CCD - Teaching 2nd grade

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Hi everyone…

I’m writing because I would love your help. This year, I am teaching 2nd grade CCD, and I see this as the most important year because it is First Holy Communion Year and First Penance. Unfortunately, I do not have access to my teacher’s book until right before the first class. I’m wondering if anyone has taught second grade CCD before, and if so, do you have any creative ideas to keep the kids interested.

I would really appreciate any help and advice.

Thanks so much, and God Bless!
 
go to the publishers website to see the catechist manual and student book, for lesson planning helps and other resources, you may have to ask DRE if you have a parish password

you should be able to get the manual beforehand, please call and ask, my only hangups are when the old catechist fails to bring the manual in. however if they have recently ordered textbooks and manuals, you may have to wait

spend the time doing your own study, and specifically praying with, the relevant scripture and CCC sections

my suggestion is lectio divina–prayerful reading–of the CCC sections on the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, one numbered section at a time. when the footnotes refer to a scripture verse, read that as well.
 
The first class is introductory – share your enthusiasm about the faith, about them, about the Mass. Encourage the children to talk about what they know about Jesus, about Mass, about the sacraments they’re going to prepare for. See what prayers they already know, and recite them together. Help them leaf through the textbook, even if you’re not yet very familiar with it. Bring a box of paperclips to class with you – from the very first class, give a very easy homework assignment – if it’s to read from part of the textbook during the week, have them put a paperclip on that page (or paperclip a small colored memo about the assignment onto the page).

One suggestion – see if your parish can provide you with missalettes for your students (one each), that you bring with you to class during the year. This way you can help the students become more comfortable using them during Mass – becoming familiar with Mass one small section at a time.
 
The first class is introductory – share your enthusiasm about the faith, about them, about the Mass. Encourage the children to talk about what they know about Jesus, about Mass, about the sacraments they’re going to prepare for. See what prayers they already know, and recite them together. Help them leaf through the textbook, even if you’re not yet very familiar with it. Bring a box of paperclips to class with you – from the very first class, give a very easy homework assignment – if it’s to read from part of the textbook during the week, have them put a paperclip on that page (or paperclip a small colored memo about the assignment onto the page).

One suggestion – see if your parish can provide you with missalettes for your students (one each), that you bring with you to class during the year. This way you can help the students become more comfortable using them during Mass – becoming familiar with Mass one small section at a time.
 
The first class is introductory – share your enthusiasm about the faith, about them, about the Mass. Encourage the children to talk about what they know about Jesus, about Mass, about the sacraments they’re going to prepare for. See what prayers they already know, and recite them together. Help them leaf through the textbook, even if you’re not yet very familiar with it. Bring a box of paperclips to class with you – from the very first class, give a very easy homework assignment – if it’s to color on or read from part of the textbook during the week, have them put a paperclip on that page (or paperclip a small colored memo about the assignment onto the page).

One suggestion – see if your parish can provide you with missalettes for your students (one each), that you bring with you to class during the year. This way you can help the students become more comfortable using them during Mass – becoming familiar with Mass one small section at a time.
 
I would like to comment and pose a question as well. We use Sadlier work books in all our grade and the process to ensure long term memory is indeed diverse and a joy to behold as you witness their growth, but I miss the old tried and true Q&A
Which brings me to my question. I am building a site specifically for CCE in our parish.
stmarycce.com
Am looking for those specific Q&A for 2nd grade we used “way back when” as I want to take a very basic approach on the web. If you think me strange go to the site, look at CK and imagine a child’s voice on an audio doing the question and answers. Good bless all
 
You can see from my title that I have been where you are. You are quite right about the value of the old question and answer method. God made human children able to memorize easily. They are very concrete thinkers. The ability to reason abstractly starts at about age 12. We need to give them some facts to work on by the time they get there (And they will work on them for the rest of there lives.).

You only have the darlings for 20 to 30 hours PER YEAR. You have to make the time count.

You might find these books (and others by the same authors)helpful:

My First Catechism by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasil, S.V.D. published by Catholic Book Publishing CORP ISBN 978-0-89942-382-1

The Holy Trinity by Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. published by Catholic Book Publishing CORP. ISBN 978-0-89942-516-0
 
Hello,
I am also teaching 2nd grade CCD this year for the first time. It is not my first time helping prepare a young Catholic to receive their 1st Communion though. I have started to put together an overall goal plan. I too, do not have access to the curriculum book, however that won’t change the core truths the church teaches.

I have started by listing the absolute necessary items:
One God
Trinity
Sacrements
Commandments
Prayers

Then I started thinking of fun ways to learn these things.
I think I will be ready by the time my RED opens the doors of the book room. I found some fun music and some craft ideas online too. Our saints have good ideas about teaching the truths of the church. For example, St.Patrick used a clover to teach the Trinity!

Hope your year is a good one.

