What To Include In Your Lesson Plan

Each teacher is different and so are their students, but there are a few things that need to be in a lesson plan. While there are many formats for a lesson plan, most lesson plans contain some or all of these elements.

What should be included in your lesson plan?

1. Subject or Topic- what the lesson is about

2. Brief Overview- a short description of your lesson

3. Objectives- what you want the students to learn

4. Prerequisites- factor in necessary prep activities to make sure that students can meet the lesson objectives. What must students already be able to do before this lesson? What concepts have to be mastered in advance to accomplish the lesson objectives?

5. Materials & Equipment- what materials and equipment are needed to teach the lesson

6. Introduction or lead in to the lesson- this is designed to focus students on the skill or concept about to be instructed. This includes showing pictures or models, asking leading questions, or reviewing previously taught lessons.

7. Vocabulary and Key Words- terminology you want your students to learn

8. Lesson Procedure- a detailed, step-by-step description of how to do the lesson and achieve lesson plan objectives. This includes all the activities the teacher will have the students do. This section is divided into several parts and basically consists of: an introduction, a main activity, and closure. Depending on the students and how best they learn the lesson plan can consist of crafts, games, worksheets, coloring pages, puzzles, skits, etc. All the activities focus on the objectives that the teacher wants the students to learn.

9. Follow Up Lessons/Activities- activities for enrichment and remediation and/or lessons that might follow as a result of this lesson. This could also be a review of the lesson to help students understand and comprehend what they have just learned.

10. Assessment/Evaluation- how you will evaluate what the students have learned.

Study Guides

Before testing your students, be sure to review, review, review all relevant material they should know. Simply telling your students that the test will be on Unit 2 does not let them know what is relevant and what they should study. Some students might have processing deficits and cannot discern relevant from irrelevant information. They would also spend an inordinate amount of time concentrating on facts that they will not be tested on and are considered unimportant. Giving your students a study guide before any test will cut down on any confusion. Have the students fill it out and go over it in class. Teachers also need to personally check that each student has the correct answers on the study guide prior to tests. Even if the teacher goes over the study guide with the class orally, some students might miss relevant information due to their attention problems and processing deficits.

Parents are more than willing to work within what the teachers provide assuming that the information is accurate and enough lead-time given so that their child can be prepared adequately. Providing a complete study guide with answers at least 2 days before each test or quiz will allow the parents to help their child study for the test and they will be more successful in taking the test.

To give homework, or not to give homework. That is the question . . .

Homework is a touchy subject concerning catechists. Many regard it as taboo and therefore do not assign any during the year.

Parents on the other hand are divided about this controversy. In a recent survey when parents were asked what their level of expectation regarding homework/family activities from church 38.5% think students should be given homework to support the work in class. 30.8% said they would prefer to have homework once in a while. 30.8% prefer not to have any homework at all.


Additional comments from parents on this subject were:

• Some parents expressed their preference for fun and no homework.
• Some said their children already have too much going on and don’t want to be adding homework from church, specially under 4th grade.
• One parent wrote “it didn't seem to matter whether the kids do the homework or not.”
• Yet another wrote “Reading is sufficient- but I think that it should be expected, not "optional", so that those who read it can build on it rather than reading it again in class.”



So what’s a catechist to do? First, does your DRE allow teachers to give homework? Then ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish with the homework. Make sure the homework is necessary and reviews what has already been gone over in class. All students in your class should be able to complete the homework assigned and in a relatively short period of time.

Assigning homework serves various educational needs. It serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, and supplements and reinforces work done in CCD. Teachers give homework because the repetition of facts and knowledge learned will have a much higher a percentage of being retained in the mind. In addition, it fosters student initiative, independence, and responsibility and brings home and CCD closer together.


So what do you do in your class?


*In my class my first grade students are given 5 prayers (Sign of the Cross, Grace Before Meals, Glory Be, Hail Mary, and Our Father) to do by the end of the school year. Each prayer the student recites out loud correctly, they will be able to pick a prize from the prize bag. We also have 4 take home tests during the year. The parents will need to help their child study, fill out the test (circle the correct answer), and return it to class.

