Crafty Crafters: Valentine’s Day

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite craft you make for Valentine’s Day?



Here is a craft you can make with your students using their handprint:

busymommymedia.com- ASL I Love You Craft
This fun craft uses a cut out of a child’s hand to create the ASL sign (American Sign Language) for I-Love-You. Children will love using their imagination to decorate the paper heart that they will glue their hand sign on.


Materials:

Red construction paper
Skin colored construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Glitter
Buttons or other decorations


Directions:

Fold the red piece of construction paper in half and cut a heart out of it. Students can do this on their own if you draw half of a heart on the paper for them to roughly follow as they cut. Help the students trace their hand on the skin colored construction paper. Cutting the hand out is too detailed for many younger students to do on their own and may cause them to become frustrated. Help these students by cutting their hands out of the paper for them if they would like you to.

Teach the students what the ASL sign for I-Love-You is. Have them practice making the sign. When the paper hands are cut out, help students to fold down the two middle fingers. Glue the fingers down to the palm of the hand. Glue the entire hand cut out to the center of the heart.

Provide students with glitter, buttons, stamps, stickers, and other decorations. Allow them to use their imaginations and decorate their heart in whatever way that they would like to.



Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to this post. We would love to see what you do!

Our Father Roll a Prayer Worksheet

I got this Roll a Prayer idea from teachingheart.net Grace Before Meals Roll a Prayer on page 7.

This activity 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 It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted.


Our Father Roll a Prayer Worksheet- Cut out prayer strips. Students roll a die to collect all the pieces to their prayer. The first one to collect all the pieces to the prayer is the winner. Students then glue in the spaces provided the prayer in the correct order.

Glory Be Roll a Prayer Worksheet

I got this Roll a Prayer idea from teachingheart.net Grace Before Meals Roll a Prayer on page 7.

Glory Be Roll A Prayer (worksheet)- Cut out prayer strips. Students roll a die to collect all the pieces to their prayer. The first one to collect all the pieces to the prayer is the winner. Students then glue in the spaces provided the prayer in the correct order.

Behavior In Mass Worksheet

I found this wonderful Behavior in Mass (worksheet) from thedivinemercy.org, but I needed to adjust it to fit the needs of my first grade students. I will be sure to use this next year when we do Church & Respect Lesson.

This activity 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. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted.


Behavior In Mass- Draw a smile face next to the good things to do during Holy Mass. Draw a sad face next to the things not to do during Holy Mass.

Need Some Catholic Activities?

A friend of mine has some wonderful Catholic activities for sale which are very reasonably priced. Please check it out and see what she has. She has a bit of everything for ages pre-k through 8th grade. So far she has 274 worksheets, activities, printables, etc. posted!

thetreasuredschoolhouse.com- The Treasured Schoolhouse

teacherspayteachers.com- The Treasured Schoolhouse

teachersnotebook.com- The Treasured Schoolhouse

Gospel for the Mass: 12/25/16- John 1:1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14

*Be sure to check out Gospel for the Mass Year A page right below the header for other days that you need Gospel for the Mass activities.


Disclaimer: The posts below contain links to other websites and the content of these sites are evaluated before they are included. These websites can change without warning making links inactive and/or the content altered. We have no control over other websites and we are not responsible for the content that they post.




John 1-18 or John 1:1-5, 9-14



Activities

catholicmom.com- Click on the month. Scroll down to the date for Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, Word Search, etc.

catholickidsbulletin.blogspot.com- Download a FREE bulletin to help your kids learn more about our Catholic Mass. Each week's bulletin contains coloring pages for a saint and activities based on the Gospel. The coloring pages may also include a maze, dot-to-dot, find the picture, and many other activities.

loyolapress.com- Background on the Gospel and activities for groups and families

4catholiceducatiors.com- Resources on the Sunday Readings

sermons4kids.com- Reflecting the Light object lesson with group activities, coloring page, puzzles, worship bulletin

sermons4kids.com- Jesus and the Three R’s object lesson with coloring page

sundayschoollessons.com- Jesus Is the Living Word of God lesson

calvarycurriculum.com- Walking In The Light lesson #303 with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

textweek.com- Lectionary, Scripture Study and Worship Links and Resources



Coloring

sermons4kids.com- We are not the light, we are only mirrors that reflect the Light. John 1:6-9

sermons4kids.com- Jesus knocking at the door

calvarycurriculum.com- Walking In The Light lesson #30, coloring page 2



Crafts

sermons4kids.com- Reflecting the Light group activities (crafts)

