After what seemed like an endless string of interruptions (days off, practices for Seder Meal, Lenten and Holy Week prayer services, etc.) in our regular teaching schedule, I finally get to teach a lesson this coming Monday! With only 3 classes left for teaching, I am going to do one more session on the Bible this Monday before sending their Bibles home with them. Here’s my plan:
Newsworthy
Prayer Intentions
One of the things that I plan to do with my students this year is, as soon as they enter the room, to sit down and write down their prayer intention for that day/week. I will encourage them to either give thanks for something or to pray for someone in need or for a need of their own. Of course you can just have them write them down on a piece of scrap paper but […]
Scripture
Catechists Hungry for Knowledge of Scripture: A Look Back at Our Poll
Recently, we conducted one of our informal polls to get a peek into the minds and hearts of catechists. In this particular poll, we asked: Which area of Catholic teaching do you most need to grow in understanding? With 51% of the vote (as of 9/6/19), Scripture, by far, is the area in which catechists most feel a need to grow in their understanding. This is not surprising. While we Catholics have made great advances […]
Intermediate Grades
Prophets Rock!
We had a wonderful time last night learning about the Old Testament Prophets! Three of my most rambunctious students were absent last night and while I was disappointed they missed the experience, it certainly made for a very calm evening! After welcoming the young people back from the holidays, we did a little review about the Ark of the Covenant and I showed them how I placed many of their prayer symbols in our own […]
“Using the footnotes, invite volunteers to explain what gopherwood is and what a cubit is.” I like that.
Christian, you’re a sucker for that biblical minutiae!
I’m also fired-up about the idea of having the kids get comfortable with looking at the footnotes. I suspect that most readers skip them, but they often provide such valuable commentary, cross references, etc. Good to start them early.
One girl figured out the footnote “technique” very quickly and excitedly described it to the rest of the class, showing them where to find out the definitions of cubit and gopherwood!
Hi Joe,
Wait…what? Practicing for a Seder Meal? I thought you weren’t doing that out of respect for our Jewish brothers and sisters. Did I miss a post?
God bless,
Connie
Hi Connie…it’s out of my control. The parish program does the Seder meal each year with the 6th graders and I just happen to teach 6th grade this year so my students were required to go to practice and then to perform the Seder Meal. Out of respect for my DRE, I kept mum on the subject although I have spoken out about it previously on my blog in general terms. I make a habit of not criticizing on my blog what my DRE does…that would be unfair to her and I admire greatly the work she does. I continue to hold to the notion that such a re-enactment is not the best way to learn about the Seder and that it is not respectful to our Jewish brothers and sisters. I was very uncomfortable watching the kids perform this with occasional giggles and smirks while going through the motions of a ritual that is sacred to the Jewish people. I would much rather have a guest speaker from the Jewish community come in and take us through the ritual.
Hi Joe,
Oh, I’m so sorry to shine more light on what was undoubtedly a difficult position for you to be in. But you are a great example of how to be respectful of Church authority even when one disagrees. Your handling of this situation is a true catechetical lesson–on how to humbly, respectfully disagree with others without publicly condemning or criticizing. Thank you and God bless you!
No problem…thanks for “keeping me honest!” Thanks also for your kind words.