For my next lesson, I plan to show my class some kid-friendly, Catholic Web sites where they can learn about the Catholic faith. I’m looking for Web sites that are appropriate for intermediate grade kids (grades 4-6), are interactive, and invite kids to learn about and practice the Catholic faith. I have a few in mind already, but I’d like to know what sites you know of and would recommend. I look forward to your input.
Intermediate Grades
The Lure of Technology
I mentioned in my post the other day that I used my laptop and LCD projector to invite my 6th graders to come forward and arrange images in chronological order to tell the Exodus/Passover story and that they did this for the parents who were visiting for Open House. One of the parents attending had her 3rd grade son with her and he was transfixed by the images on the screen. As we were nearing […]
Technology in Catechesis
Tips for Catechists Doing Faith Formation Remotely (Video)
As a catechist, it’s possible you’re being asked to teach faith formation lessons online this fall due to the ongoing pandemic or as a new approach to doing faith formation in your parish or diocese. Either way, if you’re new to this concept of facilitating remote lessons, I am pleased to share the following free video with you. It offers some basic tips to get you started proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in the […]
Joe's Comings and Goings
A More Robust Liturgy – My Article In Ministry & Liturgy Magazine
Here’s an excerpt from an article (“7 Steps to a More Robust Liturgy”) I just had published in Ministry & Liturgy Magazine: On a recent trip to Hawaii, I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center and got a firsthand glimpse of the ritual expression of the Polynesian people: bold, dramatic, rich, deeply expressive, highly energizing. I found my imagination stirred, my heart moved, and my senses stimulated as young people explained and performed ancient rituals to the […]
Joe
Just curious…How to you intend to use these websites? I know that in many of the homes of my 4th grade students age using the internet is simply forbidden by their parents.
Are these suggestions you intend to give to parents or students directly or will you be using them in the classroom ?
Does your parish’s program have a policy about these issues? If yes what is it?
Peace,
Maura
Maura, good point. Our parish does not have a policy about these issues that I am aware of. I intend to make a handout that kids can take home to their parents, indicating that these are trustworthy Catholic Internet sites and to encourage them to visit them with their children. Of course I plan to run this by my DRE first to make sure that I’m not opening up a can of worms.
You’ve probably already found this one, but I love the Holy Childhood Association’s website: http://www.hcakids.org
It is very interactive. I really like their “games” The Bread of Life — where kids learn about the Eucharist and about breads from around the world — and What Happens To My Dollar — where they learn how their contributions help other kids.
OOoohhh . . . and I almost forgot about this one: http://www.jclubcatholic.org
It is developed by the Daughters of Saint Paul and is full of clean jokes, saints, and easy, medium, and hard games for kids that include saint matches and Bible quizes.
faithfirst.com . We use their books. Love the extras on the site for me and the students!
As a DRE, these are some of my favorites I wish the kids/families would use.
EWTN exploring the church:
http://www.ewtn.com/ewtnkids/home.asp
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours for Kids:
http://www.catholicireland.net/talk2god/
Our Churches have those candles that people light to pray for people. This is an on-line version:
http://monasterycandleshop.com/vcandle/
I’d like to hear of some for children even younger in age! The only one that I am aware of is EWTN at http://www.ewtn.com/ewtnkids/home.asp and I haven’t spent a whole lot of time to there to say how good the info is.
stump the shepherd is a great game (Christ Our Life) for any text!
My grandkids go to EWTNKids all the time. My grandson is 4 and he enjoys it. It has a good age range, at least up to Confirmation age where the quizzes are concerned.
I give my class (5th – 7th grade) a card with the websites on them (Jclub is another one as state above). They take them home and the parents can see that they are recommended. My prayer is that the parents go on the site with them and maybe learn a thing or two themselves. 🙂
I do not teach CCD as such but a Rel. Enrichment class once a week to all grades in a Cath.School. I find even the older kids enjoy the games and puzzles on ewtnkids.
I used to use these for the last 5 or 10 min. of a class but unfortunately, our projector
broke and the school can’t afford to get a new one. They are great for a day the kids
are restless or as a reward. I would often begin class with the 3 minute retreat for Gr.5 and up. (Loyola Press). Thanks for this question as I will get some new ideas from other
catechists.
Hey Joe, this website http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/ is good too.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!