As a reminder, there are no elementary classroom faith formation classes on Sunday, October 13th or Monday, October 14th.
As I mentioned in the parent meeting we need your help covering the curriculum at home when we have canceled classes. Your child's catechist should have sent home the Oct. 20th lesson for you to review with your child at home. Please cover this lesson before the next class.
Below you will find a "lesson plan" that covers MOST of the lesson for your child. I have tried to combine what I could and pull out what is most important by grade level. Follow the steps 1-5.
If you prefer following the full lesson plan from Pflaum, you can see the teaching guide for each level below. Look at the details for the Oct. 20th lesson.
Have fun learning together with your child. I'm praying for you!!
As I mentioned in the parent meeting we need your help covering the curriculum at home when we have canceled classes. Your child's catechist should have sent home the Oct. 20th lesson for you to review with your child at home. Please cover this lesson before the next class.
Below you will find a "lesson plan" that covers MOST of the lesson for your child. I have tried to combine what I could and pull out what is most important by grade level. Follow the steps 1-5.
If you prefer following the full lesson plan from Pflaum, you can see the teaching guide for each level below. Look at the details for the Oct. 20th lesson.
Have fun learning together with your child. I'm praying for you!!
BEFORE YOU TEACH...
Background Information for You:
Scripture Background - Jesus tells a parable in which he presents a widow as a model to follow. She persists in asking for justice from an unjust judge. The judge gives her a fair judgment because of her persistence.
Each lesson encourages the children to ask God for what they need. Our loving God will answer our prayers much faster than the uncaring judge in the Gospel answers the widow’s request. “Prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with His Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 2565).
Parents, I hope you will see that a child’s persistent asking can be a way for you to find out what your child wants enough to keep asking for. Help your child sort out the difference between needs and wants. Tie this exercise to the message from Sunday’s Gospel: Jesus wants us to keep praying for what we need.
The LESSON:
1. Say a little prayer to get started, maybe an Our Father.
2. Review the Share Experiences section with your child:
Background Information for You:
Scripture Background - Jesus tells a parable in which he presents a widow as a model to follow. She persists in asking for justice from an unjust judge. The judge gives her a fair judgment because of her persistence.
Each lesson encourages the children to ask God for what they need. Our loving God will answer our prayers much faster than the uncaring judge in the Gospel answers the widow’s request. “Prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with His Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 2565).
Parents, I hope you will see that a child’s persistent asking can be a way for you to find out what your child wants enough to keep asking for. Help your child sort out the difference between needs and wants. Tie this exercise to the message from Sunday’s Gospel: Jesus wants us to keep praying for what we need.
The LESSON:
1. Say a little prayer to get started, maybe an Our Father.
2. Review the Share Experiences section with your child:
- Red (PROMISE) section is for 1st Grade
- Green (GOOD NEWS) for 2/3rd grade
- Blue (VENTURE) for 4/5th grade.
2. FIRST GRADE - PROMISE Gospel Weekly
Tell this story: Peyton and Becket lived next door to each other. Halloween was less than two weeks away. Every day on the way home from school, Peyton and Becket stopped at Flynn’s store to look at the Halloween masks. Every day, they asked their parents, “Can we buy one of the masks in Flynn’s store?” On Monday, they wanted monster masks, but their parents said, “No.” On Tuesday, they decided on gorilla masks, but their parents said… On Wednesday, they asked for clown masks, but their parents said… On Thursday, they wanted superhero masks, but their parents said… When Peyton and Becket came home from school on Friday,
Becket’s mother invited Peyton to come inside for milk and cookies. “We decided we want dinosaur masks,” said Becket. Becket’s mother smiled and said, “Come with me to the basement.” There stood Peyton’s mother at a worktable with all kinds of supplies for making Halloween masks—paper plates, yarn, glitter, glue, cotton, paints. Peyton made a clown face with a purple nose and red-yarn hair full of glitter. Becket made a green and purple monster face with black hair and big ears. “These are better than Flynn’s masks,” said Peyton. “I knew you’d get us masks if we kept asking,” said Becket. “We decided we had to do something to stop your asking,” said the mothers.
Ask: What did the children ask for? Why didn’t their parents buy the masks for them? How did the parents give the children what they really wanted?
Open the Promise to page 1 and ask: Who has helped you today? Help your child examine the cover picture. The boy at the bottom is Charlie. Talk about what Charlie is doing in the picture...getting ready for school / walking to school / being in art class / falling on the playground / going to the library / walking home.
Talk about all of the people who helped Charlie throughout his day.
