First time Catechist (6th Grade)

[mercygate]

OK, Guys. Reviving this thread for the end of the season.

How did it go for y’all?

What will you keep for next year and what will you do differently?

Here’s my take on the season:

1. I will not allow ANY misbehavior. The first inappropriate action that is off the chart for this age group will be brought to the attention of the DRE. On the first night when I do my intro to the parents, I will ask them to work with me on this.
2. I teach Scripture from Sadlier’s WE BELIEVE, and have asked the DRE to let me hand out Jeff Cavins’ Bible Timeline with the “memory band” color coded to the periods of salvation history.
3. This year I tried to have each child do a little saint report. That did not go over well, and since it is not central to the theme of the curriculum, I’m dumping it.
4. Sword drills will be keyed to the lesson of the day (except the ones with youth themes).
5. Instead of just asking them to write out the memory verse, I will add a five-minute comprehension review to be sure they understand what the verse means. I have learned that 6th graders can “read” without having the least clue what their reading MEANS.

 

[jmcrae]

I need ideas for helping to improve attendance next year. The kids who came learned a lot and had a good time, but my groups were really, really small.

There were four kids who were going to graduate this year, but I could only allow one of them to graduate, because the other three had such extremely poor attendance.

 

[mercygate]

I need ideas for helping to improve attendance next year. The kids who came learned a lot and had a good time, but my groups were really, really small.

There were four kids who were going to graduate this year, but I could only allow one of them to graduate, because the other three had such extremely poor attendance.

In our program, we take attendance, and the absentees’ homes are called. So the teacher doesn’t bear the whole responsibility for keeping the numbers up. We get pretty good attendance that way.

If I didn’t have that backup, I would probably put it in my introductory letter to the parents that I need to be notified if a student will miss class and then follow up if somebody is absent without prior notification.

 

[miamijoe]

Are you all in for another revive of this thread for the new year? Well, it’s ok if not. I’m new this year to 6th Grade CCD (I still call it that though it is now called Faith Formation at our church). I’m excited and even though I know I don’t know enough about everything as I’m learning too, I think excitement about the subject matter and being in love with The Church will make up the difference. I only remember growing up and hoping every week that my Mom would forget to take me to CCD. That is really all I remember from CCD. Maybe I learned more and don’t know it, but I’ve gained about 75% of the real knowledge of our faith in the past year alone (Scott Hahn gave a day long talk at our church and I went… I think you all know what happened next!)

Since then I’ve listened to just about every audio track I can download. I used to listen to music, now, everything Catholic, lectures, CA radio shows, debates, oh my you know I can go on and on! (Thanks Ryan at Sonitus Sanctus - catholicaudio.blogspot.com/ ) driving, cutting grass, everywhere I can! I’ve actually ordered books too from Amazon and other places. The only thing I’ve spent money on for reading before this has been the newspaper (and that’s for the coupons).

So, I went back over this whole thread and wow, you are all awesome! I thank you for all the information and ideas which will be integrated into the lesson plan each week. We are teaching out of the “We Believe” series and as such 6th Grade is the Salvation History/Old Testament theme. I’ve been listening of recent to a thirty some-odd series called “Understanding the Scriptures” by Carson Webber which will be helpful.

Anyways, since it is my first year, I’m actually just an assistant so I’ll humbly defer to the main instructor though he’s mentioned me teaching a few lessons, which I’m salivating to do with all these great ideas from here! I hope this year goes well.

Oh, and maybe I can contribute with a few ideas I found while scouring the net… some are variations of sword drills:

**Keep Your Seat **
Here is a new twist to having a Sword Drill. Have 2 chairs set up front. Pick 2 students to start and have them sit in the chairs. Give a reference and whichever one finds it first gets to stay in the chair. Then pick someone else to go next. The object is to see who can keep their seat the longest.
You can combine this game with a lesson by choosing the Bible references along some theme such as verses about prayer, love, forgiveness, etc.

**Bible Flash Cards **
Make a set of flash cards with the books of the Bible on them. Be sure to make them big enough to be seen from the back of the room.
This can be done individually or divide into teams.

Show a card and have the student tell which book comes before and/or after it.
Variations include:

Have the student tell what the book is about.
Have the student name as many characters as he can that is in the book.
Tell whether the book is in the Old Testament or New.

