Grade Four: SEPTEMBER Week 1-2 Week 3 4 UNIT 1: The Church hands on the Good News - Theme 1. New beginnings T.M. p. 36; S.B. p. 6 Celebration: p. 54 Theme 2. The Church hands on the story of Jesus T.M. p. 46; S.B. p. 14 Elements of a Celebration: p. 52 From Sunday September 2 nd to Sunday November 25th (the Feast of Christ the King) we are still celebrating Ordinary Time. Your prayer table should have a green table cloth. Celebrations contained in the program are essential and are tied to the Liturgical Year of the Church and/or themes of the program. They are designed to reflect in communal prayer on the presence of God in our lives. Student involvement in the three phases of every celebration (Preparation, Celebration and Savoring) is crucial to their liturgical formation. As such, preplanning is important for success. Follow the process outlined on p. 93-95 of the Teacher s Manual to assist you in looking ahead. All celebrations will be listed under the UNIT and THEME column. Combined grade outlines are available. http://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/boardservices/religionfamilylife/pages/default.aspx OR Contact your Religious Education/Family Life Resource Teacher. For important information on the overall content and approach of your program see the introduction at the beginning of your teacher s manual, especially the Scope and Sequence chart pp. 6-10 and The Integration of components. You may begin to teach the Family Life program - Fully Alive Theme One-Created and Loved by God after curriculum night. The suggested scheduling for Family Life is one lesson per week for thirty minutes throughout the year. The amount of time that you spend on Family Life is 1/5th of the entire allotted Religion time. Please copy and distribute the Theme One home communication letter in your Fully Alive Manual.
OCTOBER Week 1 Theme 3. We explore the New Testament - T.M. p. 56; S.B. p. 20 Celebration: p. 60 Week 2-3 UNIT 2: The good news about Jesus Christ Theme 4. The Holy Spirit helps the disciples to remember Jesus T.M. p. 66; S.B. p. 26 Week 4 Theme 5. First memories of Jesus: the call to - "Come and See" T.M. p. 74; S.B. p. 38 Rosary Day October 5th Thanksgiving -October 8th World Mission Sunday October 21st: Every Christian shares in the mission of the Church. Organizations such as Holy Childhood Association, http://www.missionsla.org/missionprograms/hca/hca_home.html Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, http://www.devp.org/ and Catholic Missions in Canada, http://www.cmic.info/new-evangelization provide opportunities for students to learn and participate at their own level in this process. All Hallow s Eve: The word Hallow is another word for a saint, a holy person. So the night before All Saints Day is called All Hallow s Eve or Hallowe en. Many rules change for this night. Instead of ordinary clothes, we wear costumes. We might dress as favourite saints according to an old Christian custom. We can play funny tricks and ask neighbours for treats or donations for the needy. Most of all, we change the rules of fear. We laugh at things that scare us spooks and skeletons and things that go Boo! Jesus has shown us that fearful things cannot destroy us. They cannot separate us from the strength of Jesus and the joy of his resurrection. (from Children s Daily Prayer, Liturgy Training Publications). Mary: see Catechetical Tips section in December When making long range plans remember that the suggested scheduling for Family Life is one lesson per week for thirty minutes throughout the year. The amount of time that you spend on Family Life is 1/5 of the entire allotted Religion time. Also keep in mind that this year there are lessons from "A Catholic Approach to HIV/AIDS Education" that are to be taught after Theme Three of Fully Alive. If you have not done so, please copy and distribute the Fully Alive Theme One Home Communication Letter.
NOVEMBER Week 1 Theme 6. And great crowds followed Jesus - T.M. p. 82; S.B. p. 44 Week 2 UNIT 3: Jesus tells us about the reign of God - Theme 7. Jesus is a storyteller T.M. p. 90; S.B. p. 48 Week 3 Theme 8. Jesus the parabler - T.M. p. 116; S.B. p. 52 Week 4 Week 5 Theme 9. In parables Jesus tells us about God (the Good Shepherd) T.M. p. 106; S.B. p. 58 Nov 29 30 Begin - UNIT 4: A light shines in the darkness - Theme 10. A light shines in the darkness - T.M. p. 114; S.B. p. 64 All Saints/All Souls: The saints are those whose lives praise God. The Church puts aside 2 feast days, November 1 and 2, to celebrate the communion of saints, the union of those living today with those who have gone before us in faith. Remembrance Day is a time not only to remember those who have died in war, but also to pray for peace, and to reflect on what we are doing to bring God s peace into the world. The Feast of Christ the King November 25 th, 2013 marks the end of the liturgical year. The Sunday following begins the new church year. This new year the gospels for the Sundays in Ordinary Time are from the gospel of Matthew Cycle A.. Get ready for Advent begins on Sunday December 2 nd. This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the green of Ordinary Time to the purple of Advent. At some time this month, begin teaching Theme Two - Living in Relationship. Remember to copy and distribute the home communication letter before you begin this theme.
