Page 4 - 30 Creative Classroom Crafts, Lessons & Prayers

Notes for catechists
“back to school” has become a season of its own with ads, commercials, and school supplies in almost every store. as catechists, this is not a buying time so much as a time to shore up our own faith as we prepare to share it with children. in this beginning of the year activity you can introduce those you teach to some of the sacramentals (signs of God) that give meaning to our catholic faith and celebrate its traditions.
Beginning of the year
A great way to start!
MAtERiALS nEEDED
small prayer table Table cloth
in CLASS
A Place the already- lled du e bag or backpack in the center of the table. begin emptying it, rst with the everyday school materials.
A as you take each item out, say a brief prayer over it, for example:
“help us to use our notebooks well, Jesus, as we begin a new school year.”
A next, remove the items associated with our catholic faith, saying
a brief blessing over each. For example:
“May this cruci x remind us of Jesus’ love.”
“Let this Bible guide us as we study our faith.”
A allow children to look
at the religious items,
and ask where they
have seen them and if
they understand how to use them. explain why these and other catholic symbols are such important reminders of our beliefs.
Backpack or du e bag containing the following: notebook, crayons, markers, cruci x, bible, religion textbook, rosary, battery- operated candle, cutouts
of bread and wine
PREPARAtion
choose a spot in your teaching space for your class prayer table, and put the cloth
over it. Make sure that it’s visible to all the children.
2. Goal Setting and Kite-Making
4
Sample-do not duplicate