Church Potluck Recipe: Cajun 15 Bean Soup

At home we LOVE this soup on a cold winter day and since we started a new Pot Luck activity at our church I thought I would bring it. After CCD we have a Pot Luck Luncheon once a month featuring our priest who enlightens us with his wit and wisdom about the history, mystery and majesty of the Catholic Church.

This is what I fixed to warm us up and to share with the congregation along with some hot buttered corn bread (Jiffy corn muffin mix).



Cajun 15 Bean Soup

*I make this the day before and in the morning I warm it up in the microwave and put it in my crock pot on LOW to keep it warm. I take the crock pot with us and plug it in my CCD classroom and go to Mass. After CCD I just take it down to the Fellowship Hall and plug it in there. I warm the cornbread up in a microwave and place it on the table next to the crock pot.


Ingredients

• Hurt’s HamBeens Cajun 15 Bean Soup (dry beans and flavor packet in a bag)
• 1-2 lbs. of regular or mild Italian sausage (I use Jimmy Dean HOT roll sausage)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 15 oz. can stewed or diced tomatoes
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced



Cooking Directions

Soaking: Place beans in a large pot, cover with 2 quarts of water. Allow beans to soak overnight, or at least 8 hours.

1. After soaking, drain water, add 2 quarts of water. Bring beans to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 2 ½ hours.
2. In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic and sausage until sausage is browned.
3. Drain excess grease and add contents to beans along with tomatoes, lemon juice and Cajun flavor packet.
4. Simmer another 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Servings: 16 (1/2 cup cooked)

New Students

From time to time teachers will acquire new students during the year. It is an awkward situation for the new student and teachers must help the student feel welcome and comfortable in the classroom. How can you make the transition smooth for all your students? You might want to pair the new student with a student in the classroom that is welcoming, warm, and friendly. You can also have each student in the classroom introduce themselves and later play some Ice Breaker Games to help make the new student feel welcome and become familiar with the class.

You should also have a welcome packet prepared in advance. It is imperative that catechists be prepared and have all the necessary print outs readily available and stashed for quick retrieval at all times. This packet should include all the information/handouts you passed out during the first day of CCD.


Things to have handy:

1. Have an Introduction Letter to Parents. It is a great idea to take the opportunity to introduce yourself by welcoming the students and the parents in a letter their first day of CCD. It provides the parents with information of what is expected in the classroom and what the students will be doing during the year. It 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 (this can be a separate page that parents must sign and return to you). Teachers can also ask if parents are interested in volunteering and for any information that can help aid them in better understanding their child and their needs.


2. Provide Volunteer Sign Up Sheets for parents interested in helping at CCD. Volunteers in the classroom can be a blessing IF done correctly and IF it is planned ahead. Nothing is worse than having a volunteer not know what to do or be in the way. Here are tips that should be done to have a good volunteer program in your classroom.


3. Have the parents fill out a Class Contact List to obtain information that can help aid the catechist to understand their child’s needs and how to contact them.


4. Provide a calendar of the CCD schedule (days and times CCD meets), upcoming events, such as class field trips and future parent-teacher meetings, etc. and the policies concerning them.


5. Go over the classroom rules and requirements with the new student. It would be a great review for the whole class to be involved in this. You can make it into a game by asking the students various questions about the classroom. (You could also play these games the first day of class to review the classroom rules and requirements.)

ehow.com- Classroom Jeopardy

Free PowerPoint Games- Make your own PowerPoint game (Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, Password, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Twenty Questions, Guess The Covered Word, variations of the game Hollywood Squares, Weakest Link, Concentration, etc.) to review classroom rules and requirements with your students.

iteslj.org- Classroom Rules: Must and Mustn’t

educationworld.com- Reviving Reviews: Refreshing Ideas Students Can’t Resist/Review Games (adapt these games to fit your needs)

sporcle.com- Can you name the classroom rules? (adapt this game to fit your needs)

teachnet.com- “Who Wants To Be A Winner” game
Download these PowerPoint presentations for use in your classroom. These games can be modified with your own questions to create an interactive review for your students.


Also from teachnet.com- An alternative way to play the game above not using PowerPoint presentations.

Type the questions on a piece of paper. Cut the questions apart and put them in a small box. Divide the class into two teams. Each team gets three options, each of which can only be used once during the game. Write the three options on the board. When the team uses an option, it is erased. The options which the team can use are: Pass, Ask a Friend on their team or Ask the Whole Class.

To start the game, pick a number. The team which chooses the number closest starts first. The first player on the team chooses a question from the box without looking at the question. The player then reads the question and decides if s/he knows the answer. If the player does not know the answer, s/he may pick an option. If the child passes, the player whose turn it is next can have a chance at answering the question. If the pass option is used, it is then erased and cannot be used again by that team.

When all the options are used by a team, the players must try to answer their own question even if they don’t know it. When all the questions are gone, the game is over. The teams get one point for each question and the team with the most points win. Of course you must ask the player, “Is that your final answer?” The kids love this game!