Shine On- Students make punched-tin candle holders. (Bible Story Crafts & Projects Children Love by Kathy Ross, page 71)

thecommonroomblog.com- Tin Can Art Projects (Punched tin candle holder)

noelnoelnoel.com- Festive Candle Holder
Cute, easy craft made out of a baby food jar and tissue paper. Tip: Make a mixture of half water and half glue in a paper cup. Paint with a paintbrush or a Q-tip a small area on each jar with the glue mixture, then cover the area with small pieces of tissue paper. Use a variety of colored paper to cover the entire jar with two or three layers of tissue paper. Coat the finished jar with thinned glue to seal.



Games

sermons4kids.com- Reflecting the Light group activities (games)

Word Play- This game will get kids thinking about how God has spoken to us through Jesus and how important each word is. (The Encyclopedia of bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 202.)


Introduction to game: What is the true light, which enlightens everyone, that is coming into the world? (Jesus) His light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

thecampingfamly.com- Flashlight Tag And More Flashlight Games
Firefly- Tag Jesus who is the true light.

christiancappro.com- 15 Fun Flashlight Games for Your Next Nighttime Activity

verywell.com- Flashlight Games for Kids

stayathomemoms.about.com- Flashlight Games Kids Can Play Indoors or Out

kidsactivitiesblog.com- Flashlight Games for Kids

atozteacherstuff.com- Shadow and Light activities



Puzzles

sermons4kids.com- Word Search

joanyedwards.com- Word Search

sermons4kids.com- Decoder

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

4catholiceducators.com- Crossword

joanyedwards.com- Crossword

FREE Printable Catholic Posters

Need some FREE Catholic posters for your classroom or home? Here are a few that I found that you may like.

teacherspayteachers.com- Classroom Catholic Prayer Posters

homeschoolwithlove.com- Our Father (click on “You can get the Catholic Prayer in Art Posters Free Sample here)

info.sadlier.com- Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching poster

4catholiceducators.com- 2 Hail Mary posters

4catholiceducators.com- 3 Lord’s Prayer posters

4catholiceducators.com- Beatitudes posters

4catholiceducators.com- Wisdom of Saints & Mystics posters

4catholiceducators.com- Bible Posters Archive
Download and print over 400 posters with scripture verses.

4catholiceducators.com- Daily Bible Poster
The posters change every day. Bookmark this page to return to it often. Click on the image to get the poster size version. Save a poster you like to your hard drive.


Do you know of any free Catholic posters online that I can add to this list?

Gospel for the Mass: 10/30/16- Luke 19:1-10

*Be sure to check out Gospel for the Mass Year C page right below the header for other days that you need Gospel for the Mass activities.


Disclaimer: The posts below contain links to other websites and the content of these sites are evaluated before they are included. These websites can change without warning making links inactive and/or the content altered. We have no control over other websites and we are not responsible for the content that they post.




Luke 19:1-10



Activities

catholicmom.com- Click on the month. Scroll down to the date for Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, Word Search, etc.

catholickidsbulletin.blogspot.com- Download a FREE bulletin to help your kids learn more about our Catholic Mass. Each week's bulletin contains coloring pages for a saint and activities based on the Gospel. The coloring pages may also include a maze, dot-to-dot, find the picture, and many other activities.

loyolapress.com- Background on the Gospel and activities for groups and families

4catholiceducatiors.com- Resources on the Sunday Readings

mssscrafts.com- Zacchaeus Wants To See Jesus with tons of resources for illustrating the story, coloring pages/activity sheets, crafts, and songs.

sermons4kids.com- Big or Small- It Doesn’t Matter At All object lesson with group activities, coloring, puzzles, worship bulletin

sermons4kids.com- A Little Man With A Big Problem object lesson with group activities, puzzles, craft, quiz, worship bulletin

calvarycurriculum.com- Zacchaeus lesson #216 with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets

sundayschoollessons.com- Zacchaeus Climbs Up To See Jesus lesson

sundayschoolsources.com- Zacchaeus lesson with discussions, songs, crafts, games, questions, worksheets, memory work, etc.

