Religious Classroom Bulletin Boards

Need to do a bulletin board for your religious classroom? Here are several sites to give you some ideas.



Classroom Displays and Bulletin Boards- Pages and pages of Christian bulletin boards

psscentral.com- Christian Themed Bulletin Boards

kidssundayschool.com- Creative Christian bulletin board ideas to brighten up your children's Sunday school classroom.

Bulletin Board Ideas- Scripture & Character boards (scroll down for these)

daniellesplace.com- Bulletin Board Displays For Sunday School

apostolicfaith.org- Just click on Holidays, Seasonal or Themes

dltk-teach.com- Several bulletin boards posted as well as some links

Craft Storage Ideas

My dream closet!


I don’t know about you, but my CCD craft supplies are taking over the house. Hubby says I’m hogging the closets and our guest room doesn’t look like a place anyone in their right mind would like to stay. Craft supplies can be big and bulky and can get out of control especially when you have to collect objects to make some of the crafts (example: Welch’s Grape Juice plastic containers, toilet paper rolls, glass jars, etc.). My parish craft supplies are limited so I provide most of my own for my classroom. I also have several samples of crafts to show the students so they will understand what we are making.

So what can we do? We can’t get rid of our craft supplies.



Crafts Storage Ideas:

familycrafts.about.com- Tips for Storing and Organizing Your Craft Supplies

familycrafts.about.com- Top Craft Supply Storage Ideas

goodhousekeeping.com- Easy Organizing: Craft Supplies
(Just click on the slide show and ideas will pop up beside it on the right side.)

thriftyfun.com- Organizing Craft Supplies In A Small Space

giverslog.com- Organizing Kid’s Art and Crafts Supplies

hubpages.com- Organize Craft Supplies! (pictured is the inside of Martha Stewart’s Craft Armoire)

marthastewart.com- Making a Craft Armoire (you can make this in a spare closet or shelves on a wall)

bhg.com- The Perfect Craft Cabinet (you can make this in a spare closet or shelves on a wall)
*Also known as “My Dream Closet”.

homemadesimple.com- Craft Area Storage Tips

containerstore.com- White elfa Crafts Closet



*Time for me to get busy and clean up my craft mess. I’ll be sure to post what I finally come up with.

Pro Life: Look Who's Growing Dominos (game)

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 It may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit.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. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on all activities are not my own and are from various internet sources.



Look Who’s Growing Dominos: A fun way to educate young students that babies grow into adults to help promote Pro Life.

Introduce the game by discussing how babies grow after they are born. Example: What happens to babies after they are born? Do they stay the same size? Do they become bigger? How big do they grow? What do children become when they get older? What do they look like? What do you call someone who is all grown up? Etc.




4 pages of dominos



Look Who’s Growing Dominos Game- Shuffle/mix up dominos and place them all face down on the table in one pile.

For a two player game, each player should draw 4 dominos at random, for a game with more players; each player should draw 3 dominos. Do not let the other players see your dominos.

The youngest player should go first by laying any domino on the table. In the typical game you'd lay a double (one with the same image in both squares, but this is optional in the easy version -- I find it a tough rule to explain to the little ones and usually results in my having to look at their cards).

Player two tries to lay a domino on the table with an image that matches either end of the domino. If you cannot go, pick a domino from the pile and miss your turn. The next player may try to match the first domino image or try to match the end of the second domino image. Only one domino may be played per turn. Should the last domino be drawn with no play possible, the player passes and tries again on his/her next turn.

Play continues until one player has used all his dominos or until no one can play. The player with no dominos or with the least number of remaining dominos wins.

Silent Monks Singing Halleluia

CCD Registration Form

Before a student can attend CCD, the parents must fill out a registration form. The form differs from parish to parish, but most are relatively the same. Each year a new registration form needs be filled out by the parent to keep it up to date.

*NOTE- Having a registration form for each student (one form per child) makes is easier for the DRE and the office to keep records for each child.



Each registration form is usually on one or two pages and may consist of:


General Information- Student’s name, sex, birth date, age, address where they live and who they live with, parent’s name and address, religion, phone numbers (cell, home, work, emergency, etc.), e-mail, etc.


Medical- Any medical information that the program should be aware of (food allergies, taking medication, medical needs, etc.)


Child’s Physician- Name of physician and contact information.


