RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAMS Introduction Living Waters Catholic Schools provide a religious studies program for students from kindergarten to grade twelve. Working with parents, the primary educators of the faith, and the parish community, students are instructed in the Catholic faith. The overall objective of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ as expressed in the profession of faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The fundamental tasks of catecheses are promoting knowledge of the faith, liturgical education, moral formation and learning to pray. In practical terms for young children this means: an introduction into the life of the Church (the community, not the building) a sense of trust a sense of freedom a sense of self-giving an experience of joyful participation the beginnings of training in prayer an introduction to Sacred Scripture The General Directory for Catechesis also speaks about the methodology of catechists. A variety of methods is a sign of the life and richness of the program. use the Gospel to educate towards a way of life in Christ as Christ is the way to the Good News of the Kingdom of God following the example of Jesus, use the experiences of everyday life to lead children towards the Holy while it is helpful for children to begin to learn the principal formulae of the faith, beware of mechanical memorization - as children memorize things, they should be lead to Greater understanding of what is meant the teacher, as a solid witness to the Kingdom, is the soul of all RE for the children - modeling is an important method human skill, a gift from God, is constantly coming up with new technologies that can be powerful tools in transmitting the faith - consider TV, radio, newspapers, discs, tape recordings, video and audio cassettes, CD s, and the entire range of audio-visual aides The primary resources for religious instruction from kindergarten to grade 9 are the Born of the Spirit program and the We Are Strong Together program. Both programs are produced through the National Office of Religious Education (NORE) and are approved by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. At the high school level, three programs are used for instruction: Alberta Youth Search for Meaning, ROOTS, and Christ and Culture a program recently developed by the National Office of Religious Education for Grade 10.
Born of the Spirit Program Overview The Born of the Spirit program for ECS to Grade 6 is the only program that has the approval of the entire Bishop s conference, and this series is widely used across Canada in the Catholic schools. Adapted editions are also available for those who home-school their children and for parishes that provide programs for children who don t attend Catholic schools. The primary programs are about our relationship with a Trinitarian God, so every year is about all three: Father, Son and Spirit, but each year focuses on one relationship. The primary programs are about immersing the children in the belief that they belong to God. They explore what it means to live in this world in relationship with God. The programs are about intimacy with, and activity around, God. These programs are progressive, each building on the year before. They are also cyclical. The grade 4-6 programs repeat the themes of the primary years, at an expanded level of understanding. Grade 4 is an expansion on the person of Jesus, with a greater scriptural dimension than Grade 2. Grade 5 expands upon Grade 3 and adds the community dimension of the Spirit active in the Church. Grade 6 explores the moral life of the Church. A More Detailed Look at the Program for Each Grade The kindergarten program, In God s Image, addresses the spirituality of young children through their faith in God s creation. It stresses curiosity and playfulness, setting the tone for the grade 1-3 programs. The program consists of eight modules containing thirty-three themes that can be sequenced by the teacher to best respond to the particular needs and interests of the class. The Me module celebrates the child him/herself through topics such as feelings, senses, capabilities, needs and family. The Earth Times module celebrates the wonder of the earth through activities related to the seasons. The community module celebrates caring through discussion of making friends and helping. The Changes module invites the child to experience support and comfort at times such as the birth of a sibling or moving to a new house. The Plants and Animals modules celebrate creation through activities with trees, flowers, bugs, pets and other animals. The Special Days module suggests activities for celebrating events such as birthdays, Mothers Day and Fathers Day. The Church Times module is a sequential set of lessons that invite the child to celebrate the Christian story as it