Last evening’s session went exceptionally well and thank goodness, because parents of 7 of my 13 kids showed up for the open house!
It was a great pleasure to meet so many of the parents and to have the kids do such a wonderful job of showing them what they learned! They did so by first reviewing the Exodus/Passover story – putting in chronological order the pictures portraying scenes from the Exodus/Passover experience ( Exodus/Passover Review exercise ). It was great to see the kids coming forward one at a time and dragging the dropping the pics into the correct boxes and describing the action taking place. By the way, this was not a smart board we were using…just my laptop and an LCD projector and a white foam board taped to the wall!
The kids then also described the connection between the Exodus/Passover story and the Sacraments of Initiation (chart comparing the Exodus/Passover experience to the Sacraments of Initiation). The parents were proud of their kids and the kids enjoyed showing their parents how much they had learned.
I’m grateful to the kids for doing so well, to the parents for showing up, and to the Holy Spirit for inspiring all of us!
Wow! 7 out of 13 is pretty darn good these days. What grade is this particular class?
Also, would you expand on the use of the LCD projector with your laptop? How does that work? Any tips or advice on brands or shopping for one? I’d love to bring technology into the classroom!
Hi Debb. Yes, I was thrilled to have 7 of 13! I teach 6th grade.
You can use any PC or Mac to connect to any LCD projector to show Powerpoints, Word documents, videos, etc. I purchased my own Epson LCD projector a few years ago since I do so many presentations but that is costly for the average catechist. Most parishes/schools have one or more LCDs so all you need to do is connect your laptop. Check with your parish to see what equipment they have that you can connect to. Give it a try…it’s worth it.
Hi! I am in my third year teaching 7th and 8th graders. I purchased this:
ViewSonic PJD5123 SVGA Portable Projector – 3D Ready
for about $350 last summer to use with my Dell PC. Yes, it was a lot of money but I felt it was an investment I needed to make since my parish did not have one I could use. There are some really good, short (and free!) Catholic videos that really catch the attention of the students. I wouldn’t survive without it! I also ended up purchasing speakers too since this projector does not amplify sound. I look like I’m moving in when I go to class each week.
The projector is an excellent tool, but the Catechist’s Journey was my lifeline for the first year! I’m a little more independent now, but thank for sharing such detailed information about your weekly lessons. I think I’ve read every post on your blog and I would have been frustrated and probably given up by now without it! I’ve also purchased most of your books and I get great information from them too.
Kathy, thanks so much for the kind words and for sharing your information. May I ask what software you use to download videos?
I use “YTD Video Downloader” to get the video from You Tube to my computer, then “VLC Media Player” to play the video since I do not have internet access at my class.
Readers might be interested in the video catechism that the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is sponsoring: http://www.vcat.org/.
Thanks Joe and Kathy for the projector info. I arranged a meeting with my DRE tomorrow afternoon to see if his projector will work with my old laptop and if so, to learn how to use it. Kathy, I couldn’t agree with you more on the excellent short video clips available on the web. And I especially laughed out loud when you said you look like you’re moving into the classroom — I totally relate to that! Peace.
A very generous parishioner who is a catechist donated a projector to the Youth Ministry office several years ago. Now, any catechist who needs to use one can borrow it. Even the Scout Chaplain has used it. I have it for every retreat, parent/youth mtg & every Large group Confirmation session and don’t know what I’d do without it!
Recently, I published an ad in our parish bulletin letting everyone know what was needed and monetary gifts came pouring in. I learned people want to give, and especially want to give when they know of a specific need. Perhaps sharing the desire for technology in order to meet young people where they are will have similar results.
Kellie, thanks for sharing. I love the idea of publishing a “wish list” in the parish bulletin. I agree that people appreciate giving when the need is specified.