I also make Take Home Sheets for the students to take home for their parents to go over with them and to bring back the following week. It helps reinforce what they have learned in class and lets the parents know what we are doing. They usually consist of about 10 questions that the parents read to their child. Two answers are provided and the child tells the parent which answer is best so they can circle it. I post all of my Take Home Sheets here (scroll down to Take Home Sheets).

When my students bring in their Take Home Sheets and Take Home Tests they get to play Homeworkopoly which is a fun game that encourages students to do their homework.

Bedtime at Our House/Prayers

Back in the dark ages when my son was small, we had a bedtime routine that we adhered to vigilantly. He knew what was expected each night and it helped calm him down which made bedtime easy and without any problems. At bedtime (specified at a specific time that was the same time every night) we always read a Bible story or short book in his bed. Afterwards we would practice a prayer he was working on by adding a new line each week. Before long he would know the prayer and could recite it by himself. This was a great way for our son to learn about God and to learn his prayers. It also was great family time that I will never forget.

FREE Religious File Folder Games & Lapbooks

It’s amazing what you can find online if you dig around a bit. Here is a comprehensive list that might be of some help.

FREE Religious File Folder Games & Lapbooks

Using Technology In Your Classroom

Today we can use several different kinds of equipment to assist the teaching in our classrooms. What is effective and needed for your classroom depends upon your students and what is available for the catechist to use.


What is effective and necessary in your classroom?

1. Whatever equipment you are using it must achieve your learning objectives for your lesson. Why use the equipment and material if it does not enhance your lesson?

2. Know how to use the equipment. Nothing is worse than getting some technical equipment in your classroom and you do not know how to use it.

3. Have the equipment in your classroom ready before class. Being prepared is essential.

4. Make sure the equipment is running properly before class. Set up the equipment and test to see if everything is working correctly. Test volume, brightness, off/on, pause, and any other feature.

5. Have the equipment and material ready. Make sure that all you have to do is turn the equipment on so you do not have to waste time finding the right place to start on your tape, DVD, CD, etc. This loss time can allow you to lose control of the classroom and disruptive behavior can start. Test run what you are planning to do and make sure all the students can see and hear it the way it is supposed to be.

Bible Stories from A to Z

Bible Stories from A to Z








Here is a wonderful and educational ebook or book that your younger students will enjoy! The book is divided into 26 mini units, each featuring a letter of the alphabet. Each mini unit contains the following:

• A Bible story and questions for discussion
• A craft
• A prayer
• A snack idea
• A take home mini story booklet that the children color
• An alphabet page
• An activity page


Sample of book

Lesson Plan- Wise Men (1st grade on up)

Wise Men


Objectives: The students will be able to
- retell the story of The Wise Men
- explain who the Magi were and what they studied
- explain why the Magi came so far to see Jesus



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



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

Wise Men- men from the East who studied the stars. The three Magi (priests from the ancient Persian religion) who came from the East to honor Jesus when he was born (known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar).
Ruler- a person who controls others
Presents- gifts
Jerusalem- the capital of Israel and holy city of the Jews (show students this on a map or have one of the students find it on a map).
Jews- a member of the Hebrew people
Priests- person who is ordained and does the church service
Worship- to honor
Frankincense- incense that makes a sweet smelling smoke when burned
Myrrh- a type of perfume that comes from trees and was used in burying people
Egypt- large country in Africa (show students this on a map or have one of the students find it on a map).
Nazareth- a town in Israel where Jesus spent most of his life (show students this on a map or have one of the students find it on a map).



