Brand new PSR teacher needs advise

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I volunteered to help teach PSR this year. But instead of “assisting”, I’m the lead teacher in a Sacramental Prep class. :eek:

I’m not sure if that terminology is used everywhere, but this is the class for kids who are older and have never had any education about the Catholic faith. I think of it as RCIA for kids. Right now I have one 6th grader who has been attending Mass with her grandma for the last year more or less regularly. But I anticipate picking up a few more students over the next month or so.

All of the other age groups have a book, workbook and curriculum but I don’t. the person who is in charge of PSR hasn’t found materials that she likes.

But this has left me floundering!! I have no children of my own and don’t have a good idea of what’s too advanced / what’s too childish for this age group. Does anyone know of a good book or course???

thanks!!
 
michelleds said:
I volunteered to help teach PSR this year. But instead of “assisting”, I’m the lead teacher in a Sacramental Prep class. :eek:

I’m not sure if that terminology is used everywhere, but this is the class for kids who are older and have never had any education about the Catholic faith. I think of it as RCIA for kids. Right now I have one 6th grader who has been attending Mass with her grandma for the last year more or less regularly. But I anticipate picking up a few more students over the next month or so.

All of the other age groups have a book, workbook and curriculum but I don’t. the person who is in charge of PSR hasn’t found materials that she likes.

But this has left me floundering!! I have no children of my own and don’t have a good idea of what’s too advanced / what’s too childish for this age group. Does anyone know of a good book or course???

thanks!!
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PSR is Parish School of Religion?

If this is sacramental prep does that mean these are older kids who will be baptized and/or need to make First Reconciliation and First Communion?

I don’t have any specific answers for you but you might check with your RCIA team to see what they use for inquiry classes. You might be able to model some of your material on that. I would also look at the first and second grade materials because your students will at least need to know that material even if they are ready for more advanced studies.
 
Odd that the coordinator would not have picked a curriculum yet.

I can suggest the RCIA/sacrament prep materials available at www.comcenter.com

Click on Sacraments and RCIA and under that category is RCIA for children and catch up catechesis.

This Is Our Faith from RCL Benziger is a good program for Jr High.

You can begin with learning short prayers, and doing the “story of salvation” - which is to read and discuss the major bible stories and time periods:

Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses & Exodus, Judges, David & Goliath, Kingdom, Exile, Prophets, Jesus

Perhaps use the children’s bible to read the stories.
 
You might contact your Archdiocese. They should have a list of approved curricula for your children. They may also have this posted on their website. You may be able to talk other churches in your area into sharing materials so that yo ucan begin your preparation.
Oftentimes, an Archdioces will offer adult educatio opportunities that can also help you to better prepare for your work. Can you reach out to your priest for mentoring as you begin teaching?
May God bless you and your good work. Amen.
 
1ke said:
Odd that the coordinator would not have picked a curriculum yet.

I can suggest the RCIA/sacrament prep materials available at www.comcenter.com

Click on Sacraments and RCIA and under that category is RCIA for children and catch up catechesis.

This Is Our Faith from RCL Benziger is a good program for Jr High.

You can begin with learning short prayers, and doing the “story of salvation” - which is to read and discuss the major bible stories and time periods:

Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses & Exodus, Judges, David & Goliath, Kingdom, Exile, Prophets, Jesus

Perhaps use the children’s bible to read the stories.
Click to expand...
That’s a great site, 1ke! I had never come across it before. Thanks! 👍

The materials under the "RCIA for children and teens" tab are pretty much the main resources I could think of. I’m looking forward to the day when ACM produces their materials for this age group. I’m confident it will be good. 🙂
 
I taught RCIA kids for a couple of years before I moved here and I really miss it! It is super fun to see kids go from little to no knowledge to receiving sacraments.

We used Journey of Faith from Liguori and I liked them for the most part. There were a few things that didn’t make sense, like mentioning their own baptism when if they are RCIA, they haven’t been baptized. They are also pretty brief and the leaders guide wasn’t much use. For me, that was fine, I really like being able to add my own touch, but for others that may make it difficult. I do think it covered the basic topics very well and they are arranged around the various RCIA periods, so that is excellent.

I tend to be very interactive, so we did a lot of games, crafts, talking about things which I think helps make it more interesting and helps things stick a little better. I also gave homework each week, usually some sort of puzzle type worksheet and had a Saint of the week to go with each lesson. If you are interested, you are welcome to any of the worksheets and activities I’ve made, just let me know. And feel free to ask anything else, I had it all pretty well organized after a couple of years, and like I said, I miss it a lot! 😃
 
My wife and I started the RCIA for children process in our parish 16 years ago, and it’s still going strong! We’ve been blessed to work with 46 children and young adults. We’ve always used lectionary-based material - in one academic year, you can do all the sacraments, Church history, morality, etc., FROM THE LECTIONARY! Our basic text is “Living the Good News” from Morehouse Publishing. Each candidate/catechumen receives a missalette at our first session(NOT class), and their homework is the readings for the next week. They learn how to use the Bible, and receive their own Bibles at the Rite of Welcome. I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you. Be prepared for one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
 
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