SPIRIT. Grade 4 Sample Unit 1, Lessons 1 and 2

Transcription

1 SPIRIT of TRUTH Grade 4 Sample Unit 1, Lessons 1 and 2 Included here are two sample lessons from the 4th grade Spirit of Truth teacher s guide, followed by the corresponding pages from the 4th grade student workbook. Order the full Grade 4 books at SophiaInstituteforTeachers.org/SpiritofTruth

2 UNIT ONE God Is All Good Lessons in This Unit Lesson 1: Exploring the Goodness of God with Sacred Art Lesson 2: God Is Good, and Holiness Is Sharing in His Goodness Lesson 3: The Reflection of God in Creation Lesson 4: Made in God s Image and Likeness Lesson 5: In God s Image: The Abilities of the Soul Scripture Studied in This Unit Genesis 1 Genesis 2:18-24 Psalm 118:1 Psalm 8 Connection to the Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 1 355, 356, 1701, 1702 Lesson , Lesson 3 198, 237, , 339, 341 Lesson 4 356, 357, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, Lesson 5 357, 362, 363, 364, , 1702, 1703, 1704, 1705 Jeremiah 1:5 Jeremiah 10:12 Matthew 5:8 Matthew 19:4-6 John 1:1-3 Colossians 1:15 1 Timothy 4:4 Unit 1 Overview 1

3 Introduction GGod is all good and everything He creates and does is good. We share in God s goodness when we pursue holiness in our earthly lives. We can know God s goodness through what He has made. God made human beings in his image and likeness, which we can understand in a few ways, none of which, ironically, are that we look like God. First, to be made in God s image and likeness means that we have similar abilities as God, specifically, intellect, will, and the capacity to love. Second, when we become His adopted children in baptism, we also receive certain roles including priest, prophet, and king, that make us like Christ. We are called to live out these roles in our Christian lives. Finally, to be made in God s image and likeness means that we are created male and female to be united in marriage as an icon of God s inner life itself, the Blessed Trinity. The Goodness of God Scripture affirms the goodness of God by telling us that everything He creates is good. In fact, on the 6th day of creation, after God had finished his work, he looked at everything he had made and proclaimed it to be very good. God created not because he needed to, but out of his goodness and love. To pursue holiness and nurture the virtues in our earthly lives is to share in God s goodness. There are virtues that we can strengthen like muscles. These are the Cardinal Virtues: temperance, prudence, justice, and fortitude. There are also virtues that are gifted to us by God through His grace. They are the Theological Virtues: faith, hope, and charity, or love. To the extent that we nurture the Cardinal Virtues, the Theological Virtues will have greater or lesser effect in our lives. We can come to know God and His goodness and love through His creation. God created the universe ex nihilo, which is Latin for out of nothing. Unlike how we create something new using pre-existing materials, God created from nothing. He simply spoke and it was. This tells us that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, the one, true God, and all-good and loving. We can see evidence of the nature of God in the beauty of a sunset, the majesty of the stars in the night sky, and in all of the wonders of creation. The Imago Dei Genesis 1:27 states that God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that of all visible creatures only man is able to know and love his creator. He is the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake, and he alone is called to share, by knowledge and love, in God s own life. It was for this end that he was created (no. 354). We are persons created with free will. Because we have intellect and will, the very image of God, we are responsible for our actions and obligated to live according to moral laws. This is how we are able to achieve our final destiny as God desires. So by virtue of our being made in God s own image and likeness, we have been graced with intellect and will. By our intellect we are obligated to discern whether or not our actions, thoughts, and intentions correspond to God s actions, thoughts and intentions. By our further gift of free will, we are able to choose 2 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

4 To be made in God s image and likeness means that we have abilities similar to God s, specifically, intellect, will, and the capacity to love. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo or reject the laws we discover and even the purpose God intends for us. Once we discover that we were created in the image and likeness of God and that by the right use of reason we can participate in eternal law, we can come to appreciate the nature of the freedom with which God has imbued every human soul. God does not force us to obey him and we are free to choose obedience or rejection. The freedom of Christ is the freedom to seek goodness, truth and beauty by way of the virtues perfectly embodied by Christ. Unit 1 Overview 3

