Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Crafty Crafters: Noah's Ark Craft






So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for the Bible story “Noah’s Ark”?



Here is a craft you can make using paper plates:


Introduce craft: Who built the ark? Noah. What happened in the story?




This craft is free, however it is only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on all activities are not my own and are from various internet sources.

To show the 40 days and 40 nights of rain, have the wheel with the rain showing. Turn the wheel again to see the sign that God did that promised that He would never flood the whole Earth again.

Directions:

1. On one paper plate, draw a line across the center of a paper plate. Draw scalloped edges for water just above the line that is the center of the paper plate (discard smaller piece of paper plate). Cut the scalloped edges across this paper plate. Spray paint this plate dark blue before class. Make arks on brown construction paper and outline them with black magic markers and color in windows. Cut arks out of before class for students.

2. On the plate with scalloped edges have the students paint on one side with navy blue paint. Let dry.

3. On another paper plate have students write their name on the back. On the front of this plate, draw a line across the center. Have students color one half of the paper plate a storm scene. Students must only color the lightning bolt and raindrops white and nothing else. (Only have white crayons out during this time).

4. On the other half of the paper plate have students color a rainbow. Color rainbow starting with purple on the outside of the groove in the center of the plate. Then continue to color on the outside of the purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red for a rainbow. (Only have these color crayons out during this time).

5. Students paint the entire paper plate with light blue water color paint.

6. When dry, teacher will use a paper fastener to attach the water to the center of the back plate.

7. Glue the ark to water being extra careful to not put glue near paper fastener or glue ark to back plate.

8. To change the scene from the forty days and nights of rain to the promise of not flooding the world again, turn the back plate around.



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

What You Should Do The First Day of Classes?





The Boy Scout moto: “Always be prepared!” is also essential for any catechist or religion education teacher. The infamous question “What should you do?” the first day of classes nags in the back of your mind and you cringe every time just thinking about it. Fear not, there is hope and you can have a great beginning to the start of the year if you utilize the following ideas:


This is what I plan to do the first day of classes with my first grade students:

Welcome- Greet each student and parent. Introduce yourself and welcome them to class. Ask the students to find a seat at the table. While they are doing so give each parent an Introductory Letter to Parents to provide them with information of what is expected in the classroom and what the children will be doing during the year. Tell parents that they are welcome to stay and join our classroom.



Class Contact List- Have the parents fill out a Class Contact List to obtain information that can help aid the catechist to understand their child’s needs and how to contact them.



Names- Have name tags where each student is going to sit and help students find their seats. After all students have found their seats have them introduce themselves to the class. Introduce game: How well do you know everyone in class? Directions: I will stand behind a student’s chair and say, “Who am I?” and the class must name that student. Stand behind a student and say, “Who am I?



Attendance- Fill out the CCD Attendance Sheet and place in classroom tray for DRE. Fill out the classroom attendance sheet that is in my binder.



Classroom Activities- Go over classroom activities with students so they will know what they will be doing for the year.

Examples:

• We Know Our Prayers- My students are given 5 prayers (Sign of the Cross, Grace Before Meals, Glory Be, Hail Mary, and Our Father) to do by the end of the school year. Each prayer the student completes, they will be able to pick a prize from the prize bag (show prize bag).

• Take Home Sheets- At the end of every class each student will be given a Take Home Sheet for their parents to go over with them to review what we did in class. Parents need to help their child fill this out and bring back to class the following week. Students that complete their homework and bring it back to class will be able to play HOMEWORKOPOLY.

• Take Home Tests- We also have 4 take home tests during the year. Parents will need to help their child study, fill out the test, and return it to class. Students that bring back their completed test will be able to play HOMEWORKOPOLY.

• Homeworkopoly- (Hold up game and show students) In order for a student to play HOMEWORKOPOLY, he or she must complete their homework and hand it in to the teacher on time. This is how the student moves around the game board and win prizes from the prize bag. If the student does not have their homework finished, they do not get their chance to roll the dice and move for the day.



Classroom Behavior Expectations- Go over the Classroom Behavior Expectations and post the classroom rules after we have gone over them in a place where all students can see them.


*Ask students if they have any questions. Then start today's lesson.





More Ideas:

The Catholic Toolbox- What Every Catechist Needs To Know

thereligionteacher.com- Classroom Procedures and the First Weeks of School

thereligionteacher.com- 6 Classroom Management Strategies for the First Weeks of School



Thursday, August 2, 2012

Gospel for the Mass: 9/2/12- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23








*Be sure to check out Gospel for the Mass Year B page right below the header for other days that you need Gospel for the Mass activities.


Disclaimer: The posts below contain links to other websites and the content of these sites are evaluated before they are included. These websites can change without warning making links inactive and/or the content altered. We have no control over other websites and we are not responsible for the content that they post.



Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The Tradition of the Elders



Activities

catholicmom.com- Click on the month. Scroll down to the date for Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, Word Search, etc.

Theresa at catholickidsbulletin.blogspot.com will post a link to an activity sheet that coordinates with the Catholic Mass. There will be pictures and activities each week to help little kids understand and appreciate the Mass. Most weeks, she will also highlight a Saint whose feast day falls within that week or a liturgical symbol they can watch for at Mass.

sadlierreligion.com- Scroll down to Gospel Reflection, Discussion Questions for the Gospel, and Proclaiming Faith Activities

loyolapress.com- Background on the Gospel and activities for groups and families

4catholiceducatiors.com- Resources on the Sunday Readings

sermons4kids.com- True Worship object lesson with coloring page

sermons4kids.com- Skin Deep or From the Heart object lesson with coloring pages, group activities, puzzles, quiz, maze, etc.

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean object lesson with group activities, coloring page, puzzles, quiz, worship bulletin, etc.

sundayschoollessons.com- Jesus’ Disciples Eat Without Washing Their Hands lesson

sundayschoollessons.com- What Is Clean in the Sight of God lesson

textweek.com- Lectionary, Scripture Study and Worship Links and Resources



Coloring

sermons4kids.com- Mark 7:6b

sermons4kids.com- Let’s praise Jesus!

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean?



Crafts

sermons4kids.com- Skin Deep group activities (crafts)

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean group activities (crafts)



Games

sermons4kids.com- Skin Deep group activities (games)

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean group activities (games)



Puzzles

sermons4kids.com- Maze

sermons4kids.com- Word Search

sermons4kids.com- Word Search

joanyedwards.com- Word Search

sermons4kids.com- Word Shape

sermons4kids.com- Word Jumble

sermons4kids.com- Decoder

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

joanyedwards.com- Crossword



Quizzes

sermons4kids.com- Multiple Choice

sermons4kids.com- Fill in the Blanks

sermons4kids.com- Fill in the Blanks