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Unfinished
Guest
To the 4th graders. Any advice? I am quite nervous. 
I don’t know what I can say or do to fill up an hour and a half.
I don’t know what I can say or do to fill up an hour and a half.
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MCGar
Guest
I know nothing of teaching, but I can pray 
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Dorothy
Guest
I just started teaching 4th graders two weeks ago. I have an assistant in the room who helps, there are 15 students. We have an hour and a quarter for the class.To the 4th graders. Any advice? I am quite nervous.
I don’t know what I can say or do to fill up an hour and a half.
There is a different topic covered in their book every week, with key words which I write on the board. I have the catechist’s book which gives suggestions of questions for class discussion, and the students are cooperative! The majority of them like to give their (name removed by moderator)ut and we encourage them to. Last week the lesson was on the Beatitudes, what they mean, and how they can practice them in their daily life.
Maybe you want to share how it worked out for you. I was really anxious the first night, but once I got through that I felt energized!
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mommyaprilj
Guest
Do you have a curriculum? If so I advise you to stick to it, the DRE usually must approve any non-curriculum materials, with the exception of the Bible and the Catechism of course.
If you have no curriculum, there’s still no need to panic.
The first thing to do is evaluate. Find out what they know,
the prayers, the precepts of the church, holy days of obligations, the rosary, the beatitudes, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the ten commandments.
When you find out what they don’t know, then you know what to teach, just use words that they understand.
If you have no curriculum, there’s still no need to panic.
The first thing to do is evaluate. Find out what they know,
the prayers, the precepts of the church, holy days of obligations, the rosary, the beatitudes, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the ten commandments.
When you find out what they don’t know, then you know what to teach, just use words that they understand.
D
DJJG
Guest
I have been teaching religious-ed since 1972.
The first thing to do is pray for guidence to teach the children well and accurately.
The next thing is to read the text very carefully and make sure that it is accurate. Many of the texts DO NOT completely follow the teachings of the catholic church, you MAY find a few (or many) inaccuracies.
Next, prepare your lesson well - in writing. This will help you mantain an organized and even flow in your class. It doesn’t hurt if you do not have enough time to finnish all the material you planned, in one class. After a while you’ll get to know how much you can cover in ecah class.
Of course ALWAYS begin each class with a prayer.
God bless you,
Danny
The first thing to do is pray for guidence to teach the children well and accurately.
The next thing is to read the text very carefully and make sure that it is accurate. Many of the texts DO NOT completely follow the teachings of the catholic church, you MAY find a few (or many) inaccuracies.
Next, prepare your lesson well - in writing. This will help you mantain an organized and even flow in your class. It doesn’t hurt if you do not have enough time to finnish all the material you planned, in one class. After a while you’ll get to know how much you can cover in ecah class.
Of course ALWAYS begin each class with a prayer.
God bless you,
Danny
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puzzleannie
Guest
what DJJ said
I have answered this on other forums, but short form
pray before beginning to plan your lesson, and before each class.
read your catechist guide, especially the material in front and back on the age group you are teaching, goals for this year, vocabulary, methods, various enrichment resources and activities.
get the syllabus from your DRE, and try to cover the material specified for your grade.
if the 3rd grade is teaching the Creed, 4th the commandments, and 5th the sacraments, and everybody keeps trying to teach the sacraments, obviously some kids are going to miss out on key teachings.
plan your lesson, in writing. you should spend about 45-min to an hour planning for every hour you teach (if you have been doing this for years like DJ it wont take as long.)
if you only have 15 minutes, pray with the scripture verses prescribed for the lesson, most lessons begin with or include a scripture verse (or paraphrase for kids, read the original, meditate and pray for at least 15 min.)
if you only have half an hour, next read the catechism sections given in your catechist manual for that lesson, underline key points, pray to the Holy Spirit for your own understanding of the underlying doctrine
if you have more time, read the whole lesson and plan on paper how you will
introduce the concept
teach the concept
reinforce the concept
review (next week) the concept
evaluate your lesson after the kids leave, on the back of your lesson plan.
I have answered this on other forums, but short form
pray before beginning to plan your lesson, and before each class.
read your catechist guide, especially the material in front and back on the age group you are teaching, goals for this year, vocabulary, methods, various enrichment resources and activities.
get the syllabus from your DRE, and try to cover the material specified for your grade.
if the 3rd grade is teaching the Creed, 4th the commandments, and 5th the sacraments, and everybody keeps trying to teach the sacraments, obviously some kids are going to miss out on key teachings.
plan your lesson, in writing. you should spend about 45-min to an hour planning for every hour you teach (if you have been doing this for years like DJ it wont take as long.)
if you only have 15 minutes, pray with the scripture verses prescribed for the lesson, most lessons begin with or include a scripture verse (or paraphrase for kids, read the original, meditate and pray for at least 15 min.)
if you only have half an hour, next read the catechism sections given in your catechist manual for that lesson, underline key points, pray to the Holy Spirit for your own understanding of the underlying doctrine
if you have more time, read the whole lesson and plan on paper how you will
introduce the concept
teach the concept
reinforce the concept
review (next week) the concept
evaluate your lesson after the kids leave, on the back of your lesson plan.