Special Needs- Does the student have special needs? (Physical, Learning Disability, etc.)


Sacraments Received- Chart of the sacraments received: (Baptized, First Penance/Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation). The chart should include: Sacrament, Year, Church, City/State, Copy of Certificate Attached. Having this in a chart makes it easier for the DRE to see what the child has completed and what needs to be done.





Choice of Day/Time Preference of CCD- Class assignments are usually made on a first-come, first-placed basis in regards to the first choice of sessions. When to register for CCD classes depends upon the parish. Catechists, aides, and volunteers may have the opportunity to register their children during a pre-registration period in the spring. Following pre-registration, those families with children currently enrolled in the program may receive an application for registration. All completed applications usually need to be hand delivered or mailed to the Religious Education Office and include payment in full before they can be accepted.


Fee- If the parish has a fee for CCD, full payment is usually required before the child is accepted and assigned a class. The fee can be $15 - $75 for one child and can reach up to $150. Additional children from one family are charged a lesser fee usually according to how many children they have. Sacramental classes are sometimes an added expense and charge an extra $25 to $50, sometimes more. Catechists usually can register early and their children can sometimes go free. In some parishes by registering early, families can receive a discount. Financial Aid may be offered for those families that can demonstrate a true need. Decisions regarding financial aid are typically made by the DRE in consultation with the priest.


Concerns of Parent(s)- medical, educational, etc.


Emergency Medical Release Statement - Parents are sometimes required to sign an emergency medical release statement: As a parent and/or guardian, I do herewith authorize the treatment by a qualified and licensed medical doctor of the following minor in the event of a medical emergency which, in the opinion of the attending physician, may endanger his or her life, cause disfigurement, physical impairment or undue discomfort if delayed. This authority is granted only after a reasonable effort has been made to reach me.


Picture/Name Permission- Parents can choose whether or not they give the religious education program permission to take pictures and use the name of their child.


CCD Program Parent/Student Handbook- Before your child can attend CCD the CCD Program Parent/Student Handbook must be read, signed, and dated by the parent(s) and the child.


Signature of Parent(s) and Date- By signing this it verifies that I understand the information in the registration form and that the above information that I provided is correct.



*What else could be in the CCD Registration Form? Please leave a comment and add to the list.

Poll

CCD is over for most and I was wondering:


What seemed to be the most difficult problem in your CCD classroom this past year?

Please vote on the poll above this post.

Favorite Class Activity?

We have one more CCD class before we break for the summer and as I look back I think of all we have done and it amazes me. During the year, we studied the parts of the Mass and learned the roles of the priest, the other liturgical ministers, and the community as well as the responses of all the other rituals and actions that take place during the liturgy. My students learned some of the items used at Mass and how to behave properly during Mass. Each week we studied various Bible stories from Creation to Pentecost and also the Catholic beliefs, sacred tradition, and most importantly, how it relates to their life. Throughout the year, we did crafts, games, and activities to emphasize Bible stories and the Catholic Church. These activities make the Bible stories and aspects of the Catholic Church more concrete and easier for the students to understand and also a lot of fun. As I thought back, I contemplated which activity was the student’s favorite and the curiosity got the better of me so I asked my students.

The overwhelming majority of my students said that their favorite activity was exploring the events and meaning of The Last Supper while creating chalices.



What was your student’s favorite activity they did this year?

A to Z Bible Story Lesson- Letter V

V- Virtues


Objectives: The children will
- identify who wants to be a good person all the time and wants to be more like Jesus
- discuss what makes a good Christian
- give examples of being a good Christian
- identify who we are supposed to be like so we will do the right thing


Review:
Prayer and questions from last week’s lesson



Vocabulary Words:

The activity below 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. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on these activities are not my own and are from various internet sources.

Virtues Word Wall- Word wall templates are large flash card printables that you can hang on the wall to aid children when they are learning or using new vocabulary words.



Plan:


Circle Time:

When teaching virtues to Pre K – K you need to simplify them so the children can understand. Keeping it simple and using real life situation will make it easier to for them to comprehend. By coupling it with a Bible story it will reinforce for them to follow Jesus’ teachings so it will lead them to the right way to live.

Break the virtues into concepts the children will understand. Focus on moral issues involving right and wrong and how people should behave such as: kind, respect/obey, thankful, sharing, I’m sorry/forgiving, faith/trust, love others, etc.

