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CHAPTER 1: Jesus Is the Son of God
In this chapter the children learn that God the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to be with us.
- Click here for the activity “Jesus, the Center of Our Lives.”
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions. Give each child a sheet of yellow or brown construction paper, a half sheet of green construction paper and a craft stick. Have each child glue the activity sheet to the yellow or brown construction paper, color the flowers, and then cut it out. Help the children glue or tape their flowers to the craft sticks and make construction paper leaves.
Suggest that the children display their flowers at home. Say, Every time you see your flower, remember that Jesus is the center of our lives.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Intrapersonal
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CHAPTER 2: Jesus Christ Gives Us the Church
In this chapter the children learn that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. On this day the Church began.
- Click here for the activity “The Story of Pentecost.”
Distribute the activity sheets and give each child a sheet of construction paper. Read the directions. Help the children arrange the sentences in the correct order (1. Early one Sunday morning… 2. The disciples heard a noise… 3. They saw what looked… 4. The disciples went out…). Ask for a volunteer to tell what happened next (Peter spoke about Jesus to a large crowd of people). Have the children write the sentence on the blank strip.
Have the children gather in the prayer space. Pray, “Holy Spirit, help us to tell others about Jesus Christ.”
Answer: The correct order of the sentences is:
1. Early one Sunday morning the disciples were together in one place.
2. The disciples heard a noise like a strong wind.
3. They saw what looked like flames of fire over each of them.
4. The disciples went out into the street. 5. Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 3: We Celebrate God's Love
In this chapter the children learn that we belong to the Catholic Church. They learn that Catholics throughout the world share and celebrate certain things.
Distribute the activity sheets. You may want the children to work in small groups. Suggest that the children refer to their texts before writing their answers. Have the children color the picture. When they have finished coloring, ask them to stand and join hands. Pray together: " Jesus, we pray for all members of the Catholic Church. May we work together to share your love with all people."
Answer: Some of the ways that Catholics throughout the world share and celebrate include: (answers will vary) the belief that Jesus is the Son of God; the belief that Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to save us; God’s life and love; and a call to help and serve others as Jesus did.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Visual-Spatial, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 4: We Celebrate Baptism
In this chapter the children learn about the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism. They learn that at Baptism our parents and godparents promise for us to keep Christ's light burning within us. They learn that as children of God we are to share Christ's light with others.
- Click here for the activity "The Light of Christ."
Distribute the activity sheets. Suggest that the children keep the calendars in their rooms and mark them at the end of each day this week. If time permits, have the children act out different ways of sharing Christ's light with others.
Multiple Intelligences: Intrapersonal, Visual-Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic
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CHAPTER 5: We Celebrate Confirmation
In this chapter the children discuss that God the Father and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us as our Helper and guide.
Distribute the activity sheets. Help the children make Holy Spirit doorknob hangers. Have the children take the hangers home to share with their families.
When the children have finished working, have them gather in the prayer space. Sing together "Make Us Strong," #5 On the Grade 2 We Believe CD.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Musical
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CHAPTER 6: The Church Year
In this chapter the children learn that the Church year helps us to follow Jesus.
- Click here for the activity “Jesus, We Are Happy.”
Distribute the activity sheets. Have the children practice singing. Together make up actions for the song. Encourage the children to teach the song to their families.
Multiple Intelligences: Musical, Interpersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic
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CHAPTER 7: Ordinary Time
In this chapter the children learn that in Ordinary Time we celebrate Jesus Christ and learn to follow him.
- Click here for the activity “We Celebrate Ordinary Time.”
Distribute the activity sheets. Ask for a volunteer to read the directions. Explain that the wax of the crayon will resist the paint. You may want to suggest that the children use a yellow crayon to color the outline of the letters.
Suggest that the children display the sign at home during Ordinary Time. Say, When you look at the sign, remember what Jesus has taught us about following him.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Intrapersonal
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CHAPTER 8: We Learn About God's Love
In this chapter the children learn that the Old Testament and the New Testament are the two parts of the Bible.
Distribute the activity sheets, and have the children read the directions. When the children are finished coloring, have them glue their activity sheets to a piece of construction paper. Then help them cut out the bookmarks. Encourage the children to share their bookmarks with their families and to mark their favorite stories in the family Bible.