unfolds through Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. Through natural childhood activities children explore traces of God, the marks of God present all around them as they grow, learn and experience life. In God s Image uses the existing special moments and experiences of the young child and affirms their religious importance. Throughout the day, the children are encouraged to see traces of God in all of their experiences. The Grade 1 program, We Belong to God, celebrates belonging to God as confessed in our faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The children come to appreciate how we belong to God through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the life, death and rising of Jesus. It includes a lengthy story profile of the person of Jesus. The aim of the Grade one program is to come to appreciate ever more deeply how, in the power of the Holy Spirit and through the celebration of the life, death and rising of Jesus Christ, we belong to God the creator of all things. The Grade 2 program, We Belong to the Lord Jesus, extends the belonging theme of Grade one into a Eucharistic relationship with Jesus. This program gives a catechesis of the Sunday Eucharistic liturgy where the Lord Jesus comes to meet the children and be with them on their journey through life. The Grade two program is centered on the mystery of Jesus the Lord, who
invites us to deepen our friendship with him and who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, draws us into the very life of God by giving himself to us in the Eucharist. The content of the Grade 3 program, In the Spirit We Belong, is, indeed, the Holy Spirit, Who is active in the Church and in creation to fulfill God s dream to gather all people. Emphasis is on the idea of being a community of followers of Jesus gathered in the Holy Spirit. Early in the year the children participate in a classroom Mass, building on the First Communion experience of Grade two. The overall aim of the Grade three program is to deepen the experience of belonging to God through the community of the followers of Jesus, gathered in the Spirit. In the Grade 4 program, Come and See, the children meet the Lord Jesus through Gospel witnesses and explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus today. Early in the year the children are invited to their parish Sunday Mass to receive a bible. They use this bible extensively to explore passages related to the apostles and the parables. The aim of the Grade four program is to meet the Lord Jesus through the living experience of Gospel witnesses and to explore what it means for us to be a disciple and friend of Jesus today. The Year 5 program, May We Be One, explores what the Church does as it gives witness to Jesus in the Spirit. The symbol of the year is the rock, after St Peter. The general aim of the Grade five program is to explore what the Church does as it gives witness to Jesus in the Spirit. It focuses on how the Church is a gathering, a communion of people from all nations, in and through the Spirit of God. The Year 6 program, You Shall be My Witnesses, explores how young Christians, rooted in the Christian tradition, are witnesses of God s justice and love. The students make an extensive study of the Ten Commandments and the beatitudes. The program deals with the moral life of young Christians and is based on scripture. It presents how God s covenant with the peoples of the earth is reflected in moral existence by witnesses of love, justice, and compassion. Symbols in the Program The primary symbols and elements of our Catholic faith that receive special attention through the NORE series are: 1) the people of God 2) the Word of God 3) the Cross 4) oil and water 5) sharing of bread and wine that becomes the Body and Blood of Christ 6) light Each year has a special symbolic theme that is built upon throughout the year. In Grade one the prayer shawl gives reverence to the story and the storyteller. In Grade two the table receives special attention, progressing from the table of friendship, to the table of the Word, and then to the table of the Eucharist with a chalice and paten. In Grade three the program suggests fabric to make a tent effect, which becomes the gathering place where Jesus pitches His tent among us. Grade three also features a kite as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In Grade four the class stump is used to enthrone the bible and then becomes the roots of Jesse, the wood of the manger, the cross, and the tree of new life, over the course of the year. In Grade five the big rock is God s work of art and a symbol of Peter. The class rock symbolizes community. Jesse tree stones and Covenant stones are introduced as the year progresses. In Grade six the lantern is found throughout the program as a symbol for God, Jesus Christ, and the Christian moral life.
