Help! I need religious ed suggestions

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1990Domer

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First, I know I am probably asking the impossible, but does anyone have suggestions about how to help second graders preparing for their first Confession to remember what you need to do? I’m talking that they can’t remember the “Bless me Father for I have sinned” part. It gets worse from there.

Obviously they should be practicing this at home but…as you know…it’s not a priority in most families.

Any thoughts would be great. We (my teaching partner) have e-mailed their parents. As for a reply…crickets.

Thank you and God bless.
 
1990Domer said:
First, I know I am probably asking the impossible, but does anyone have suggestions about how to help second graders preparing for their first Confession to remember what you need to do? I’m talking that they can’t remember the “Bless me Father for I have sinned” part. It gets worse from there.

Obviously they should be practicing this at home but…as you know…it’s not a priority in most families.

Any thoughts would be great. We (my teaching partner) have e-mailed their parents. As for a reply…crickets.

Thank you and God bless.
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Are you using no curriculum!?
What does the pastor say about this? It’s ultimately his responsibility.
A simple worksheet and practice should take care of it. Not to mention that priest usually walk a child through any confession, let alone the first one.
 
I am an aide in the classroom who works with children with mild disabilities. The teacher is following the curriculum and the head of religious education was notified. Our pastor is swamped trying to clean up the mess from the last pastor. However, one of the deacons is available to help out.
 
HD,

The kids are just not studying the material or doing their homework. E-mails have been sent home to the parents. I have tried little incentives to reward them. Honestly, the priest would have to tell these kids…repeat after me…the whole rubric of Confession. I was hoping there was something that somebody knew so that while we have the kids, they at least learn something.

Thanks for your suggestions.
 
I have no experience in this, but I’m hoping pianistclaire might pop her head in with some ideas–she’s usually really good in this field! If not, perhaps you could PM her?
 
UbiCaritas said:
I have no experience in this, but I’m hoping pianistclaire might pop her head in with some ideas–she’s usually really good in this field! If not, perhaps you could PM her?
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Yeah, me too. Somebody go get her…
 
You rang???LOL pm me and I’ll send you a book. How much lead time do you have?
 
The parents may not know how to help their children memorize these things and so are just telling them to do it on their own.

For the “easy” parts, just ask the parents to say it over and have the child repeat it. The children should be able to learn it in a week or less if the parents have them repeat it 4 times a day. Once the children learn it, the parents should review it with them every day for a week or so, then a few times a week, and so on.

If necessary, have a prize for those who are able to say it for the first time each week. This will help the children ask their parents for help.

Memorization is easier if done through hearing than just reading and reciting over and over.

For the Act if Contrition, is a copied taped up in the confessional? Are the children able to read it?

You may need to have a special version so they can read the words:

Oh my God
I am most heart-i-ly sor- ry for hav- ing o- ffen-ded Thee
And I de-test all my sins…

And go over this prayer in class so the children will understand what it means.

And if necessary, I think the CCC says one can say any prayer indicating sorrow for sins, I can’t find where ai read that, so I may be wrong. Ask your pastor; maybe the children csn learn an easier Act of Contrition if they would have trouble reading it.
 
Just one thought. If the parents are Spanish-speakers and go to Confession in Spanish, they might not know “the formula” for Confession. That “formula” is not done in Spanish.
 
Luz_Maria said:
Just one thought. If the parents are Spanish-speakers and go to Confession in Spanish, they might not know “the formula” for Confession. That “formula” is not done in Spanish.
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What do they do in Spanish? I thought “the formula” was universal?
 
Also if the children have minor disabilities then they may need to be led line for line by a priest anyway.

I confess about every fortnight and sometimes I need help!🙂
 
St_Francis said:
What do they do in Spanish? I thought “the formula” was universal?
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It differs in that the Priest greets the penitent: Ave María purísima. It is a joyful greeting of “Hail Mary most pure.” * It is not like a hurrah! but it is not a sad greeting.
The penitent responds: Sin pecado concebida. “Conceived without sin”. Since the word “sin” is in the Spanish, then word for word:
Spanish > English
sin = without
pecado = sin
concebida = conceived (female)
It just looked strange side-by-side in both languages with the word “sin” floating around! I’ve never had to translate this!

Then the penitent tells the Priest how long it has been since the last Confession, and the rest. Another reason it is nicer to be greeted is because then the penitent knows when the Priest has “opened” the “door” to the screen, but it is also done this way face-to-face.

Then at the very end the Priest adds the prayer about “Mary conceived without sin” and the penitent answers the part “pray for us that have recourse to you.” and leaves. I have never said that prayer in English, but I think you know the one.*
 
Luz_Maria said:
It differs in that the Priest greets the penitent: Ave María purísima. It is a joyful greeting of “Hail Mary most pure.” * It is not like a hurrah! but it is not a sad greeting.
The penitent* responds: Sin pecado concebida. “Conceived without sin”. Since the word “sin” is in the Spanish, then word for word:
Spanish > English
sin = without
pecado = sin
concebida = conceived (female)
It just looked strange side-by-side in both languages with the word “sin” floating around! I’ve never had to translate this!

Then the penitent tells the Priest how long it has been since the last Confession, and the rest. Another reason it is nicer to be greeted is because then the penitent knows when the Priest has “opened” the “door” to the screen, but it is also done this way face-to-face.

Then at the very end the Priest adds the prayer about “Mary conceived without sin” and the penitent answers the part “pray for us that have recourse to you.” and leaves. I have never said that prayer in English, but I think you know the one.

That’s so nice! Thank you for taking the time to explain so fully 🙂
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1990Domer said:
March 4

If you have the title, I will purchase it.
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I’ll give you two titles and a rep name in the morning. When I am at work…no worries.Do you want the children’s book or the teachers edition?
 
Our confessionals have laminated copies of the various acts of contrition in there in both English and Spanish. You can check to see if they are there. We also give the children their own copy at the beginning of their month of classes to keep
If there are children with autism or other disabilities, Loyola Press offers a beautifully done Adaptive Learning kit for each of the Sacraments too, which can be used on a one on one basis.
 
pianistclare said:
Our confessionals have laminated copies of the various acts of contrition in there in both English and Spanish. You can check to see if they are there. We also give the children their own copy at the beginning of their month of classes to keep
If there are children with autism or other disabilities, Loyola Press offers a beautifully done Adaptive Learning kit for each of the Sacraments too, which can be used on a one on one basis.
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A wealth of knowledge you are…
 
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions!

They are going face-to-face so will not be allowed to use the copy in the Confessional that walks them through the Sacrament. Father will be made aware of special needs kids. I know that was done with my kiddo, but we worked hard with him.

Sadly, many of the kids come from broken homes, so there may be only 1 parent on board.

I have been handing out treats when the kiddos work hard. I just feel sorry for the teacher because she is at her wits end, and it’s not through like of trying.

@PianistClare Both copies would be great! Thanks!

God bless!
 
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