5 Notes 4 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

6 Exploring the Goodness of God with Sacred Art UNIT 1, LESSON 1 Learning Goals Adam was created in God s image. Like Adam, all human beings are created in God s image. Jesus reveals to us what it means to be fully in God s image and models how to be Godlike. All human beings, born and unborn, have the right to life. Connection to the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 355 CCC 1356 CCC 1701 CCC 1702 Vocabulary Fresco BIBLICAL TOUCHSTONES Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. COLOSSIANS 1:15 GENESIS 1:

7 Lesson Plan Materials ӹ ӹ The Creation of Adam Scripture copywork pages DAY ONE The Creation of Adam BY MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI (C. 1511) Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City. 4 Warm-Up A. Project the image The Creation of Adam (page 4). Give students several minutes to quietly view the art before you say or ask anything. Allow them to come up and stand closer to the image to examine details. Note: You might wish to acknowledge that Adam is naked in order to cut off or discourage any giggling. You might even wish to address it squarely by asking why he is naked. Let your students maturity level guide you here. B. Once several minutes have passed, ask students: What do you first notice about this work of art? This is a special kind of art called a fresco. A fresco is a painting done on wet plaster so that the paint dries as the plaster dries. Do you think it would be easier or harder to paint like this? Why or why not? Why do you think the artist chose to paint like this instead of with normal paint? What do you like about this work of art? Do you know who painted this fresco? What kind of space do you imagine this fresco is located in? How big do you think this fresco is? Explain that this fresco is located in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The Vatican is a city-state located within the city of 6 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

8 LESSON PLAN Rome, Italy. It is the geographical heart of the Catholic Church. The pope lives in the Vatican. Painted by Michelangelo over five hundred years ago, this painting is part of a much larger work of art on the ceiling of the chapel that depicts the creation of the world, God s relationship with man, and man s fall from grace. The image of the creation of Adam appears in the center of the ceiling. What do you think the location of this fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel tells us about the artwork? The Creation of Adam The Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo Buonarroti (c. 1511) Activity Put students in small groups and ask them to turn to The Creation of Adam (page 5). Have them discuss the questions each other. During this time, focus on keeping students intent on the artwork and the discussion questions, letting their conversations go in unexpected ways. Formative Assessment Directions: Take some time to quietly view and reflect on the art. Let yourself be inspired in any way that happens naturally. Then think about the questions below, and discuss them with your classmates. Conversation Questions 1. Whom do you see in this fresco? 2. What appears to be happening? 3. What do you notice about the colors the artist chose? How does the light look? Where is it coming from? 4. What are some feelings that this painting inspires in you? 5. How is Adam s posture different from God the Father s? How are they similar? 6. Why do you think Michelangelo painted the Father s hand and Adam s hand almost, but not quite, touching? 7. What does the suggestion of movement in the picture tell us about this moment? 8. Who do you think the figures with the Father are? Why do you think so? What are they doing? 9. How does this painting show the ultimate purpose for which we are created? 10. If this painting were a moving picture or a clip from a movie, what do you think would happen in the next few seconds? A. Circulate among the groups, listening to their discussions, keeping them on task, and offering insights or clarification where needed. 5 B. Before moving on to the next activity, have each group write one question they would ask Michelangelo about his fresco and turn it in. DAY TWO Warm-Up Project once again an image of The Creation of Adam at the front of the room, and read aloud a few of the most interesting questions offered by the student groups the previous day. Allow students to share their reactions and other personal responses to the art. Unit 1, Lesson 1 7

