Lesson Plan- Advent (1st grade on up)

Advent

Objectives: The students will be able to
- identify who God promised to send to be our Savior
- explain that Advent as a time for preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth
- explain why we use an Advent Wreath
- discuss the significance of each part of the Advent Wreath
- explain how we pray using the Advent Wreath
- identify what color each candle is on the Advent Wreath, when it is lighted, and what order



Review:
Prayer, questions and vocabulary words from last week’s lesson



Vocabulary Words: (Write the vocab words on the board and discuss with class)

Advent- the four week period leading up to Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, the season of the church year during which we prepare for Christ’s coming
Wreath- a hollow circular arrangement of flowers or greenery used as a decoration
Christmas- an annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25
Jesse Tree- It is a tree branch decorated with symbols representing the stories of people in Jesus' family tree.



Plan:

Introduce Advent to your class.

Advent Adventure- Take the children on an Advent adventure. (Big Book of Ideas for Children’s Faith Formation, by McNamara, McKeever, and Robinson, page 6).


Then show your students an Advent Wreath and discuss Advent with your class. Some questions that you might want to ask:

What does the circle of the Advent wreath represent? A circle has no beginning or an end. The circle of the Advent wreath represents that God is so great that God never had a beginning and will never have an end. The wreath is a circle, causing us to remember the eternity of God's love for us and for all humanity.

What do the evergreens tell us? Evergreens stay green all year. The evergreens tell us that God never changes. It is decked with green boughs, causing us to remember the newness of life we have in Christ Jesus.

How many candles are on the outside of the Advent wreath? 4

What does each candle represent? One week

Three candles are what color? Violet

Which candle is lighted first? Violet

What does the first candle represent? Represents the hope of the people of Israel that someone would come save them and the period of waiting for the birth of Christ. The first candle reminds us of the prophets' hope for God's salvation to come, as Isaiah prophesied.

What candle is lighted second? Violet

What does the second candle represent? Represents the peace that God has given through His son Jesus Christ and the preparation for the Christ Child.

What candle is lighted third? Rose.

What does the third candle represent? Represents the joy of sharing Christ. The third candle reminds us of the joy of the shepherds as they heard the good news of Jesus' arrival.

What candle is lighted fourth? Violet

What does the fourth candle represent? Represents love sent from God through His son, Jesus Christ.

What candle is lighted Christmas Eve or day? The white candle.

What does the white candle represent? The Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, come into our darkness to enlighten us and give us the life of God which we share with others.

What does the first Sunday of Advent begin? The first Sunday of Advent is the start of a new liturgical year in the Catholic Church. (Show students a Liturgical Year Calendar and discuss.)

What color is the primary Sanctuary color of Advent? Violet



Activities & Resources

usccb.org- Advent Resources

rca.org- Tons of resources listed that are available online to assist in the planning and development of programs for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons.

loyolapress.com- Advent Activities for All

loyolapress.com- Advent Lesson Plans

catholicculuture.org- Catholic Advent Activities

thereligionteacher.com- Advent Activities

catholiceducation.org- What are the "O Antiphons"?

thereligionteacher.com- Why is the third Sunday of Advent pink? (Why is the third candle in the Advent wreath pink?)

ncea.org- Advent Resources

The Catholic Toolbox- Jesse Tree Ideas

Advent Adventure- Each class session during Advent you will reveal a different Advent activity, project, or storybook that relates to the week’s Advent theme. (Big Book of Ideas for Children’s Faith Formation by Beth Branigan McNamara, page 6).

Advent Prayer Cube- Introduce a new prayer each week during the four weeks of Advent with a prayer cube. (Big Book of Ideas for Children’s Faith Formation, by McNamara, McKeever, and Robinson, page 10).

The Catholic Toolbox- Advent Lapbooks

raisinglittlesaints.blogspot.com- Advent Activities (printables)
Just click on Advent Activities for Kids to download activities.

reallifeathome.com- Celebrate Advent with Family: Free Advent Activities Printable

stclaresatthecathedral.org- Advent In A Bag For Children

looktohimandberadiant.com- “Seeking Our Savior”
The concept is that the kids are looking for clues during Advent, leading them up to the real meaning of the season, which is to prepare our hearts for Jesus, not to celebrate Christmas starting the day after Thanksgiving. Complete with lots of little hands-on activities, but this could also be adapted to be a take home activity by just using the coloring book, or to a more classroom-friendly activity by using the coloring book as a group and looking up all of the scripture references.