On page 2 read the title aloud and give your child time to find and color the hidden objects that children need: sun, book, bed, heart (love), flowers, home, rain, water or milk, starlight, trees, parents, clothes, apple and carrot (food), dog (pet).
Invite your child to say why they need one of these people or things.
Have your child assemble the Prayer Book on pages 3-4. Discuss where to keep it and when to pray with it.
Tell this story: Peyton and Becket lived next door to each other. Halloween was less than two weeks away. Every day on the way home from school, Peyton and Becket stopped at Flynn’s store to look at the Halloween masks. Every day, they asked their parents, “Can we buy one of the masks in Flynn’s store?” On Monday, they wanted monster masks, but their parents said, “No.” On Tuesday, they decided on gorilla masks, but their parents said… On Wednesday, they asked for clown masks, but their parents said… On Thursday, they wanted superhero masks, but their parents said… When Peyton and Becket came home from school on Friday,
Becket’s mother invited Peyton to come inside for milk and cookies. “We decided we want dinosaur masks,” said Becket. Becket’s mother smiled and said, “Come with me to the basement.” There stood Peyton’s mother at a worktable with all kinds of supplies for making Halloween masks—paper plates, yarn, glitter, glue, cotton, paints. Peyton made a clown face with a purple nose and red-yarn hair full of glitter. Becket made a green and purple monster face with black hair and big ears. “These are better than Flynn’s masks,” said Peyton. “I knew you’d get us masks if we kept asking,” said Becket. “We decided we had to do something to stop your asking,” said the mothers.
Ask: What did the children ask for? Why didn’t their parents buy the masks for them? How did the parents give the children what they really wanted?
Open the Promise to page 1 and ask: Who has helped you today? Help your child examine the cover picture. The boy at the bottom is Charlie. Talk about what Charlie is doing in the picture...getting ready for school / walking to school / being in art class / falling on the playground / going to the library / walking home.
Talk about all of the people who helped Charlie throughout his day.
On page 2 read the title aloud and give your child time to find and color the hidden objects that children need: sun, book, bed, heart (love), flowers, home, rain, water or milk, starlight, trees, parents, clothes, apple and carrot (food), dog (pet).
Invite your child to say why they need one of these people or things.
Have your child assemble the Prayer Book on pages 3-4. Discuss where to keep it and when to pray with it.
2. SECOND/THIRD GRADE Good News Gospel Weekly
Have your child complete page 1.
Turn to page 2 Invite your child to look at the pictures draw conclusions about why the story is called Please? Ask: When have you asked for something? Did you get what you wanted right away? How did you feel if you had to wait? Although we may find a child’s persistence in asking irritating, asking for what we think we need is a healthy trait.
Read the story to your child.
Discuss the Know questions related to the story: 1. Danny wants a soccer ball. He has saved money and knows the kind of ball he wants. He only needs his parents’ permission and help in buying it. 2. Danny keeps asking and making plans. He doesn’t give up.
Read page 3, “Pray Always.” Make sure your child sees the difference between the uncaring judge and God. The judge’s job was to give a fair decision for the widow, but he didn’t care about the widow or about doing his job well. God loves us and doesn’t get tired of us asking for what we need.
On page 3 read the definition of a prayer of petition. The Prayer of the Faithful at Mass has prayers of petition and prayers of intercession.
Have your child complete page 1.
Turn to page 2 Invite your child to look at the pictures draw conclusions about why the story is called Please? Ask: When have you asked for something? Did you get what you wanted right away? How did you feel if you had to wait? Although we may find a child’s persistence in asking irritating, asking for what we think we need is a healthy trait.
Read the story to your child.
Discuss the Know questions related to the story: 1. Danny wants a soccer ball. He has saved money and knows the kind of ball he wants. He only needs his parents’ permission and help in buying it. 2. Danny keeps asking and making plans. He doesn’t give up.
Read page 3, “Pray Always.” Make sure your child sees the difference between the uncaring judge and God. The judge’s job was to give a fair decision for the widow, but he didn’t care about the widow or about doing his job well. God loves us and doesn’t get tired of us asking for what we need.
On page 3 read the definition of a prayer of petition. The Prayer of the Faithful at Mass has prayers of petition and prayers of intercession.
2. FOURTH/FIFTH GRADE Venture Gospel Weekly
On page 1 start a discussion with your child about things they really want. Talk about wants versus needs.
