12th Grade: Unit 4 – Yule
6 weeks (Nov 24 – Jan 9)
1st Principle: Inherent worth and dignity
Indigenous & Pagan Traditions
Unit Overview
As we celebrate the return of the light at Yule, we explore earth-based spiritualities, modern Paganism, Unitarian Universalism, and secular philosophies. Students continue refining their capstone projects and explore various post-graduation paths.
Key Topics
- Indigenous spiritualities, Modern Paganism, UU
- New Religious Movements, secular ethics
- Sequences, series, limits (or advanced stats)
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Life skills: cooking, renting, adulting
Learning Goals
- Appreciate diverse spiritual paths including our own
- Evaluate religious claims critically and respectfully
- Master pre-calculus concepts or complete stats project
- Understand conservation biology principles
- Develop practical life skills
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: Indigenous Spiritualities Worldwide
🕯 Hearth Circle: Honoring the returning light; winter solstice anticipation; candle lighting
📖 Language Arts: Capstone revision: incorporating feedback; strengthening arguments
🔢 Mathematics: Pre-calc: sequences and series; or Stats: regression analysis
🔬 Environmental Science: Biodiversity and conservation; endangered species
🌍 World Religions: Indigenous spiritualities revisited: Australian Aboriginal, Polynesian, Arctic peoples; common themes across cultures
🎓 Senior Seminar: Gap year exploration: options, planning, benefits and considerations
Week 2: Modern Paganism & Earth-Based Spirituality
🕯 Hearth Circle: Wheel of the Year reflection; our journey through the seasons
📖 Language Arts: Capstone revision: polishing prose; clarity and flow
🔢 Mathematics: Pre-calc: arithmetic and geometric sequences; or Stats: multiple regression
🔬 Environmental Science: Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity; conservation strategies
🌍 World Religions: Modern Paganism: Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, eclectic paths; history of the Pagan revival; ethics and practice
🎓 Senior Seminar: Trade schools and apprenticeships: skilled trades, certification programs
Week 3: Unitarian Universalism & Religious Humanism
🕯 Hearth Circle: Our UU identity; the seven principles in action; what we believe
📖 Language Arts: Capstone: creative component development; integrating research with creativity
🔢 Mathematics: Pre-calc: limits introduction; or Stats: ANOVA basics
🔬 Environmental Science: Invasive species and ecosystem disruption; management strategies
🌍 World Religions: Unitarian Universalism: history, principles, sources; Religious Humanism; how UU relates to other traditions
🎓 Senior Seminar: Military and service options: branches, ROTC, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps
Week 4: New Religious Movements
🕯 Hearth Circle: Discernment practice; evaluating spiritual claims; healthy vs. harmful groups
📖 Language Arts: Capstone: creative component work continues; documentation
🔢 Mathematics: Pre-calc: continuity and limits; or Stats: non-parametric tests
🔬 Environmental Science: Restoration ecology; rewilding projects; success stories
🌍 World Religions: New Religious Movements: Bahá'í, Scientology, New Age; how to evaluate religious claims; cult awareness
🎓 Senior Seminar: Adulting 101: renting, utilities, basic home maintenance
Week 5: Atheism, Agnosticism & Secular Ethics
🕯 Hearth Circle: Finding meaning without religion; secular sources of wonder and ethics
📖 Language Arts: Capstone: second draft completion; preparing for peer review
🔢 Mathematics: Pre-calc: introduction to derivatives (preview); or Stats: project work
🔬 Environmental Science: Human population and environmental impact; carrying capacity
🌍 World Religions: Atheism and agnosticism: philosophical foundations; secular ethics; humanism; meaning without religion
🎓 Senior Seminar: Cooking and nutrition: meal planning, basic cooking skills, healthy eating on a budget
Week 6: Yule Celebration & Winter Reflection
🕯 Hearth Circle: Yule celebration; solstice ritual; welcoming the returning sun; gift of presence
📖 Language Arts: Reflective writing: my spiritual journey; what I believe and why
🔢 Mathematics: Pre-calc: review and semester wrap-up; or Stats: semester project presentations
🔬 Environmental Science: Semester review: environmental science synthesis; personal action plan
🌍 World Religions: Synthesis: creating a personal philosophy; drawing from multiple traditions; interfaith appreciation
🎓 Senior Seminar: Semester reflection: progress check, adjusting plans, celebrating growth
📺 "Just Can't" Day Resources
Need a lighter day? These free resources cover unit topics through videos and interactive content.See supply list for optional purchases.
🏆 Capstone Milestone: Second Draft & Creative Component
By the end of this unit, students should have:
- Polished second draft of research paper
- Creative component well underway or complete
- Peer review feedback incorporated
- Presentation outline started
- Portfolio materials being gathered