{

Activity Centers in the Elementary RE Classroom

Sharing our faith can also be fun!

Lynn Southall & Bonnie Shelton

Transfiguration

{TV

Table5-6 chairs

Table5-6

chairsTable

5-6 chairs

Prayer TableStation 1, Text

Station 2, Activity

Station 3, Lesson Adjunct

Students begin in chairs with arrival activity (coloring sheet or activity sheet and Word of the Week) and remain in these spaces for opening prayer, Bible reading, and lesson overview. Students then rotate among the stations. Station 1: Vocabulary and lesson review using text. Station 2: Week’s hands-on activity. Station 3: Saint/Holy Day/Peace and Justice Issue/Liturgy, etc. Different each week.

Prayer & visuals

for Bible reading,

and lesson

overview on

Power Point

Arrival, arrival activity, until 4:05 p.m.; Opening prayer, Bible reading, and lesson overview, until 4:30 p.m. Ten minutes at each station, until 5:00 p.m. Closing prayer and room clean up until 5:10 p.m. Car pool at 5:15 p.m.

Attention Spans

Be ready; establish classroom rules (Golden Rule); refer behavior problems to DRE after 1-2 attempts to change

Be ready – before they arrive!

Lesson Plan

Welcoming Activity

Publisher reproducible masters and printable activity sheets are generally good welcoming activities.

“Tons” of online resources.

Opening Prayer

Opening Prayer (Using Power Point or PosterSign of the CrossOur FatherHail MaryAct of ContritionGlory BeClass IntentionsSign of the Cross

Two formats: Students and catechist read along in student

text together. Use PowerPoint presentation, chalkboard, or

posters/pictures as focal point for students while catechist presents lesson material.

One catechist takes students for a drink of water or bathroom break and the other resets the classroom for activities.

Present the Lesson

Using Teacher Text

At Baptism we become children of God and members of the Church

Sample PowerPoint slide. Can be adapted as a poster.

At Baptism we receive grace,a share in God’s life

Key Words

Grace: God’s life in us.

Original Sin: The first man and woman disobeyed God; the first sin.

Baptism: The Sacrament in which we are freed from sin and given grace.

Table 1 - Review Divine

A word to

describe God

Use student text Chapter Test or publisher online chapter review.

Make key word cards. Word on one side of card,definition on the other.

Table 2 – Hands-On Activity

Sample Activities

Table 3 – Lesson Activity or Saint of the Month or Seasonal/Holiday/Feast Activity

Closing Prayer

Closing Prayer and Dismissal (Use PowerPoint or Prayer Poster):Sign of the CrossOur FatherHail MaryAct of ContritionSign of the Cross

OR

Guided meditationSilent prayer with background musicetc.Teach about a form of prayer: petition, thanksgiving, contrition, love/charity – giving examples

http://www.sadlier.com/religion/school/catholic-religious-education

http://www.faithfirst.com/ http://www.blestarewe.com/ http://www.pflaumweeklies.com/

new_page/index.php http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/

FaithAndLIfe/

Publisher Web Sites

Catholic Craft Books Amazon.com Religious Education Office

On-line resources Pinterest http://catholicblogger1.blogspot.com/ http://www.catholicicing.com/ http://www.dltk-bible.com/

Helpful Sources