Things to review:

• Basic classroom rules.

• Classroom attendance and tardiness guidelines. Make-up work policy.

• Classroom grading policy.

• Amount of homework and homework policy.

• Policy for addressing academic and behavioral problems.

• The CCD program’s discipline policy, including procedures regarding absence and tardiness.

• The timing of report cards and progress reports.

• Emergency procedures for bad weather and other events.

• How to contact the teacher.

• Etc.



*Be sure to ask the parents and new student if they have any questions that they may have.

Crafty Crafters: Baptism of Jesus

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for the Baptism of Jesus?



Here is a craft I make with my students for the Baptism of Jesus:

Introduce craft: What hovered over Jesus’ head after he was baptized? (A white dove.)

Taking Flight- A bird that can be a dove that you make out of white paper and using the child's handprints. (From the Hands of a Child by Anthony Flores, page 41).

*Every craft in this book is illustrated with materials listed and patterns provided. Very easy step by step directions that even a 1st grader can read and follow and make the craft by himself.



Please leave a comment so others can get ideas for crafts.

Interactive Crafts for Bible Stories

Children love to make interactive crafts for Bible stories. It makes the Bible story come alive and they can reenact the story over and over again.

lambsongs.co.nz- lots of crafts posted!
Scroll down and just click on Activity 1, Activity 2, etc. for printables. Click on Instructions for directions on how to do craft (sometimes directions are posted on one of the activity sheets).


Peter Walks on Water- Glue Peter on a popsicle stick and have him reenact the Bible story.

Church Potluck Recipe: Rocky Road Fudge Bars

This is the BEST fudge in the whole world. My family has been making it for years and everyone just loves it. Great for church potluck or any occasion. I even make these and give them as gifts during Christmas!

Rocky Road Fudge Bars


Ingredients-

Bar:

1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 square (1 oz.) unsweetened chocolate or 1 envelope pre-melted unsweetened baking chocolate flavor
1 cup sugar
1 cup All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs


Filling:

8 -oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened (reserve 2 oz. for Frosting)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup chopped nuts
6 -oz. pkg. (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips, if desired


Frosting:

2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 square (1 oz.) unsweetened chocolate or 1 envelope pre-melted unsweetened baking chocolate flavor
2 -oz. reserved cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla



Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 13” X 9” pan. In large saucepan over low heat, melt margarine and 1 square of chocolate. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level off.
Add remaining bar ingredient and mix well. Spread in prepared pan.
In small bowl, combine 6 ounces of cream cheese with next 5 ingredients. Beat 1 minute on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, and then stir in nuts. Spread over chocolate mixture.
Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350° for 25-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and sprinkle on marshmallows. Bake 2 more minutes.

In large saucepan over low heat, melt 1/4 cup margarine and 1 square chocolate, remaining 2 ounces cream cheese and milk. Stir in powered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Immediately pour over marshmallows and swirl together, Cool; cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Yield: 3-4 dozen.

Crafty Crafters: Laundry Detergent Cap

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make using a laundry detergent cap?



Here is a craft your students can make for the Bible story “Jesus in the Temple”.

Introduce craft: When Jesus was a little boy, where did he get his toys? (They made them.) We are going to make us a toy to play with.

Make a hole near the top of the rim using a drill prior to class. Cut twine to about 2 feet long. Have students tie one end of the twine to the lid through the hole you just drilled. On the other end of the twine tie a large bead to it (2 beads if they are small).

To play- Hold the cup letting the string hang down. Swing the bead up and try to catch it inside the cup. For competitive play, whoever gets the most catches out of 10 or 20 tries wins.



Please leave a comment so others can get ideas for crafts.

Behavior Contracts & Behavior Charts

When behaviors become a problem in a classroom an effective strategy is to implement a behavior contract. A behavior contract is a clear, written statement of what behaviors a student agrees to exhibit and the positive consequences (rewards) that will result from fulfillment of the contract. Behavior contracts also state who will deliver those rewards as well. Often the negative consequences of not fulfilling the contract are also specified. Contracts can be a positive way to provide a role for families in improving classroom behavior. Before implementing the behavior contract it should be discussed thoroughly and all involved persons must agree to it and sign it. Anyone can deliver the rewards (the teacher, parent, DRE, etc.), but it must be the same person each time as stated in the behavior contract. Remember to be consistent and praise the child for good behavior choices. When the child does not make a good behavior choice, do not be apologetic; if needed, pull out the contract and review the terms that were agreed upon with the child. Emphasize the positives that come along with good behavior choices and help the child to get used to new habits of good behavior.

The behavior contract should be revised when it is not producing satisfactory results. Therefore your contract should be open to renegotiations at any time. If needed, a new contract replacing the previous one would be written up and signed.



