Catechists in Action Archives - Page 6 of 7

Catechists In Action #3 – Dan Talks About Advent/Christmas Preparations and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we watch as 7th grade catechist Dan Ward talks with his students about preparing for Christmas and the coming of Christ and about preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the following week. Watch for the following as Dan: multi-tasks: teaching while also distributing materials pauses and shushes students when they get innattentive gives the students a writing activity to do but creates a sense of urgency by […]

Catechists in Action – Dan Ward Leads His Class in Prayer

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, we see 7th grade catechist Dan Ward leading his class in a brief opening prayer. Watch for the following: Me settling my camera down! 🙂 Dan gently inquiring with one of his students about a special prayer intention. What I’ve been referring to as Dan’s “coach approach” – he talks to the kids as though he’s preparing them to “get into the game.” Dan expounds a bit on […]

Catechists In Action – Meet Dan Ward!

Joe Paprocki

It’s time to get back to our Catechists in Action series where we get to be a fly on the wall, observing everyday catechists performing their ministry. I’d like you to meet Dan Ward, a 7th grade catechist at Most Holy Redeemer parish in Evergreen Park, IL. Dan is a high school teacher and coach in the Chicago Public School system. I’ve been talking recently about the image of the catechist as coach and Dan personifies […]

Catechists in Action – Nick Yonto Reflects on His Experience

Joe Paprocki

Here are some thoughts from 5th grade catechist Nick Yonto as he reflects back on his experience of being featured on Catechists in Action. Thanks Nick! When Joe first approached me about filming my RE class I wasn’t sure if I was ready to open myself up to any criticism or critique. While I have been trained as a teacher it has been several years since I was last in a classroom in front of […]

Catechists in Action – Nick Reviews His Lesson

Joe Paprocki

We’ve arrived at the end of 5th grade catechist Nick Yonto’s session – the last episode of our “Nick Yonto Series!” For a special treat, Nick will be a guest blogger next week, sharing his thoughts on what it was like for him to watch himself in action and what he learned from it. In this segment, watch for how Nick… cleans up and puts the room back in order confers with his aide about […]

Catechists in Action: Nick Concludes His Lesson

Joe Paprocki

In this segment of Catechists in Action, fifth-grade catechist Nick Yonto wraps up his lesson on the Eucharist. Watch for the following as Nick: invites the children to remember the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and prods them to re-construct the story. emphasizes how Jesus is recognized in the breaking of the bread and links the discussion to the BIG IDEA of his class: Eucharist. invites the children imagine they […]

Catechists in Action – Nick Teaches His Lesson, Part 3

Joe Paprocki

In our last episode (I love saying that!), 5th grade catechist Nick projected an image of the Last Supper and then had the kids draw their own image. In this segment, watch for the following: Nick describes his own drawing and uses some self-deprecating humor designed to put those who are not good drawers at ease. Nick invites the children to share their drawings if they wish and to describe what they emphasized. Unfortunately, most […]

Catechists in Action – Nick Teaches the Lesson

Joe Paprocki

We’ve been watching 5th grade catechist Nick Yonto as he did preparations for his lesson and then gathered the children for prayer. Now, watch as Nick jumps into his lesson which is on the Eucharist as: memorial, meal, and sacrifice. Watch for how Nick… begins with an engaging question, asking the kids to think of ways in their own lives that they try to remember things (setting the stage for talking about Eucharist as memorial). […]

Catechists in Action – Nick Begins Class with Prayer

Joe Paprocki

As we continue viewing 5th grade catechist Nick Yonto’s session, we now reach the point where class is formally beginning with prayer. Watch for the following: Nick’s aide arrives with the prayer cloth and they re-arrange the prayer table. The children gather around the prayer table for announcements and prayer (remember, I’m not showing children’s faces in order to protect their privacy) The prayer is led over the PA…the children’s responsorial response is printed on […]

Catechists in Action – Nick Greets His Students

Joe Paprocki

Here’s another brief clip of my visit to catechist Nick Yonto’s 5th grade class that shows him continuing his preparations as the students arrive. Watch as Nick: fills the board with prayer responses, definitions, and directions that he will refer to throughout the session spends a few moments preparing the computer and video screen to show an image of the Last Supper about half way through the class. interacts with students as they arrive, drawing […]