Plan:

Read story: “The Wise Men” and then ask questions



Activities:

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

4catholiceducatiors.com- Resources on the Sunday Readings

sermons4kids.com- Wise Men Still Seek Him object lesson with coloring page, puzzles, quiz, worship bulletin

sermons4kids.com- Seeking the Savior object lesson with coloring page, group activities, puzzles, quizzes, worship bulletin

calvarycurriculum.com- The Wise Men lesson #170 with memory verses, circle the correct words, true or false, fill in the blanks, puzzles, and color sheets.

sundayschoollessons.com- Wise Men Come from the East to Worship Jesus lesson

childrensermons.com- Wise Men Worship Jesus object lesson

intoxicatedonlife.com- Three Kings Seeking Christ After Christmas (Free Printable Lessons)

littleblots.com- Three Wise Men lesson with activities

kidssundayschool.com- Visit of the Magi: The Birth of Christ (Lesson 4)

dltk-bible.com- The Wise Men lesson with take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts, Bible Story/Song Time, etc.

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

jesuswalk.com- Wise Men and the Christmas Star of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12) lesson



Crafts

sermons4kids.com- Seeking The Savior group activities (crafts)

daniellesplace.com- Wise Men Christmas Crafts

crayola.com- We Three Kings

dltk-holidays.com- Three Wisemen Paper Crafts

firstpalette.com- Paper Three Kings Chain

growingupblackxican.com- The Three Wise Men Bottle Craft

madebymolliesmom.blogspot.com- Three Wise Men Craft

parentingpatch.com- Three Wise Men Handprint Fingerprint Craft

papercraft.blogspot.com- Three Kings/Three Wise Men Paper Craft

youtube.com- Popsicle Stick Star Ornament
An easy and pretty Star of David craft made out of popsicle sticks, paint, glitter, etc.

preschooltoolkit.com- Make sparkling stars to decorate your home.

Potato Stars- Paint, glitter, and a potato can help make a beautiful night sky. Even though this comes from a preschool craft book, it is appropriate for older children to do. (Preschool Christian Crafts by Linda Standke, page 53).

The Wize Men Visit Jesus Bible Story Wheel- Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo (page 35 & 36)

Three Kings Banner- A cute and easy banner of the Three Wise Men. A sample craft from Kathy Ross' book: Crafts for Christmas, page 12 & 13.

Purim Treat Holder- Cute craft to represent the Wise Men. (Crafts to make in the Winter by Kathy Ross, page 58 & 59).

Three Kings Hats- Three kings made out of cone shaped party hats. (Crafts from your favorite Bible Stories by Kathy Ross, page 40 & 41).

The Wise Men Visit Jesus (Story Wheel)- Bible Wheels to Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo, page 35 & 36.



Games

sermons4kids.com- Seeking The Savior group activities (crafts)

livingwaterbiblegames.com- Christmas Board Game Travel with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus as they journey to Bethlehem and Egypt and back to Nazareth. Answer questions based on the nativity story and their flight to Egypt. Map games are great for helping kids to get familiar with the geography of the Bible lands. FREE printable!

thegamecrafter.com- Christ is Born!

stellanovagame.com/- Journey of the Magi

orientaltrading.com- Nativity Journey Christmas Board Game


Introduce game: Who was searching for baby Jesus?

Wise Men Search

Need: Clothes pin to be baby Jesus.

Directions: One student is picked to be a Wise Man and steps out of the classroom. Another student is picked by the teacher to hide baby Jesus somewhere in the classroom. When baby Jesus is hidden, the Wise Man comes back into the room. He is to find baby Jesus by directions from the student that hid baby Jesus. These directions are: the star is not very bright if the Wise Man is far away, brighter if somewhat nearer, getting brighter if even closer, and VERY bright if very close. When the Wise Man finds the baby Jesus, the person that hid baby Jesus is now the Wise Man.

Finding Favor (Wise Men Find Jesus)- This game will help students identify how we pursue things that are important to us. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 68 & 69).

Journey to Bethlehem- The Really Big Book of Bible Games, page 141.

The Catholic Toolbox- Gifts for Baby Jesus (file folder game)



Introduce game: What did the Wise Men follow to find Jesus? A very bright star.

creativeyouthideas.com- Follow the Star

Coin Toss- (The Really Big Book of Bible Games, page 139)- You can also draw a star on the board and have the students throw a suction cup toy at it. If it is inside the lines, they get a point for their team.