A
abb
Guest
This isn’t any advice for you, but I start RCIA in a week and I’m nervous about just going, I somewhat feel embarrassed at how old I am (21) - and know nothing of the Bible or my faith, as well as I should. Do I need to sign up for this class or just show up the first day?
I don’t mean to hijack this thread, if no one feels right answering this here just pm me please. Thanks.
Andrew
I don’t mean to hijack this thread, if no one feels right answering this here just pm me please. Thanks.
Andrew
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Autumn
Guest
I’m also teaching 4th grade CCD on Sunday mornings and can’t agree more with the suggestion to put your lesson on paper! Kids know when a teacher is struggling to fill time or is unprepared and they will loose interest FAST.
Some ideas:
It’s a good idea to overplan - nothing worse than a group a bored 10 year olds!!
The text book we use has a coordinating website with tons of great lesson ideas and activity sheets you can download so you may want to look into that.
Also check your Religious Ed office at your parish; they are pros and probably have activity books you can use and lesson plan ideas on file.
Finally, I find it helps me immensely if I go to the 7:30 mass at my parish before class (class starts at 9:00 a.m.). Makes me feel calm and centered and also gives me about 30 - 40 minutes before class to get settled and organized.
You’ll find your own style and footing, just relax and try to have fun with the kids!
Some ideas:
It’s a good idea to overplan - nothing worse than a group a bored 10 year olds!!
The text book we use has a coordinating website with tons of great lesson ideas and activity sheets you can download so you may want to look into that.
Also check your Religious Ed office at your parish; they are pros and probably have activity books you can use and lesson plan ideas on file.
Finally, I find it helps me immensely if I go to the 7:30 mass at my parish before class (class starts at 9:00 a.m.). Makes me feel calm and centered and also gives me about 30 - 40 minutes before class to get settled and organized.
You’ll find your own style and footing, just relax and try to have fun with the kids!
A
annameansgrace
Guest
Hi! Thank you for answering the call to teach CCD. We need so many more people like you! I have been teaching CCD for 3 years and I still don’t have a lid on it yet. My biggest hurdle is that we are required to utilize the workbook approved by the Diocese. I have no problem doing that. My problem is that the book is very outdated and my class is much more street savvy. They feel as though they are being treated like kindergarteners. They’re between 8 and 10 years old and most of them act like tweens already. So, I find myself having to reword the lesson in more up to date jargon, so to speak. They aren’t nearly as grown up as they think they are and they really need and actually WANT to hear the lesson but I have to get past the “I’m too cool for CCD school” attitude before they will let themselves be taught.
The advice to write the lesson out was right on! My kids will eat me alive if I come in unprepared. It happened to me just last night. I had to take on an additional class, so my plans had to be adjusted. It was shear bedlam for awhile until I could regain my footing.
The advice to write the lesson out was right on! My kids will eat me alive if I come in unprepared. It happened to me just last night. I had to take on an additional class, so my plans had to be adjusted. It was shear bedlam for awhile until I could regain my footing.
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KCT
Guest
My geography students seem to like doing crossword and word find puzzles to reinforce what we’re learning.
There are websites that create the puzzles; you just put in the words!
There are websites that create the puzzles; you just put in the words!
K
KCT
Guest
When we did Confirmation prep, the kids loved playing Catechism Baseball.
Simple questions are a single, harder are a double, even harder are a triple, and the hardest are a homerun. When it’s their turn at bat, ask if they want a single, double, triple or a homer. If they get the answer wrong, it’s an out. Score just like baseball. Let them move from base to base as they answer questions.
It’s a fun way to review, promotes team work and gets them out of their seats.
Simple questions are a single, harder are a double, even harder are a triple, and the hardest are a homerun. When it’s their turn at bat, ask if they want a single, double, triple or a homer. If they get the answer wrong, it’s an out. Score just like baseball. Let them move from base to base as they answer questions.
It’s a fun way to review, promotes team work and gets them out of their seats.
C
Corki
Guest
I used to have 4th graders and they were my favorite class.
What struck me the most was that, even though they like to act “all grown up”, they are still kids. They had want to have fun and they are really seeking your approval, even if they are trying to be “cool”. Simple things like stickers and games that might seem to be too “babyish” were actually big hits.
Another thing that worked well was to to find something they could work on with their parents each week. They enjoyed being in the role of “teacher” and explaining to their parent what we had covered in class. Since many of these parents were not well Catechized themselvs, I figured it was a “two fer”.
Last, try to incorporate music. At that age, they are just starting to develop their musical tastes and preferences. Showing them “church” music from different traditions and letting them select thier favorites was a popular activity (lyrics tied to the week’s material, of course).
What struck me the most was that, even though they like to act “all grown up”, they are still kids. They had want to have fun and they are really seeking your approval, even if they are trying to be “cool”. Simple things like stickers and games that might seem to be too “babyish” were actually big hits.
Another thing that worked well was to to find something they could work on with their parents each week. They enjoyed being in the role of “teacher” and explaining to their parent what we had covered in class. Since many of these parents were not well Catechized themselvs, I figured it was a “two fer”.