The Catholic Toolbox- Zacchaeus PK – K lesson with: Objectives, Word Wall, Bible Story with questions, Songs and/or Finger Plays, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Coloring/Puzzles, etc.


Read story: “Zacchaeus” from (Snip-And-Tell Bible Stories by Karyn Henley, page 96 & 97). While reading the story do cut outs as the story unfolds. Then ask questions from below.

1. What did Zacchaeus do for a living? He was a tax collector.
2. Why did everyone not like him? He often took extra money and kept it for himself. He was dishonest.
3. Why could Zacchaeus not see Jesus? Because he was short.
4. What did he do so he could see Jesus? Climbed a tree.
5. Jesus taught Zacchaeus that what he did was wrong and to live in God’s way so what did Zacchaeus do? He gave half of his property to the poor and he would give back four times the amount he stole from others.

The Catholic Toolbox- What Can Teens Do For Gospel For The Mass Activities?

textweek.com- Lectionary, Scripture Study and Worship Links and Resources



Coloring

sermons4kids.com- Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

sermons4kids.com- Jesus and Zacchaeus

biblewise.com- Zacchaeus



Crafts

sermons4kids.com- Big or Small- It Doesn’t Matter At All group activities (crafts)

sermons4kids.com- A Little Man with a Big Problem group activities (crafts)

sermons4kids.com- Make Your Own Periscope

Zacchaeus- Bible Story Wheel (Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 51 & 52.)

daniellesplace.com- Several Zacchaeus crafts listed

pinterest.com- Zacchaeus


Introduce craft: What did Zacchaeus do for a living? How did he carry his money around?

Make a money bag out of felt and put play money inside.

artistshelpingchildren- Make Wallets or Purses. (You can cut the felt and punch holes in it with a hole puncher for the children to make it easier.)


Introduce craft: What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus?

Zacchaeus in a Tree craft

dltk-holidays.com- Tree

mssscrafts.com- Zacchaeus



Games

sermons4kids.com- Big or Small- It Doesn’t Matter At All group activities (games)

sermons4kids.com- A Little Man with a Big Problem group activities (games)

I Spy (Zacchaeus Sees Jesus)- This lighthearted game engages students with the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. It could be played indoors, outdoors, or while traveling. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 86).

Zacchaeus, Come Down!- Blow up balloon and tie it off. Remind the students that the people did not want Zacchaeus to be with Jesus and they grumbled. Using masking tape, mark spots on the floor that the student must stand on. Have one student stand on each marker and tell the students that they must stay where they are standing (they cannot move their feet) and they have to keep Zacchaeus (the balloon) from touching the floor. The teacher starts the game by saying, “Zacchaeus, Come Down!” and tosses the balloon up high in the air for the students who must try to keep Zacchaeus from touching the ground using their hands.

The Catholic Toolbox- Zacchaeus, Come Down! (file folder game)

Forgiveness Frenzy- The Really Big Book of Bible Games, page 82.

daniellesplace.com- Several Zacchaeus games listed



Puppetry

christiancrafters.com- Zacchaeus Puppet Skit



Puzzles

Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree- Count the items in each row, then write the number next to that row. Color the pictures, too. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 56).

biblewise.com- Dot-to-dot

sermons4kids.com- Maze

biblewise.com- Jesus is going to Zacchaeus house. Which path will He take? (maze)

biblewise.com- Little Man in the Tree (maze)

365 Activities for Kids (do the Zacchaeus in the tree maze on October 23 or find the 10 differences puzzle on October 24).

sermons4kids.com- Word search

joanyedwards.com- Word Search

sermons4kids.com- Word Shape

sermons4kids.com- Decoder

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

4catholiceducators.com- Crossword

joanyedwards.com- Crossword



Quizzes

sermons4kids.com- Multiple Choice

gardenofpraise.com- Fill in the Blanks

sermons4kids.com- Fill in the Blanks



Forgiveness

childrensministry.com- All Clear object lesson
Use this message to teach children about how God has forgiven us.

christiancrafters.com- Sin and Forgiveness object lesson

beliefnet.com- How Forgiving Are You?
Ask the students these questions and see how forgiving they really are.

kidssundayschool.com- God's Forgiveness object lesson
This Object Talk will help demonstrate the power of God's forgiveness over our sins, and how the Holy Spirit can melt away the barriers that keeps us from Him.

mssscrafts.com- Forgiveness with tons of resources for illustrating faith, Bible stories, coloring pages/activity sheets, crafts, and songs.