**Character Flash Cards **
This is similar to the Bible Flash Cards but use Bible characters instead of Bible books.

Have the student tell what book the character is found in. Or…
Have the student tell whether the character is in the Old Testament or New. Or…
Have the student tell what that character is noted for.

**Pairs Flash Cards **
Another idea is to put letters in pairs on flash cards and have them guess what pair it is:
A & E- Adam & Eve
P & S- Paul & Silas
D & J- David & Jonathan
D & G- David & Goliath
M & J- Mary & Joseph
C & A- Cain & Abel
J & J- James & John
R & B- Ruth & Boaz
M & A- Moses & Aaron
M & M- Mary & Martha
J & C- Joshua & Caleb
A & P- Aquila & Priscilla
I & R- Isaac & Rebekah
A & S- Abraham & Sarah
R & L- Rachel & Leah
E & E- Elijah & Elisha
J & E- Jacob & Esau
S & D- Samson & Delilah

Thanks! Joe

 

[mercygate]

Are you all in for another revive of this thread for the new year? Well, it’s ok if not. I’m new this year to 6th Grade CCD (I still call it that though it is now called Faith Formation at our church). I’m excited and even though I know I don’t know enough about everything as I’m learning too, I think excitement about the subject matter and being in love with The Church will make up the difference. I only remember growing up and hoping every week that my Mom would forget to take me to CCD. That is really all I remember from CCD. Maybe I learned more and don’t know it, but I’ve gained about 75% of the real knowledge of our faith in the past year alone (Scott Hahn gave a day long talk at our church and I went… I think you all know what happened next!)

Since then I’ve listened to just about every audio track I can download. I used to listen to music, now, everything Catholic, lectures, CA radio shows, debates, oh my you know I can go on and on! (Thanks Ryan at Sonitus Sanctus - catholicaudio.blogspot.com/ ) driving, cutting grass, everywhere I can! I’ve actually ordered books too from Amazon and other places. The only thing I’ve spent money on for reading before this has been the newspaper (and that’s for the coupons).

So, I went back over this whole thread and wow, you are all awesome! I thank you for all the information and ideas which will be integrated into the lesson plan each week. We are teaching out of the “We Believe” series and as such 6th Grade is the Salvation History/Old Testament theme. I’ve been listening of recent to a thirty some-odd series called “Understanding the Scriptures” by Carson Webber which will be helpful.

Anyways, since it is my first year, I’m actually just an assistant so I’ll humbly defer to the main instructor though he’s mentioned me teaching a few lessons, which I’m salivating to do with all these great ideas from here! I hope this year goes well.

Oh, and maybe I can contribute with a few ideas I found while scouring the net… some are variations of sword drills:

**Keep Your Seat **
Here is a new twist to having a Sword Drill. Have 2 chairs set up front. Pick 2 students to start and have them sit in the chairs. Give a reference and whichever one finds it first gets to stay in the chair. Then pick someone else to go next. The object is to see who can keep their seat the longest.
You can combine this game with a lesson by choosing the Bible references along some theme such as verses about prayer, love, forgiveness, etc.

**Bible Flash Cards **
Make a set of flash cards with the books of the Bible on them. Be sure to make them big enough to be seen from the back of the room.
This can be done individually or divide into teams.

Show a card and have the student tell which book comes before and/or after it.
Variations include:

Have the student tell what the book is about.
Have the student name as many characters as he can that is in the book.
Tell whether the book is in the Old Testament or New.

**Character Flash Cards **
This is similar to the Bible Flash Cards but use Bible characters instead of Bible books.

Have the student tell what book the character is found in. Or…
Have the student tell whether the character is in the Old Testament or New. Or…
Have the student tell what that character is noted for.

**Pairs Flash Cards **
Another idea is to put letters in pairs on flash cards and have them guess what pair it is:
A & E- Adam & Eve
P & S- Paul & Silas
D & J- David & Jonathan
D & G- David & Goliath
M & J- Mary & Joseph
C & A- Cain & Abel
J & J- James & John
R & B- Ruth & Boaz
M & A- Moses & Aaron
M & M- Mary & Martha
J & C- Joshua & Caleb
A & P- Aquila & Priscilla
I & R- Isaac & Rebekah
A & S- Abraham & Sarah
R & L- Rachel & Leah
E & E- Elijah & Elisha
J & E- Jacob & Esau
S & D- Samson & Delilah

Thanks! Joe

Fun ideas!

