Confirmation Learning Stations

One of the pitfalls that I often succumb to when planning a lesson is focusing on what I am going to do without regard for what the kids are going to do (other than soak up my pearls of wisdom, of course). In the end, I find that I am putting a lot of pressure on myself as the catechist to “perform.” If Christian Initiation IS an apprenticeship (and I believe it is) then we must consider what our young apprentices are doing!

With that in mind, I revisited the Confirmation “learning stations” that I created for last year and refined them so that they are truly learning stations: areas where the young people complete a task under the supervision of a catechist (as opposed to areas where the catechist presents a mini-lesson). Our first Confirmation Intensive (four 2-hour sessions held during December and January) is next week and we’re finalizing our plans.

We use Confirmed in the Spirit (Loyola Press) and each intensive draws from 2 of the 8 chapters. The first intensive focuses on the Sacraments of Initiation and the signs and symbols of Confirmation. Each of the 5 eighth-grade catechists will facilitate one of the learning stations – the kids will spend 10-12 minutes at each station. The structure allows for a half-hour at the end of the session for the kids to reunite with their “homeroom teacher” to review what they have done/learned and for the catechist to reinforce the “BIG IDEAS.” Here’s what I’m proposing:

Learning Center A – Getting to Know the Holy Spirit

• Students will use Bibles to complete Blackline Master 1 (pg. 109 of CIS Catechist Guide)
• If time remains, review the answers
• Materials needed: Bibles, pencils, copies of BLM 1

Learning Center B – Symbols of the Holy Spirit

• Students will create a simple mobile of the symbols of the Holy Spirit (water, oil, fire, and dove) from page 5 of CIS student book
• Materials needed: Popsicle sticks, string, scissors, invisible tape, hole puncher, pens, small index cards

Learning Center C – Sacraments of Initiation

• Students will complete a crossword puzzle on the sacraments of initiation (see attached PDF files )initiation-crossword-puzzle; initiation-crossword-with-answers
• If time remains, review the answers and provide some background as needed
• Materials needed: copies of crossword puzzle

Learning Center D – The Words and Actions of Confirmation

• Students will focus on 3 main actions of the Confirmation Rite: laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and the words “Be Sealed with the Holy Spirit”
• Students will be given a blank sheet of paper (11 x 17) and will be asked to trace both of their hands on it and to write beneath (Laying on of Hands); next they will dip their thumb into some vegetable oil and then trace a cross with that thumb on the paper so that the oil seeps in and to write beneath (anointing); finally, the catechist will allow a few drips of wax from a lighted candle to fall onto each paper – after it cools a bit, the students can impress a coin or medal into the wax (the way letters used to be sealed) and to write beneath (Be Sealed)
• If time permits, provide a little background about each of the 3 actions
• Materials needed: 11 x 17 paper, pencils, vegetable oil in a small bowl, pillar candle, coin or medal

Learning Center E – The Role of the Bishop

• Students will create miniature miters (bishop’s “hat”) and crosiers (bishop’s staff)
• To make the miter, each student receives a small index card and cuts it in half (vertically)
• Next, each student cuts the corners of each piece so that they are in the shape of a house with a pitched roof.
• Both pieces are then stapled together on the edges (not the top or bottom)
• the miniature miter can now be “opened up” a bit as if it was to be placed on the bishop’s head
• To make the crosier, each student is given a piece of aluminum foil about 6 in. by 6 in.
• The foil is rolled as though rolling a cigar
• Then, the top is curved into the shape of a shepherd’s staff (like a candy cane)
• If time permits, add more background information about the role of the bishop, the miter, and the crosier
• Materials needed: scissors, small index cards, stapler(s), sheets of aluminum foil 6 x 6

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