9 LESSON PLAN Activity Have students skim over the questions they discussed the previous day. Then call on groups in turn to share their answers to each of the questions. Conclude the discussion with the question of how Michelangelo probably wanted the people who viewed his fresco to feel. Formative Assessment Tell the class that some physicians have suggested that the shape behind the God the Father resembles the outline of a human brain. If this is true, why might Michelangelo have painted it that way. Answers will vary; accept reasoned responses, and ask follow-up questions to check for understanding. DAY THREE Warm-Up Have a student stand and read aloud Genesis 1: Explain that in this unit, we are going to be exploring God s goodness and how man was made in God s image and likeness. Many art historians believe that Michelangelo was inspired by the Bible passage we just read, Genesis 1:26-27, when he painted this fresco. Activity A. Ask the class if they see anything in this fresco shows how Michelangelo was inspired by Genesis 1:26-27 when he painted it. Answers will vary, but should include: Adam is imitating God s posture, both God and Adam have outstretched arms, both Adam and God are depicted as men, Adam and God are looking at each other, God is reaching out to Adam to give him his spark of life, and so forth. B. Have a student stand and read aloud Colossians 1:15: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. C. Explain that in this passage, St. Paul is explaining that Jesus is the image of God. Jesus reveals to us fully and completely what it means to be made in God s image. Jesus gives us a model to follow so that we can more fully become like God. Explain that God makes all human beings in His image and likeness, like Adam in this fresco. We know that the new life inside a mother s womb is a human life. God told the prophet Jeremiah, and he tells all of us: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you (Jeremiah 1:5). Today, some new mothers, for different reasons, choose to end the life of their unborn children through abortion. We should pray for these unborn children often, that they might be given the chance to live a full life in God s image and likeness. 8 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

10 LESSON PLAN D. Project A Prayer for the Unborn (found at Catholic.org) or another appropriate Catholic prayer, and pray it aloud together as a class. Assessment Using the Unit 1 Copywork section in the student workbooks, have students write out and commit to memory the following Bible verses, which complement all the lessons in this unit. Give students a few minutes each day to study them and practice recitation and writing. Before completing this unit, select one or two of these verses to have students write out from memory as a quiz at the end of the unit. Students should also be able to recite all the memorized Scripture and identify the work of art in this lesson. You may wish to give extra points to students who can identify not only the title of the work but also the artist, time period, and location of the work. Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. GENESIS 1:26 God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good. GENESIS 1:31 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. JEREMIAH 1:5 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. PSALM 118:1 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. MATTHEW 5:48 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. JOHN 1:1-2 Unit 1, Lesson 1 9

11 The Creation of Adam BY MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI (C. 1511) Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

12 Answer Key 1. God the Father is on the right, surrounded by human figures, Adam is on the left. 2. God is stretching His hand towards Adam, who is also reaching out towards God, but in a more relaxed manner. 3. Accept reasoned answers. Light appears to be coming from God, illuminating Adam. 4. Accept reasoned answers. 5. Adam looks to be lounging or relaxing, compared to God the Father who looks more energetic. 6. Accept reasoned answers. The Creation of Adam The Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo Buonarroti (c. 1511) Directions: Take some time to quietly view and reflect on the art. Let yourself be inspired in any way that happens naturally. Then think about the questions below, and discuss them with your classmates. Conversation Questions 1. Whom do you see in this fresco? 2. What appears to be happening? 3. What do you notice about the colors the artist chose? How does the light look? Where is it coming from? 4. What are some feelings that this painting inspires in you? 5. How is Adam s posture different from God the Father s? How are they similar? 6. Why do you think Michelangelo painted the Father s hand and Adam s hand almost, but not quite, touching? 7. What does the suggestion of movement in the picture tell us about this moment? 8. Who do you think the figures with the Father are? Why do you think so? What are they doing? 9. How does this painting show the ultimate purpose for which we are created? 10. If this painting were a moving picture or a clip from a movie, what do you think would happen in the next few seconds? 7. All the movement in the fresco is concentrated on God s side. This shows us that God is the source of all life. 8. Accept reasoned answers. 9. The fresco shows humanity with our creator. We were created to be with God in heaven. 10. Accept reasoned answers. 5 Unit 1, Lesson 1 11

13 Notes 12 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

14 God Is Good, and Holiness Is Sharing in His Goodness UNIT 1, LESSON 2 Learning Goals God is the supreme good and the source of all good things. We respond to God s goodness, and to the good things He has given us, with thanksgiving and with the pursuit of holiness. Holiness is to become more like God and to share in his goodness. Practicing and growing in virtue lead us on the path of holiness. Connection to the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2052 CCC Vocabulary Holiness Mercy Virtue BIBLICAL TOUCHSTONES Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. PSALMS 118:1 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving. 1 TIMOTHY 4:4 13

