Resources and Teaching Strategies Based on ACRE Focus Areas (Level 1)

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1 The Assumption Have students look up the definitions for ascend and assume. The word ascends means, to move up. This word describes Jesus going up to heaven- the Ascension. The word assumes means taking up. This word explains that Mary was taken up to heaven. Mary was taken up by the power of God and not through her own power. Have students demonstrate these two movements-one person standing up on their own and another person being helped by another to stand up. For Teacher and Students: Identify covenant Begin with students looking up the word covenant in the dictionary or defining it on their own. The definitions may include agreement or a promise. Have students share a situation when they made a promise or agreement and what it involved. An agreement/promise involves two or more people; each having a share in the agreement. Students will be familiar with the story of Noah and the Ark and God s covenant with Noah (the sign of a rainbow) and the covenant with Moses (The Ten Commandments). Show a segment of a DVD or read from the Old Testament, the covenant God made with his people. God will care for his people and they would obey him

2 Reading the bible When teaching about an event from the Bible, refer to the primary source-your classroom bible and demonstrate how to find the passage in the Old Testament or New Testament. If students have their own bibles, practice finding short passages by naming the book, chapter and verse The Incarnation-God becoming man The Incarnation can be defined as the union of the divine nature of the Son of God with human nature in the person of Jesus Christ. The Son of God assumed our flesh, body, and soul, and dwelled among us. Jesus became one of us in order to redeem us. We celebrate the Incarnation (God became man) on the feast of the Annunciation on March 25. Read the story of the Annunciation to the class. Discuss what the angel Gabriel asked of Mary and her response to the angel. Discuss how this mystery of the Incarnation affected all of us. Whenever the class prays the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary, this would be a teachable moment to review the third mystery-the Annunciation and what occurred. Jesus became man. (The Incarnation) Introduce the Angelus and have students imagine the story as they learn the Angelus. Event celebrated on Pentecost D/212/Helping-kids-understand-Pentecost.aspx 2

3 Liturgical symbol of Confirmation Introduce the students to the signs and symbols of the Sacraments of Initiation. Discuss the distinctive signs and symbols of each sacrament. Since the students are more familiar with Baptism and Holy Eucharist, focus more on their understanding of the meaning of Confirmation and the use of sacred chrism For Teacher and Students: Definition of Personal Sin Personal sin is a thought, word or deed a person committed against God s Law. Unlike Original Sin which we inherited from Adam and Eve, personal sin is our own intentional act to do something that takes us away from God. It is rejecting the one we love-god. Sin weakens our friendship with God. A serious offense (mortal sin) breaks our friendship with God. A less serious offense (venial sin) keeps us from being close to God. We can ask God for his forgiveness. The sacraments help us to heal and be close to God. Personal sins can be sins of commission-doing something wrong against God and our neighbor. Personal sins can also be sins of omission- ignoring the right action to take. =5&game=15 3

4 Forgiveness in the Our Father For Teacher and Students: Intercession: Type of prayer offered for the needs of others Have students look up the definitions for petition and intercession. Petition is a prayer in which we ask something of God. Usually for ourselves) Intercession is a type of petition that we pray for someone else. When teaching, use the word petition when we pray for ourselves. (Asking forgiveness or making a request) When the class prays for others, ask if they have any intercessions. (To pray for others).to make this concrete: Review the definition of intercession and introduce the word intercessor. Ask students what they believe intercessor means. One definition could be a go between. Ask students, How are we intercessors in prayer? Have each student write their name on an index card, fold it and place it in a basket. Review the word: intercessor again. Ask each student to pick an index card out of the basket and read the name. They are now an intercessor for that person whom they will pray for during the school year

5 Patroness of the Americas- Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe Lesson on Our Lady of Guadalupe Role play: Prayer at Sunday Mass that affirms Catholic beliefs Students say a creed almost daily and at least weekly. They are introduced to a creed initially with the Sign of the Cross. When we say, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we are stating, I believe in the Blessed Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Apostles Creed is introduced as a summary of our beliefs in which it is studied and memorized usually by third grade. The Nicene Creed, however is introduced when children worship with their families on Sundays and on special feast days. Every year the Apostles Creed/the Nicene Creed are introduced, taught or reinforced. Challenge students to visually remember the Apostles Creed. Have students cut apart sentences from the creed, Have them put together those beliefs that go with the Father, those with Jesus the Son and those with the Holy Spirit

6 Theological virtue of hope Review the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Love Evangelization: spreading the Good News Evangelization is defined as to preach the gospel. (Etym. Latin evangelium; from Greek euangelion, good news, reward for bringing good news, from euangelos, bringing good news: eu-, good, + angelos, messenger.) We are called by God as Jesus called his Apostles, Come follow Me. we are called daily to speak and demonstrate by our actions what it means to be a follower of Christ. Evangelize is defined as to preach the gospel to. We are called to share our Catholic belief with others. We are his followers no matter what vocation God calls. We can rephrase his words to say that evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. An article on Five Gifts of Catholic Education 6

7 Vocation: a special calling in life A Vocation is defined as a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work. In the religious sense, a vocation is what God is calling you to be as his follower: single, married, a religious or a priest. leaders/lesson-plans/lesson-plans-for-national-vocation-awareness-week-grades-k- 8.cfm 7