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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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). […]
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 […]
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 […]
Welcome to the first segment of Catechists in Action as we watch fifth-grade catechist Nick Yonto prepare for and teach his lesson. In this segment, watch for the following things: Nick arrives 30 minutes before his class begins. Like most catechists, he has had a very busy day, working his full-time job, commuting over an hour to get home, and grabbing a quick bite to eat before flying out the door to get to the […]
We’re finally ready to show you the video of my visit to Nick’s 5th grade class! Here’ s a little tease and tomorrow, I’ll begin posting segments and commenting on them and inviting you to share your thoughts and experiences.
Last night, I attended 5th grade catechist Nick Yonto’s religious education session at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Cary, IL. This was the first installment of my new feature, Catechists in Action, in which I will be visiting and videotaping catechists in the Chicago area, and posting about the experience here on my blog. I thoroughly enjoyed Nick’s class last evening and am working with my colleagues here at Loyola Press to ready the […]
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