Look at pages 2–3 with your child and invite your child to predict what the story is about. Children are very familiar with bullying and fighting. What could have started this fight? What does the twenty-dollar bill hiding in the leaves near the fence have to do with it? Is the teacher coming a good or bad thing? This story will prepare the children to hear this Sunday’s Gospel as relevant to them and not just about
some long-ago people.
Read the story.
Turn to the Think questions on page 3.
Read with your child, the article on Bartolomé de las Casas, Protector of the People (pages 2–3)
After watching the Gospel Video below, discuss the Think questions on page 4.1. The judge doesn’t fear God or respect people. The widow does not let up but returns repeatedly until the judge grants her request. Open-ended; it seems, though, that the judge recognizes that the widow will not let up on him until he gives her what she’s asking for. 2. People appeal to God and judges for what they need. However, God is loving, just, and quick to respond to faithful asking. The judge does the right thing only when forced. Marty keeps thinking of ways to have Justin give back the money; he’s persistent. He is a person who is not content until justice is done. 3. To keep on praying, to be persistent in asking God for help, and not to lose heart
Read Pray without Losing Heart on Page 4
Read Page 5.
On page 1 start a discussion with your child about things they really want. Talk about wants versus needs.
Look at pages 2–3 with your child and invite your child to predict what the story is about. Children are very familiar with bullying and fighting. What could have started this fight? What does the twenty-dollar bill hiding in the leaves near the fence have to do with it? Is the teacher coming a good or bad thing? This story will prepare the children to hear this Sunday’s Gospel as relevant to them and not just about
some long-ago people.
Read the story.
Turn to the Think questions on page 3.
Answers: 1. Open-ended; perhaps they don’t feel as though they would be supported by adults if they reported the theft and bullying. 2. He finds out it is probably the candy sale money that Emily lost; he thinks it is unfair. Marty gets Justin to fight with him, knowing the playground teacher will take them to the principal, where Marty will get Justin to admit he has Emily’s money. Marty doesn’t give up until he finds a solution. 3. Open-ended; Justin could retaliate against Marty.
Read with your child, the article on Bartolomé de las Casas, Protector of the People (pages 2–3)
After watching the Gospel Video below, discuss the Think questions on page 4.
1. The judge doesn’t fear God or respect people. The widow does not let up but returns repeatedly until the judge grants her request. Open-ended; it seems, though, that the judge recognizes that the widow will not let up on him until he gives her what she’s asking for. 2. People appeal to God and judges for what they need. However, God is loving, just, and quick to respond to faithful asking. The judge does the right thing only when forced. Marty keeps thinking of ways to have Justin give back the money; he’s persistent. He is a person who is not content until justice is done. 3. To keep on praying, to be persistent in asking God for help, and not to lose heart
and give up.
Read Pray without Losing Heart on Page 4Read Page 5.
3. Watch this video on prayer but ask your child if they can "spot the differences" in the way the kids say the Our Father. Remind them of the way we say it. Maybe even look up the prayer in the Bible:
Matthew 6:9-13 and see the differences there too! The tradition of the Catholic Church is the version we say at Mass.
Matthew 6:9-13 and see the differences there too! The tradition of the Catholic Church is the version we say at Mass.
4. Watch the video of the Gospel Reading.
Ask: What did the woman need? Why did the judge help her? What do you ask God for?
Ask: What did the woman need? Why did the judge help her? What do you ask God for?
5. Closing Prayer
Pray the five-finger prayer:
Loving God, we know you want to hear from us, your children. Our hands remind us to pray.
Our thumbs remind us to pray for… (those closest to us, our family and friends).
Our pointer fingers remind us to pray for… (those who guide us, point us in the right direction - coaches, teachers, etc.).
Our tallest fingers remind us to pray for… (our leaders - the Pope, the President, your Principal, other government officials).
Our fourth fingers remind us to pray for people who… (suffer and need our prayers).
Our little fingers remind us to pray for ourselves.
Thank you, loving God, for giving us hands to remind us to pray and hearts that love you and each other. Amen.
Pray the five-finger prayer:
Loving God, we know you want to hear from us, your children. Our hands remind us to pray.
Our thumbs remind us to pray for… (those closest to us, our family and friends).
Our pointer fingers remind us to pray for… (those who guide us, point us in the right direction - coaches, teachers, etc.).
Our tallest fingers remind us to pray for… (our leaders - the Pope, the President, your Principal, other government officials).
Our fourth fingers remind us to pray for people who… (suffer and need our prayers).
Our little fingers remind us to pray for ourselves.
Thank you, loving God, for giving us hands to remind us to pray and hearts that love you and each other. Amen.
