Comments on: Sometimes I’m My Own Worst Enemy!

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:41:37 +0000

debmc, thanks for the comments. Tell me what it means that you are “facilitating a class of CARE participants” in your parish.

By: debmc

debmc — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:11:21 +0000

Joe, I LOVE THIS PLACE. SIMPLY LOVE IT! In fact, I am currently facilitating a class of CARE particpants in my parish, and will add this to my list of worthwhile web resources, and encourage them to visit, get the benefit of your experience, and give the benefit of theirs.

IMO, this place is a MUST for the committed, active catechist!

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:20:57 +0000

Hi, debmc, and welcome to the blog! Thanks for your comment. You’re right that we need to find the right balance of getting their energy up with out getting them riled up…the goal is to make the most of that energy.

By: debmc

debmc — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:51:54 +0000

Hi, brand new to the blog!

I had to chuckle at this post. I do the same thing, but you know what? It’s well worth stirring them up; heck, ANYTHING’S better than seeing them sit there falling asleep, twiddling their fingers and thumbs, and staring off into parts unknown, lol.

And I try to make it work for me. Once I stir ‘em up (I usually am able to find a good trigger for each class each year, sometimes a bit of a song I sing or some kind of rousing cheer), I use that energy to focus on what we’re going to cover that day.

Or I just plain use the energy to wake ‘em up, at any point in the class. The trick is not to let them get TOO riled, just enough to sit up and pay attention. ::)

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:13:57 +0000

Brad, just once, if the DRE could come in just as lightbulbs are going on over every child’s head!

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:57:24 +0000

So funny. This happens all the time and its so hard to get 8th graders settled back down again. Because I co-taught last year I was able to actually observe them zone out (or secretly entertain each other) when we just read through the material. Night of the living dead!

Of course the DRE always chose to enter the room when I was trying to settle them back in. I have walked by other junior high classrooms and saw students sitting there with hands clasped on their desks and wondered which worked best. I do feel strongly that the last thing they need is more ’school’.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:00:45 +0000

el-e-e,
Let’s pray for each other! Sounds like a wonderful idea you have…let me know how it turns out. I love your comment about “I gotta do it.” It’s like Jeremiah saying:

“I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.” Jer 20:9

In other words, “I gotta do it!”

By: el-e-e

el-e-e — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:05:54 +0000

This week my co-teacher is out of town, so it’s me all alone with 12 five-year-olds, and I’m planning an engaging “parade” (processional) for our lesson on The Bible. I know it’s going to get them all juiced up but I gotta do it.

Pray for me.