Coloring

sermons4kids.com- Candle of hope

sermons4kids.com- Candle of Peace

sermons4kids.com- Candle of Joy

sermons4kids.com- Candle of Love

ministry-to-children.com- Advent Candles Coloring Pages

ministry-to-children.com- Printable Advent Coloring Pages for Kids

marymarthamama.com- Advent Coloring Pages: 24 Free Printable Pages for Kids

catholicsprouts.com- Advent Coloring Book

getcoloringpages.com- Advent Coloring Pages

childrens-ministry-deals.com- Advent Coloring Calendar

feelslikehomeblog.com- Coloring the Advent

thecatholickid.com- Advent Wreath Coloring Page

education.com- Advent Candles Coloring Page

northernpastoral.network- Advent Wreath Coloring Pages



The mini book below is free; however it may 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. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. *All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on this activity are not my own and they are from various internet sources.

Advent Mini Book- printable book that the children can color



Crafts

Advent Calendar- A take home Advent calendar that you make. (Big Book of Ideas for Children’s Faith Formation, by McNamara, McKeever, and Robinson, page 7 & 8).

catholicicing.com- Advent Wreath Crafts For Kids (The Ultimate List!) 15 posted!

first-school.ws- Advent Wreath craft with templates

jesus-without-language.net- Advent Craft Part 1

jesus-without-language.net- Advent Craft Part 2

jesus-without-language.net- Advent Craft Part 3

jesus-without-language.net- Advent Craft Part 4

jesus-without-language.net- Advent Craft Part 5

Advent Wreath Craft- "No Burn, Construction Paper Wreath - Made with your Child's Handprints"

christiancrafters.com- No Flame Advent Wreath

looktohimandberadiant.com- Kids' Advent Wreath- Free Printables

catholicicing.com- Advent Wreath Craft for Catholic Kids

catholicinspired.com- Easy Advent Wreath

makinglearningfun.com- Christmas Toilet Paper Tube Advent Wreath Craft

crayola.com- Advent Wreath Placemat Craft

kindercraze.com- Stained Glass Window Craft for Christmas and Advent

catholicicing.com- Advent and Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids

blessedschool.com- Advent Flip Book

happyhomefairy.com- Bible Verse Advent Countdown for Kids – FREE Printable!

jesus-without-language.net- Counting The Days Until The Angels Sing (Advent Countdown Craft)

skiptomylou.org- Printable Nativity Advent Calendar

bigfamilyblessings.com- Adorable DIY Nativity Advent Countdown Calendar

sarajcreations.com- Free Catholic Advent Calendar

The Catholic Toolbox- Printable Advent Chain
An Advent chain that you can print out with activities written on it. Print out and make into a chain. Remove the link on that day and do the activity.

catholicplayground.com- Paper Chain Advent Calendar

activitiesforkids.com- Advent Calendar Paper Chain

happyhomefairy.com- Advent Paper Chain Countdown – FREE Printable

joyfulcatholicfamilies.com- Nativity Story Advent Chain

flandersfamily.info- Advent Christmas Chain (scripture chain)

todayscreativeideas.com- Paper Chain Advent Calendar

savingdollarsandsense.com- Names Of Jesus Advent Chain Free Printable

practicalpages.wordpress.com- Jesus’ Names Paper Chain

catholicsprouts.com- Names of Jesus Advent Countdown (scroll down to this)

thecraftyclassroom.com- Names of Jesus Advent Ornaments

morelikehome.net- Names of Jesus Advent Calendar - FREE Printable!

confessionsofahomeschooler.com- FREE Printable Advent Ornaments
Print the ornaments as directed on cardstock then cut out each triangle and laminate for durability. Use mini-clothes pins to attach ornaments to a small Christmas tree, a string of garland, or a rope hung across the mantle! Starting on December 1st, each day take one down and do whatever activity is on the back. For this you can print my activities on the backs (they are included in the download) or you can print just the ornaments and write in your own activities.



