CCD and Religious Education Starting Soon

Since CCD and religious education is starting soon, I will start posting lots of activities and ideas pertaining to this starting in August. I hope this will help you get ready for the year ahead.


Things I Will Post:

• Gospel for the Mass (Year B)- I will post the Gospel for the Mass Year B by date and scripture. A link will take you directly to the post on my blog for that Gospel reading. I hope it will make it easier for you to find what you need. I plan on doing a Year C and a Year A page as well so everyone can find activities whenever they need them.

• Church Potluck Recipes- A few of my favorite dishes that I like to bring that might come in handy for you.

• Student Folders/Binders- To cut down on lost papers and to be better organized.

• Top Things That MUST Be Done Before Every Class- What are the top things that must be done before every class? Well, everyone is different as well as their needs, but maybe sharing what we found that has to be done before class so it can run smoothly and efficiently will help others.

• Crafty Crafters- Neat and educational crafts for Bible stories and religious topics.

• Special Events for the Month- Each month I will post special events for that month. I will have links to activities, coloring, crafts, games, puzzles, worksheets, quizzes, etc. that can help you with your classroom or at home.

• My Top Ten Must Have Items For CCD- To have a safe and educational classroom here is a list of My Top Ten Must Have Items For CCD.

• What You Should Do The First Day of Classes?- The Boy Scout moto: “Always be prepared!” is also essential for any catechist or religion education teacher. The infamous question “What should you do?” the first day of classes nags in the back of your mind and you cringe every time just thinking about it. Fear not, there is hope and you can have a great beginning to the start of the year if you utilize the following ideas.

• What will you do in your classroom or home?- I will post what I will be doing in my classroom each week. Please comment so I can add the link to your blog to the post. We would love to see what you do!

Church Potluck Recipe: Rice Pilaf

Here is a great alternative to potatoes that is so tasty and oh, so good! My mom has cooked it for years and every time I come home I request this rice dish. She used to travel in an RV with my Dad all over the country and they would bring this dish to the potluck dinners and everyone always wanted the recipe.



Rice Pilaf

¼ cup butter
¼ teaspoon curry powder
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 ½ cups raw long grain white rice
1 ½ teaspoon Lawyr’s Seasoned Salt
2 ½ cups chicken broth
½ cup white wine


Melt butter in heavy saucepan. Add curry powder and onion, cook until golden. Stir in rice. Cook, stirring until rice begins to take on color (about 5 minutes). Add salt, broth, and wine. Bring to simmering. Cover and cook over low heat until liquid is absorbed (about 20 minutes). Fluff rice with fork and serve.

Church Potluck Recipe: Brownies

Too tired to make anything for the potluck at church? When I’m bushed or pressed for time, I always make 2 boxes of these brownies and they are always gone in no time.

Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies

They are the BEST and taste homemade!

Gospel for the Mass- Year B

CCD and Religious Education has ended for most folks and homeschooling as well so I am going to take a much needed break from posting Gospel for the Mass activities. I will start this feature on this blog in August and post activities for the month of September.

*I plan on doing something different for the Gospel of the Mass in August. I will have a new page:

Gospel for the Mass- Year B

There I will post the Gospel for the Mass Year B by date and scripture. A link will take you directly to the post on my blog for that Gospel reading. I hope it will make it easier for you to find what you need. I plan on doing a Year C and a Year A page as well so everyone can find activities whenever they need them.



For those who need Gospel for the Mass activities during the summer, here is a list of my favorite websites:


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

sadlierreligion.com- Reflections and discussion questions on the readings for each Sunday and holy day liturgy. Activities for young people are included. Some materials for younger children can be printed out.

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

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

sermons4kids.com- Click on Sermons Index and scroll down for the sermon (object lesson) that you want. Also click on Coloring Pages for English and Spanish coloring pages. Scroll down under Coloring Pages for Puzzles and Worksheets.

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

Theresa at catholickidsbulletin.blogspot.com will post a link to an activity sheet that coordinates with the Catholic Mass. There will be pictures and activities each week to help little kids understand and appreciate the Mass. Most weeks, she will also highlight a Saint whose feast day falls within that week or a liturgical symbol they can watch for at Mass.

joanyedwards.com- Devotionals, skits, word searches, crosswords, recourses for Cycle A, B, or C Gospel for the Mass.

pflaum.com- Click on Seasonal Family Pages. Register for free. Inside you'll find features on Saints of the Season, Feasts of the Season, Catholic Culture, and Family Prayer - plus reproducible activities for preschool through junior high. New pages are posted four times a year.

pflaum.com- Pflaum Gospel Weeklies: The Pflaum Gospel Weeklies are lectionary-based periodicals published in five editions for preschool through junior high. Lessons reinforce the Sunday gospel message with age-appropriate stories, plays, activities and games. Each level nurtures the concept of Christian service, from "how can I help" activities for the youngest children to community project ideas for the older ones. They are published in a hand-out format − four pages for younger children, eight pages for the older ones − lessons are designed to be used in a group setting and then taken home to encourage family interaction. Free teaching guides are provided. *Sample pages are posted.

Living Faith Kids- Features daily devotions based on the daily Scripture readings from the Catholic Mass. Each quarterly issue helps children 8-12 develop the habit of daily prayer and build their relationship with Jesus and the Church. Living Faith Kids is the daily Scripture-based prayer companion for Catholic children and an invaluable resource for parishes, families and schools. (You can buy these in bulk or orders of 5 copies or fewer.) *Sample pages are provided at website.

Crafty Crafters: Pentecost Windsock

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for Pentecost?