In Him, Lisa
 
I almost started a thread and found this. I’m in the same position. I love it because I will teach children how to receive Jesus! I will teach them all postures the Church allows (standing, kneeling, COTT, CITH) also tell them to make reverence when standing (bow or genuflect. I do plan to make the First Communion as kneeling and on the tongue. We have movable kneelers in the parish so I plan to use them, I will not make the children kneel on the floor.

Anyway, my problem is on how to relate with 8 year olds. I’m pretty sure I can’t approach them at the same level I converse here on this forum. I want them to learn.
 
ConstantineTG said:
I almost started a thread and found this. I’m in the same position. I love it because I will teach children how to receive Jesus! I will teach them all postures the Church allows (standing, kneeling, COTT, CITH) also tell them to make reverence when standing (bow or genuflect. I do plan to make the First Communion as kneeling and on the tongue. We have movable kneelers in the parish so I plan to use them, I will not make the children kneel on the floor.

Anyway, my problem is on how to relate with 8 year olds. I’m pretty sure I can’t approach them at the same level I converse here on this forum. I want them to learn.
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you must work with the pastor on preparing the children as he directs
you don’t make plans when it comes to liturgy, the pastor does that
 
puzzleannie said:
you must work with the pastor on preparing the children as he directs
you don’t make plans when it comes to liturgy, the pastor does that
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Of course. I mean that is my plan on how I will propose it. Its up to him to approve it or not. I will point out that the RC Cathedral has altar rails and that the children should know how to use them 😉
 
this is absolutely my favorite age to teach, a great way to get started if you are a new catechist. This year you can learn how much you don’t know.
 
puzzleannie said:
this is absolutely my favorite age to teach, a great way to get started if you are a new catechist. This year you can learn how much you don’t know.
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I’ve already taught highschool. Even then I tend to be a bit more advanced. But they can handle it. How do I explain transubstantiation to 8-year olds 😛
 
I have taught CCD for 10 years, but always 5th or 8th grade, where “reason and logic” have a fertile field for planting. Second grade is perhaps, in my opinion, the most challenging of all the grades due to the depth of the subject matter “transubstantiation” while at the same time, very limited reason and logic to grasp such a huge concept.

How do you begin to have 2nd graders grasp that a substance can be, and feel and taste like “A”, but in reality be “B” ?"

The only “physical” example that I keep arriving at that may allow a 2nd grader to grasp at is the Kiwi fruit, which looks like a round green fruit, but tastes like banana or strawberry to different people. How can GOD get a banana and strawberry flavor in a round green fruit that is not a banana or a strawberry?

Only GOD knows, and only GOD knows how HE can get HIS SON into a small host, that looks, tastes and feels like bread, but is in fact HIS SON.

From an adult point of view - weak - but from a child’s “maybe”?

Good luck and my prayers will be with you.
 
ConstantineTG said:
I’ve already taught highschool. Even then I tend to be a bit more advanced. But they can handle it. How do I explain transubstantiation to 8-year olds 😛
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I never underrstood transubstantiotion; I just Know/Feel The Real Presence. I don’t worry about it. Simple Traching is most effective imo.
 
Maryalice Beach is a wonderful elementary teacher and program developer for Growing with the Saints, Inc. which develop alternatives to the Protestant based Vacation Bible School (VBS)programs with Catholic companion materials being offered in our Catholic parishes. She enjoys taking her materials back into the classroom to go beyond the textbook with FUN, interactive, hands-on materials to get her children excited about our faith and the truths. You may want to check out Growing with the Saints totally Catholic Kidz Camps because many teachers and catechists enjoy doing the same with the lessons, activities, crafts, skits, music, etc… They teach the Bible from the Catholic perspective to include Tradition, Sacraments, adventurous saint materials, etc… they are introducing their NEW Vatican Express, Don’t Miss the Bus for 2012 which will also include a Children’s Eucharistic Adoration. This is one BUS you will not want to miss! Visit: www.growingwiththesaints.com
 
ConstantineTG said:
I’ve already taught highschool. Even then I tend to be a bit more advanced. But they can handle it. How do I explain transubstantiation to 8-year olds 😛
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You won’t have to - they’ll explain it to you. A child’s mind is wonderful - they “get” it much more quickly than adults do.

I don’t know what happens between the age of 8 and high school, but somewhere along the way, we forget everything we ever knew about God, and we have to be re-taught - and it’s so much harder the second time around.
 
jmcrae said:
You won’t have to - they’ll explain it to you. A child’s mind is wonderful - they “get” it much more quickly than adults do.

I don’t know what happens between the age of 8 and high school, but somewhere along the way, we forget everything we ever knew about God, and we have to be re-taught - and it’s so much harder the second time around.
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truer words were never spake
if you want to learn your faith more deeply, teach 2nd graders
if you want to come out wondering if the Baptists or Buddhists will accept you, teach 9th graders
srlsy if you are in a faith rut and have been a catechist for younger children for a few years and feel in need of a jump start yourself, you cannot do better than to jump into Jr Hi or HS. You will need to add some new catechetical tools, such as Pepcid AC, and a device that scramble cell phones, but you can do this.
 
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