Say to the children: What does it mean to be good or to behave? Discuss. Show pictures from magazines or from books of children being good and not being good. Have the children tell you what the person is doing in the picture and if they are being good.


Write the concepts on the board you want your children to learn that focus on moral issues involving right and wrong and how people should behave. Discuss. Ask the following questions: (examples)

What does it mean to be _____? (What does it mean to _____? Etc.)
Has someone done that for you? What did they do?
How did you feel when someone did that for you?
Tell me about a time when someone was not _____ to you. (Tell me about a time when someone did not _____ you. Etc.)
How did you feel?
What can you do to be _____?
How does it make you feel when you do that for another?



indianchild.com- Teaching Children Virtues & Values

virtuetoys.com- Here are some resources to jump start a discussion with kids about virtues.



Say to the children: A Christian is a follower of Jesus. A Christian tries to be a good person all the time and wants to be more like Jesus. A Christian is a good person who does the right thing all the time. Are you a Christian? Are you a good person who does the right thing all the time?

Discuss with the children about being a good Christian and the traits we should have. List them on the board and have the children give examples of each. Assign each child a word to draw a picture of (if you have lots of children you will have several examples of each word). Have the children share their picture with the class. Discuss.

*To help the children understand what traits we should have, use real life situations to make it easier to for them to comprehend.

“Win or Lose by How You Choose” by Judge Judy Sheindlin

Directions- Show the children the picture and read the situation. With each situation there are a series of answers for the children to choose from. Ask the children what they would do. Do not tell the children the right answer. Explore and evaluate the different choices together with the children.


Or make up your own moral situations and ask the children what they can do to show the special love Jesus says we should have.



Songs and/or Finger Plays:

Introduce songs and/or finger plays: How does Jesus want us to behave? Who do we want to be more like?

kiddles.com- Lord, I Want To Be A Christian (song)

churchofjesuschrist.org- I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus (song)


sundayschoolsources.com- click on the song

I am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N (song)

This Little Christian Light Of Mine” (song)

“I’m inright, outright, upright, downright . . .” (song)

“I’ve Got The Joy” (song)



Activities:

Introduce activity: What makes a good Christian?

dltk-bible.com- What it Means to Become a Christian


Make a “We Are Good Christians" chart and have the children help make it. Then use the chart to reinforce being a good Christian. Try to catch your students being good and let them know what a good Christian they are.

freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com- Using behavior charts. The How Tos.

specialchildren.about.com- How To Make Behavior Charts Work

ehow.com- How To Make A Behavior Chart

dotcomwomen.com- Star Chart: Have the children help you make this chart and post in the classroom.

meaningfulmama.com- Reward and Consequence Behavior Chart

teacherspayteachers.com- Behavior Clip Chart Pleasing Jesus

teacherspayteachers.com- Detecting Good Behavior Clip Chart File 2



*Make a “We Are Good Christians” bulletin board using the children’s pictures and chart that they just made. Children love seeing their pictures displayed and it helps reinforce the concept of being a good Christian.



Choose a virtue that you want to teach your students. Use a Bible story below to help you teach the virtue.

*You can also continue teaching lessons throughout the year about virtues. Incorporate various Bible lesson and stories to reinforce moral values. (There are many more Bible stories that fit these categories, but here are a few just to get you going.)


Kindness-

• The Good Samaritan
• Ruth (Ruth 1:1 – 4:32)
• David's Kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13)
• The Golden Rule (Luke 6:31)


Respect/Obey-

• Adam & Eve
• Noah’s Ark
• Moses
• Joshua & Jericho
• Elijah and the Ravens
• Elisha and Namaan
• Jonah and the Whale


Thankfulness-

• Thank you, God: Ten Lepers


Sharing-

• Elijah and the Widow
• Loaves & Fishes
• The Widow’s Mite (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)


I’m Sorry/Forgiving-

• Prodigal Son/I’m Sorry
• Joseph and His Wonderful Coat
• Zacchaeus


Faith/Trust-

• Abraham
• Isaac & Rebecca
• David & Goliath
• Daniel and the Lions
• Samson
• Jesus Calms the Storm
• The Healing of a Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
• Jairus’ Daughter


Loving Others-

• Jesus Loves Me/Loving Others
• Good Shepherd
• The Two Greatest Commandments (Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 22:34-40)
• Love Your Enemies (Luke 6:27-36; Matthew 5:44-48))




Movies:

Introduce movie: How are we supposed to behave?