Steps for Developing, Implementing, and Monitoring a Behavior Contract

1. Meet with concerned parties- Everyone who will be supporting the contract need to meet to discuss one target behavior.

2. Determine conditions- The parties determine when, where, and under what specific conditions the behavior occurs. The contract will be written to address these conditions.

3. Determine who will use the contract and where it will be used- All persons who will be responsible for contract implementation must know their responsibilities.

4. Determine reinforcement- Students should be allowed to participate in developing a set of choices of reinforcers (rewards). Reinforcers should be manageable but powerful enough to evoke the desired response (behavior). The list of rewards should be rotated often to make sure that the student motivation remains high.

5. Determine whether negative consequences will be used- Contracts are written in a positive way to increase behaviors. Negative reinforcers may not be necessary or even desirable if the positive reinforcers are motivating for the student.

6. Take baseline data- Determine the frequency in which the behavior occurs. Data should be taken over at least 3 to 5 days to make certain that the behavior is typical for the student.

7. Determine reinforcement schedule- Everyone who is involved should determine how often the student is to receive reinforcers (rewards). The contract should be structured so that the student has a successful experience; this will prompt the student to further work toward the contract goals.

8. Determine goals- Everyone who is involved should determine the criteria for successful completion of the contract. Realistic and reasonable goals should be set, even if those goals do not represent the final level of expectation for the student. When the student consistently reaches the goals, the contract can be modified to target a higher goal.

9. Write the contract- The contract should be written in terms that specify task and time demands, criteria for accuracy, and available reinforcers.

10. Discuss and sign the contract- Everyone that is involved should discuss the contract to ensure understanding. It might be necessary to supplement a discussion with drawings or icons for some students. All concerned parties should receive a copy of the contract.

11. Monitor the contract- Everyone that is involved with the contract should set up a plan to evaluate and modify the contract if needed. All concerned parties should remain in constant contact with each other to ensure that student progress across setting is monitored. If the contract is unsuccessful, the parties need to address task appropriateness, time allotment, and student or environmental factors that could have impeded student progress (Smith, 1998).



Example: John has been erratic in turning in his homework for CCD. Sometimes John completes his homework and turns in it in on time. Other times John does not turn in his homework and acts defensive and is very irritable when questioned about it. In a written, dated, and signed contract, the parents agreed to take John to his favorite restaurant for dinner if John turns in his homework on time for the next 4 weeks. If John does not turn in his homework assignments, he will lose some of his video game privileges, according to the severity of his lapses (how many assignments missed equals how much video game time is taken away which is stated in the contract).

*Families can be a strong support for CCD. Just ask for their help and you will be surprised on how much they will do.




How To Do Behavior Contracts and Samples

k6educators.about.com- How To Create Behavior Contracts

specialed.about.com- A Behavior Contract and Behavior Monitoring Tools

interventeioncentral.org- Steps in Implementing This Intervention, How to Deal With Common Problems in Using Behavior Contracts

worksheetplace.com- Behavior Contracts and Tracking Sheets

teachervision.fen.com- Behavior Contracts
Blank Behavior Contract, Sample Behavior Contract #1 & #2, Student Contract Form





Behavior Charts

Behavior Charts are a good way of keeping track of behavior. Here are a few online that might help.

freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com- Check out the left side bar for several different kinds of behavior charts to print out.

latitudes.org- Behavior Modification Charts for Home and School

child-behavior-guide.com- Behavior Charts for Kids

teachervision.fen.com- Charting Behavior (3 charts to choose from)

chartjungle.com- Scroll down for lots of different kinds of behavior charts.

empoweringparents.com- These customizable behavior charts are available for free. Each chart includes detailed instructions on how to use them.

rewardcharts4kids.com- Free Behavior Charts

Download Your Mass Response Card for Advent

On November 27, the First Sunday of Advent, the Roman Missal, Third Edition will be implemented in Mass across the United States. As our gift to you, we have developed a Mass card with the new prayer and response translations to assist you in this transition.

*Download comes in a bright four color version, and a simple one color version.



sadlier.com- Download Your Mass Response Card for Advent

Church Potluck Recipe: Tortellini Salad

I wish I had a picture of this tasty dish. Here is an easy tortellini salad recipe that my friend makes that everyone enjoys!



Tortellini Salad

1 lb. tortellini cooked (cheese or meat stuffed)
Cubed cheddar cheese,
Green pepper, diced
Green onions
Black olives
Green olives
Cherry tomatoes, halved

Mix the above together in a large bowl. Then add the following and mix well. Chill overnight.


Dressing:

¾ c. oil
¼ c wine vinegar
2 t Grey Poupon Mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Books I Use In My Classroom

I have a few books I use in my first grade CCD classroom that I can’t live without. I have worn some of their book covers to nothing and the others are pretty dog-eared.

Books I Use In My Classroom- a short list of what I use



What books do you use in your classroom or home that you cannot live without? Please comment so I can add them to the list or the link to your blog to this post.