Last, try to incorporate music. At that age, they are just starting to develop their musical tastes and preferences. Showing them “church” music from different traditions and letting them select thier favorites was a popular activity (lyrics tied to the week’s material, of course).
L
leonie
Guest
I never talk for more than 10 minutes at a time. It’s a good idea to switch activities a lot.
I always start with review game (after prayers).
Don’t forget nametags!!!
I always start with review game (after prayers).
Don’t forget nametags!!!
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dulcissima
Guest
FYI…this thread is a year and half old. The OP is actually now away at seminary!!
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1ke
Guest
For reviews-- or even to see what they know as you begin teaching them-- use Jeopardy. The kids love to play Jeopardy.
So, create some categories and questions that vary in their degree of difficulty. Look in your textbook for vocabulary words.
At that age, divide them into Boys vs. Girls for teams.
UGH… I just saw that this is an old thread. WHY do people randomly post to old threads???
So, create some categories and questions that vary in their degree of difficulty. Look in your textbook for vocabulary words.
At that age, divide them into Boys vs. Girls for teams.
UGH… I just saw that this is an old thread. WHY do people randomly post to old threads???
A
annameansgrace
Guest
I didn’t notice the original date of the post. Thanks for that but boy am I glad I posted! These are some really great ideas, folks. Baseball? I never would have thought of that all by myself. I have incorporated music before and I use crosswords but I’d forgotten about how good it was. You know, there are some years that the kids in a particular class just seem more troubled than others. My first year I had maybe 3 disruptive kids. Last year, only 1.
I love the idea of the “two-fer”. I did that a little bit my first year because there was such a need for it. I got one angry parent but the rest really enjoyed it. I need to go back to that and really do it like you suggested. They really do love to be the teacher and boy are you right, the parents need catechizing, too.
Thank you so much for writing in with so many suggestions. I can’t wait to get working on them!
I love the idea of the “two-fer”. I did that a little bit my first year because there was such a need for it. I got one angry parent but the rest really enjoyed it. I need to go back to that and really do it like you suggested. They really do love to be the teacher and boy are you right, the parents need catechizing, too.
Thank you so much for writing in with so many suggestions. I can’t wait to get working on them!
M
miamijoe
Guest
I’ve been seriously entrenched in all things Catholic media (reading, mp3’s, these forums etc etc.) for the past 6 months and have learned so much about our faith from this and this stuff is so addictive. Everywhere I go in my car is a new lecture or prior radio shows from CA Live that I’ve downloaded. I’m certainly not Mr. Chapter-and-verse, but I was wondering when I would be ready to be a CCD/FF teacher?
Do I need to have a degree or something? I’m a CPA with a college degree and love kids. None of my CCD teachers ever really taught me the faith the way I get it now. Real stuff, not just the lovey-dovey be nice to each other and have a good day type stuff, though I know that is important too. And of course the information here and elsewhere is much deeper and on a more mature level, but heck they aren’t getting it after confirmation, and what is that like 8th grade, at least I didn’t until I happen to just go see a Scott Hahn talk at our parish and then it’s like the puzzle pieces all fell into place and the Holy Spirit flipped a switch in me and now I can’t get enough.
I don’t want what happened to me, to happen to my daughter or any others’ kids either. I guess where I’m going with this is, when did you all determine it was the right time and you felt adequatae enough to be a faith formation teacher? I really want to be one.
Do I need to have a degree or something? I’m a CPA with a college degree and love kids. None of my CCD teachers ever really taught me the faith the way I get it now. Real stuff, not just the lovey-dovey be nice to each other and have a good day type stuff, though I know that is important too. And of course the information here and elsewhere is much deeper and on a more mature level, but heck they aren’t getting it after confirmation, and what is that like 8th grade, at least I didn’t until I happen to just go see a Scott Hahn talk at our parish and then it’s like the puzzle pieces all fell into place and the Holy Spirit flipped a switch in me and now I can’t get enough.
I don’t want what happened to me, to happen to my daughter or any others’ kids either. I guess where I’m going with this is, when did you all determine it was the right time and you felt adequatae enough to be a faith formation teacher? I really want to be one.
T
teresemarie
Guest
keep a notebook. enter week 1, the date, and your agenda…such as learning each others names and classroom rules, food allergies. Always start class with prayer. Follow course book and try to add games. After class, make use notebook to track what you did and what worked or didn’t work(useful for next year). We play Bible Jepordy. Bible names, Events, sacraments, saints, stories for 100, 200, 300, 400, 500. These are on a homemade felt banner with pockets in each category that hold index cards with the answers on one side of the card and questions on the other… The Answer for 100 is,“Jesus raised this man from the dead” and the question is " who is Lazarus?" or
the answer for 200 is “she is known as the littlest flower” and the question is “who is St. Therese?” Also review vocabulary regularly as well as prayers and sacraments…I was surprised how many students did not know who the bishop or pope were…Bonus questions…
the answer for 200 is “she is known as the littlest flower” and the question is “who is St. Therese?” Also review vocabulary regularly as well as prayers and sacraments…I was surprised how many students did not know who the bishop or pope were…Bonus questions…
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