Sign of the Cross Activities

UPDATED 9/9/26


Activities:

thereligionteacher.com- Sign of the Cross Lesson Plan

catholicicing.com- 4 Tips To Teach Kids How To Make the Sign of the Cross

thewholetroubleis.blogspot.com- Sign of the Cross Lapbook



Coloring:

thecatholickid.com- The Sign of the Cross

rathfarnhamparish.ie- The Sign of the Cross





Sign of the Cross- with hand movements coloring sheet



Crafts:

rockyourhomeschool.net- Sign of the Cross Necklace

lovethosekinders-kinderkay.blogspot.com- Catholic Sign of the Cross Buddy Craft




Here is a cute craft I found to help little ones learn the Sign of the Cross.

loyolapress.com- Sign of the Cross Necklaces



Puzzles & Worksheets:

reallifeathome.com- Sign of the Cross Prayer Copywork Printables
When you download this packet, you’ll receive versions in traditional printing, D’Nealian, and cursive.

crusaders-for-christ.com- Sign of the Cross copy book, print, and cursive (scroll down to Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)

bekids.mt- Sign of the Cross (fill in the blanks, put in the right order, quiz)

thereligionteacher.com- Sign of the Cross Worksheet (scroll down for this)

catholicicing.com- Free Trinity Printables: Coloring Page, Sign Of The Cross & Glory Be Fill In

teacherspayteachers.com- Sign of the Cross Worksheet & Activities

Parent Involvement in CCD

Since parents and guardians are the primary teachers of the Faith their involvement in CCD is vital. Without it the child will not learn to their fullest potential. Getting parents involved with CCD is extremely hard because of today’s hectic schedule that most lead. The catechist therefore, must somehow reach out and let the parents know how much their help is needed to foster the foundations of our Faith with their child.

Since classroom time is limited, parent participation is essential and critical to the Faith formation of each child at CCD. The catechesis will not become part of the child’s life without the parent’s daily example and re-enforcement. Parent’s need to support their child and they must teach their child the importance of the Faith and the Church by their example. The parent's good example continues by helping their child get to class on time, attend regularly, participate in class, maintain respectful and proper behavior, and complete the homework that is assigned.


How can we obtain parent involvement in CCD?


• Have a parent meeting prior to the start of CCD. This will allow parents to meet the DRE and it gives your priest and DRE the opportunity to express how much parent involvement is needed for their child’s faith education.


• Have a CCD Open House. A great time to have it is right after the parent meeting so that the parents and child can meet the catechist, see the classroom, and find out what they will be doing for the year. The catechist will have the opportune time to introduce themselves and give the parents an introductory letter. The catechist can provide the parents at the CCD Open House with information of what is expected in the classroom and what the children will be doing during the year. They can also inform parents of the expectations and rules of the class that will help in making the classroom productive, creative, and enjoyable year for all. Teachers can also ask if parents are interested in volunteering and if they have any information that can help aid them in better understanding their child and how to contact them. By having a CCD Open House it will alleviate any worries and questions parents may have and it will give the family reassurance and encouragement of what the CCD program is all about. *Be sure to have a Class Contact List at the door for the parents to sign their name and their contact information. You can also have a Volunteer Sign Up Sheet available as well.


• Have a Classroom Newsletter. Classroom newsletters are an excellent way to keep in touch with parents and help them be a part of their child's education. Parent’s love to know what is going on in their child’s classroom and frequent and regular class newsletters enable parents to sense the feeling and momentum of the class and gain insight into what their child is learning.


• Ask for parent volunteers. Parents can be involved in your CCD program by volunteering to help as teachers, teachers’ aides, office clerks, hallway and outside monitors or by offering to assist a teacher on an occasional basis. Ask parents frequently so that they know their help is needed and that they are welcome.


• Homework assignments. Homework helps reinforce what the students have learned and lets parents know what their children are doing in class. By helping their child with homework it allows parents to interact with their child and helps them be a part of their child’s education.



What do you do at your parish to promote parent involvement in CCD?