Faith First Catechism Program

[paramedicgirl]

Is anyone familiar with the Faith First Catechism program? Our parish has just announced it is switching from Faith in Life to Faith First. Since I was the only Catechism teacher who committed to teaching this year, we are trying this new program as a home schooling tool.

I’m wondering if Faith First actually teaches the faith or is just a feel good version of Catholicism. I did an internet search and wasn’t able to get inside any of the books to see what they contain. Google actually brought up very little on Faith First.

 

[YinYangMom]

paramedicgirl:

Is anyone familiar with the Faith First Catechism program? Our parish has just announced it is switching from Faith in Life to Faith First. Since I was the only Catechism teacher who committed to teaching this year, we are trying this new program as a home schooling tool.

I’m wondering if Faith First actually teaches the faith or is just a feel good version of Catholicism. I did an internet search and wasn’t able to get inside any of the books to see what they contain. Google actually brought up very little on Faith First.

Our parish has been using it for several years…
visit the website at FaithFirst.com, to see the interactive components available to catechists and parents.

I have my 8th graders use the interactive chapter reviews because it forces them to do the entire review over and over until they get all the questions right.

I like the way the book is laid out and written.
I regret we do not have enough time to use it properly (1.5 hours per week).

For homeschooling, though, you’d have the time and you’d get a rather well rounded education, imo.

 

[paramedicgirl]

Thanks for the website, YinYangMom. I checked it out and did the quiz. In your experience, does this program adequately teach all the truths and traditions of the Catholic faith?

 

[YinYangMom]

paramedicgirl:

Thanks for the website, YinYangMom. I checked it out and did the quiz. In your experience, does this program adequately teach all the truths and traditions of the Catholic faith?

Well this is the first time I’ve taught it.
I’ve read through the 8th grade text book and it looks true to the magesterium.
I’ve got Liturgy and Morality, so that’s a biggie, and so far I like the exercises and the direction of the questions being raised for moral matters.
Did you see you can request a preview packet or something like that?

Also, didn’t you mention that your parish has already selected this for their curriculum? If so, they should have a full set of text books at the office. You have every right to request an appointment to come in to preview the materials before deciding whether or not to have your children participate in their program…even from a home-school avenue.

Our DRE ordered the teacher’s book when I opted out of the classroom program for my kids in order to cover the materials myself at home with them. They didn’t like sitting in a room of 10 other kids who were only there because their parents made them go. I used it in the beginning, but not all the way through…mostly because it’s just too ‘busy’ of a book for the frame of mind I was in at the time. But I still used it as a guide for what my kids would need to know by 9th grade so that when they signed up for Youth Group (and confirmation prep) they’d be on board or ahead of the game.

So now I’m a teacher with 7 out of 10 kids who are only there because their parents make them. Too bad for them, because I’m stubborn and these kids are going to learn some specifics about their faith, like it or not, and God willing, I will have reached at least 2 of them to get their hearts and minds open to feeling the Spirit move within them.

 

[TheRam]

oooh, i did not know that there were programs to teach caticism…how do i aproach my new Priest for the idea to be introduced…he is willing, but lacks volunteers.

For instance, title of programe, where to get it, how it can be used as a tool for adults to learn, and then take this home to spread in our homes.

Just (excited) a thought!

PS, Hi again YinYangMom!!!, been awhile!

 

[paramedicgirl]

TheRam:

oooh, i did not know that there were programs to teach caticism…how do i aproach my new Priest for the idea to be introduced…he is willing, but lacks volunteers.

For instance, title of programe, where to get it, how it can be used as a tool for adults to learn, and then take this home to spread in our homes.

Just (excited) a thought!

PS, Hi again YinYangMom!!!, been awhile!

In our parish a volunteer is never turned away! Just approach your priest and let him know you would like to teach and he willl tell you what it entails.

The bishop of the diocese selects the catechism program to be used for the whole doicese. Parents can, however, make special requests, as they did in our town, when they felt the program was not Catholic enough. (Born in the Spirit). Our bishop approved Faith in Life for our use, which is a very good, program that really teaches the faith.

