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Overview
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Grade:
1
2
3
4
5
6
Grade 1
Unit 1
Chapter 1 - Connection to Liturgy
As the children learn about God and creation, explore with them their understanding that God is their Father and is the creator of all things. Help them to understand that God offers us a special way to be with him and show our love for him when we gather together at Mass. Emphasize that at Mass we thank God for giving us the world we live in and we thank God for creating us.
Chapter 2 - Connection to Liturgy
The Sign of the Cross is a prayer to the Holy Trinity. Reinforce the idea that we are speaking to God every time we pray this prayer. Remind the children that every Mass begins and ends with this prayer to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 3 - Connection to Liturgy
For Catholics the Sunday liturgy is the center of our lives as the family of Jesus. Participating at Mass together is the most important thing we do as a community of believers. Explain to the children that when we gather at Mass, we praise and thank God together for his many gifts, especially for the gift of Jesus. Remind them to share the sign of God's peace with both their family members and the other people at Mass.
Chapter 4 - Connection to Stewardship
Jesus calls us to love and work among his people. He wishes us to do many of the works he did — serve the sick, feed the hungry, console the afflicted, teach those who wish to love and serve God, and so much more. Help the children think about opportunities they have to offer their resources to others, such as assisting their parents with housework and helping out in other ways at home.
Chapter 5 - Connection to Liturgy
As the children learn about the Great Commandment, explain that when we celebrate Mass on Sunday with our parish, we are showing our love of God. We also show love for others by praying for the needs of others.
Chapter 6 - Connection to the Arts
Many fine artists have depicted expressive scenes of Jesus with his followers. Gather art books from the school or community library. You may want to look for work by Renaissance European artists who often painted religious scenes such as Vermeer's Christ in the House of Mary and Martha. Have an art exhibit by showing the children these works of art.
Unit 2
Chapter 9 - Connection to Stewardship
We are called by God to be loving and caring toward one another. Encourage the children to think of ways God would want them to act with their friends. For example, suggest that if they were to see someone being bullied, they could think of ways to help that person. They could offer to walk away with the person being bullied or report the bullying to a teacher. Discuss with the children other ways that they can show love and care for other people in their lives.
Chapter 10 - Connection to Liturgical Music
Many songs that are sung during Mass refer to the Holy Spirit. As you teach the chapter contents, you may wish to refer to the lyrics of some of these songs. Consider teaching the children some of these songs, or playing recordings of them
Chapter 11 - Connection to Liturgy
In this chapter the children will focus on the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Remind the children that the Blessed Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Explain that during Mass we pray to the Blessed Trinity. The liturgy begins with the Sign of the Cross. This prayer reminds us of the presence of the Blessed Trinity, one God in three Persons.
Chapter 12 - Connection to Family
Ask the children to discuss the ways parents care for and lead their families. Explain to the children that parents care for their children by providing food, clothing, and a home. Parents lead their children when they provide rules to protect them. Then ask the children to think of other ways parents care for and lead their children. Tell the children that their parents' care and leadership show God's love.
Unit 3
Chapter 15 - Connection to Liturgy
In this lesson the children learn that every week the parish gathers to worship God. We gather to celebrate God's love. Ask the children to look around them next Sunday to see all the people who have gathered for Mass. Point out how wonderful it is to join others in praising and thanking God.
Chapter 16 - Connection to Catholic Social Teaching
Care for God's Creation
In this chapter the children learn about the sacraments. Some of God's gifts of nature are signs of the sacraments: water, Baptism; olive oil in chrism, Confirmation and Holy
Orders; wheat and grapes, Eucharist; oil, Anointing of the Sick. Remind the children it is their responsibility for God's gifts of creation. (See As Catholics, page 191 in the children's text.)
Chapter 17 - Connection to Catholic Social Teaching
Life and Dignity of the Human Person
To be made in the image and likeness of God makes the human person a true reflection of the divine presence in the world. At our Baptism, we are reborn in Christ and are invited to become more like him. The Church teaches that the dignity of each individual deserves our respect and honor. How we treat and support one another enhances or disfigures that image of God with which we are blessed. Explain to the children that they can treat one another with respect in class, on the playground, and in their neighborhoods.
Unit 4
Chapter 22 - Connection to Liturgy
Emphasize with the children that the word eucharist means "to give thanks." Point out that when we celebrate the Eucharist we thank Jesus. Ask the children to share what Jesus has done for us. Write the responses on the board. Ask the children to remember to thank Jesus for doing these things next Sunday at Mass.
Chapter 23 - Connection to Liturgical Music
Explore with the children the purpose of music in the liturgy. Explain that different kinds of songs are sung during different parts of the Mass. Review with the children the assembly's responses during the Mass. Invite the children to sing any familiar responses such as Amen or Alleluia. Discuss ways that music lifts our spirits and helps us worship God.
Chapter 24 - Connection to Catholic Social Teaching
Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Help the children understand that most people love and serve God at home with their families and at work. Point out that we should do our best at work and should respect all workers. Explain to the children that they love and serve God when they do their schoolwork and do their jobs at home.
Chapter 25 - Connection to the Arts
Mary has been depicted in works of art throughout the centuries. Bring in books of religious paintings and print images of religious art from Catholic Web sites. Display these images in the prayer space during the week.
Chapter 26 - Connection to Catholic Social Teaching
Care for God's Creation
We are asked to show respect for God by taking care of all God's creation. This means that we are to protect our planet, its people, and its resources. Remind the children that God gave us the earth and that we are called to care for it. Encourage the children to watch for ways they can care for God's creation. Suggest some ways to do so, such as picking up litter, recycling certain materials, and planting flowers.
Grade:
1
2
3
4
5
6
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