9th grade ccd advice

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I am trying to find a fun way to teach 9th grade ccd any ideas? topics? anything can help!
 
I taught the 4th grade the past few years but will teach 8th grade this year. We, me and my partner, will probably take some things we did with the 4th grade and do them with the 8th grade. Almost every class especially if we had extra time, at the end, we did a trivia game with a religious theme, going over some of the things we talked about. We break the class into 2 groups and do a sort of question and answer trivia.

I’ll be looking for ideas too! 👍
 
Does your parish or diocese have any curriculum guidelines? Generally, the responsibility does not fall to the individual catechist to have to come up with topics on their own.

There are lots of good materials out there. I’ve been hearing more and more good things about YDisciple. You might look into what they offer.
 
Freshman are a joy I hope that you will see what I mean after your first few classes. Over the years I taught high school there were several activities that were always enjoyed that could easily be used in CCD. Jeopardy is a favorite and if you ask them to help you design the game you will keep them busy too. Working in groups is also a way to engage them just be sure you compose the groups. Depending on your curriculum a group activity could be to make a poster on the subject, plan a skit to show to the younger kids, etc. let them take a turn in teaching the material for the day, they do great with this. Hope you have a great time, I will pray for you.
 
I would use the games sparingly and only as an ice breaker. No gimmicks of you can help it. that’s not to say you can’t have fun. But you don’t have a lot of time. You never know when a kid will drop out, or parents will decide that something else is more important.
You have a unique and small window to influence them on topics of morality, just actions, service to the poor and hungry, thankfulness, and the mercy of God.
Focus on their relationship with God. Make sure they know how to pray. Sounds silly? You’d be amazed at what teens believe about God. By this age, popular media has permeated their thoughts, coloring what they believe God’s will for us actually is.
Don’t be afraid to tackle topics like the sanctity of life, the plight of the poor, the persecutions of Christians, and their duty to use their education wisely, to form strong Christian consciences, and to choose good peers.
Talk to them frankly. It’s been my experience that teens will react favorably to your teaching the truths of the church if they absolutely know 2 things:
  1. that you will always tell them the truth. You won’t sugar coat anything, and you don’t believe that they are too silly or young to comprehend Christ’s village.
  2. That you truly care about them and their welfare, that you can be trusted, and that you pray for them.
Speak with your DRE and get a copy of the curriculum for age-appropriate ways to discuss all this, and don’t forget to daily ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
As a DRE myself, I want to personally thank you for taking up this task. It’s crucial to our children, our Church, and our country that they be well formed. God bless you for stepping up. So few do.
pianist
 
MRM_6 said:
I am trying to find a fun way to teach 9th grade ccd any ideas? topics? anything can help!
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Try Symbolon. symbolonrcia.org/

Also, I HIGHLY recommend listing to Catholic Answers Live recordings when Tim Staples, Patrick Madrid, and Jimmy Akin are on. Also, listen to the recording of Catholic Answers Live with Archbishop Sample, especially the two hours from today 9/5/2014.

Finally, the Catholicism series with Father Barron: wordonfire.org/resources/dvd/catholicism-series-dvd-set-ntsc/1036/

Good luck and may God Bless you for everything you do.
 
I don’t know if this answers your questions about activities, but in our Parish the children are Confirmed in the 8th grade so the 9th graders should be bathing in the Holy Spirit :-). In my opinion that 1 to 1 relationship with Jesus is the most important thing to cultivate because once that’s established everything else will follow. I really like the book “Jesus Shock” by Peter Kreeft. Catholic culture and Western culture are now so far apart the children need to see that their lives should be radically different.
 
MRM_6 said:
I am trying to find a fun way to teach 9th grade ccd any ideas? topics? anything can help!
Click to expand...
What sort of direction have you received from the person in charge of religious education? What book does your parish use?

Please make sure whatever you do is in conformity with the diocesan religious education guidelines, and that materials you use are on their approved material list.
 
I’ve been teaching 6th-grade catechism for about 11 years. No textbooks, I use the Bible and a Missalette. I’ve presented some of the content to highschoolers and adults, so age isn’t that big a deal. We have no games or movies or parties, yet the kids love it. I treat them as near to being adults as they can manage. I expect a lot, and they deliver, and are proud of themselves for doing so.

I rate personal Catholic witness above any particular content.

Don’t tell them anything you don’t believe and can explain.

Don’t baby them.

Don’t think they need to be entertained.
 
phil19034 said:
Try Symbolon. symbolonrcia.org/

Also, I HIGHLY recommend listing to Catholic Answers Live recordings when Tim Staples, Patrick Madrid, and Jimmy Akin are on. Also, listen to the recording of Catholic Answers Live with Archbishop Sample, especially the two hours from today 9/5/2014.

Finally, the Catholicism series with Father Barron: wordonfire.org/resources/dvd/catholicism-series-dvd-set-ntsc/1036/

Good luck and may God Bless you for everything you do.
Click to expand...
For ninth grade, I’d probably go with Chosen over Symbolon or Catholicism. The latter two are geared more towards adults.
 
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cgormsen:
Just started a 9th grade youth program for my church. Have 7 ninth graders so far.

St Rita Youth 9 is separate from CCD even though we meet the same night. I plan to
include activities such as Christian concerts, game nights, etc in addition to a program called Theology of the Body for Teens/Middle School Level. So far so good.

God bless!
Christine
 
When I was in ninth grade, I had a religion teacher who I pretty much adored. Why? He taught us the truth- not watered down or made easy for those poor stupid teenagers, but rather the beautiful and complex truths of our faith just as they were.

Teenagers are smarter than people give them credit for. Whatever you do, don’t water anything down. We need to hear things they way they are.

Also, take the time to have deep, sincere conversations with the students about where they are in their faith life. Make it clear that you expect them to answer honestly, and not just with what they think you want to hear. Be open about your own life, and they will be open with you.
 
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