Veggie Tales has several movies to reinforce moral values.




Coloring:

ponderedinmyheart.typepad.com- This is a collection of pictures drawn by Lydia to teach an alphabet's worth of virtues to little ones. She also did a drawing that can be used as a cover page if you like. You can slip it into the clear front pocket of a binder and keep all of the coloring pages inside, or you can fasten your pages into a book with staples or comb binding or the like. If you use a binder perhaps you might even include little narrations done by the children as you discuss the virtue learned, or concerning the stories or picture books you use to reinforce each virtue.



Crafts:

kidssundayschool.com- Bee Thumb-body with Jesus A Bible craft that reminds kids that they're someone special with Jesus.

kidssundayschool.com- Serve God Everyday
A Bible craft to help children remember how they can serve the Lord each day of the week.


Introduce craft: Are you a good Christian?

daniellesplace.com- Keys to Good Behavior
Parents can use these keys to help make children aware of bad behavior in a fun way. You can also use these to reinforce good behavior in the classroom. (Scroll down to Good Behavior)

theteacherscorner.net- Good Behavior Beads: I used this my first year teacher and it worked great for behavior. I let each child have a Ziploc bag in their desk. If a found someone doing something they should they got a bead. At times I would give more than one or maybe the entire class. An example is if we received a compliment for walking nicely in the hall. I would give everyone one when we returned. Then at the end of the month they should make them into necklaces. I try to use beads that go with the month or a holiday color. The kids love to see who has the most.


westerntractmission.org- WWJD Mirror Craft


Introduce craft: How do you show that you are a Christian?

chrisitancrafters.com- Mosaic Cross (easy cross necklace/magnet that all children can make)

christiancrafters.com- The Colors of Christ Cross (neat tip for little ones on the bottom)



Games:

Introduce game: What makes a good Christian?

Games to help reinforce moral values:

Chutes & Ladders- This would be great game for teaching about rewards and consequences for your actions. As kids travel along the game path, they encounter situations that reward them for good deeds by letting them climb the ladders or punish them for misbehaving by sending them down chutes. (Ages 3 & Up)

The Emotions Game- You need to think before you say or do things because you may hurt someone's feelings. Remember what Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Don’t Pick Your Nose- Teaches children 3 to 8 the basics of good manners and proper social behavior using a set of 36 questions/illustrations and matching answers. The game will give your child the basics of home manners, table manners and proper social behavior.

Mind Your Manners- With over 100 different picture cards depicting proper and improper manners, children learn to distinguish between correct and incorrect behavior at an early age. Playing the game is a fun-filled way to help children remember the correct choices as real life situations face them. For 2 - 6 players. Ages 4 - 8.

Golden Rule- This game helps promote why someone would use proper manners and etiquette in our daily lives.

Random Acts of Kindness- Children identify Random Acts of Kindness as they move around the board.

I’m Sorry!- Players move around the game board by rolling the dice and following the directions on the space they land on. If they land on “I’m Sorry!” space they draw a card and read it out loud (if they cannot read it, have someone else read it for them). On the card is a situation that someone has done something wrong. The player must then apologize to the person to his/her left for the situation on the card and they must be specific with their apology. They must say something like, “I’m sorry I took your video game,” instead of “I’m sorry.” The player that they apologized to must then say, “I forgive you.” Teaching children to apologize and to seek forgiveness from family and friends will encourage them to do so with God. (If needed, the teacher will help the students understand what to do and coach them how to do it correctly.) The player then must also say what they should do to correct their mistake and/or what consequences should happen to them so they will learn to take responsibility for their actions. If the player apologizes correctly for the situation they receive a token. If a player lands on “Lose 1 Token” they must forfeit one token. The player at the end of the game who has the most tokens wins.

Jesus is Our Savior- Jesus is our rescuer and offers us a lifeline when we’re trapped in sin. How can we solve the problems in our life? Jesus is our savior and if we follow him, he will show us the way.