Games

flamecreativekids.blogspot.com- Advent Journey Game: Print and Play

Preparation Station- This game will help your kids understand what it means to prepare their hearts, minds, and lives for Jesus’ coming during Advent season. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 156).

jeopardylabs.com- Advent Jeopardy

jeopardylabs.com- Advent Jeopardy!!!

loyolapress.com- Advent Bingo

thecraftyclassroom.com- Names of Jesus Advent Game

alphamom.com- Advent Calendar Printable Game

lehmanlane.net- Fun & Easy Kids Nativity Game For Advent & Christmas

pinterest.com- Advent Games




These games below are free, however they can only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on all activities are not my own and are from various internet sources.


Advent True or False Game- Read to a student a True or False question about Advent. The student has to put the clothes pin between their knees and walk to one of the containers and drop the clothes pin inside to answer the question. If they are correct, the get a point. Repeat the process several times. The student with the highest score wins. Questions provided.

The Catholic Toolbox- Advent Wreath (file folder game)- The object of the game is to color all of the Advent wreath correctly.



Lessons

The Catholic Toolbox- Advent lesson plan for Pre K – K. Lesson plan consists of: Objectives, Word Wall, Bible Story with questions, Songs and/or Finger Plays, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Coloring/Puzzles, etc.

The Catholic Toolbox- Advent lesson plan for 1st grade on up. Lesson plan consists of: Objectives, Review, Vocabulary Words, Bible Story with questions, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Puzzles/Mazes/Worksheets, etc.

loyolapress.com- Advent Lesson Plan (grades 1 – 3)

loyolapress.com- Advent Lesson Plan (grades 4 – 6)

loyolapress.com- Advent Lesson Plan (grades 7 – 8)

ministry-to-children.com- 30 Christmas Sunday School Lessons & Activities

ministry-to-children.com- 4 Advent Lessons: Teaching through the Nativity

ncea.org- Advent Lessons

young-catholics.com- What Are You Waiting For? – A Lesson Plan on Advent

smp.org- Daylong Retreat for Advent



Puzzles & Worksheets

raisinglittlesaints.blogspot.com- Advent Activities (printables)
Just click on Advent Activities for Kids to download activities.

reallifeathome.com- Word Search

cool2bkids.com- Advent Word Search Puzzles

twinkl.com- Advent Word Search

thewordsearch.com- Word Search

teacherspayteachers.com- Advent Wreath Word Search Worksheet (free)

wordmint.com- Crossword #1

wordmint.com- Crossword #2

optionc.com- Advent Crosword

chalice.ca- Advent Crossword

armoredpenguin.com- Advent Crossword

hubspot.net- Advent Crossword

stmatthewselementary.ca- Advent Crossword Junior/Intermediate

sadlier.com- Advent Worksheets (scroll down for these)

scoilnet.ie- Advent Worksheet

littlemisscatechist.blogspot.com- My Advent Promises Worksheet (scroll down for this)

blessedschool.com- Advent Scripture Reflections
Ideal as weekly Advent responses, these Advent worksheets are a great way to reflect on the message of Advent found in the scriptures

thisreadingmama.com- FREE Advent Activity Pages

mindyjonesblog.com- Printable Advent Wreath And Candles Worksheets: Fun Activity This Christmas

blessedschool.com- Advent Flip Book

twinkl.com- Preparing for Advent Worksheet

twinkl.com- Advent Y Chart Worksheet

thereligionteacher.com- The Religion Teacher’s Advent Activity Pack provides a large variety of resources to help religion teachers and catechists prepare their students for Christ’s coming into the world. The easy-to-use resources focus on important topics of Advent: the meaning of the season, Advent wreaths, the Second Coming, the names and titles of Jesus, and John the Baptist.

sdc.me.uk- 1st – 4th Sunday of Advent Year A (scroll down to these under The Advent Season)

sdc.me.uk- 1st – 4th Sunday of Advent Year B (scroll down to these under The Advent Season)

sdc.me.uk- 1st – 4th Sunday of Advent Year C (scroll down to these under The Advent Season)






The handwriting sheet below is free; however it may 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. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. *All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on this activity are not my own and they are from various internet sources.

Advent Handwriting Sheet- for the children to trace and color