**Have a personal philosophy first: What do you want your students to get out of the class? What will you consider a success at the end of the year? Mine is- I want them to start taking on the faith as their own, not because its what their parents chose to raise them as.
Planning. Lay out a plan for the entire year in terms of which chapters/subjects you’ll cover when. Arrange them so they line up with the liturgical year.
More planning. Always plan to cover more than you think you can in a class period.
Give your religious Ed director a heads up if something controversial comes up. Treat them with respect as young adults, demand the same from them. Don’t waste their time and don’t let them waste yours. Start on time, finish on time. If you delay waiting on kids, they’ll let you wait. If you start on time, they’ll understand to show up.
Always be animated, try not to be boring. **
All of the above are good suggestions.
I use the Bible. Straight up. Nothing “geared to kids”. They can smell that stuff from a mile away. Kids of this age want to know 2 things: That you will always tell them the truth, no matter what, and that you care about them and you want them to thrive.
You’re there because you are passionate about your faith and you want to impart to them the tools they need to navigate life. I refer to their “toolbox” all the time. We Catholics have the Eucharist, the other Sacraments, Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium, all of this in their toolbox. These are the things they need to know COLD to be able to live a good life, and to gain eternal life. This life is brief. Focus on what they absolutely need to know.
They can’t focus for 45 minutes of reading from a book. I don’t use books at all., We TALK. We discuss. I have things I want to cover in a class, and I use various media to do it: handouts, YouTube, Catholic DVD excerpts, (never more than a 8 minute clip) and music. We switch up activity often, with Brain Breaks for fun. We acknowledge birthdays and give them a chance every week to submit a prayer intention for the group. If possible remember what they prayed for and ask a follow up question: How is your grandmother doing this week? How was her surgery? Is she home yet? In this way, you show that everyone cares, and also the kids see firsthand the power of prayer. Review reconciliation procedure. Review the Stations in Lent. Pray the Rosary together in October, maybe show a video of approved apparitions. Do something for community service. Make baby blankets for the Crisis Pregnancy center, now is the time to begin a habit of serving others. Have them volunteer to serve punch at a parish party, set up tables, empty trash for events, etc. Have them be a “Prayer partner” for a kindergarten child. They meet with them once a month and teach them the sign of the cross, Hail Mary, etc. during class.
Talk about the issues they have at school. Explain what it is to be a true friend. True friends don’t let their friends go down the wrong path. True friends won’t ask you to ditch school, etc.
Whatever you do, don’t think of it as them sitting in desks and listening to you. If they must use desks, arrange them in some other fashion. The last thing kids want to do on the weekend is go to school. At church. That’s why we call it Faith Formation. We’re forming their consciences and their faith based toolbox.
Good luck, PM me if you want. I’m a DRE. Your DRE can get you more materials. Do get certified, learn about methodology and Church history so you can explain the WHY of everything we believe.
God bless you. We need more dedicated catechist. Remember that these kids will go home and catechize their parents, based on what you teach them!