Invite a volunteer to pantomime hi/her favorite story from the Bible, and encourage the group to identify the story.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic
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CHAPTER 9: God Gives Us Laws
In this chapter the children learn that we show our love for God and others by following the commandments.
- Click here for the activity “Following the Commandments.”
Distribute the activity sheets. Ask volunteers to read the stories. Have the children work in pairs. Suggest that they write the story endings on the back of the activity sheet. Then have volunteer sets of partners act out their stories.
Invite the children into the prayer space. Pray together, “God, help us to follow your commandments.”
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 10: We Follow God's Laws
In this chapter the children read and discussed the story of the forgiving father.
- Click here for the activity “A Modern Day Telling.”
Distribute the activity sheets and a large piece of light colored construction paper. Have the children cut out the story frames and arrange them in the correct order. (1. Father handing bag of money to son. 2. Son showing empty bag to friends. 3. Son sitting on rock. 4. Father and son on road.) Then have the children tape or glue the frames to the construction paper. Remind the children to leave space above each frame to draw a speech balloon. Ask the children to write in the balloons what the characters are saying and then color the pictures. When the children are finished writing and coloring, ask them to share their work.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Linguistic, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 11: We Prepare for the Sacrament of Forgiveness
In this chapter the children read and discuss the story of the shepherd finding the lost sheep.
- Click here for the activity “The Story of the Good Shepherd.”
Distribute the activity sheets. Read the directions, and help the children complete the activity. While they are working, discuss how the story can help us know more about God’s love. When the children have completed the activity, have them work in pairs. Ask the partners to use the scene sticks to retell the story in their own words. Then pray together: “Jesus, you are our Good Shepherd. Help us to follow your loving ways.”
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Interpersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic
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CHAPTER 12: We Celebrate the Sacrament of Forgiveness
In this chapter the children learn that Jesus wants us to forgive others and to share God’s gift of peace with them.
- Click here for the activity “A Story of Forgiveness.”
Distribute the activity sheets. Have a volunteer read the directions. When the sets of partners are finished writing, ask them to act out their stories.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Bodily-Kinesthetic
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CHAPTER 13: Advent
In this chapter the children learn that Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus.
Distribute the activity sheets. Ask a volunteer to read the directions. Have the children color the pot, the cactus leaves and the background. Encourage the children to put the plant pictures in a convenient place at home. Remind the children to color a bloom each time they help people see God’s love.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 14: Christmas
In this chapter the children learn that Christmas is a season to give glory to God.
- Click here for the activity “A Christmas Thank-You.”
Distribute the activity sheets. Have the children color the picture and write thank you notes. Help with spelling and punctuation. When the children are finished writing, collect the notes. Have volunteers help you organize the notes, grouping them according to the people addressed. Give the notes to someone on your parish ministry team. Ask the person to deliver the notes to the appropriate groups or individuals.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Interpersonal, Visual-Spatial
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CHAPTER 15: Jesus Gives Us the Eucharist
In Chapter 15 the children learn that in the Eucharist we remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us.
Write the word eucharist on the chalkboard or on poster board. Explain to the children that the word eucharist means "to give thanks." Say: When we celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist, we thank God the Father for his many gifts.
Ask the children to list some of the gifts God has given us. Record their responses on the chalkboard or on poster board. Review each of these gifts by pointing to the words while reading them aloud with the children. Next, ask the children to think of ways that they can show that they are thankful for God’s gifts. Explain to the children that they will make a thank-you card to show thanks for God’s gifts.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Ask a volunteer to read aloud the words on the card. Remind the children to use scissors to cut along the dashed lines and to fold the card in half along the solid line. After the children cut and fold the card, they can write a message to God inside the card. Encourage the children to color and decorate the cards. Invite volunteers to share their thank-you cards.
Multiple Intelligences: Intrapersonal, Visual-Spatial
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CHAPTER 16: We Gather for the Celebration of the Eucharist
In Chapter 16 the children learn that at Mass we are united to Jesus Christ and to one another.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Explain to the children that they are to draw a picture of the parish gathered for the celebration of the Mass. Ask: Who are some of the people that you see when we are gathered together for the celebration of the Mass? Use the photos in Chapter 16 of the We Believe text to help the children identify the people that participate in the Mass. Remind the children to think of the people in their parish that participate in the Mass and include them in their picture. Invite volunteers to share their parish pictures with the group.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial
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CHAPTER 17: We Celebrate the Liturgy of the Word
In Chapter 17 the children learn that the Liturgy of the Word is an integral part of the Mass.
