T
TracyQ
Guest
I’m so glad your first week went well! 
I taught the 2nd grade (First Reconciliation) class for 7 or 8 years (don’t remember exactly).
Every year was so different, but the things I learned through teaching was:
*Find a way to connect with each child through talking with them before or after class, or in applying our lessons to their life (asking questions, discussion, etc.) Knowing I really cared about them and showing interest in each of their lives went a long way in the relationship we all had as a community, that I had with them, and in their behavior as well.
*Always try to change up where we do the activities. Try to move them around from the desk to the floor, to something more active (standing, walking, etc.) so the Ants in the Pants Syndrome is lessened.
*Try to keep the activities more visual when possible, because these kids are in a very graphic oriented, colorful world, that uses graphics for attention. Not that everything has to be done that way, but for the lesson part, it’s helpful. Sometimes I’d use felt boards, or object lessons, or skits, having them play the parts, etc. Keeping them participating is always a good way to keep their attention.
*Try to remember the fact that they may not know the faith very well, and may not even attend Church regularly is not their fault (at this age particularly), and that you may be the only person that is truly seeding their Faith to grow in their future years. It can be extremely frustrating at times when the families aren’t even attending church, but are only sending them because they want them to participate in the sacraments. This isn’t the kids’ faults, and I tried to remember that. One year, out of about 12-15 kids, I had only 1 or 2 kids that attended Mass regularly.
I think those are the most important things that I learned while teaching CCD. It’s a very important, and blessed calling. May the Lord bless you in it, and reward you in ways you can’t even imagine! I know He did for me!
Tracy Q.
I taught the 2nd grade (First Reconciliation) class for 7 or 8 years (don’t remember exactly).
Every year was so different, but the things I learned through teaching was:*Find a way to connect with each child through talking with them before or after class, or in applying our lessons to their life (asking questions, discussion, etc.) Knowing I really cared about them and showing interest in each of their lives went a long way in the relationship we all had as a community, that I had with them, and in their behavior as well.
*Always try to change up where we do the activities. Try to move them around from the desk to the floor, to something more active (standing, walking, etc.) so the Ants in the Pants Syndrome is lessened.
*Try to keep the activities more visual when possible, because these kids are in a very graphic oriented, colorful world, that uses graphics for attention. Not that everything has to be done that way, but for the lesson part, it’s helpful. Sometimes I’d use felt boards, or object lessons, or skits, having them play the parts, etc. Keeping them participating is always a good way to keep their attention.
*Try to remember the fact that they may not know the faith very well, and may not even attend Church regularly is not their fault (at this age particularly), and that you may be the only person that is truly seeding their Faith to grow in their future years. It can be extremely frustrating at times when the families aren’t even attending church, but are only sending them because they want them to participate in the sacraments. This isn’t the kids’ faults, and I tried to remember that. One year, out of about 12-15 kids, I had only 1 or 2 kids that attended Mass regularly.
I think those are the most important things that I learned while teaching CCD. It’s a very important, and blessed calling. May the Lord bless you in it, and reward you in ways you can’t even imagine! I know He did for me!
Tracy Q.
Other than being a Girl Scout co-leader for a year, I have ZERO experience. The positive side is that I’ve been doing a LOT of self-education in the Catholic faith recently (learning to refute some anti-Catholic sentiments)