15 Lesson Plan Materials ӹ ӹ Good Things Virtue Descriptions ӹ ӹ God Is Activity Good Things Prayer of What Is Virtue? Thanksgiving DAY ONE Good Things Directions: List five good things in your life. Five good things in my life are Note: The activity and assessment may be completed over two days. Warm-Up A. Ask students to turn to Good Things (page 12). Ask students to spend the next few minutes creating a list of five good things in their lives. Offer assistance as needed to students who might struggle to think of five things. B. Ask students to share some of the things they wrote and create a list on the board. Accept any reasonable response. 12 C. Ask students where all these good things come from. Lead students in a brief discussion on the source of the good things in their lives. Conclude by telling them that God is the supreme or ultimate good and the source of all good things (CCC 2052). Therefore, the good things in their lives ultimately come from God because He is good. There is nothing that is truly good that is not from God. Activity A. Have a student stand and read aloud Psalms 118: 1: Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. B. Lead a brief discussion, asking what this psalm tells us about God? Possible answers: He is good; He is merciful; He is merciful forever; His mercy never ends; we should thank Him for His goodness; and so forth. C. Put students in pairs or trios and ask them to turn to God Is Activity (page 13). Ask students to read each Scripture passage and discuss what each one says about God. Then have students write on the blank line after each description the letter of the Scripture passage that corresponds to it. 14 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

16 LESSON PLAN D. Discuss answers with students after they have completed God Is Activity. After each response, ask each student to explain his/her choice. God Is Activity Directions: Read each Scripture passage. Discuss with your partner or group what each passage tells us about God. Then read the summary statements. Match each Scripture passage to its summary statement. Write the correct letter of the Corresponding passage on the line. Letter Summary Statement A PSALM 118:1 Give thanks 1. God to is the Trinity: LORD, Father, for He Son, is good, and His Holy mercy Spirit. endures forever. Formative Assessment Have students write two or three sentences that describe how God s goodness is related to His love and mercy. Answers may vary but should include some reference to the fact that God sent His only Son to save us from sin by dying on the Cross. This is the greatest act of love. God did this because He is good and merciful. B C D E F G H I J JOHN 15:13 No one 2. has God greater the Father love than is the this, Creator lay down of all things. one s life for one s friends. EPHESIANS 4:4-6 one 3. God Lord, the one Son faith, is the one Savior baptism; who was one sent God by and the Father. of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 4. God the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us of everything that MATTHEW 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing Jesus taught us. them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 1 JOHN 3:16 The way 5. we There came is to only know one love God, was who that is one He laid even down though His three. life for us. 6. God is love. 1 JOHN 4:8 Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. JOHN 14:26 The Advocate, 7. The greatest the Holy expression Spirit that of the love Father is giving will send one s in life My for another. name He will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. 8. We know love because Jesus gave His life for us to save us from GENESIS 1:1 In the beginning, when God created the Heavens and the sin. earth TITUS 3:5 not because 9. God of is any good righteous and merciful. deeds we had done, but because of His mercy, He saved us. 1 JOHN 4:14 Moreover, 10. We we have been seen saved and testify because that of the God s Father mercy. sent His Son as Savior of the world DAYS TWO AND THREE Note: The activity may be completed over two days. Warm-Up Begin by reviewing the work from the previous lesson. Ask students what they learned about God s goodness, love, and mercy, and write reasonable responses on the board. Activity A. Ask students if God is good, and all good things come from Him, including us and all the good things we have, how should we respond to His goodness. Answers will vary but should be directed to the conclusion that since God is good, and we are created in His image, we ought to be good as well. We become good like God by working to become holy. B. Ask students how we become holy. Accept any reasonable responses and write them on the board. Then have students read What Is Virtue? (page 15) then complete the focus and reflection questions. Reflection Question: What is something that you have worked very hard to be able to do? How did you feel when you finally were able to do it well? nature to live in a relationship with his promises and loving him as our God by believing in him, hoping in greatest good. Focus and Reflection Questions What Is Virtue? 1. What does the word virtue mean? Directions: Read the essay, then complete the focus and reflection questions. 2. What is the opposite of virtue? virtue is a habitual and firm playing scales over and over. But disposition to do the good (CCC with hard work, he can start playing A 1803). In simple terms, to build virtue more challenging and beautiful is to build good habits. When doing pieces. It s always more fun to do the good is your 3. Why habit, should doing we the build good virtue something our lives? when you re good at it. becomes natural and brings you joy. You become good at things through When we sin, we build bad habits hard work, or discipline. Just like called vices. When we make good playing an instrument, practicing decisions, we build good habits that virtue leads to happiness. Even 4. How does the example of the piano player help us understand turn into virtues. This takes a lot of more importantly, without virtue we virtue? time and effort, but it is worth it! St. cannot overcome sin. Gregory of Nyssa said that The goal There are two kinds of virtues: of a virtuous life is to become like cardinal or moral virtues, and God. The more good decisions we theological virtues. We receive make and good 5. What actions are we the choose, two kinds of virtue, and how are they different? these virtues at our Baptism. The the more we grow in virtue and cardinal virtues are temperance, holiness. Virtue makes us more like prudence, justice, and fortitude. God and helps us experience true The theological virtues are faith, happiness in our lives. hope, and love (charity). The cardinal To grow in virtue is hard at first. virtues are spiritual habits that grow It eventually becomes easier and within us when we cooperate with even fun. Think about learning to God s grace. With God s help, they do something new. It s hard at first build character and help us do what too. It gets easier and more fun as is good and avoid what is evil. The you 16get better at it. A new piano theological virtues directly relate student might not look forward to us to God. They adapt our human Unit 1, Lesson 2 15

17 LESSON PLAN Virtues Descriptions Directions: Read the definition of each virtue, and then put it into your own words in the space below. Prudence Helps us judge and act on what is good and right in a situation. Justice Helps us respect the rights of others and treat others fairly. Fortitude Helps us to be strong, to resist evil, and to overcome difficulties. Temperance Helps us to control our feelings and avoid extremes. Faith The gift from God that allows us to believe in Him, in His promises, and in His Church. Hope The gift from God that helps us to desire and be confident in heaven and eternal happiness. C. Review their answers and conduct a brief discussion regarding the content of the essay. Formative Assessment Break students into seven groups and assign each group a virtue. Give each group a virtue description from Virtues Descriptions (page 18) and ask them to put the description into their own words. Finally, ask each group to create and draw on their own paper a visual representation of each virtue to illustrate its meaning. 18 Love (Charity) The gift from God that helps us to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves because we love God. Charity makes all the other virtues possible. Prayer of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Prayer Statements Virtue Prayer Statements Good Things Prayer of Thanksgiving Directions: Rewrite your list of five good things in your life. Consider adding new ones that you ve thought of during this lesson. Then, in the left-hand box on the next page, write a prayer of thanksgiving for each good thing. Then choose a virtue to practice for each of those five goods. In the right-hand box at the bottom, for each virtue, write a prayer to ask God s help in practicing that virtue in order to honor Him. Five or more good things in my life are... DAY FOUR Warm-Up Show the class the drawings of each virtue made last time. Ask the class to identify the virtue from only the drawing (ask the students who made the drawing not to share which virtue is illustrated). Ask for a volunteer who was not involved with the particular drawing to try to explain how the drawing is a good representation of the virtue. Activity and Assessment A. Ask students to turn to Good Things Prayer of Thanksgiving (page 19). Ask them to write again their list of good things in their lives, add any new ones that might come to mind, and recall the sharing and discussion from the first day of the lesson SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

18 LESSON PLAN B. Ask students to write a brief prayer in the bottom left-hand column, thanking God for the good things He has given them. Encourage students to include in their prayer something about recognizing that God, out of His love and mercy, has given them all the good things they have and that the correct response to these gifts is thanksgiving, and that they must use these gifts virtuously. C. Ask students to choose a virtue to practice in conjunction with a good they have listed. Then, in the bottom right-hand corner, have them write a brief prayer asking for God s help in growing in that virtue as a means of pursuing holiness and becoming more like God. For example: Good: My family Thanksgiving prayer: Thank you, God, for giving me my family and for their love. I know that You gave me the family I have because You love me. Virtue prayer: God, help me to grow in justice to treat my brothers and sisters better. To conclude, lead the class in a prayer of thanksgiving and ask for God to help them grow in virtue. Ask in advance two or three students to share their prayer statements during the prayer. Unit 1, Lesson 2 17

19 Good Things Directions: List five good things in your life. Five good things in my life are Accept reasoned answers 18 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

20 God Is Activity Directions: Read each Scripture passage. Discuss with your partner or group what each passage tells us about God. Then read the summary statements. Match each Scripture passage to its summary statement. Write the correct letter of the passage on the line. A B C D E F G H I J PSALM 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. JOHN 15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends. EPHESIANS 4:4-6 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. MATTHEW 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 1 JOHN 3:16 The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us. 1 JOHN 4:8 Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. JOHN 14:26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name He will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. GENESIS 1:1 In the beginning, when God created the Heavens and the earth TITUS 3:5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy, He saved us. 1 JOHN 4:14 Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent His Son as Savior of the world 13 Unit 1, Lesson 2 19

21 Answer Key 1. D 2. H 3. J 4. G 5. C 6. F 7. B 8. E 9. A 10. I Corresponding Letter Summary Statement 1. God is Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2. God the Father is the Creator of all things. 3. God the Son is the Savior who was sent by the Father. 4. God the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us of everything that Jesus taught us. 5. There is only one God, who is one even though three. 6. God is love. 7. The greatest expression of love is giving one s life for another. 8. We know love because Jesus gave His life for us to save us from sin. 9. God is good and merciful. 10. We have been saved because of God s mercy SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

22 What Is Virtue? Directions: Read the essay, then complete the focus and reflection questions. virtue is a habitual and firm A disposition to do the good (CCC 1803). In simple terms, to build virtue is to build good habits. When doing the good is your habit, doing the good becomes natural and brings you joy. When we sin, we build bad habits called vices. When we make good decisions, we build good habits that turn into virtues. This takes a lot of time and effort, but it is worth it! St. Gregory of Nyssa said that The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. The more good decisions we make and good actions we choose, the more we grow in virtue and holiness. Virtue makes us more like God and helps us experience true happiness in our lives. To grow in virtue is hard at first. It eventually becomes easier and even fun. Think about learning to do something new. It s hard at first too. It gets easier and more fun as you get better at it. A new piano student might not look forward to playing scales over and over. But with hard work, he can start playing more challenging and beautiful pieces. It s always more fun to do something when you re good at it. You become good at things through hard work, or discipline. Just like playing an instrument, practicing virtue leads to happiness. Even more importantly, without virtue we cannot overcome sin. There are two kinds of virtues: cardinal or moral virtues, and theological virtues. We receive these virtues at our Baptism. The cardinal virtues are temperance, prudence, justice, and fortitude. The theological virtues are faith, hope, and love (charity). The cardinal virtues are spiritual habits that grow within us when we cooperate with God s grace. With God s help, they build character and help us do what is good and avoid what is evil. The theological virtues directly relate us to God. They adapt our human 15 Unit 1, Lesson 2 21

23 Answer Key 1. A habitual and firm disposition to do the good. To build good habits. nature to live in a relationship with God by believing in him, hoping in his promises and loving him as our greatest good. 2. Vices or bad habits. 3. Virtue make us more like God and helps us to experience true happiness in our lives. 4. Learning to play the piano well takes hard work and practice. This is also true of practicing virtue. It takes hard work and practice to develop a habit to choose the good. Focus and Reflection Questions 1. What does the word virtue mean? 2. What is the opposite of virtue? 3. Why should we build virtue in our lives? 4. How does the example of the piano player help us understand virtue? 5. What are the two kinds of virtue, and how are they different? 5. There are two kinds of virtues: cardinal or moral virtues, 16 and theological virtues. The cardinal virtues are spiritual gifts God give us that we can develop or strengthen through good habits and cooperation with God s grace. The theological virtues are gifts from God that strengthen our abilities. 22 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

24 Answer Key Reflection Question: Answers will vary. Reflection Question: What is something that you have worked very hard to be able to do? How did you feel when you finally were able to do it well? 17 Unit 1, Lesson 2 23

25 Virtues Descriptions Directions: Read the definition of each virtue, and then put it into your own words in the space below. Prudence Helps us judge and act on what is good and right in a situation. Justice Helps us respect the rights of others and treat others fairly. Fortitude Helps us to be strong, to resist evil, and to overcome difficulties. Temperance Helps us to control our feelings and avoid extremes. Faith The gift from God that allows us to believe in Him, in His promises, and in His Church. Hope The gift from God that helps us to desire and be confident in heaven and eternal happiness. Love (Charity) The gift from God that helps us to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves because we love God. Charity makes all the other virtues possible. 18 Accept reasoned answers 24 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

26 Good Things Prayer of Thanksgiving Directions: Rewrite your list of five good things in your life. Consider adding new ones that you ve thought of during this lesson. Then, in the left-hand box on the next page, write a prayer of thanksgiving for each good thing. Then choose a virtue to practice for each of those five goods. In the right-hand box at the bottom, for each virtue, write a prayer to ask God s help in practicing that virtue in order to honor Him. Five or more good things in my life are Accept reasoned answers Unit 1, Lesson 2 25

27 Prayer of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Prayer Statements Virtue Prayer Statements 20 Accept reasoned answers 26 SOPHIA INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

28 Grade 4 Student Workbook Sample Pages Unit 1, Lessons 1 and 2 plus Scripture Copywork

29 UNIT ONE God Is All Good God created you so you out of love, so you could share in His Divine Life! God s life, which He freely offers you, is called grace. This year you will learn about the chief ways we can receive God s grace on earth: the Seven Sacraments. In this first unit, you will learn about how God is the source of all life. He created everything that you can see, and all those things you can t see as well. He speaks to you through visible creation, and the Church, which Jesus founded to carry out His mission, makes visible many of those things we can t see. In this unit, you will learn about Exploring the Goodness of God with Sacred Art God Is Good, and Holiness Is Sharing in His Goodness The Reflection of God in Creation Made in God s Image and Likeness In God s Image: The Abilities of the Soul 2

30 What questions do you have right now about the topics you will be learning about in this unit? Write them on the lines below. 3

31 The Creation of Adam BY MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI (C. 1511) Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City. 4 Unit 1, Lesson 1

32 The Creation of Adam The Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo Buonarroti (c. 1511) Directions: Take some time to quietly view and reflect on the art. Let yourself be inspired in any way that happens naturally. Then think about the questions below, and discuss them with your classmates. Conversation Questions 1. Whom do you see in this fresco? 2. What appears to be happening? 3. What do you notice about the colors the artist chose? How does the light look? Where is it coming from? 4. What are some feelings that this painting inspires in you? 5. How is Adam s posture different from God the Father s? How are they similar? 6. Why do you think Michelangelo painted the Father s hand and Adam s hand almost, but not quite, touching? 7. What does the suggestion of movement in the picture tell us about this moment? 8. Who do you think the figures with the Father are? Why do you think so? What are they doing? 9. How does this painting show the ultimate purpose for which we are created? 10. If this painting were a moving picture or a clip from a movie, what do you think would happen in the next few seconds? Unit 1, Lesson 1 5

33 Genesis 1:26 Then God said: Let us make human beings in Our image, after Our likeness. 6 Unit 1 Copywork

34 Genesis 1:31 God looked at everything He had made, and found it very good. Unit 1 Copywork 7

35 Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. 8 Unit 1 Copywork

36 Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. Unit 1 Copywork 9

37 Matthew 5:48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. 10 Unit 1 Copywork

38 John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. Unit 1 Copywork 11

39 Good Things Directions: List five good things in your life. Five good things in my life are Unit 1, Lesson 2

40 God Is Activity Directions: Read each Scripture passage. Discuss with your partner or group what each passage tells us about God. Then read the summary statements. Match each Scripture passage to its summary statement. Write the correct letter of the passage on the line. A B C D E F G H I J PSALM 118:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, His mercy endures forever. JOHN 15:13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends. EPHESIANS 4:4-6 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. MATTHEW 28:19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 1 JOHN 3:16 The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us. 1 JOHN 4:8 Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. JOHN 14:26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in My name He will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. GENESIS 1:1 In the beginning, when God created the Heavens and the earth TITUS 3:5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy, He saved us. 1 JOHN 4:14 Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent His Son as Savior of the world Unit 1, Lesson 2 13

41 Corresponding Letter Summary Statement 1. God is Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 2. God the Father is the Creator of all things. 3. God the Son is the Savior who was sent by the Father. 4. God the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us of everything that Jesus taught us. 5. There is only one God, who is one even though three. 6. God is love. 7. The greatest expression of love is giving one s life for another. 8. We know love because Jesus gave His life for us to save us from sin. 9. God is good and merciful. 10. We have been saved because of God s mercy. 14 Unit 1, Lesson 2

42 What Is Virtue? Directions: Read the essay, then complete the focus and reflection questions. A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good (CCC 1803). In simple terms, to build virtue is to build good habits. When doing the good is your habit, doing the good becomes natural and brings you joy. When we sin, we build bad habits called vices. When we make good decisions, we build good habits that turn into virtues. This takes a lot of time and effort, but it is worth it! St. Gregory of Nyssa said that The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. The more good decisions we make and good actions we choose, the more we grow in virtue and holiness. Virtue makes us more like God and helps us experience true happiness in our lives. To grow in virtue is hard at first. It eventually becomes easier and even fun. Think about learning to do something new. It s hard at first too. It gets easier and more fun as you get better at it. A new piano student might not look forward to playing scales over and over. But with hard work, he can start playing more challenging and beautiful pieces. It s always more fun to do something when you re good at it. You become good at things through hard work, or discipline. Just like playing an instrument, practicing virtue leads to happiness. Even more importantly, without virtue we cannot overcome sin. There are two kinds of virtues: cardinal or moral virtues, and theological virtues. We receive these virtues at our Baptism. The cardinal virtues are temperance, prudence, justice, and fortitude. The theological virtues are faith, hope, and love (charity). The cardinal virtues are spiritual habits that grow within us when we cooperate with God s grace. With God s help, they build character and help us do what is good and avoid what is evil. The theological virtues directly relate us to God. They adapt our human Unit 1, Lesson 2 15

43 nature to live in a relationship with God by believing in him, hoping in his promises and loving him as our greatest good. Focus and Reflection Questions 1. What does the word virtue mean? 2. What is the opposite of virtue? 3. Why should we build virtue in our lives? 4. How does the example of the piano player help us understand virtue? 5. What are the two kinds of virtue, and how are they different? 16 Unit 1, Lesson 2

44 Reflection Question: What is something that you have worked very hard to be able to do? How did you feel when you finally were able to do it well? Unit 1, Lesson 2 17

45 Virtues Descriptions Directions: Read the definition of each virtue, and then put it into your own words in the space below. Prudence Helps us judge and act on what is good and right in a situation. Justice Helps us respect the rights of others and treat others fairly. Fortitude Helps us to be strong, to resist evil, and to overcome difficulties. Temperance Helps us to control our feelings and avoid extremes. Faith The gift from God that allows us to believe in Him, in His promises, and in His Church. Hope The gift from God that helps us to desire and be confident in heaven and eternal happiness. Love (Charity) The gift from God that helps us to love God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves because we love God. Charity makes all the other virtues possible. 18 Unit 1, Lesson 2

46 Good Things Prayer of Thanksgiving Directions: Rewrite your list of five good things in your life. Consider adding new ones that you ve thought of during this lesson. Then, in the left-hand box on the next page, write a prayer of thanksgiving for each good thing. Then choose a virtue to practice for each of those five goods. In the right-hand box at the bottom, for each virtue, write a prayer to ask God s help in practicing that virtue in order to honor Him. Five or more good things in my life are... Unit 1, Lesson 2 19

47 Prayer of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Prayer Statements Virtue Prayer Statements 20 Unit 1, Lesson 2