I’m themeing my year on Indiana Jones. We’re going to “discover” the Bible and figure out what it is, where it came from, who wrote it, who it belongs to, what it means . . . I even had a sign made for the class that calls us the Sixth Grade Investigative Expedition.

Site Director and Field Guide: mercygate. There’s a caricature of a dippy female in a pith helmet with binoculars, a pick axe and a Bible . . .

 

[jmcrae]

Those all sound great! I’m back in for three Youth Groups, Sacramental Preparation, and Grade 9 Catechism.

We have actual toy swords in our Youth Group area, so I’m having this really great idea for a fun Sword Drill.

 

[marycozzens]

after attending the first teacher’s meeting at my parish tonight, it seems there are hundreds of pages of ideas, suggestions and lists of available resources…
but no actual 6th grade text book.
I’m in a bit of a quandry, as I need to put together a lesson plan before our first class on monday.
I’ve always used a text book before, not huge mounds of papers to consider.
ANY advice?
Please.
Ginny

 

[bgic]

This is my first year teaching CCD (grade 6). I have 16 students. Class started last weekend and went well. I could not imaging teaching without a book. We use the textbook from FindingGod.org.

If you would like, I could write down what we went over in week 1?

 

[KarenElissa]

after attending the first teacher’s meeting at my parish tonight, it seems there are hundreds of pages of ideas, suggestions and lists of available resources…
but no actual 6th grade text book.
I’m in a bit of a quandry, as I need to put together a lesson plan before our first class on monday.
I’ve always used a text book before, not huge mounds of papers to consider.
ANY advice?
Please.
Ginny

No books for the kids or anything? Is there an overview of what you are supposed to be teaching this year? That would be the place to start, you need to at least know where you are going before you start planning on how to get there.

Once you have at least a basic idea of where you are going, you can start picking things that will help you get there. That will help you sort through all the resources.

As for the first day, mine was focused on three things, getting to know each other, general expectations, and having a basic framework on which to hang the rest of the year. I wanted to spend some time just learning who the kids are and where they are at both in terms of knowledge and actual faith practice. It is also good to let them know what is expected from early on.

As for the basic framework, I discovered last year that when I just jumped in, it was hard to make everything relate. So this year we started of with the basic gospel message. I teach RCIA for kids, so it is an overview of all Catholic teaching, so I should be able to relate it all back to the gospel.

I believe that 6th grade in many areas is the Old Testament, so you might want to start a big timeline. Put creation at the beginning, that should be at least familar to most kids, and Jesus at the end and explain that all this happened before Jesus. Then you might see if the kids can fill in anything else. That would also help you find out what they know.

 

[mercygate]

The BEST thing I did last year was check out classroom management resources from Harry Wong (google) and a guy named Tom Daly, who specializes in teaching kids with ADD & ADHD. Since ALL my kids (and their teacher ) have ADD, it was a big help.

Writing out the class plan and following it was a great help also. Power teaching was fantastic. (google power teaching youtube)

 

[mercygate]

Oi. This year’s two sections are the most difficult I have EVER dealt with. The kids are simply not engaging. I have done everything I can think of. I abandoned my lesson one night and had us all sit in a close circle to talk about what’s going on in their lives. Sports. Music lessons. Dance lessons. Middle school cheerleading is just about an Olympic sport around here. Tutoring. EVERY kid in both of my sections has cable TV in his or her bedroom. About half have internet access in their rooms. All have cell phones with texting capability. Less than one third of my kids actually attend church on Sunday.

Sometimes a kid will do the assigned worksheet but without reading the chapter! I don’t get it.

We’re trying to be all about welcoming and encouraging kids to stay with us but, honestly, I think it isn’t getting us anywhere. This is the first year that I have felt defeated in my job. Usually, most of the kids are more or less on the boat with me in class, but this season, I don’t feel that I am reaching ANY of them.

Saint Maria Goretti (I dedicate my class to her), pray for us!

 

[dontknow]

This is my first year as a Catechist and I am doing the 6th Grade.

My class experience is somewhat similar…

Tonight I head into Class #18 out of 26. I have a total of 9 kids.

1 kid was kicked out for misbehavior in week 7. He eventually asked for another chance and rejoined the group on week 9. His reversion back to his old behavior has him on the edge of being kicked out for the 2nd and last time. Apparently a repeat issue from prior years. His issues stem from one seriously troubled home life.