The General Format of the Program Many of the objectives of the programs are reached through this cycle: 1. We Prepare to Celebrate Content is inputted through a wide variety of activities, and the children are engaged in planning a celebration. 2. We Celebrate the Word of God Children learn by experiencing the celebration. 3. We Remember Our Celebration Students savour the experience, link it to other experiences and look back and see what it means. Why did we do those actions? What did we learn? The structure for the celebrations is as follows: Gathering Prayer (and/or song) Word of God/Reflection on Word of God Ritual Action Closing Prayer (and/or song) Progression of Instruction in Prayer Prayer is taught throughout the Born of the Spirit series: ECS In God s Image prayers of gratitude and praise Grade 1 We Belong to God prayers of adoration, gratitude and praise sense of contemplation is developed through specific practice in being quiet traditional liturgical responses- Amen, Alleluia, Peace be With You, Hosanna gestures- gathering, sign of the cross, blessing and receiving a blessing formal prayers of Church- Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, brief Creed Grade 2 We Belong to the Lord Jesus many of the prayers and gestures of the Mass Creed, prayers of the faithful, preparation of the gifts, Eucharistic Prayer Lord s Prayer, sign of peace, Lamb of God Advent Story Wreath Grade 3 In the Spirit We Belong classroom Mass the Angelus, an act of contrition, Psalms 8 and104, intercessory prayer Grade 4 Come and See focus on praying with the scriptures, psalms 23 and 139, writing prayer and graces prayer of St. Richard, Jesse Tree Grade 5 May We Be One classroom Mass the Magnificat, reflection on scripture, writing prayers of trust, petitions for justice, veneration of the cross, litanies of thanks and praise, Jesse tree Grade 6 You Shall Be My Witnesses classroom Mass
Advent wreath, Kyrie, adapted rite of scrutiny, prayer of St. Teresa, litany of saints Together We Are Strong Content The following is a summary of the content of each year for Grades 7, 8 and 9: GRADE 7 Believe in Me is a close examination of the first part of the Creed. The program assists students in nurturing their relationship with God in and through Christ, in the context of a Spirit-filled community. Through the Apostle s Creed, the young believers participate with the Church in exploring the dimensions of our relationship with God the Father, with Jesus, and the community of the Holy Spirit. It looks specifically at the following belief statements: We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead, rose on the Third Day, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Included are the Ten Commandments, moral decision making, and relationships. GRADE 8 Stand By Me is part two of the Creed written for grade 8 students to study. The program assists students in nurturing their relationship with God in and through Christ, in the context of a Spirit-filled community. Through the Apostle s Creed, the young believers participate with the Church in exploring the dimensions of our relationship with God the Father, with Jesus, and the community of the Holy Spirit. It looks specifically at the following belief statements: We Believe in the Holy Spirit Pentecost, gifts and fruits of the Spirit, the Trinity We Believe in One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church the Sacraments We Believe in the Communion of the Saints saints in the Christian community We Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins Ten Commandments We Believe in the Resurrection of the Body lifestyle choices, sexuality We Believe in Life Everlasting violence and peacemaking, the Golden Rule, justice Amen the Mass, liturgy
GRADE 9 Be With Me The purpose of this program is to assist young people in understanding both the joys and demands of following in the way of Christ and living out the faith that our community professes in the Creed. The program includes: an overview of the beatitudes, self awareness and relationships. The Beatitudes provide the guide as the students examine the attitudes and actions that characterize the Christian life. the theological virtues: faith, hope and love virtues drawn from the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes: faithfulness, love, obedience, justice, honesty, generosity, forgiveness, hope. Through these virtues, students examine what it means to be community. Theological Concepts A variety of theological concepts are taught within each program. For example, in grade 7, students learn about: 1. God as a loving Parent 2. God as Creator 3. The names of Jesus 4. Jesus as Son of God 5. The Incarnation 6. The Paschal Mystery: Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension 7. Judgment 8. Heaven, Hell and Purgatory 9. The Virgin birth 10. The Immaculate Conception Scripture Basis Each program is grounded in Scripture. Methodology The methodology of the series is very much in keeping with Shared Christian Praxis. The learning cycle for each Unit has 4 steps: Step 1 is experience. Each lesson begins by helping the students to explore their own experiences and the questions those experiences have generated about the subject. This gives the students a context into which new information can be incorporated.
