Last night, we finally offered our much-anticipated Bible Learning Stations that I have been talking about for the last week or so and I am happy to report that it was a success! Other than the fact that they did not have enough time to finish all of them (so what else is new in the world of RE?), the experience was very positive and the kids were thoroughly engaged (as the pics below reveal). Here are just a few highlights after which you can enjoy the pics!
- We did our opening procession to set up the prayer center and it went very nicely…3 more kids brought in personal symbols.
- More than half did their homework (Bible Basics Assignment), working with their parents to recall Bible stories, characters, and books.
- Once we got into the Learning Stations, it didn’t take long before we realized that 3 minutes at each station was just not enough time. For 6th graders, a minimum of 5 minutes is needed. In the future, we may extend this experience over 2 sessions.
- Kids from all 3 classes were very well behaved and engaged. They were on task for the most part (one group of boys from my class dilly-dallied a bit too much).
- It’s amazing to watch how some kids really get into it…they are driven to learn and they were determined to complete their fill-in sheets.
- When all was said and done, there was just enough time to have them sign their names on all of their fill-in sheets so that I could collect them and use them next week to unpack the experience.
- One of my students asked if we were going to have more learning stations this year. I said we could and asked if they would like that and they said “Yes, but give us more time!” Fair enough.
- One student asked if we were going to do “sacred space” (guided reflection)! I had to apologize that we couldn’t this week but promised it would return next week.
- Special thanks to my fellow catechists Matt and Russ for being so willing to try something new and different! They each did a great job with their learning stations!
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| New Testament | |
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I can’t wait to try it out this weekend in my class. Since there are 30 students in my class, I might have to break this up. Thanks you so much for these wonderful ideas. I just recently found this site and already I have learned so much!! Take care and God bless!
Let us know how things turn out, Jenny!
Thanks for this wonderful resource Joe! I’ve been using your God’s Library book (Yes, that one from 1999!) as a personal reference and for the last 3 years for my RE classes. I will be using this with my confirmation class this weekend. I also teach 3rd level in another parish (mix of 3rd & 4th graders) and I wonder if this will be appropriate or too complicated for them. I’m considering giving the younger ones more time if that would be the only constraint in using this with them. What do you think? Peace and all good!
Thanks for your comments, Gemma! So glad you’ve gotten so much mileage out of God’s Library! Be sure to look at my book, The Bible Blueprint (Loyola Press) which is basically God’s Library on steroids! As for using the learning stations with 3rd & 4th graders, I would think that would be a bit of a stretch. A simplified version would serve them better I would think. Let me know what you decide to do.
Hi, we in our Parish (in Durban South Africa) use Lectionary based Catechisis and our year runs from Jan – Dec so unlike you who have just started a new year we are nearing the end. I would like to use this as an opening for the new year. Cant wait to do it and see the reaction of our youngsters (ps I am going to use it across the board – Grade 5 – 10)
Nola, how exciting to hear that! I wish you well with the Learning Stations and look forward to hearing how things turn out!
This is an amazing idea. Can’t thank you enough for sharing.