1 kid has been warned repeatedly and is on the verge of being suspended for the balance of the year. Again, apparently a repeat issue from prior years. Her issue is no discipline by her parents who (as put by the DRE) focus all of their attention on a paycheck and not on their kids.

3 kids are OK assuming they are not sucked into the misbehavior of the two kids just mentioned. When they are - all 5 join forces and create a fun night.

4 kids are pure joys and role models for every student out there! These 4 totally make it worth my time.

5 kids attend mass - the other seldom ever.

I have a lesson plan for each session to ensure we never run out of material.

I have used arts/crafts along with reading in the text, additional bible readings and written exercises.

Since - like yourself - most aren’t getting the material (at least the historical biblical part) - I focus the objectives of the chapter & apply the emphasize on moral conscience and guidance.

Like yourself - homework almost never gets done other than the 4.

I do give them an open book unit test (accumulates 4 chapters) which also includes a written Essay which I make up that they must write that integrates all of the moral objectives discussed within that unit and how it applies to them.

My expectations of behavior have become stronger and now I am beginning to send them to the DRE office once they’ve been warned.

I used to feel defeated and now I don’t take it personally. I just present the lesson and realize the real catechist in their life should be the parents - who - in many cases - are not “there” (in one way shape or form). We can only do the best we can for the time we have them.

I think I’ve been able to reach all of them in some way but the 2 troubled - who I’m not sure really care. Perhaps I have though and it may not show until they are 26.

With Lent approaching I am heading them into the next several lessons where the focus is on group prayer as a class in tandem with the chapter from the book.

Not sure if any of this really applies or helps but to say I understand and you are not alone. All we can hope is to do our best.

Lastly, one of my stellar 4 mentioned in a surprised but excited way that we are probably going to complete the entire book - which was my plan all along. Apparently she’s never done that before and is super excited!

 

[mercygate]

This is my first year as a Catechist and I am doing the 6th Grade.

My class experience is somewhat similar…

Tonight I head into Class #18 out of 26. I have a total of 9 kids.

1 kid was kicked out for misbehavior in week 7. He eventually asked for another chance and rejoined the group on week 9. His reversion back to his old behavior has him on the edge of being kicked out for the 2nd and last time. Apparently a repeat issue from prior years. His issues stem from one seriously troubled home life.

1 kid has been warned repeatedly and is on the verge of being suspended for the balance of the year. Again, apparently a repeat issue from prior years. Her issue is no discipline by her parents who (as put by the DRE) focus all of their attention on a paycheck and not on their kids.

3 kids are OK assuming they are not sucked into the misbehavior of the two kids just mentioned. When they are - all 5 join forces and create a fun night.

4 kids are pure joys and role models for every student out there! These 4 totally make it worth my time.

5 kids attend mass - the other seldom ever.

I have a lesson plan for each session to ensure we never run out of material.

I have used arts/crafts along with reading in the text, additional bible readings and written exercises.

Since - like yourself - most aren’t getting the material (at least the historical biblical part) - I focus the objectives of the chapter & apply the emphasize on moral conscience and guidance.

Like yourself - homework almost never gets done other than the 4.

I do give them an open book unit test (accumulates 4 chapters) which also includes a written Essay which I make up that they must write that integrates all of the moral objectives discussed within that unit and how it applies to them.

My expectations of behavior have become stronger and now I am beginning to send them to the DRE office once they’ve been warned.

I used to feel defeated and now I don’t take it personally. I just present the lesson and realize the real catechist in their life should be the parents - who - in many cases - are not “there” (in one way shape or form). We can only do the best we can for the time we have them.

I think I’ve been able to reach all of them in some way but the 2 troubled - who I’m not sure really care. Perhaps I have though and it may not show until they are 26.

With Lent approaching I am heading them into the next several lessons where the focus is on group prayer as a class in tandem with the chapter from the book.

Not sure if any of this really applies or helps but to say I understand and you are not alone. All we can hope is to do our best.

Lastly, one of my stellar 4 mentioned in a surprised but excited way that we are probably going to complete the entire book - which was my plan all along. Apparently she’s never done that before and is super excited!

You are helping yourself enormously by having a plan and sticking to it. Four out of nine is my usual average, with only one or two completely out of the running. Focus on classroom management. Check out Harry and Rosemary Wong for great tips on building structure that helps the kids stay focused.

I find that when the natives get restless, telling real-life anecdotes that illustrate the subject is important. They can relate to experiences that illustrate moral decision making. Some of them are mature beyond their years.