PSR question

[journey137]

This is going to be a very long post and for those of you that don’t want to read it all, my main question is in the first paragraph so just read that

Here’s the question I got from a first grader during PSR last night: “How do I know what God says back to me when I pray because I can’t hear him like he hears me.” Basically I just told her that she should listen real close and that God talks in more than just words. He talks in feelings and emotions too (e.g. love). I could use some better ways to explain this to her because she was so earnest in asking this and I know my answer didn’t satisfy her but I couldn’t think of a better way to explain it on the spot like that.

Now I’m going to tell everyone what we did for our first class and get some (name removed by moderator)ut on if I’m doing the right thing with these kids… I’ve never done PSR before First we started off saying the Our Father. Then we sat down and had the kids make up rules for the classroom. We came up with 1) no disrespecting other people or their stuff 2) ask permission and 3) be on time. After that we talked about the stuff God made for us and why he made it (I got the answer because he loves us the first time!). Then we looked at examples of stuff God made. There were some nifty looking rocks, pictures from magazines, three very different house plants (a small aside was made here about how they’re all different but they’re all important in God’s plan because he made them the way he did) and we talked about my two ferrets (again another aside about how different they are and how special they are because one is slim and white and the other is a huge chunk and dark colored) and I showed them my hedgehog (discussion about how God designed her to be able to roll up into a ball to defend herself). We took a potty break at this point – I swear needing to pee must be contagious when you’re that age. Once everybody got back we sat down and went through a worksheet that was fill in the blank with the Our Father. That went beautifully. Then we went through phrase by phrase asking all the kids what the big words meant and what the phrases meant and explaining to them when they didn’t know usually with analogies about playground or toys. When we got to the “tresspasses” part we had a discussion about sins and what they are and why they’re bad. After we went through the entire thing we said it one last time and then class was over and we sent a couple worksheets home with them to work on with their parents.

Am I trying to cover too much with these kids? They seemed like they understood everything we talked about and they seemed like they had fun. I don’t want to be boring to them and I also want them to learn about their faith (the main focus for first grade is learning the standard prayers and doing a little prep work to get them ready for 2nd grade first reconsiliation and first communion). Please give me some feedback because I’m incredibly nervous about the responsibility of teaching these little ones. Thanks!!

 

[bluerose]

I think you’re doing great! Believe me, if the kids aren’t interested or aren’t getting it, you’d know. My son and niece were 7 and 6 when they made their First Penance and received First Holy Communion. The nearby parish doesn’t start prepping their students until FOURTH grade and if the fact that a 9-year-old cousin of my niece’s didn’t know it was JESUS they received in the Eucharist doesn’t alert you to the fact that someone’s not doing their job, then I don’t know what will.

Don’t underestimate a child’s ability to learn. They’re a lot smarter than we give them credit for. And as far as UNDERSTANDING goes, let’s face it: how many adults truly UNDERSTAND Christ’s sacrifice and His giving Himself to us under the appearance of bread and wine? Teach them to know, love and serve God and the understanding will come in time!

BlueRose

 

[puzzleannie]

• When we got to the “tresspasses” part we had a discussion about sins and what they are and why they’re bad. After we went through the entire thing we said it one last time and then class was over and we sent a couple worksheets home with them to work on with their parents.
  . . .
  Am I trying to cover too much with these kids? They seemed like they understood everything we talked about and they seemed like they had fun. I !!

first thank you for responding to the call of the Holy Spirit for catechists to reach his children.
I still need another 1st grade teacher, just got my Communion 2 teacher at 4pm today, Holy Spirit has until 9 am Saturday to come through for me, so I’m not worried.

evaluate this weeks lesson by asking them next week to explain “trespasses” again. you will get a big chuckle out of the answers, trust me.

stick with one concept each lesson, and present it different ways over 3-4 weeks. evaluate what they have learned not through testing, but through games, relays, contests. The purpose of the coloring, drawing, arts, crafts etc. is to see how well they can communicate what they have learned, and to reinforce the concepts.

lots of movement for this age group, the potty break can be made a positive thing–learn about processions, taking turns, what did we see along the way (often the Catholic school children have interesting projects on the walls that can be discussion starters).

It really helps to have an aide to handle bathroom trips.

going outside is a great idea, but have a purpose, and never try it unless you have at least one other adult or teen aide to help you.