Finding Flavor (Wise Men Find Jesus)- This game will help students identify how we pursue things that are important to us. (The Encyclopedia of Bible Games for Children’s Ministry, page 68 & 69).



This game is free, however it is 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.




Gifts For Baby Jesus (file folder game)-The object of this game is to be the first to collect gold, frankincense, and myrrh.



Snacks:

Introduce snack: How did the Wise Men find Jesus? They followed a very bright star.

pillsbury.com- Gingerbread Stars

keyingredient.com- Crispy Cheese Stars

Peanut Butter and Jelly Stars- Get a large star shaped cookie cutter and make star shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Spread peanut butter on star shaped crackers.



Puzzles, Mazes, Worksheets:

The Great Bible Big Fun Activity Book: From the Old and New Testaments by Toni Lind
- Wise Men color by number
- Follow the Dots to see what the Magi saw in the sky

More 365 Activities for Kids (do any of the Wise Men puzzles, mazes, dot-to-dot, spot the difference, etc. from August 3 - 8).

Wise Men Visit Jesus- Look at the pictures in the circles. Find the matching picture in the larger picture. Draw lines to connect the matching pictures. (Big Puzzles for Little Hands: Jesus’ Life and Lessons by Carla Williams, page 14).

christiananswers.net- Star (dot-to-dot)

sermons4kids.com- Maze

biblewise.com- Wise Men (maze)

biblewise.com- Wise Men Visit Jesus (maze)

freesundayschoolcurriculum.weebly.com- Maze (page 10)

biblewise.com- Wise Men (missing objects)

sermons4kids.com- Word Search

web.archive.org- Word Search (it says Luke, but it is Matthew 2:1-12)

sermons4kids.com- Word Jumble

biblewise.com- The Wise Men (decoder)

freesundayschoolcurriculum.weebly.com- The Three Wise Men (word challenge)

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

4catholiceducators.com- Crossword

web.archive.org- Crossword (it says Luke, but it is Matthew 2:1-12)

sdc.me.uk- Matthew 2:1-12

biblepathwayadventures.com- The Magi (matching)

ministry-to-children.com- Wise Men Worksheets

jesuswalk.com- Wise Men and the Christmas Star of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12) lesson (4 question in lesson that can easily be made into a worksheet)

Christian Educational Materials

There are lots of websites that offer FREE Christian educational materials. Here are two lists that you might find useful in locating what you need for your CCD class.


Favorite Pre K – K Websites- Comprehensive list of where to find things (Activities, Bible Verses, Coloring, Crafts, Finger Plays & Songs, Games, Handwriting, Lesson Plans, Memory Activities, Mini Books, Puzzles & Mazes, Worksheets, etc.)


Favorite Elementary Religious Websites- Comprehensive list of where to find things (Activities, Bible Verses, Coloring, Crafts, Games, Handwriting, Memory Activities, Mini Books, Puzzles & Mazes, Quizzes and Tests, Worksheets, etc.)

Interest Centers for Preschool or Kindergarten Classrooms

Greet students and parents when they arrive to your classroom. You might have an Open House time prior to when your class starts so the parents and children can meet you and see the room. Have your classroom set up. Have places for where the students store their belongings and coats with nametags on cubbies. (You might just want to put their coats on the back of their chairs because the spread of lice). Show the children the classroom and where their things go.

*Have an organized, warm and welcoming classroom. Hit a religious store that sells stuff for classrooms.

*Make sure you have a paper where parents can sign up to help in the room or by doing work for you at home (cutting things out, make games, etc.).

*You can put names on chairs and carpet squares where you want the students to sit (they will learn their name if they have not already done so).

