Teacing the Act of Contrition

[churchfounded33]

Hi, I am new to this site and really trying to find my way around. In fact I couldn’t fine the “post button” for new comer’s and bounced in here.

I teach 2nd (first year teaching) and 7th (3rd yr) CCD and trying to find a “fun” way of teaching the AoC. Any ideas. Any ideas on getting 7th graders interested. I consider myself a fun but “hard” teacher. I try to do a lot of games, give out scripture hmwk (was told to cut that out) along with any workbook pg’s we didn’t finish - It is just frustrating. 85% of these kids have no interest in being there, their knowledge of faith is scrary. My 2nd grade class retains more than my 7th. My 7th grade class doesn’t know who the Pope is, what a sacrament is (and why we celebrate).

I’m sure I was the same way (as a cradle catholic) but one thing different was a respect that these kids don’t have, because they were taught. CCD/PSR teachers only have 1 hour to feed/plant. Oh Holy Spriit, please guide us!! If anyone has any ideas, please HELP. I’ve tried everything I could think of with the AoC.

 

[Saint_Gemma]

Maybe you could give a miraculous medal to everyone who memorizes it within a week?

 

[kage_ar]

For 7th graders, it has to be interesting and REAL. Using quizzes/prizes is good, bribery works.

One thing that went over well for us, was “are you smarter than a 5th grader”. We took the texts for CCD grades 1 - 5, and divided the teens up into two teams.

One member of each team took turns selecting the level question they wanted, we read a question right out of the selected book. 3rd grade questions were 3 points, 1st grade were one point, etc.

 

[IrishAm]

“Competition” with other classes also works well with 7th graders. When you compete among your own class, the students know the teacher doesn’t really care too much who wins. They like seeing teach vested in the outcome, too.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I don’t have any specific suggestions, but you can only do so much. An hour a week won’t do it if their parents aren’t supporting and teach the faith at home seven days a week.

 

[leonie]

Since we have so little time with these kids, pick five or six things you really want them to learn and just hammer it this year.

If you can tie it in with a story, I think that generates more interest. How about the story of Alexandro

mariagoretti.org/alessandrobio.htm

I think at this age, you should focus on explaining contrition, rather than trying to get them to memorize it (though a worthy thing).

If you do want them to memorize it, there are two avenues: a powerful experience or repetition. Music helps, too. But, with 7th graders, they are usually really self conscious about singing.

You could try dividing them up into two teams: one side shouts at the other, “Oh, My God…”

The other shouts back, “I am heartily sorry…”

First side, “for having offended thee.”

And so on. Do it first with crib sheets a couple times. Then, see how far you can go. Then switch sides. I’d have them do some kind of body motion. Either standing up when it’s their turn, or having them raise their hands for the “oh my God”, Strike their chest for the “I am heartily sorry.” And, so on.

The kids definitely respond to rewards. From what I’ve seen, they like Mountain Dew the best. But, make sure they save it for after Mass!! No breaking the fast!!!

If you know you have a “class clown,” I’d ask him or her to help you decide on the dramatic hand motions. I’d also have a couple kids be judges on the best team( of course, judges get the reward, too). And, then the next week, I’d repeat it, but I would take the role of the teacher. And, then I’d include it in my closing prayers every day.

 

[Marysann]

I am glad that you are teaching the Act of Contrition. I have an amusing story to tell about that. One night when my 23 year old son was attending a Catholic high school, I went into his room to see what he was up to. He told me that he was learning the Act of Contrition. I was shocked because I assumed that he knew it, that he had learned when he made his first confession while in the second grade. He said that he hadn’t learned it second grade, and neither had the other kids in his high school religion class. When his high school religion teacher found out that the kids didn’t know the Act of Contrition, he assigned them to learn it. Tell your seventh graders to learn it now so that they won’t be embarrassed when they get to high school and don’t know it!