Good luck with teaching and God bless you for stepping forward!
:clapping:

 

[YinYangMom]

TheRam:

PS, Hi again YinYangMom!!!, been awhile!

Back at ya! I’ve been around, but apparently in different threads than you. Nice bumpin’ into you here, though.

 

[kage_ar]

Our CCD moved from Faith First to Faith and Life this year. For 5th grade - Faith First was more “fluffy” and fun- Faith and Life is more meat.

What the kids get out of it - that is up to the teacher

 

[TheRam]

kage_ar:

Our CCD moved from Faith First to Faith and Life this year. For 5th grade - Faith First was more “fluffy” and fun- Faith and Life is more meat.

What the kids get out of it - that is up to the teacher

I know you guys are used to the terminology…but posters like me are lost. Can you use terms that i can understand, as my interest is high.

Thank you

 

[YinYangMom]

TheRam:

I know you guys are used to the terminology…but posters like me are lost. Can you use terms that i can understand, as my interest is high.

Thank you

Faith First is one curriculum program…

Faith and LIfe is another curriculum program…

“fluffy” - I would take to mean teaching church teachings is a warm and fuzzy way, not clear and to the point, but almost too fuzzy to really do a good job driving the point home (I suspect this is what could lead to misinterpretations of a particular teaching - not just by the student but by the teacher, which could be bad down the line).

“meaty” - I would take to mean teaching church teachings directly and clearly, not over the heads of the students (beyond their level of comprehension) but complete with background information, references.

I could be wrong…but that is my interpretation.

I do not know the Faith and Life Program, and I don’t know the lower grade program of Faith First…so I can’t confirm or deny kage_ar’s impression. At least she’s familiar with both.

But the Faith First 6th - 8th grade level, I thought, were meaty with a nice ‘dressing’ to it. References and citations were there, but I must admit the textbook pages are almost too jam packed with color and images…but the content of the pages is well laid out, imo.

 

[paramedicgirl]

kage_ar:

Our CCD moved from Faith First to Faith and Life this year. For 5th grade - Faith First was more “fluffy” and fun- Faith and Life is more meat.

What the kids get out of it - that is up to the teacher

Thanks for your post. I was wondering if Faith First really taught the faith as well as the Faith in Life series. My child is in 5th grade, and we have to home school this year, due to lack of teachers (I was the only one who committed).

I still need to get more info on Faith First though, so I can decide which program to use. I’m hoping to thumb through one of the texts after Mass on Sunday, if any have arrived yet.

Our bishop has approved both Faith First & Faith in (and?) Life so I can use either program.

 

[TheRam]

Your the bomb YinYangMom, great info. I think it is easy to lighten and fluff if you feel the need…discern yourself with the indevidual…But work from a more factual footing. From the information i am hearing, factual meaty information that tells it like it is is how I as a student and adult want to learn…because i know how terrible this has mislead me as a student of catholic schooling. Grazing over things, only misleads, leaves you questioning, empty, and feeling so very deserted by the church. I took myself aside so many times feeling lost, repeating…“The church is an institution run by humans, and therefore is falable! I must not blame God!”

 

[YinYangMom]

TheRam:

Your the bomb YinYangMom, great info. I think it is easy to lighten and fluff if you feel the need…discern yourself with the indevidual…But work from a more factual footing. From the information i am hearing, factual meaty information that tells it like it is is how I as a student and adult want to learn…because i know how terrible this has mislead me as a student of catholic schooling. Grazing over things, only misleads, leaves you questioning, empty, and feeling so very deserted by the church. I took myself aside so many times feeling lost, repeating…“The church is human, and is falable, i must not blame God!”

These teacher editions of the curriculum are very, very busy - almost too much information - but when I take the time to read everything in them, it reflects the intent and desire of the authors to make authentic Church teaching available to students of every age, and they do guide us teachers with tips on how to present one idea or another while letting us know how kids at certain levels process information.

