Spiritual Education for Children and Adults in Northern Virginia

The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States established the Core Curriculum method of teacher training in the late 1980’s. The Core Curriculum method trains teachers to be creative in their teaching methods and to recognize and adapt lessons to meet the needs of individual students. The Core Curriculum holds students to a high standard and asks for parent-student interaction to continue throughout the week while the child is not in Sunday school. Lesson plans focus on a number of topics, including virtues, history, and adherence to Baha’i laws. In addition to teaching new material, each year reviews previous years lessons to ensure that students have grasped the material required to proceed to the next level.

Information about Stars - 9th Grade

See the photo gallery of the OWBS students.

Below is what the grade levels Stars through 9th grade will be covering. The topics will be learned using art, music, story telling, drama, peer teaching, games, self-study, and, memorization. In all grade levels the prayers and writings on the Baha’i Faith will be studied and memorized.

Stars - This class is run as a parent co-op. The parents rotate bringing snack. The children will have a short circle time and then plenty of time to play and get to know each other.

Pearls - For children 3-4 ½ years old (they should be able to separate from parents). The children will have fun lessons learning basic Baha’i concepts, virtues, and prayers.

Diamonds - For children starting Kindergarten this year and next year. The main goal for the class is for children to get a good foundation of the Baha’i Faith while enjoying coming to Sunday School. The class will cover who Baha’u'llah, Abdu’l Baha, and the Bab were as well as virtues, and living the Baha’i life. The Baha’i Holy Days will be also celebrated and prepared for in class.

1st Grade - will focus on the childhood and early lives of Baha’u'llah, ‘Abdu’l Baha, and the Bab. It will cover the principles of Oneness and Unity as well as living a daily life of service and developing virtues.

2nd Grade - will focus on the station of the Bab and Abdu’l Baha , and be introduced to Shoghi Effendi’s (the Guardian) life. They will study Abdu’l Baha ’s teachings on the elimination of racial prejudice and apply it to their own lives. This year they will be introduced to the 19-day Feast and will continue to learn how to live a daily life of service.

3rd Grade - focuses on the anticipation of Baha’u'llah by the Bab and goes into deepened study of the life and station of Baha’u'llah. This class introduces the principle of the equality of men and women and what it really means as well as studying further the principle of oneness of humanity. This class will continue to learn and put into practice living a life of service.

4th Grade - covers the historical significance of the Bab as well as His teaching and life after His declaration. This class will study further the principle of the equality of men and women and the races. Developing spiritual habits, living according to the Baha’i writings, and purity and chastity will be focused on.

5th Grade - will study the major religions in the past and then go into the life and station of Baha’u'llah. Baha’u'llah’s exile and travels will be covered. The importance of the elimination of prejudice and the unity of all religions will be emphasized. The students will continue to develop spiritual habits, living according to the Baha’i writings, and maintain purity and chastity.

6th Grade - will focus on the Covenant and administrative order. They will begin with ‘Abdu’l Baha and then continue to study Shoghi Effendi, and the institutions of the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’i Fund and Huquq’u'llah will also be studied. The students will continue to develop spiritual habits, living according to the Baha’i writings, and maintain purity and chastity.

7th Grade — will embark on an in-depth study of the station and ministry of The Bab, Baha’u'llah, and ‘Abdu’l Baha and complete a workbook on The Covenant. The Baha’i Fund and the administrative order will also be studied. The students will continue to develop spiritual habits, living according to the Baha’i writings, and maintain purity and chastity.

8th Grade - will focus on building character and Spiritual capacity as well as using Baha’i principles in daily life. Major topics include Religious Prejudice as the Cause of War, Religion Must be Cause of Love, Role of Institutions in Equality, Personal Principals of Baha’u'llah, Life of the Guardian, America’s Spiritual Destiny and complete a more thorough workbook on The Covenant. Students will go on a Baha’i tour of the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC.

9th Grade - will focus on service to and teaching of others as well as living Baha’i Principles in the midst of peer pressure. Major topics include spiritual qualities need to Reduce Prejudice, Development of Human Economy and World Peace, The Need for laws and the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Major Texts of and the Mysteries in Baha’u'llah’s Writings, Complete Overview of Huquq’u'llah, Baha’i Elections and Understanding Marriage. They will also plan and execute a Baha’i Tour of the FDR Memorial (field trip) for the 8th grade students in the Spring.

10th - 12th Grade Curriculum

Grades 10th through 12th are taught using collegiate style methods, with students studying important Baha’i texts each semester. The following works are scheduled for 2007-2008 (to be updated):