First-time Religion Teacher

[Mamaofthree]

Hello, all! Our wonderful principal at my sons’ school has asked me to teach religion for our 2nd and 4th graders this year. I have never taught religion (other than when I homeschooled my kids for a few years in their elementary days), and I am a bit nervous. Our diocese uses Faith First, and our principal has encouraged me to use it as the skeleton, and to supplement/substitute as I see fit.

I have started making notes, pinning ideas on Pinterest, revisiting my children’s projects from their time in those grades, and am still so worried about doing justice to the material and our children 5 days a week.

I would love to hear any project ideas, sources of great information, websites, blogs, experiences, etc. that could calm my nerves and help prepare me for such a special group of kiddos!

Thank you!

 

[1ke]

This is a Catholic school, not a parish religious education program, correct?

How often do they have religious education? Daily? For how long?

With the second graders, are you also responsible for preparing them for first holy communion or is that a separate program either in the school or in their parish?

Is this a parish based school? How many classes will you have and how many students per class?

Is this the Faith First school edition? Have you gone to the Faith First website for their supplemental resources?

I used FF in parish religious education, but switched to Faith and Life when I had the opportunity.

 

[Mamaofthree]

You are correct - this is a Catholic school. I would meet for a 45-minute period with each grade daily, with Friday being school Mass day. I will also be responsible for both 2nd grade sacraments (there are about 6 2nd graders, and a few are actually Catholic and will receive their sacraments). I think 4th will have around a dozen students, so small class sizes, thank goodness.

I am picking up the books to review them, so I assume at this point they are using the Faith First school edition. When we homeschooled, I greatly preferred Faith and Life over both Seton and Faith First, but alas…

Our sweet principal must have taught the 2nd grade last year. She shared with me that she did not use the text very much and instead focused on preparing the children for Penance and Eucharist, and getting them to truly internalize how special and important these sacraments are. So I do have flexibility with it all; she made her own tests and her own lesson plans other than using anything provided by the textbook.

My goal for the year is to build a solid foundation of the faith, be creative in my methods, and make it joyful (I remember my poor older son in his school and his 2nd grade experience was dreadful and stress-filled and it dampened his spirit considerably).

When I get the texts tomorrow, I plan on making a lesson plan “skeleton” for the year and supplementing a great deal with engaging, hands-on activities whenever possible.

 

[mommy_k]

I would definantly add some more traditional prayers, practices, stories of the saints and worship to balance it out.
Normally I would say stick with the book, but not in this case.

 

[AdamP88]

I would definantly add some more traditional prayers, practices, stories of the saints and worship to balance it out.
Normally I would say stick with the book, but not in this case.

Yes. Especially for this age! I’m a trainee teacher and in my first teaching practice I had to teach kids around this age. Instead of following the book I took the theme from the Religious Education syllabus and worked in some lessons on the sacraments, the saints, the mass, and the liturgical year and the meanings of the different liturgical colours. I did quizzes with them to help them to get enthusiastic about the material. They really enjoyed the lessons and engaged with the material. They were especially interested in St. Francis and St. John Paul II.

If you like I’d be happy to share some of my lesson plans and resources with you.