The biggest drawback I see, from the RE program standpoint, as noted before, is that 1.5 hours per week is barely enough time to introduce a chapter, let alone fully present it and teach the underlying message.

For homeschoolers though, the format and content of these programs are a blessing. I’m sure you can find parishes in your area which use one or the other and that they’d let you look over the texts if you ask.

If you end up responding to the call to teach a class, however, brace yourself for being disappointed with your inability to teach as much as you’d hoped. I prayed on it, and am resigned to focus instead on getting an overall theme across to my eight graders. I’ve targeted two or three, which, if by the end of the school year I’ve managed to instill a curiousity and appreciation for being Catholic, I will be most pleased. Trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you in all things.

 

[YinYangMom]

paramedicgirl:

Thanks for your post. I was wondering if Faith First really taught the faith as well as the Faith in Life series. My child is in 5th grade, and we have to home school this year, due to lack of teachers (I was the only one who committed).

I still need to get more info on Faith First though, so I can decide which program to use. I’m hoping to thumb through one of the texts after Mass on Sunday, if any have arrived yet.

Our bishop has approved both Faith First & Faith in (and?) Life so I can use either program.

I think you’ll enjoy homeschooling your child with either curriculum. It is nice to have the book as a guideline and the freedom to elaborate as much as you feel necessary. The real plus I found was in being able to carry on the lesson of the week subtly through the rest of the week in other ways.

When my kids were in the R.E. program I’d take the time to reach the chapters they were on so that I could infuse the lesson throughout the week at home (you know, to reinforce the program) only to find my kids telling me “No, mom, we didn’t talk about that. We just did x,y, z and sat around”. That’s when I decided to do it myself rather than pay the $200 per year per student to have the Church do it.

I felt bad about not supporting the parish’s program, and I spoke to the DRE and priest about my disappointment but they both came back with the “We have to teach to the average” line…how some kids in the class are well versed in the faith, thanks to their parents, but most don’t know anything, not even the basic prayers, and some don’t even go to church on Sundays, and how they’re there because their parents want them to receive the sacraments.

So now I’m teaching. The DRE and priest were so supportive and understanding of my effort to teach my own kids that I feel moved to help them out now that my kids are on their way to young adult ministry work with the Church (son is a reader, daughter is in the adult choir). And sure enough, I’ve got three kids who are well versed in the faith, three who are only there because they have to be, and four who don’t mind being there and don’t mind learning more about the faith but aren’t really thrilled about giving up a Sunday morning for it.

 

[kage_ar]

Faith First is more traditional “Sunday School” - it is good, has lots of activities.

Faith and Life is more scholarly, has Baltimore Cathecism Q & A’s, real tests. If I were homeschooling, I’d choose Faith and Life.

On the Faith First website, you can download chapter reviews to see what is included in each lesson.

F & L is actually set up more for a week long study of each lesson, it is work to get an entire lesson completed in just an hour.

 

[TheRam]

Ok guys…more wondering going on here! At first i was commenting on the caticism programe, and wanting to learn/teach it.

Is this the same as the Sunday School Programe?

Is it different than what can be taught to adults?

I have two different issues here. I want to learn, have teaching abilities, as i taught Learning Disabled children for 7 years, sunday school for 4 years in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. I feel i could prepare, present and learn with the students or adults here.

I also have a grade one and two situation in my home that will need more things addressed. The two children are dealing with a sibling death 20 months ago, have done wonderful, but are showing a lot of agression since school started. I need a stronger foundation to work with WITH my children. They are confused, frustrated, and i am only one person. Tools are a good thing. A plan, structure, and seeing the bigger picture.

I also have one going to recieve her 1st communion this year. I want her properly prepared, as i would hold her back from recieving it if i felt she was not ready. I have recieved a lot of flack over this decision of strength. It is sacred, not a club to join with all your peers. I held my son back, it was a blessing, he had always had a foundation of great learning and trust. I was alone then with him at the time.