*Have a schedule posted with what you are going to do in the classroom:

Example:

9:00 – 9:15 Centers

9:15 – 9:25 Circle Time (Bible Story)

9:25 – 9:40 Bible Crafts

9:40 – 9:55 Bible Games

9:55 - 10:00 Snack

10:00 Pick Up


Centers: Focuses for learning areas can include dramatic play, construction (blocks), fine motor (puzzles, pegboards, plastic snap together toys, lacing boards, play dough, etc.), art (water based paints, crayons, etc. or you can just put some crayons in a container with blank paper to color on at a table), library, investigation, etc.

Investigation Centers could be: Art, Block, Book, Creation, Home Living, Manipulative, etc.



First Day

Arrival: The staff greets children as they enter the classroom and exchanges written or verbal communication with the parents. Children are encouraged to hang up jackets and put their things away in the proper place.

Centers: Students then are invited to move from center to center, interacting freely with various environments after they have put their things away.

Circle Time: Say to the students- “It’s Circle Time. Put everything back where you found them and meet me at the circle.” (Chairs or carpet squares that are in a circle). Have pictures on index cards where things go with the word of the object. Pictures can be found at Google. Type in the word and click on images. Or you can cut up a catalog for pictures. Or use these picture cards.



1. Introduce yourself again to the students. Go over your rules for the class and post it. Example of rules:

Classroom Rules
We will be kind to everybody.
We will raise our hand when we want to speak.
We will use inside voices.
We will walk inside the room.
We will listen to the teachers and follow directions.
We keep our hands, feet, and objects to ourselves.
We respect others and their property.
We will clean up after ourselves.


2. Start with Ice Breaker games (getting to know you games). You might want to do these for a few weeks.

scholastic.com- Welcome Back! Give students a warm welcome with these fun getting-to-know-you activities.

awesome-kid-birthday-parties.com- Scroll down to: 12 More Fun & Exciting Icebreaker Games

kimskorner4teachertalk.com- Icebreakers & Energizers

wilderdom.com-Icebreakers, Warmups, Energizers, & Deinhibitizers

mftrou.com- Icebreaker Games for Small Groups


3. Bible Story. Read a colorful Bible story that is easy for them to understand. Example: *The Usborne Children's Bible by Heather Amery. A collection of 44 favorite Bible stories, all very accurate retellings from Scripture that are easy for children to understand and enjoy. Very colorful and beautiful illustrations.

After the story, ask the students questions.

Incorporate music and/or finger plays about the Bible story. Finger plays are a great way for preschoolers to play along. However, some finger plays have so many finger motions that it is difficult for even adults to keep up with them. Here are some easy Bible finger plays that can be used for a variety of lessons. This section also includes standard and play-along songs, most of which are sung to familiar tunes (the songs) so that preschoolers will have no trouble learning them.

Finger plays and songs:

dltk-bible.com- Rhymes and Songs for Kids

preschooleducation.com- Music & Songs: Praise God

childbiblesongs.com- Child Bible Songs

abcjesuslovesme.com- Rhymes, fingers plays, and songs

childrensbiblesongs.us- Children’s Bible Songs (lyrics, chords, and more)


4. Have the students sit at a table with chairs. Do a craft that emphasizes the Bible story. Introduce the art project. Example: Who built the ark? Noah. What did it look like? What was it like on the ark? Let’s find out!


5. Have student sit where it is appropriate to play the game. Do a game that emphasizes the Bible story. Introduce the game. Example: What was on the ark with Noah and his family? Can you find what animal is missing from the ark?


6. Snack Time: Say to the students- “It’s Snack Time. Put everything back where you found them. Meet me at the table.” Have a snack that emphasizes the Bible story. Example: Say to the students- “What was the sign that God did that promised that He would never flood the whole Earth again? A rainbow.

Rainbow in a Cup


7. After Snack Time, have the students put trash in trashcan. Students then get to play in the Centers until their parents come.


*Sometimes what you have planned takes less time than expected. Be sure to have other activities to fill in if you have extra time in your lesson.

dltk-bible.com- Sunday School Time Fillers


Do you have any Preschool/Kindergarten classroom ideas to share?