DECEMBER - Week 1 UNIT 4: A light shines in the darkness - Theme 10. A light shines in the darkness (Dece 1-3) T.M. p. 114; S.B. p. 64 Week 2 Theme 11. John the Baptist bears witness to the light - T.M. p. 122; S.B. p. 72 Week 3 Theme 12. We celebrate the light shining in the darkness - T.M. p. 130; S.B. p. 76 Celebration: p. 134 Week 4 CHRISTMAS BREAK December 2 nd, marks the beginning of the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle, a period of preparation, celebration and continuation that lasts about 7 weeks. PREPARATION: In Advent we prepare to recall Christ s first coming and look forward to his second coming. Advent is a season of joyful expectation (not a mini-lent). This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the green of Ordinary Time to the purple of Advent. Because each program provides a different focus for Advent, incorporating various activities, it is important to continue to follow the program rather than replace it with other Advent activities. Advent is particularly suited to a focus on Mary. We reflect on her as our model of relationship with Jesus. She is both disciple and mother. CELEBRATION (Christmas cycle): During the Christmas season we celebrate the birthday of Jesus, not merely his birth as a baby in Bethlehem, but as our brother and risen Lord. LONG RANGE PLANNING: Please note: after teaching Fully Alive Theme Three Created Sexual: Male and Female- sometime in February/March, you will be required to teach three lessons from the resource "A Catholic Approach to HIV/AIDS Education".
JANUARY Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 UNIT 5: Jesus, Born of a Woman - Theme 13. Jesus, born of a Woman T.M. p. 140; S.B. p. 78 (Save celebration on p. 152 until February 2) Theme 14. Jesus is presented in the Temple T.M. p. 146; S.B. p. 88 Theme 15. When Jesus was twelve years old T.M. p. 154; S.B. p. 92 UNIT 6. Jesus reveals the compassion of God Theme 16. Jesus announces the kingdom of God - T.M. p. 166; S.B. p. 100 CELEBRATION CONTINUES (Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle): We celebrate God s love of us through Jesus. We continue to reveal God s love to others through our lives as followers of Jesus. Because of the continuation aspect of the Christmas season, the table cover in the prayer centre should change from the purple of Advent to the white of Christmas until January 13th. The Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle ends with the Feast of the Lord s Baptism and Ordinary Time begins on January 14. This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the white of Christmas to the green of Ordinary Time which lasts until Ash Wednesday. January 20 th 26 th is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Resources (poster and suggested activities) are available from www.novalis.ca Before beginning to teach Fully Alive Theme Three - Created Sexual: Male and Female remember to copy and distribute the home communication letter. Make sure you read the introductory comments to each of the lessons carefully. You will find advice and cautions regarding the teaching of this material. Remember to teach the three lessons from "A Catholic Approach to HIV/AIDS Education" immediately after you have taught Theme Three of Fully Alive. It is not recommended that you use any additional resources - videos, books, guest speakers etc. during Theme Three lessons taught this term. Some approved resources are available from your Religious Ed./Family Life Resource teacher. It is understood that it will be the classroom teacher who teaches Theme Three to her/his students. *REPORT CARD NOTICE: Remember to include two Religion and one Family Life comment on the report card. Comments can be found at: http://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/boardservices/religionfamilylife/reportcardcomments/pages/default.aspx
FEBRUARY Week 1 2 February 2 - Candlemas Celebration from Th. 13 - T.M. p. 152 Theme 17. Jesus goes about doing good - T.M. p. 174; S.B. p. 106 Week 2 ASH WEDNESDAY - UNIT 7: Jesus says, "I Am the Way" Theme 19. Jesus is sent to bring God's love - T.M. p. 192; S.B. p. 114 Week 3 Theme 20. Jesus is the living water - T.M. p. 200; S.B. p. 118 Week 4 Theme 21. Jesus shows us the Father - T.M. p. 208; S.B. p. 122 Valentine s Day has its origins in the expression of Christian love and concern. Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday February 13th. It marks the beginning of the Lent/Easter/Pentecost cycle, which includes periods of preparation, celebration and continuation lasting 13 weeks. PREPARATION: The 40 days of Lent have two purposes: to recall and renew our baptismal promises and to emphasize a spirit of conversion. Lent is a time of prayer, good works and other forms of penance. This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the green of Ordinary Time to the purple of Lent. Specific aspects of the Lenten season are integral to each program and are included in themes 19-24. Therefore, it is important to follow these themes rather than replace them with extra Lenten activities. To reflect the tone of the season, "Alleluia" is not sung. Penance and Reconciliation: Consider a celebration in the latter half of Lent to mark a return to God and one another in love. Reminder: Theme 24 must be taught during Holy Week. Pace yourself accordingly, given the many options in the Lenten Themes (19-24) as well as the Lenten interruption with March Break. Schedule the three lessons from "A Catholic Approach to HIV/AIDS Education" during this month after completing Theme Three of Fully Alive Created Sexual: Male and Female. Please read each lesson's introductory comments carefully as they contain pertinent advice and cautions about this material. Teach only the material that is intended for your particular grade. It is not recommended that you use any additional resources - videos, books, guest speakers etc. during the lessons pertaining to HIV/AIDS. It is understood that it will be the classroom teacher who teaches the HIV/AIDS curriculum.