Step 2 is information. New information is taught using a variety of strategies designed to actively engage the students as learners and teachers. Step 3 is action. Students are encouraged to act in some way on, or because of, what they have learned. It is hoped that the learning will have a clear impact on the students lives. Step 4 is application. Students are assisted to manipulate the newly acquired information in a variety of ways and apply it to their lives. They evaluate their attitudes and behaviors, and those of society, in light of Christian teaching. Decision Making Learning to make good decisions is a strong focus of the We Are Strong Together series. Here is how the decision making strand looks in each grade: Grade 7 Believe in Me Unit 3: Theme 3: We believe in God the Father Almighty Who s in control? distinguish between good and bad uses of authority, evaluate examples of control and authority, describe the differences between the way God and people exercise authority, and explain and use the observe, judge, act model for moral decision making. Key concepts: God does not Lord it over us God gives each of us the freedom to choose God could be in control, but instead God has given us control The 10 commandments state what is required in the love of God and love of neighbour We are responsible for informing and developing our consciences Unit 6: Theme 1: We believe in Jesus...our Lord Am I free to be me? Identify what it means to live in the Kingdom of God Retell the story of the temptation of Jesus in the desert and articulate what it tells us about living life God s way Explain how our culture can encourage us to live as God wants us to live, and how it can encourage us to live in ways that are opposed to God s way Key concepts: The Kingdom of God is a way of living, not a place Jesus makes it possible for us to share in the Kingdom When we call Jesus Lord, we agree to see right and wrong as he does We can find true freedom and happiness only by living our lives according to God s ways
Unit 10: He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again... Theme 1: Who s a winner? Describe how Jesus judgment frees people from bondage Jesus judgment is a call to separate ourselves from things that harm us Name areas where their own judgment has been, or is, inadequate Key concepts: Jesus judgment is a light calling us out of the darkness Jesus came to give life, not judge. We judge ourselves when we accept or reject his gift God s judgment summons us to conversion Heaven, hell and purgatory are reflections of our ongoing choices Grade 8 Stand By Me Unit 1: Theme 3: We believe in the Holy Spirit How do I know I m on the right track? evaluate decisions in terms of the presence or absence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit Key concepts: the fruits of the HS are present when we are doing God s will doing what God wants us to do makes us feel better, happier and more complete discernment is the skill whereby we get to know God s will and learn how to choose what is best Unit 5: Theme 1: We believe in... the forgiveness of sins We know these rules. Why do we have to learn them again? Identify the ways rules help them live life to the fullest Create a personal guide for living based on the 10 commandments Examine their consciences Key concepts: The 10 commandments must be interpreted in the light of God s love The commandments state fundamental obligations- they also imply obligations to less serious matters Theme 2: What s right? What s wrong? Examine the role of conscience in answering what s wrong? What s right? Define and describe what makes something a serious sin Evaluate real life situations on the basis of a definition of sin Demonstrate an understanding of social sin and individual participation in it Identify ways of developing their conscience Key concepts: The Church helps us inform our conscience and conform it to God s truth
Unit 6: Theme 1: We believe in... the resurrection of the body Who wants this body? Key concepts: We can make the choice to develop ourselves or not Unhealthy choices are ways of disrespecting oneself We must believe in our own basic goodness in order to make the choice to grow Grade 9 Be With Me Unit 2: Theme 3: Be Alive Is it okay to feel this way? Demonstrate how faith guides how we act in response to our emotions Understand that there are morally acceptable, and unacceptable, ways to express emotions Key concepts: Through our emotions, God calls us to decision and action Unit 3: Theme 1: Be Faithful What do I really believe? Articulate ways that relationships based on faith are reasonable Key concepts: Our moral life has its source in faith in God, who reveals his love to us. Unit 4: Theme 2: Be Loving What is the loving thing to do? Review and apply the decision making model Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the magisterium, Scripture and tradition in moral decision making Identify times when it may be difficult to do what is loving Define conscience and its role in decision making Explain the relationship between Christian moral decision making and love Unit 5: Theme 2: Be Obedient Whom should I obey in society? Explain legitimate authority and the common good Key concepts: The authority required by the moral order derives from God Christ himself is the source of authority within the Church
