Youth Curriculum, 8-2-26
Announcements:
We are excited for our teens as they continue their spiritual journey by beginning a six-week certificated Teen Foundations Class here at CSL. Their commitment to learning, growing, and deepening their spiritual practice is something our entire community can be proud of.
We would love to help make this opportunity accessible by supporting a portion of the $140 registration cost for three of our teens. If you feel inspired to contribute, you can make a donation through our website by selecting the Teen Foundations Workshop Fund. Thank you for investing in the next generation of spiritual leaders.
August Theme: The Fear and the Furious
Week 4 Value: Anger as a Force for Change
Affirmation: I channel my anger into sacred, purposeful action.
Curriculum Overview:
This week, youth and teens will discover that anger isn’t something to fear or avoid—it can be a helpful signal that something important needs attention. Through hands-on activities, reflection, and teamwork, participants will learn to recognize what anger is communicating, pause before reacting, and choose responses that reflect kindness, courage, and wisdom. They’ll leave with practical tools for expressing emotions in healthy ways and transforming frustration into positive action.
Spiritual Lesson:
Our emotions inform us, but our choices define us.
Science of Mind teaches that we always have the ability to choose our response. Anger itself is neither good nor bad—it simply invites us to pay attention. When we become aware of what anger is trying to tell us, we can respond with love instead of reacting from fear. Every pause creates an opportunity for Spirit to guide our next step.
Spiritual Practice: The Sacred Pause
Participants will spread out outdoors and silently observe nature for one minute. Invite them to notice what happens when the wind blows, a bird is startled, or leaves move in different directions. Nature responds without judgment—it simply adjusts and continues.
Gather together and practice the Sacred Pause:
- Stop.
- Take three slow breaths.
- Ask yourself:
- What am I really feeling?
- What matters most right now?
- What loving choice can I make?
Discuss how taking even a few seconds to pause can completely change how we respond.
After returning, participants will reflect on how curiosity helps replace assumptions with understanding and creates stronger connections.
Participants will pair up with someone they don’t know well and take a short walk outdoors. Along the way, they’ll ask one another
Active Listening: Book / Music /Video
Younger Children (Ages 4–7)
- Book: A Little SPOT of Anger by Diane Alber
A simple story that helps children recognize and manage anger in healthy ways. - Music: Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves
A gentle reminder that difficult feelings don’t last forever. - Video: When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry (Animated Read Aloud)
Children & Preteens (Ages 7–12)
- Book: The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
A thoughtful story about recognizing emotions before they become overwhelming. - Music: Carry You by Ruelle & Fleurie
A hopeful song about resilience, support, and finding strength together. - Video: Snack Attack (Animated Short)
A humorous film that explores assumptions, reactions, and seeing situations from another perspective.
Teens (Ages 13–16)
- Reading: Selected excerpt from Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett
Introduces practical emotional intelligence skills for recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions. - Music: Saturn by SZA
A reflective song that invites conversation about emotional awareness, healing, and perspective. - Video: Between Two Worlds (The School of Life)
A short video exploring why strong emotions arise and how greater self-awareness leads to healthier responses.
Creative Expression Activities: Emotional Iceberg Challenge
Participants work in small groups with scenario cards describing moments of anger (someone interrupts, a game feels unfair, a promise is broken). They create an “Emotional Iceberg,” identifying what others see above the surface (anger) and what may be underneath (hurt, disappointment, embarrassment, fear, feeling left out, or injustice). Groups discuss healthy ways to respond rather than react.
Peace Toolkit
Each participant creates a personalized Peace Toolkit with calming strategies, positive self-talk, spiritual practices, trusted people to talk to, and healthy ways to express emotions. Toolkits become a resource they can use throughout the month.
Connecting: From Reaction to Response
Participants will gather around the completed bridge and finish the sentence:
“The next time I feel angry, I will…”
Close together by repeating the affirmation three times:
“I channel my anger into sacred, purposeful action.”