Start with your diocesan curriculum for catechesis!
1. Pick some objectives (consider combining 2 or more grade levels: i.e. K,1,2)
For example, I picked:
For example, I picked:
- K.3.5 Compare a loving family to God's family, the Church
- 1.3.7 Describe the Church as the family of God that gathers in a parish
- 1.3.8 Give examples of ways members of the church share their gifts and talents for the good of others
- 2.3.7 Name sacred vessels, vestments, and spaces of the church building and explain how they are used in the prayer of the Church
2. Choose a title for your lesson
The Church: God's Family and Ours
3. Create Step 1 (ENGAGE)
- Post some opening questions to see how much children already know about the topic.
- For example:
- Can you name some people in your family?
- What are some things that families do together? (eat, play, watch TV, pray, go for walks, etc.)
- Name some things that people in a family do for one another. (cook, clean, cut the grass, help with chores or homework, etc.)
- Name one talent that you share with your family.
- In your box, find a blank piece of paper, and draw someone in your family helping someone else. (If your parish sends home materials to the families)
4. Create Step 2 (EXPLORE)
Find a YouTube video, or post some text for children to read that helps "teach" your topic.
This one tells that the Church is not a building, it's a group of people who meet, share meals and , and help one another.
Find a YouTube video, or post some text for children to read that helps "teach" your topic.
This one tells that the Church is not a building, it's a group of people who meet, share meals and , and help one another.
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WATCH THIS:
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READ THIS:
Have you been to church? When we say the word CHURCH, we usually think of a building, but CHURCH really means the PEOPLE! The people of the church are like a family. We are a big family! The family of God! So what do people in the CHURCH, the FAMILY OF GOD, do together? We pray, we sing, we eat together. When someone in the church is sick, other church members visit them or send them cards. When someone in the church has a new baby, we are all happy! When someone in the church dies, we are all sad. |
5. Create Step 3 (EXPERIENCE)
Add a variety of reading, video, and hands-on experiences that help children explore the topic. Find ideas in your textbook or online form publishers, or here on Catechist Cafe!
Add a story from the bible, for example, I might add the reading from Acts 2:42-47
A Reading from the Book of Acts...
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.
And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
The Word of the Lord
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Talk about this or write it on the worksheet in your box.
A Reading from the Book of Acts...
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.
And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
The Word of the Lord
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Talk about this or write it on the worksheet in your box.
- Name something in the reading that the people did together.
- What did they do with their property/things?
- What places did they break bread (eat) together?
- How do you think the people felt about one another?
- Do you think they felt like a big family?
- How are WE like a big family in the Church?
Watch this Tour of a Church |
Explore the items found in church or this Mass Item Match Up with these activities from Sara J. Creations.
https://www.sarajcreations.com/2018/09/learning-items-from-catholic-mass.html |
6. Create Step 4 (APPLY)
Add some activities that help children live out the concept they just learned! Your text may offer some good suggestions.
For example:
For example:
- Think of your own gifts and talents. Make a list of them.
- Draw a picture of you sharing one of your gifts and talents with the people of the church.
- Make a card for someone in your church who is sick or stuck at home.
7. Create Step 5 (Feedback and Assessment)
What will the families send back to show that their children have completed the lesson?
Consider:
What will the families send back to show that their children have completed the lesson?
Consider:
