STEP 1: Get started. Review Your Planner Program and Planner Scope & Sequence.

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1 Faith & Life Middle School Annotated Teacher Guide FAITH LIFE FAITH LIFE Are you ready to come on a fun and interesting journey? Do you want to walk as Jesus walked, pray as Jesus prayed, and be filled with the Holy Spirit? Your Faith and Life planner is here to help you. You are about to go on an amazing journey filled with surprises and the beautiful reminder that Jesus is with you always. T he middle school years are a time when the values that students will carry into adulthood are being confirmed. As a Catholic educator of middle school students, you are entrusted with a responsibility to guide your students as they grow academically, socially, and spiritually. This responsibility puts you in a position to perform God s work on a daily basis, but it can also seem overwhelming at times. The Faith & Life planner series has been designed to give you the support and inspiration you need to continue to do your best. The Faith & Life planner provides structure, teaches students to plan, develops academic skills, and nurtures the spiritual life of each student. Through the monthly virtue themes, students will learn about themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ and how their choices can reflect the Light of Jesus. You are doing important work. Faith & Life is here to help. Annotated Teacher Guide Overview... 2 Your Planner Program... 3 Planner Scope & Sequence... 4 Introductory Content Pages... 6 Monthly InFocus Pages Copyright 2016 School Specialty, Inc. All rights reserved. For exclusive use of client school. 3957_FLIM-DA 16ES resources.premier.schoolspecialty.com 1 of 20

2 Annotated Teacher Guide Overview Your students planners have a wealth of information just waiting to be discovered. This Annotated Teacher Guide will help you uncover and implement the valuable content found in the planner. Because you already have a busy classroom schedule, the Annotated Teacher Guide was designed to be flexible and easy to use at your convenience and as time permits. STEP 1: Get started. Review Your Planner Program and Planner Scope & Sequence. Together these pages provide you with a quick orientation to the planner s content and features. Your Planner Program explains what s in your students planners. To assist you in your planning process, the Scope & Sequence provides an overview of the planner s monthly themes, learning outcomes, and weekly content focus. STEP 2: Make the most of the material. Engage students in the Upfront and Monthly InFocus pages. The Upfront Pages provide the perfect opportunity to get students acquainted and excited about the planner s content. Use these four pages (starting on page 6 in the student planner) at the beginning of the year to familiarize students with their planners. The Monthly InFocus pages spotlight the planner s monthly themes throughout the year. Monthly implementation can be achieved all in one lesson or day or may be assigned weekly or semi-weekly. Weekly implementation options could include introducing the monthly planner theme in the first week, raising the in the second week, and assigning the activities in the third week. The activities would then be used in the fourth week to reinforce student learning. STEP 3: Get acquainted with your Annotated Teacher Guide. Preview the guide s features. Throughout the guide, standard features (s,,, and ) will allow you to quickly identify the important topics introduced and can be used to direct your students attention to the concepts and ideas presented in their planners. Familiarize yourself with the main ideas, themes, and concepts covered on the student planner pages. A high-level summary of the content and main ideas provides a quick at-a-glance overview of the student material. In this section you will be given prompts to help you begin in-class conversations with students about the planner content and themes. These questions will help students explore new concepts and ideas at a deeper level and will give you an opportunity to assess students understanding of the concepts introduced. Help students expand and apply their understanding of the concepts presented. The activities relate directly to content found in the student planner, and are designed to be used in a classroom setting. These in-class exercises are simple, adaptable, and require little to no prep time. While it s recommended time be set aside regularly to encourage planner use and engage with the content covered, these learning extensions can be used as classroom time permits. As a warm-up or sponge activity, during classroom transition times, or even as an emergency lesson are just a few examples. These teacher-assigned, take-home activities give students an opportunity to discuss planner concepts and ideas with their families, and help students make connections between their learning and lives at home. Home connections also help family members become active and aware participants to classroom learning and planner content in order to encourage continued student planner use. Want to help your students become better planners? Check out the ontrac Planner Quick Start. Follow this link for more information on how to use Premier s ontrac planning system in your classroom: resources.premier.schoolspecialty.com/ontrac-planning 2 of 20

3 Your Planner Program The Faith & Life planner has a lot to offer students, but students aren t the only ones who benefit from using it. Take a look below at some of the ways the Faith & Life planner can help you and your students. The Faith & Life planner helps you: Keep students organized and accountable for their responsibilities Share students learning with families and maintain home-to-school communication Inspire your students to live out their faith as disciples of Jesus Christ Integrate the tenets of the Catholic faith into every aspect of your curriculum The Faith & Life planner helps students: Track and prioritize assignments, homework, and tests Set and work toward goals Develop strong character traits and academic skills Understand the importance of Catholic virtues in daily life So how does the planner accomplish all these great things? Through features and content, of course! ontrac Planning Features The ontrac planning process included in the student planner is a four-step method that teaches students how to Think, Record, Act, and Check to achieve planning and time-management success. Faith & Life Content Faith & Life Guide: This upfront guide introduces the virtue themes, prompts students to set faith-based goals, and explains the liturgical calendar. Virtue Theme: Each month is focused on a virtue, or gift, that can help students learn about themselves as disciples of Jesus Christ and live out their faith. Monthly Content: The virtue theme is explored through a story, reflection questions, and a Bible verse to help students understand and apply the virtue in their lives. Weekly Content: A reflection helps students gain insight into their words, actions, and motivations as they recall important people and lessons from the Bible. Catholic Faith: Students have the opportunity to learn more about their faith through the Surprising Saints and Scripture and Our Catholic Faith sections. Orient students to these features by directing them to the Planner User Guide and ontrac Planning pages at the front of their planners. 3 of 20

4 Faith & Life Planner Scope & Sequence The Faith & Life Planners were created to educate students about the Catholic faith while preparing, motivating, and inspiring them to do their best every day. Each month introduces students to a virtue theme that helps them live out their faith. Students explore the virtues through realistic stories, Bible verses, activities, and reflection questions. Students also learn about the liturgical calendar, traditions, special days, and interesting facts about the Catholic faith. This Scope and Sequence provides an overview of the monthly and weekly themes as they are presented in the student planners. Use this chart to examine the planner s monthly and weekly content, connections, and learning outcomes at a glance to assist in your planning process. MONTH THEME BIBLE VERSE REFERENCES WEEKLY CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOME AUG. JOY: Find Joy Everywhere Psalm 5:11 12 We are joyful with the protection of God. Students will recognize that God shows us that there is joy and Psalm 16:11 God always shows us joy. goodness in all His work. Psalm 47:1 2 Isaiah 12:5 6 We praise God, great King of all. We sing and shout with joy and praise to God. SEP. FAITH: God Gives Us Strength Matthew 8:26 Luke 18:42 43 We have faith in the strength of our Lord. Have faith in God that He will heal us in ways we cannot imagine. Students will recognize that faith in God brings us the strength to handle adversity, the wisdom to know the truth, the grace to be Leviticus 26:3 4 All good things will come to those who are faithful to God. our best, and the salvation of our souls. Hebrews 3:4 John 8:32 Have faith that God is gently taking care of everything. All those having faith in the Lord will be free. OCT. EMPATHY: Be Kind to All Matthew 11: Peter 5:2 All are invited to take part in the glory of God. All good works should be done willingly and not for our own gain. Students will recognize that we are called to serve others, not for recognition or personal gain, but Deuteronomy 15:7 8 We are always willing to help those in need. out of the kindness of our hearts, and we serve God above all. Matthew 7:12 We treat others the way we want to be treated. NOV. CONSCIENCE: Live Like Jesus Ephesians 5:8 9 Remember that even through darkness, the Lord s light shines. Students will recognize that conscience is a gift from God that Hebrews 12:5 6 God wants what s best for us, and guides us with love. helps us to live like Jesus. 1 Peter 2:9 We are chosen by God to receive His wonderful gifts. 1 John 1:5 We can all walk in God s light. DEC. HOPE: God Gave us the Greatest Gift Luke 1: Chronicles 16:23 24 God sent us the Gift of His Son Jesus. We can sing and praise the glory of God. Students will recognize that God sent us our Greatest Gift, His Son Jesus Christ. The coming of Jesus brought us hope and Psalm 22:24 25 God accepts everyone to be part of His glory. salvation, and we can share that hope with others. Luke 1:16 Matthew 2:13 We can all share the Good News. God will provide hope for all His faithful. 4 of 20

5 MONTH THEME BIBLE VERSE REFERENCES WEEKLY CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOME JAN. SELF- CONTROL: We Walk with God Matthew 4:19 We can help others to know and follow Jesus. Students will recognize that it is good to show self-control and to James 1:19 We do not act without thought or reason. walk with Jesus. Mark 8:35 Turn away from sin and follow Jesus. Mark 12:31 Jesus teaches us to love others as we love ourselves. FEB. RESPECT: Love One Another Deuteronomy 13:3 4 Exodus 20:7 Love God with all your heart and all your soul. We speak God s name with respect. Students will recognize that just as God loves and respects us, we should love and respect God and one another. Psalm 66:20 God always listens and always loves us. Psalm 97:11 12 We give thanks that God s light shines upon us. MAR. KINDNESS: Jesus Saves Us Psalm 9:10 11 God will never forsake us. Students will recognize and discuss how to be nice to one Deuteronomy 28:2 Do as the Lord asks us to, and you will be held up high. another. 1 Samuel 26:24 We treat others with the kindness God shows to us. Matthew 9:9 Luke 14:5 God calls all of us to follow Him. Any day is a good day to be nice to a friend. APR. LOVE: God Loves Everyone Isaiah 58:9 Luke 24:5 6 God is always with you. Jesus fulfilled His promise. Students will discuss God s love for everyone and how that can help them be better friends to one another. Luke 14:13 14 Be kind and generous to all God s children. John 15:12 We should love unconditionally as God loves us. MAY ACCEPTANCE: God is Accepting of All Isaiah 54:13 Isaiah 59:21 All God s children can learn to be disciples of Jesus. The Spirit and the Word go together. Students will recognize that God loves and accepts all of us, and we should love and accept one another. Baruch 5:5 God accepts His children from all corners of the Earth. Matthew 5:9 It takes greater strength to end a conflict than it does to begin one. JUNE FAIRNESS: God is Fair Matthew 15:31 Jesus heals even when healing seems impossible. Students will recognize that God s idea of fairness is to be generous Titus 3:5 God saves us for no other reason except that He is merciful. and merciful to everyone. Romans 2:11 Luke 19:9 10 Proverbs 8:35 God is fair with everyone. God forgives all who repent. We find happiness in our love for God. 5 of 20

6 Page 6 Introductory Content My Faith and Life Your Faith & Life planner will help you learn more about your faith. Your faith helps you make good choices. When you make good choices, do your best, and show love and kindness to others, you are living out your faith. Your ideas, abilities, and interests are important and valued by your school community. Ask each student to choose one of the topics on this page (family, music, quotes, etc.), and write a journal entry reflecting on how that area of life provides inspiration or support to live out his or her faith. Ask students to create collages of words and pictures that best represent them. Display the collages in the classroom. Have students examine their classmates collages and write down one thing they learned about each person. What does it mean to live out your faith? After reading the quote by Mother Teresa, ask: Do you follow this advice? If so, how? What is one thing you want other people to know about you? Ask students and their families to look through the Faith & Life planner and talk about how it will be used this school year. Ask students and families to talk about specific ways they live out their faith. Have each student make a list of five ways. Divide students into small groups to share their lists. 6 of 20

7 Page 7 Introductory Content My Goals God gave you free will to make your own decisions. God gave you a unique set of talents, abilities, and virtues. You demonstrate your love for God when you use these gifts to do His Will. Your goals are defining statements about what is important to you and how you will use the gifts God gave you. Ask students to look through their planners and note the monthly themes. Then have each student write a letter to you explaining what they hope to learn and accomplish during the school year. Ask the students: How will you have grown and changed by the end of the year? What goals will you reach? What awards will you win? Who will you have helped? How can I help you reach your goals? After reading the quote from CCC 1730, ask: Why do you think God gave us the ability to make our own choices? After reading the quote by St. Francis of Assisi, ask: Have you accomplished something that you wouldn t have thought was possible? If so, what was it? How did you reach your goal? What are some of your goals in school this year? Explain that each student should imagine that he or she is the CEO of a Life Coach company that helps people reach their goals and live out their faith. Have each student create a brochure for the company. Ask: What services do you provide? Why should someone hire you as a life coach? Ask each student to write a one-page journal entry explaining how he or she will benefit from being his or her own life coach this year. 7 of 20

8 Page 8 Introductory Content My Goals Your goals should help you stay on the right path, work toward good choices, and live out your faith. You can set long-term and short-term goals. Long-term goals should be broken down into smaller steps. Goals should be specific and measurable. Brainstorm a list of goals for school, home, community, and faith formation. Demonstrate how to take a long-term goal and break it down into small, measurable steps. Talk about how each of the goals you listed is an example of faith in action. Have students complete the page. Divide students into small groups. Explain that this is their support group for the year. Each group will work together and support each other in accomplishing their goals. What are some of your goals outside of school this year? What are your long-term goals for the future? After reading the quote by Mother Teresa, ask: What are your talents that will help you do something beautiful for God? What are the similarities and differences between dreams and goals? Have students create timelines for their long-term goals for the school year. Ask students to go through their planners and make notes on the monthly calendars of what they should have accomplished toward each long-term goal by that point in the year and what steps they will take that month. Ask students to share their long-term goals for the school year with their families. 8 of 20

9 Page 9 Introductory Content The Liturgical Year The Catholic Church has her own calendar called the liturgical year. The liturgical year celebrates and helps us understand the life of Jesus. The seasons of the liturgical year include Ordinary Time, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter Triduum, and Easter. Each season of the liturgical year has a specific colour. After students have completed the page, pass out supplies for students to make their own liturgical calendars like the one at the bottom of the page. Discuss each of the seasons of the liturgical year. Have students complete the liturgical calendars they made by writing a brief description of each season on that part of the calendar (e.g., During Advent we are preparing to celebrate Christ s birth and for the time when He will come again.). How does the liturgical year help us as disciples of Jesus? What are some of the things we do to celebrate the different seasons? What are some of the traditions your family enjoys during the different seasons? Ask students to create a book of poems about the liturgical seasons. For each season, students should have one page of the book in the colour of that season. Students will write a short poem about the season on the page and add an illustration if desired. The poem could focus on the season s meaning, the celebrations and traditions associated with the season, or the students personal memories of the season. 9 of 20

10 Page 10 August InFocus Monthly Theme: JOY: Find joy everywhere. Joyful moments can be big or small. We are joyful that we have been chosen by God to know Him. God shows us how to embrace the joy and peace of our faith. We can express our joy and faith in God by making good choices. After reading the story on page 10, ask: How does Marco feel at the beginning of the story? Have you ever felt that way? What happens to shift Marco s mood? What are some things others do to bring you joy (e.g., smiling, starting a conversation, offering an invitation to a party or outing, etc.)? How can you bring joy to others? Ask students to create collages (using pictures and words) of things that bring them joy. Page 17 says: [We] can also express our joy and faith in God by making good choices. Continuing the discussion begun with the last two discussion questions, ask students to work in small groups to brainstorm choices they can make that will bring joy to others. Ask each student to set a goal to carry out one idea this week and write it in the planner. Page 13 says: We are joyful that we have been chosen by God to know Him. Ask each student to write a prayer expressing appreciation for God s love and protection. Page 19 says: Write a song to praise God. Ask each student to choose a published song that praises God and bring it to play for the class. Talk about how music affects our emotions and how important it is to choose music with uplifting, positive messages. 10 of 20

11 Page 20 September InFocus Monthly Theme: FAITH: God gives us strength. Prayer is a gift that allows us to express and deepen our faith. Our faith that God will take care of us gives us strength. We thank God for all He has given us by giving Him our faith. By knowing God, we are able to see the right path and make good choices. As Catholics, we have prayers we all say. We can also make up our own prayers. How do these two types of prayer affect you? Explain. How does your faith support you through difficult times? Has your faith given you the strength to make the right choice even when others did not? If so, tell me about it. Page 29 mentions the seven themes of Catholic social teaching. Divide the class into seven groups, and assign each group one of the themes. Ask each group to create a 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) about their theme. The PSA should say why the theme is important and give at least one way a middle school student could follow the teaching. Students should record their PSAs if possible or present them in front of the school or class. The Faith & Life planner focuses on teaching students to live out their faith. Ask each student to choose one of the saints mentioned in the planner and write a short biography that focuses on ways the saint lived out his or her faith and what we can learn from his or her example. Have students present their reports to the class. Page 29 asks: How do you help care for God s creations? Ask students to write a journal entry answering this question. 11 of 20

12 Page 32 October InFocus Monthly Theme: EMPATHY: Be kind to all. Everyone who hears the Good News is invited to share in the glory of God. God wants us to give willingly to others without expecting anything in return. We are generous with our thoughts, words, and deeds. We treat others the way we want to be treated. What is empathy? How could empathy change the choices someone makes? Explain your thoughts. After reading the story on page 32 and discussing the questions on page 33, ask: What should you do as a bystander in a bullying situation? What should you do as a victim of bullying? What should you do if you realize that you have bullied someone else? Discuss Raj (page 32) choosing to help even though he could have walked away. Ask students to work in groups to create slogans to encourage kids to help others. Page 39 says: We can be generous with our thoughts, words, and deeds. Ask each student to depict generosity in a drawing or to write about generosity in a poem or paragraph. Put students work together to create a large collage. Leave it up all month to inspire students to be generous! Page 41 reminds students to treat others the way they want to be treated. Ask each student to think about a person with whom his or her relationship is less than perfect (e.g., student is constantly arguing with a sibling). Have students set a goal to treat this person according to the Golden Rule for one week and write the goal in their planners. At the end of the week, ask students to write a journal entry reflecting on the experience. 12 of 20

13 Page 42 November InFocus Monthly Theme: CONSCIENCE: Live like Jesus. It s important to ask forgiveness for our poor choices and learn from our mistakes. God wants what s best for us, and He guides us with love. God gave us the gift of conscience to help us make good choices. God is our light that helps us see clearly and know the Truth. After reading the story on page 42, ask: Have you ever known someone like Rachel who was ready to find fault in everyone? Why do you think some people act that way? Have you ever been in Lily s position of going along with someone else s poor choice? If so, what happened? You often hear people say: Listen to your conscience. What does this mean? This month s theme teaches students to listen to their conscience and be guided by their faith to make the best decisions. Remind students that there are many passages in the Bible to help guide our choices. As an example of this, read some of the verses from the Book of Proverbs to students. Then have students work independently or in groups to write their own proverbs. Read page 51 and have students paint pictures depicting God s light. Page 45 says: Learn from your mistake and make a better choice next time. Ask students to think about a time they made a mistake and write a journal entry about what happened and what they learned from the experience. Page 45 also says: The Good Samaritan is an example for us all because he showed compassion when others turned away. Ask each student to find a current news article about a Good Samaritan and bring it in to share with the class. 13 of 20

14 Page 52 December InFocus Monthly Theme: HOPE: God gave us the Greatest Gift. During Advent and Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus. Mary s faith guided her to become the Mother of God. God s unconditional and everlasting love gives us hope. As disciples of Jesus, we share the Good News that Jesus was born and He will come again. After reading the story on page 52, ask: Why is it so easy to become caught up in other things (like what gifts you ll receive) at Christmas? What does your family do to focus on the true meaning of Christmas? After reading the Bible verse on page 53, ask: What does it mean to pay homage? When do you feel that you are paying homage to Jesus? Page 55 says: The word angel comes from the Greek word meaning messenger. Have students write messages of hope on angels cut from paper. Place these in a common area for other students to find. Page 57 asks: How will you make a joyful noise today? Have students choose several Christmas carols and rehearse singing them together. Arrange to have your class perform the carols in front of the school or while visiting a retirement home or hospital. Page 61 reminds students that John the Baptist shared the Good News about Jesus with many people. Discuss other prophets from the Bible. Ask students to imagine that they ve received the message of one of these prophets. Have students write down three questions they would ask. Ask students to choose a Bible verse about Christmas (e.g., Matthew 2:1 2, Luke 2:10 11) and write it in a homemade Christmas card for a family member or friend. 14 of 20

15 Page 64 January InFocus Monthly Theme: SELF-CONTROL: We walk with God. As disciples of Jesus, we know and follow Him and we help others to know Him too. Exercising self-control means making choices based on thoughtful reflection. Jesus teaches us by example to make choices that reflect our faith. God teaches us to love others as we love ourselves. After reading the story on page 64, ask: What is gossip? Have you thought about the good questions from the story before repeating gossip? Why does it sometimes take strength and courage to not repeat gossip? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? How do you help others know Jesus? God calls Himself I AM. What names do we have for God? Page 71 says: When it is time for you to make a difficult choice, think about what choice Jesus would make. As a class, brainstorm a list of difficult choices students may face, focusing on situations where there is a morally correct choice. Divide the class into small groups and assign a situation to each group. Ask group members to decide which choice Jesus would make in the given situation and write a paragraph defending their decision. Ask students to choose a Bible verse that helps them have self-control. This may be a verse that helps them feel calm, that reminds them to treat others with kindness, etc. Have students write their verses on index cards and keep their cards where they can see them often. At the end of one week, have students get into small groups to discuss how the verses affected their self-control. Have students exchange cards and repeat if desired. 15 of 20

16 Page 74 February InFocus Monthly Theme: RESPECT: Love one another. One way we express our love for God is by showing our respect for Him. It is important to speak God s name respectfully. God is always ready to listen to us. We use our words and actions to treat others with kindness and respect. After reading the story on page 74, ask: Why are these two rules the Rules of Respect? Can you think of a situation where following these rules would cause you to be disrespectful? Explain. How do you show respect for God? How do you show respect for adults (your classmates, your siblings, etc.)? (Help students focus on specific actions.) Divide students into small groups to discuss page 79, focusing on why it s important to speak God s name with respect. Page 83 says: The cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Divide students into small groups. Ask each group to create a poster about one of these virtues. The poster should include a definition, an example of this virtue from the Bible, and one way a middle school student can live out this virtue. Page 81 says: You can follow God s example by actively listening to others. Ask students to imagine that they want to teach active listening to a group of younger children (specify a grade level). Have students write a short lesson plan. Encourage students to consider including listening games (e.g., telephone, Simon says, etc.) and age-appropriate books about being a good listener. If possible, have students carry out their lesson plans. 16 of 20

17 Page 84 March InFocus Monthly Theme: KINDNESS: Jesus saves us. God s faith in us is constant and true. We live out our faith by following God s Word. We strive to treat others with the same mercy and kindness that God shows to us. God calls all of us to follow Him; no one is left out of His ministry. After reading the story on page 84, ask: What have you done for someone else without expecting something in return? What acts of kindness can you do anonymously? Jesus was open and inclusive with his circle of friends. Are you open to being friends with people who are different from you? Do you go out of your way to include others? Page 89 asks: How will you live out your faith today? Ask students to write a journal entry answering the question: How has your Faith & Life planner helped you live out your faith this year? Page 91 says: There are many parables in the Bible to help us learn about Jesus. Read several parables as a class. Then ask students to work in small groups to write their own parable. Remind students that a parable is a short story that teaches a lesson. Page 87 says: The day before Ash Wednesday is called Fat Tuesday. Ask students to research Fat Tuesday traditions of Catholics around the world. Have students choose one tradition and write a paragraph about it to share with the class. Page 93 asks: Did you know new words are invented all the time? Ask students to imagine that their first name is a new word being added to the English language. Have students write a dictionary entry for their word. 17 of 20

18 Page 96 April InFocus Monthly Theme: LOVE: God loves everyone. God s love for us is unconditional and everlasting. Jesus sacrificed Himself so that we may have new life in Him. As disciples of Jesus, we should do our best to follow in His footsteps. All people are God s children and deserve to be welcomed and included. After reading the story on page 96, ask: Why was Irena tempted to cheat? Have you ever struggled to make the right choice? If so, who or what helped you? After reading Mark 16:20 on page 97, ask: How do you proclaim the Good News? What does it mean to love someone unconditionally? How have you experienced unconditional love? As a class, read the top of page 101 and the full verse of Luke 24:5. Ask students to imagine that they were present when it was discovered that Jesus was not in the tomb. Have students write a first-person narrative describing what happened. After reading page 103, divide students into small groups. Ask groups to create a list of ways to help others feel welcomed and included at school or in other group situations (team sports, etc.). Page 99 reminds us that God has many names. Ask students to create a word cloud or other graphic design that incorporates several of God s names. Display students projects in the classroom or around your school. Page 99 also reminds students about their Lenten sacrifices. Ask students to write a journal entry reflecting on their Lenten sacrifice this year and how it affected them. This might be something they gave up or something extra they did. 18 of 20

19 Page 106 May InFocus Monthly Theme: ACCEPTANCE: God is accepting of all. All God s children are invited to be disciples of Jesus. Reading God s Word is one way we learn about our faith. God accepts His children from all corners of the Earth. God calls us to be peacemakers. After reading the story on page 106, ask: Why was Marrail worried at the beginning of the story? Have you ever felt that way? What happened that helped Marrail feel better? We are all unique. How are you different from everyone else in our class? What Bible stories have you read? (Create a class list and add to it as students read more.) Page 109 asks: How do you share your faith with others? Ask students to answer this question in the form of a poem (cinquain, haiku, diamante, etc.). Page 113 says: Learning more about God s children around the world is another way we get to know God. Divide students into small groups. Ask groups to choose a country (or culture, religion, etc.) to research. Have each group design a board game to teach the other groups what they learned. Page 111 says: Reading God s Word in the Bible is one way we learn about our faith. Ask each student to read a Bible story and rewrite it in his or her own words. Have students tell their stories to the class. Page 115 says: [It] takes greater strength to end a conflict than it does to begin one. Ask students to write a journal entry explaining whether they agree with this statement. Have students include personal experiences to support their ideas. 19 of 20

20 Page 116 June InFocus Monthly Theme: FAIRNESS: God is fair. God s idea of fair is giving each person what he or she needs. God sent us His Son because of His great love for us. God in His infinite mercy forgives our faults. Our love for God fills our hearts, renews our souls, and brings us peace. After reading the Bible verse on page 117, ask: Do you judge others? Do you make judgmental or negative comments about other people s choices? What does it mean to be fair? What are some examples of unfair actions? How do you respond to people who are not fair to you? Name some people who ve fought for fair treatment for everyone. (Make a list.) Discuss the idea that fair is not the same as equal (e.g., an earlier bedtime for a younger sibling). Have students give examples. Page 119 says: Jesus said you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Explain to students that these are metaphors and give other examples (e.g., Our classroom is a zoo.). Ask students to work in small groups or independently to explain these metaphors and finish this one: My faith is. Ask students to choose a saint who set a good example of fairness and create a coat of arms (including four symbols/pictures and a motto or quote) for him or her. Page 119 says: God s idea of fair is being generous with everyone. Ask students to imagine how great it would be if all our world leaders followed God s example of fairness. Have students write a prayer asking God to give world leaders the grace and wisdom to follow His example. 20 of 20