Now i have a husband that has nearly zero to contribute to the family, is gone a lot and long hours. I have only recently been even well after my teenage son died. It has taken so much from me, and two more at my heels ready to START learning. Alone is the fastest way to describe my life. But i have gotten stronger, gotten closer to the Lord, and now want to try and get a grip on my childrens education in Religion as well.

So i have two needs, and i am confused at which one is for which person. Me or the children…and for what program. Maybe i need RCIA…i am a catholic, but i know zilch about the church, its foundation, or doctrin. I was educated in the Catholic schools…this is why i do not trust the process, as i had only been taught the fluff…grrr!

 

[paramedicgirl]

YinYangMom:

I think you’ll enjoy homeschooling your child with either curriculum. It is nice to have the book as a guideline and the freedom to elaborate as much as you feel necessary. The real plus I found was in being able to carry on the lesson of the week subtly through the rest of the week in other ways.

When my kids were in the R.E. program I’d take the time to reach the chapters they were on so that I could infuse the lesson throughout the week at home (you know, to reinforce the program) only to find my kids telling me “No, mom, we didn’t talk about that. We just did x,y, z and sat around”. That’s when I decided to do it myself rather than pay the $200 per year per student to have the Church do it.

I felt bad about not supporting the parish’s program, and I spoke to the DRE and priest about my disappointment but they both came back with the “We have to teach to the average” line…how some kids in the class are well versed in the faith, thanks to their parents, but most don’t know anything, not even the basic prayers, and some don’t even go to church on Sundays, and how they’re there because their parents want them to receive the sacraments.

So now I’m teaching. The DRE and priest were so supportive and understanding of my effort to teach my own kids that I feel moved to help them out now that my kids are on their way to young adult ministry work with the Church (son is a reader, daughter is in the adult choir). And sure enough, I’ve got three kids who are well versed in the faith, three who are only there because they have to be, and four who don’t mind being there and don’t mind learning more about the faith but aren’t really thrilled about giving up a Sunday morning for it.

I believe we are both teaching for the same reasons! I also had the same problem last year with kids who were well formed in their faith, and others who were forced to come only so they could receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

I made every class fun, often with learning games that I created at home, based on the text of the program. Questions and answers glued onto cards that we used to play a variety of games from bible baseball to ping pong, x’s and o’s and concentration proved very popular and the retention was good for the students.

This year I will continue with those games for my daughter as she really enjoyed them. BTW, we only pay $20.00 for our CCD here.

 

[paramedicgirl]

TheRam:

Ok guys…more wondering going on here! At first i was commenting on the caticism programe, and wanting to learn/teach it.

Is this the same as the Sunday School Programe?!

What we are discussing in this thread is the Cathiolic catechism program for children to learn their faith. They start in grade 1 and it follows the school year, usually taught 1 day a week. The sacrament classes are in grade 2 (communion) and grade 7 (confirmation) - at least in BC it is grade 7. I find most kids drop out after grade 7, even though the program goes until grade 9.

TheRam:

Is it different than what can be taught to adults?

Yes, the adult program is RCIA, but an adult can learn a lot by teaching catechism to the kids!

TheRam:

So i have two needs, and i am confused at which one is for which person. Me or the children…and for what program. Maybe i need RCIA…i am a catholic, but i know zilch about the church, its foundation, or doctrin.** I was educated in the Catholic schools…this is why i do not trust the process, as i had only been taught the fluff…**grrr!

I know exactly what you mean! Ialso went to Catholic school and never learned my faith until I was an adult, ready & willing to learn. But like you, it made enough of an impression on me that I had a hunger to learn as much as I could as an adult.

 

[Annunciata]

paramedicgirl:

Is anyone familiar with the Faith First Catechism program? Our parish has just announced it is switching from Faith in Life to Faith First. Since I was the only Catechism teacher who committed to teaching this year, we are trying this new program as a home schooling tool.

I’m wondering if Faith First actually teaches the faith or is just a feel good version of Catholicism. I did an internet search and wasn’t able to get inside any of the books to see what they contain. Google actually brought up very little on Faith First.

I taught 7th grade CCD using The Faith First Series and was quite happy w/ it… I learned a lot from it!