Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Grades K-1 Winter 2011
Grades 4-6 Winter 2011

Grades 7-9 Winter 2012

OWL Curriclum

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a series of sexuality education curricula by Pamela Wilson, M.S.W. developed jointly by the Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ for five age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, and adults.

Our Whole Lives is based on the philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education, which helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, comprehensive sexuality education provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality as well.

Comprehensive sexuality education has been shown to be effective. A review commissioned by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, released on October 22, 1997, concluded that quality education about sexuality and/or HIV helps to delay first intercourse and protect sexually active youth from STDs, including HIV, and from pregnancy. The review also concluded that responsible and safe behavior can be learned, that sexuality education is best started before the onset of sexual activity, and that sexuality education does not encourage increased sexual activity.

At UUCPA, OWL is run by the OWL Coordinator under the auspices of the CYRE Committee. The class runs at a time that is convenient for the participants. OWL for children is offered during Sunday school hours (grades 4-6 and Grade K-1 in 2009 and 2011), and OWL for grades 7-9 is offered on Sunday evenings (in 2010 and 2012). The goal is to ensure that all children are offered the opportunity to attend each OWL session when they reach the appropriate grades. The Sunday school program adapts to accommodate children who spend part of the school year in OWL.

For more information, email the OWL Committee or Dan Harper, Associate Minister of Religious Education

The OWL program was featured in Oprah Magazine: Adventures in Adult Education in July, 2009.