VirtueGame- The VirtueGame is a fun, bingo-style card game that focuses on ten virtues: compassion, respect, enthusiasm, trust, friendliness, determination, responsibility, integrity, cooperation and thankfulness. To win the game, kids have to earn five out of the ten virtues by completing the tasks described on each card they draw. For example, a "Thankfulness" card asks the player to hold their breath for as long as they can. When they are finished, the card asks; "aren’t you thankful to breathe again?" and reminds the player to be thankful for things that we sometimes take for granted. Tasks often have to be completed cooperatively and require respectful listening to other players. The VirtueGame makes virtues concrete. It helps kids experience virtues through play so that they can internalize what they mean. The word "play" is important – the game is social, interactive, and silly. It teaches by surprise.




Snacks:

Introduce snack: How does Jesus want us to behave?

Have the children make a snack and give it to another child to help promote being good and sharing.


Letter V Snacks-

Vanilla Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream, Vanilla Pudding, Vanilla Wafers, Vanilla Yogurt, Vegetables, Vegetable Dip, Vegetable Soup, etc.



Coloring/Puzzles/Worksheets:

Prayers while students are doing worksheets and/or coloring.

sermons4kids.com- I will follow Jesus, our leader (coloring)

sermons4kids.com- I can follow Jesus by sharing (coloring)

catholicicing.com- Prayer Craft for Preschoolers


Use these blank mini book templates for the children to make a mini book about being a good Christian. Encourage your children to put their thoughts and creativity to work creating these mini-books that they either illustrate, write or write and illustrate:

practicalpages.wordpress.com- One Page Mini Book Templates
Here are 4 simple minibooks that my young children cut and fold without any trouble.

vickiblackwell.com- Several different kinds of blank mini books to print out.


dltk-teach.com- What begins with V? (mini book)


The activity below 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. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on these activities are not my own and are from various internet sources.

V Virtues- handwriting & coloring sheet

kidzone.ws.- Hidden Letter Worksheet Letter V

Make your own handwriting sheets for what you want your children to write.

handwritingworksheets.com- Make basic print, D’Nealian, or Cursive handwriting worksheets. You can make the worksheets dot trace, dash trace, hollow trace, and even separated letters by just a click of a button. Each format has starting dots for each letter.

softschools.com- Make manuscript handwriting worksheets in PDF form.

handwritingforkids.com- Manuscript personalized worksheets you can make for free.

atozteacherstuff.com- Create your own custom handwriting worksheets for handwriting practice! You can choose traditional or modern print styles.

kidzone.ws/tracers/- Type in anything you like into the custom tracer pages to practice printing (standard block or script type printing fonts) or cursive handwriting. The custom tracer pages are available in a variety of themes as well.

writingwizard.longcountdown.com- Create writing practice sheets in D'Nealian or Zaner-Bloser style, in print or cursive form.

Reading from the Textbook: Breaking Up the Routine

When using our textbooks, catechists must remember when students read from them it can become mundane and boring and therefore they do not learn the material. Discipline problems could also result when students have to engage in dull and repetitious activities. So what can a catechist do to break the routine when you have your students reading from the textbook?

Joe Paprocki at Catechist’s Journey has some great suggestions and tips that is from his Growing As A Catechist Webinar to keep your students attention and interested in their assigned reading.


Tips & Strategies:

Part One- Cue Cards

Part Two- Listen To The Sound of My Voice

Part Three- Graphic Organizer

Part Four- Paired Interviews

David and Goliath: The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall Game

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.


The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall Game: Players are asked questions about David & Goliath and if they answer correctly they may throw a suction ball toy at Goliath. Be the first player to hit Goliath in the forehead and win the game.


Need: Chalkboard or Dry Erase Board, chalk or dry erase board marker, suction ball toy, questions

Directions: Draw a simple picture of a large giant on the board (a stick figure or just a face will do). Make a large X on Goliath’s forehead. Place a chair at least 8 feet (distance is according to student’s abilities) in front of the Goliath picture on the board. Divide the students into teams and have them stand in a line behind one another. Determine which team goes first. Ask the first person in line in team #1 a question about David & Goliath. If the player is correct, they may stand behind the chair and throw a suction ball toy at Goliath. If the suction ball toy hits Goliath on the X on his forehead and sticks, that team wins. If the suction ball toy does not, play continues and the next team is asked a question. The first team that hits Goliath in the forehead with the suction ball toy and sticks wins the game.

David & Goliath Game- Directions & Questions (use these questions or make your own).