- Click here for the activity "Prayers for God's People."
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Explain to the children that the general intercession is prayed after the creed during the Liturgy of the Word. At this time we pray for the needs of all God’s people. As a group, brainstorm a list of the needs of God’s people. Encourage the children to think of these things while they are writing their prayers. Then gather together in the prayer space. Stand together in a circle and join hands. Lead the children in prayer by asking each child in the circle to share a prayer intention. Offer these prayers to God.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic, Intrapersonal
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CHAPTER 18: We Celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist
In Chapter 18 the children learn about the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
- Click here for the activity "Complete the Sentence."
Distribute the activity sheets. Read aloud the directions. Ask volunteers to read aloud the words in the box. Then review with the children the text in the scroll. Work together as a group to complete each sentence by using a word from the box. Provide time for the children to write each word on the line. Then ask volunteers to read the completed sentence. (Answers: Eucharist; prayer; bread; wine; Christ.) Encourage the children to identify and then color the images on the page. You may want to make a bulletin board about the Liturgy of the Eucharist using the children’s completed activity sheets.
Answer: During the Liturgy of the Eucharist we present the gifts of bread and wine. A very special prayer is prayed. The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. We receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic
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CHAPTER 19: We Go in Peace to Share God’s Love
In Chapter 19 the children learn about ways we continue the celebration of the Eucharist in our lives.
Before beginning the activity, brainstorm with children a list of ways that we can share God’s love with others. Then distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Remind the children of the ways that were suggested to share God’s love with others. Encourage them to include these things or to list their own ideas in the hearts. (Answers will vary.) Invite the children color the hearts. You may want the children to use scissors to cut out the hearts and display them as part of a bulletin board.
Multiple Intelligences: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 20: Lent
In Chapter 20 the children learn that Lent is a season of preparing.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Ask volunteers to read the words in the box aloud. Explain to children that they are to find and circle each word in the puzzle. The words can be found vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards. You may want to the children to work with a partner to explain the significance of each word during Lent.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial, Interpersonal
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CHAPTER 21: The Three Days
In Chapter 21 the children learn that we celebrate the death and Resurrection of Jesus during the Easter Triduum.
In advance, compile photos and images of Holy Week liturgical celebrations and display them in the classroom. Begin the lesson by showing the children a calendar. Use the calendar to indicate the beginning and end of the Lenten season. Say: During Lent we prepare the celebrate Jesus’ death and Resurrection in a special way. When Lent ends, we begin the Three Days. The Three Days are the most important days of the Church year. The celebration of the Three Days begins on Holy Thursday evening and ends on Easter Sunday evening. Place your finger on the calendar to indicate the date of Holy Thursday (March 24, 2005), then use your finger to count from Holy Thursday to Good Friday, say: One! Do the same for Good Friday to Holy Saturday, say: Two! Repeat the process for Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday, say: Three! Direct the children’s attention to the images of Holy Week celebrations. Talk about each image and use the calendar to indicate which of the Three Days is being celebrated.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Encourage the children to draw pictures to show how the Church celebrates each of the Three Days. Provide crayons, markers, colored pencils, watercolor paint, and so on for the children to use.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Logical-Mathematical, Visual-Spatial
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CHAPTER 22: God Calls Us to Love and Serve
In Chapter 22 the children learn that everyone is called by God to love and serve him.
Distribute the activity sheets. Ask a volunteer to read the directions aloud. Talk about ways people can love and serve God. Remind the children to use their We Believe texts to help them find examples of ways people love and serve God. Allow time for the children to complete the activity sheets. Invite volunteers to share ways that “Danny” can love and serve God.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Intrapersonal, Visual-Spatial
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CHAPTER 23: The Church Lives Today
In Chapter 23 the children learn about today’s Church.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the crossword puzzle clues aloud. Encourage the children to use their We Believe texts to help them solve the puzzle. Provide crayons, markers, or colored for the children to color the picture.
