What are you doing in your classroom or home? I think it would be great to see what others are doing to exchange some ideas. I am constantly looking for new activities to do and I know others are too.
This is what I plan on doing with my first grade CCD class:
Review-
• Review - Sign of the Cross, Grace Before Meals, Glory Be, Our Father (Lord’s Prayer)
• Review- Last week’s Take Home Sheet
• Review- People at Mass using People at Church Cards.
• Review- Liturgical Objects at Mass (pew, stoup, altar, chalice, ciborium, Body of Christ, Blood of Christ, tabernacle, bells, lectern, ambo, Lectionary, missal, Book of the Gospels, Processional Cross, cruets, Presider’s/Celebrant’s Chair) using Liturgical Objects Used at Mass Cards.
• Review- Liturgical Objects at Mass by playing Memory (use two copies of cards)
Celebrating the Mass Lesson-
Consecration
There are a number of Eucharistic Prayers that can be used by the priest at Mass. They all have a common form so that although they vary somewhat, there are key parts you will always recognize.
*Review with the students the Eucharistic Prayer that we use at our church.
As the priest recites the words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper (this is when he shared bread and wine with his friends), we kneel and pray silently.
While you are kneeling, you should make a solemn bow during the consecration of the bread and wine. This is an act of adoration to our Lord who is now present under these forms. The consecration (write this on the board) is when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation (write this on the board) is the change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Consecration of the Mass. The consecration happens when the priest recites the words of Jesus over them.
Bell Ringing - The bells should be rung by an altar server at specific times during the Mass as is the local custom in your parish. Typical times for ringing the bell are:
• Once, when the priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the gifts and calls on the Holy Spirit to come upon the gifts.
• Once when the Consecrated Host is raised up into the air.
• Once when the Consecrated Wine is raised up into the air.
Questions:
What do our gifts of bread and wine become? (The Body and Blood of Christ.)
What happens during the consecration? (It is the moment when the bread and wine become The Body and Blood of Christ.)
What is the change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ called? (Transubstantiation)
What do we call the special meal in which Jesus shared bread and wine with his friends? (The Last Supper.)
Celebrating the Mass Activities-
The activity below is free, however it can only to be used for classroom and personal use. It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit.
Lesson Plan-
The Good Samaritan and go over vocabulary words with students. Read story: “The Good Samaritan” The Usborne Children's Bible by Heather Amery and ask questions from Take Home Sheet that will be sent home today. Note: When I read the story to the students I usually sit in the chair in the corner by the board and have the students sit on the floor in front of me. After the students have answered the questions about the story, I have them go back to their seats to continue with what is on the lesson plan (activity, craft, game, puzzles/worksheets, etc.).
Movie-
Veggie Tales: Accepting and Helping- Are You My Neighbor? The Story of Flibber-o-loo (The Good Samaritan) and ask questions from lesson.
Craft- Introduce craft: Jesus said to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. What does that mean? (Treat others like we like to be treated.) Does that mean we must be kind to our enemies? (Yes) Lets’ make a craft to remind us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
mssscrafts.com- Laced Bookmark: Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:30-31)
Directions and template are posted.
Tip: Glue the heart sections together first and then lace the rest of the book mark.
Mini Book-
lambsongs.co.nz- “The Kind Man From Samaria” by Jill Kemp
Have students read the mini book out loud in class by taking turns (each read a page) and take home to read to their parents. Students can also color mini book.
Games- Introduce game: How are we to treat others?
Chutes & Ladders (board game)
When the students land on a ladder have them identify the good deed and the reward. When the students land on the slide have them identify the bad behavior and what the consequence was.
Puzzles & Worksheets- While students are doing puzzles/worksheets, etc. they may say a prayer. Students are asked to recite 5 prayers by the end of the year. A “We Know Our Prayers” chart is on the bulletin board. If the student can recite the prayer correctly, write the date on the chart, and they get to pick a prize from the prize bag.
The Merciful Samaritan- Hidden Pictures: Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word Grade 1-3 by Linda Standke, page 24
Homework- Give each student a Good Samaritan Take Home Sheet for their parents to go over with them to review what we have done in class. Parents need to help their child fill this out and bring back to class the following week. Students that complete their homework and bring it back to class will be able to play Homeworkopoly. Each Sunday the students make a mini story book and/or story wheel in class. Students need to read these to their parents (or the parents read to them) the mini book and/or story wheel for homework.
What will you do in your classroom or home? Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!