MARCH Week 1 UNIT 8: Jesus gives his life for us - Theme 22. Jesus goes up to Jerusalem T.M. p. 216, S.B. p. 126 Week 2 Theme 23. Jesus gives himself - T.M. p. 224; S.B. p. 128 Week 3 MARCH BREAK Week 4 HOLY WEEK Theme 24. Jesus dies for us - T.M. p. 234; S.B. p. 132 Ritual: Stations of the Cross p. 236 Week 5 EASTER - UNIT 9: "My Lord and My God" Theme 25. He who was crucified is risen - T.M. p. 244; S.B. p. 138 Lent continues. Penance and Reconciliation: Consider a celebration in the latter half of Lent to mark a return to God and one another in love World Day of Prayer, March 4th, celebrated in 165 countries, is an invitation to pause and pray together in the spirit of ecumenism. Resource booklets are distributed to the schools. Extra copies are available (free) from Women s Interchurch Council of Canada, Suite 602, 60 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, M4T 1N5, Tel. 416-929-5184. Reminder: Theme 24 must be taught during Holy Week. Pace yourself accordingly, given the many options in the Lenten themes (19-24) as well as the Lenten interruption of the March Break. EASTER: Easter is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from Lenten purple to the white of the Easter season. CELEBRATION (Easter Cycle): In the Easter Triduum (from the evening celebration of the Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday to the Sunday celebration of Easter) the Church enters into the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Passover: Easter, the Christian feast of liberation grew out of the Jewish feast of Passover, the commemoration of God s liberation and protection of the Jewish people in the Exodus from Egypt. During the Easter Season the Paschal Candle is a reminder of the presence of the risen Christ among the people of God. Before you begin Theme Four - Growing in Commitment, please copy and distribute home communication letters (See next page).
APRIL Week 1 EASTER - UNIT 9: "My Lord and My God" Theme 25. He who was crucified is risen - T.M. p. 244; S.B. p. 138 Week 2 Theme 26: We have seen the Lord! - T.M. p. 252; S.B. p. 142 Week 3-4 Theme 27. "Now at last they know..." - T.M. p. 262; S.B. p. 144 Blessed Pope John Paul II Day: April 8 EASTER:.Easter continues for fifty days until Pentecost on May 19 th. During the Easter Season the Paschal Candle is a reminder of the presence of the risen Christ among the people of God. Theme Four continues during this month. Theme Five - "Living in the World" may be taught in May/June.
MAY Week 1 Week 2 UNIT 10: Jesus Spirit is with us Theme 28. The Holy Spirit will bring us to Jesus Christ - T.M. p. 272; S.B. p. 148 Continue with Pentecost focus: UNIT 10: Jesus Spirit is with us Theme 28. The Holy Spirit will bring us to Jesus Christ - T.M. p. 272; S.B. p. 148 Week 3-4 Review Theme 17. Jesus goes about doing good - T.M. p. 174; S.B. p. 106 Cover Theme 18. They were all astounded and praised God - T.M. p. 182; S.B. p. 110 CELEBRATION CONTINUES (Easter Cycle): The 7 weeks between Easter and Pentecost are celebrated as one great feast day the passion, death, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Spirit are seen as one act in God s plan for our salvation. We sing Alleluia during these days of rejoicing. - Remember to honour the Easter season until Pentecost on May 19th. Pentecost: The Easter season ends with the feast of Pentecost. The month of May and Mary: Mary is a sign of what we hope one day to be. May devotions should highlight the role of Mary in the context of the Easter season. May is a good time to reflect on Mary s presence at each event in the Easter cycle. Ordinary Time resumes on the day after Pentecost, May 19th, and continues until the following Advent. We are called to continue our efforts to love and serve God in our daily living. This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the white of Easter to the green of Ordinary Time. Catholic Education Week: May 5 May 10. Respect for Life Week: May 12-17. The Religious Education/Family Life Department sends out materials about this week. Corpus Christi: The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the Sunday after Trinity Sunday celebrates Jesus total gift of himself in the Eucharist. Theme Five - Living in the World - may be taught in May/June. Copy and distribute Theme Five home communication letters before you begin.
JUNE UNITS AND THEME REFERENCES Week 1-2 Theme 29. You shall be my witnesses - T.M. p. 280; S.B. p. 150 Week 3-4 Theme 30. We celebrate our story: Come and See! - T.M. p. 288; S.B. p. 156 Celebration: p. 293 Ordinary Time continues until the following Advent. We are called to continue our efforts to love and serve God in our daily living. This is the time to change the table cover in the prayer centre from the white of Easter to the green of Ordinary Time. *REPORT CARD NOTICE: Remember to include two Religion and one Family Life comment on the report card. Comments can be found at: http://www.tcdsb.org/programsservices/boardservices/religionfamilylife/reportcardcomments/pages/default.aspx