Answer: Across:
1. leaders of the Church who carry on the work of the apostles—bishops 2. an area of the Church led by the bishop—diocese
Down:
2. the priest who leads and serves the parish—pastor
3. the leader of the Church who continues the work of Saint Peter--pope
Multiple Intelligences: Linguistic
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CHAPTER 24: We Pray
In Chapter 24 the children learn about the ways Jesus prayed, and the ways prayer brings us closer to God.
In advance, gather scissors (for each child), paste or glue, crayons, markers, glitter, and so on, sheets of oak tag paper or cardboard, and a roll of clear contact paper for the prayer card activity. If possible, compile some examples of prayer cards include a prayer card of the Our Father.
Before beginning the activity, display the prayer cards on the chalkboard or bulletin board. Say the following: Jesus’ disciples wanted to learn to pray as Jesus did. One day they asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is also called the Our Father.
Distribute the activity sheet to the children. Read the directions aloud. Then, direct the children’s attention to the words of the Our Father on the activity sheet. Explain to the children that they will make a prayer card for the Our Father. Encourage the children to be creative. Use crayons, markers, colored pencils, glitter, and so on, for the image on the front of the prayer card. Guide the children to use the scissors to cut the decorated front and the back of the prayer cards. Next, have the children use glue or paste to attach the cards to a sheet of oak tag paper or cardboard. Then, have the children trim the oak tag paper or cardboard around the front and the back of the prayer card. Finally, join the cards together by placing the each side of the prayer card next to each on a sheet of clear contact paper. Fold the clear contact paper in half, to make one card. Help the children to use scissors to trim the clear contact paper around the prayer card. Gather together in the prayer space and us the prayer cards to pray the Our Father together.
Multiple Intelligences: Visual-Spatial
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CHAPTER 25: We Honor Mary and the Saints
In Chapter 25 the children learn how we can honor Mary and the saints, and learn from their example.
Before beginning the activity, play “Litany of the Saints: # 24 on the Grade 2 CD. Ask the children to listen to the words and think about the people that are mentioned in the song. Then, play the song again. Encourage the children to sing along. After, ask the children to tell what they know about the people mentioned in the song. Say: The Church community honors holy people. The saints are holy people. The saints are all the members of the Church who have died and are happy with God forever in heaven. Mary is the greatest of saints.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Have the children work with a partner to match the saints to their descriptions and to explain what they have learned about Mary, the greatest of saints. Encourage the partners to use their We Believe texts to find information about these saints. (Answers: Saint Peter and Saint Paul helped the Church to spread and grow. Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres helped the poor and the sick. Saint John Bosco and Saint Frances Cabrini teach the children about God's love. Saint Brigid of Ireland and Saint Catherine of Siena were peacemakers. Children's answers about Mary may vary.)
Answer: Saint Peter and Saint Paul—helped the Church to spread and grow.
Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres—helped the poor and the sick.
Saint John Bosco and Saint Frances Cabrini—teach children about God’s love.
Saint Brigid of Ireland and Saint Catherine of Siena—were peacemakers.
What have you learned about Mary, the greatest of saints? Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Interpersonal, Linguistic
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CHAPTER 26: We Show Love and Respect
In Chapter 26 the children learn about loving and respecting all of God’s creation.
In advance, gather together the following materials: Styrofoam cup for each child, a five-pound bag of potting soil (can be found in most grocery stores), two bean seeds for each child, and a watering can filled with water.
Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. (You may want the children to write their name on the Styrofoam cup before adding the potting soil.) Guide the children to follow the directions to grow a bean plant, one step at a time. Provide assistance as needed. Remind the children to observe their bean plant every other day and draw pictures to record changes.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Naturalist, Intrapersonal
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CHAPTER 27: Easter
In chapter 27 the children learn that Easter is a season to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Talk about ways your parish celebrates Easter. If possible, compile recordings of Easter music. Play these songs for the children. Distribute the activity sheets and read the directions aloud. Encourage the children to think of the melody of a song that they know. Guide the children to use the melody to write lyrics to their Easter song. Remind the children to include an Alleluia in their Easter song.
If possible, invite the children to record their Easter song using a cassette recorder. Share these songs during the Easter season.
Answers will vary.
Multiple Intelligences: Musical, Linguistic |
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CHAPTER:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
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