on Indigenous Residential Schools & Forced Assimilation:
- Art Activity for Remembrance and Healing for Native American Boarding Schools
- “Decolonizing Thanksgiving Is An Oxymoron – Kids Books Dismantling The Myth of a ‘First Thanksgiving’”
“Rethinking Thanksgiving” from Northstar Educational Explorations is a good resource for reexamining the holiday and history behind it to teach children the truth of Thanksgiving – modeling generosity and gratitude all year long – while remembering the violent history of colonization.
Quaker Parenting
- Tending Sacred Ground: Respectful Parenting by Pamela Haines (part of the Quaker Quicks Series)
- Faith at Home section of the Quaker Religious Education Collaborative website
- Quaker Parenting Initiative website
- Paths to Quaker Parenting: Using Quaker Beliefs, Testimonies and Practices
- Parenting – 4-pamphlet set at Pendle Hill