Human Sexuality Human sexuality in We Are Strong Together is closely linked to the decision making strand, as follows: Grade 7 Believe in Me Unit 2: We Believe in God: concepts of trust and patience Unit 3: We Believe in God... the Father Almighty: signs of love, examining behaviour in light of the 10 commandments, moral decision making, conscience Unit 4: We Believe in God... the Creator of Heaven and Earth: creating demands love and responsibility, sexuality as a gift - maleness and femaleness Unit 6: We Believe in Jesus Our Lord: happiness and freedom come from living according to God s way; happiness is found in loving relationships Unit 10: He is Seated at the Right Hand of the Father. He Will Come Again to Judge the Living and the Dead: identifying areas of inadequate personal judgment; God sees and rewards things that others may not notice Grade 8 Stand By Me Unit 2: We Believe in the Holy Church: holiness Unit 3: We Believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: sacrament of marriage, choices which reveal God Unit 5: We Believe in... the Forgiveness of Sins: Ten commandments, sin Unit 6: We Believe in... the Resurrection of the Body: lifestyle choices, love, Catholic teaching on sexual conduct; how we treat our body affects our relationship with God Grade 9 Be With Me Unit 1: Be With Me: Ten commandments, beatitudes, Christian attitude toward others Unit 2: Be Alive: sacredness of body, sanctity of life Unit 4: Be Loving: love, decision making, acceptable expressions of love, chastity Unit 8: Be Generous: modesty and dignity, the 9 th and 10 th commandments
Prayer Junior high students experience the following forms of prayer: meditation prayer with music charismatic prayer contemplation prayer through movement traditional prayers Liturgy of the Hours spontaneous shared prayer shared prayer They also learn the characteristics of authentic prayer: prayer should help us learn about the wonderful greatness of God prayer should help us to be God s children prayer should help us to trust God more prayer should link us to our faith community, family and friends Each year includes many prayer experiences. For example, grade 7 includes: 1. Praying the Psalms: 8, 30,136,138,139 2. Prayer Journals 3. Prayer of St. Theresa of Avila 4. Thanksgiving Litany 5. Footprints Prayer 6. Prayer for Parents 7. Meditation 8. Canticle of the Creatures (St. Francis) 9. Litany of the Saints 10. The Jesus Prayer 11. Fasting and Abstinence 12. The Our Father 13. The Hail Mary 14. A shared prayer celebration 15. Stations of the Cross 16. Apostle s Creed 17. The Beatitudes High School Religion Programs Alberta Youth Search for Meaning This is the Alberta Catholic High School Program, written in 1984 and revalidated in 1994, for RS 15, 25 and 35. It was developed by a project team of religious educators from across Alberta. This is a resource based program with teachers encouraged to make use of a wide variety of resources to assist in delivery of the program. It is recommended that schools have the following texts available for use as appropriate to the Unit of study:
Christ and Culture This is the new grade 10 program from NORE. The aim of the program is to assist young persons, with the help of the Gospel, to participate as Catholics in the shaping of our culture. Christ and Culture brings Canadian culture into conversation with Christ for 15 and 16 year olds. Such a conversation is important, particularly when Christianity is no longer the only religious view that Canadians draw on. Christ and Culture explains the terms and concepts of such a dialogue, focusing on three key elements: the human being, the student who enters into the dialogue, culture and things that shape culture in Canada, and the person of Christ as He is present and active among us and in us today in the power of the Holy Spirit. The dialogue addresses the question: Where is God in our culture? This involves anthropology (who we are as human beings), cultural anthropology (who we are as human beings living in a culture), and Christology (what difference does Christ make in all this?). What follows is an outline of the program, like pages 2 and 3 of the sample from the Teacher Guide which you received, with some additional notes: NORE Integrated Program Resources NORE also publishes three senior high texts which together they call Integrated Program Resources: IPR 1 Roots: Finding Strength in Biblical Tradition, Part 1 (1992): A look at the Old Testament (now more properly called the Hebrew Scriptures) IPR 2 Roots: Finding Strength in Biblical Tradition, Part 2 (1993): An examination of the New Testament IPR 3 Dreams, Dilemmas, Decisions: Deciding to be Church in Today s World (1994): dealing with the choices and decisions young people make related to such areas as intimacy and relationships, work, ecology and violence.