Here is a craft you can make using ribbon:




tenkidsandadog.blogspot.com- Pentecost Craft



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

DIY Mass Bag

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Do you have problems getting your kids to behave during Mass? Well, Alicia at through-my-is.blogspot.com came up with a great idea for this problem that might help you.

Check it out! She has lots of ideas and links to help you make your own Mass Bag for your children.

Church Potluck Recipe: Caramel Cake

This is my grandmother’s famous recipe for caramel cake. She would make this for us on our birthdays and I still crave them to this day. This is also great to bring to any church potluck.

Caramel Cake

Ingredients-

4 eggs, separated
1 ½ sticks butter
1 ¼ c sugar
2 c cake flour
3 t baking powder
1 t vanilla
1 c milk

Cream butter. Mix sugar in well. Add beaten egg yolks. Add flour and mild alternately. Add baking powder. Last fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into a pan. Bake 325 – 350 degree for about 45 minutes.


Icing:

2 c sugar
1 ½ c butter
¾ c milk 1 t vanilla
½ chopped pecans


Cook until softball, stir constantly. Cool 110 degrees. Add vanilla. Beat well like fudge. Hardens fast- add nuts and ice quickly.

*Melt icing in microwave if too hard in a 2 c glass.

Church Potluck Recipe: Enchiladas

Enchiladas are easy to make and great for Church Potluck.

Enchiladas

1 can refried beans
8 medium flour tortillas
1 envelope of Taco Bell taco mix
1 lb. hamburger
2 c shredded taco cheese
Salsa
Sour cream

Brown hamburger, drain. Combine hamburger and taco mix with ¾ cup of water in frying pan and bring to a boil. Simmer about 10 minutes. Spoon hamburger mixture and refried beans down the center of tortillas. Roll and place seam side down in a 13 x 9 inch dish (put a little refried bean on the outer layer edge of the tortilla to “glue” the tortilla closed). Put some salsa on top, cover and bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Freezes well!

Serves: 8

FREE Catholic Bingo Games Online

thatresourcesite.com- This game reinforces the basics of the Catholic faith using such calling categories as The Bible, Church Tour, Saints, Parts of the Mass, and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. It's a fun game and easy to play for all ages. Little reading is required. If bingo cards are laminated, a crayon can be used to mark the squares rather than chips or markers. Simply wipe clean after each game. Up to 15 players.

thatresourcesite.com- Syllable Symphony of Saints Game
Play a simple Bingo style game with a twist to help children learn about the saints and syllables at the same time.

Introduce or review the concept of syllable sounds with children as they learn to say and spell the names of various saints. Children practice counting the syllables in the names of some fairly popular saints including Joseph, Luke, Anthony, Peter, Mary, Joan, Elizabeth and others. Names contain 1-5 syllables.

There are 8 game boards and any age can play this game. Reading is not a requirement as parents could read the names to players and children need simply match up the number of syllables in the names to the number of notes on the game board. Download includes all playing pieces and instructions. You need only provide card markers such as buttons, rocks, macaroni or coins.


catholicmom.com- Saint Bingo




bingocardcreator.com

Catholic Prayers and Devotions- These cards are about Catholic Prayers and Devotions. These are some of the names of well-known prayers of the Catholic faith. These include words like 23rd Psalm, Footprints, Healing Prayer, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Sign of the Cross.

Roman Catholic Saints- These cards are about Roman Catholic Saints. The Catholic Church recognizes several hundred saints individually. These include words like St. Agatha, St. Clare, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Maximilian.

Names For God-These cards are about Names For God. They were made using such words as Abba, Cornerstone, Elohim, Lord, and Shield.

Children’s Bible Stories- These cards are about Children's Bible Stories. Taken from the Bible, these true accounts are condensed and simplified for young children to understand. These include words like A Net Full of Fish, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale, Samson and Delilah, and The Good Samaritan.

Easter Liturgy- These cards are about Easter Liturgy. Holy Week is the celebration of the events culminating in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These include words like Christ, Mary, cross, holy, and redemption.

Kings Of The Bible- These cards are about Kings Of The Bible. They were made using such words as Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jotham, and Saul.

Men Of The Bible- These cards are about Men Of The Bible. They were made using such words as Abel, David, Jesus, Judas, and Peter.

New Testament Books These cards are about New Testament Books. They were made using such words as 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, 3 john, Hebrews, and Mark.

Popes from 750 to 999- These cards are about Popes from 750 to 999. The Catholic Church had 53 popes between 750 and 999. These include words like Adrian I, Benedict III, Boniface VI, John IX, O.S.B., and John XIII.

Roman Catholic Saints- These cards are about Roman Catholic Saints. The Catholic Church recognizes several hundred saints individually. These include words like St. Agatha, St. Clare, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Maximilian.

Prophets From The Bible- These cards are about Prophets From The Bible. They were made using such words as Aaron, Eli, Isaiah, Joshua, and Noah.

Women Of The Bible- These cards are about Women Of The Bible. They were made using such words as Abigail, Esther, Leah, Mary Magdalene, and Rebekah.

Biblical Geography- These cards are about Biblical Geography. They were made using such words as Ashdod, Bethlehem, Egypt, Israel, and Mount Sinai.

Biblical Heroes- These cards are about Biblical Heroes. They were made using such words as Abednego, Jabez, John the Baptist, Meshach, and Rizpah.

Foods Of The Bible- These cards are about Foods Of The Bible. They were made using such words as barley, goat, leeks, olives, and unleavened bread.

Christian Symbolism- These cards are about Christian Symbolism. These are some of the symbols within the different denominations of Christianity. These include words like Alpha, butterfly, crucifix, ichthus, and palm branches.

Crafty Crafters: Holy Communion

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for Holy Communion?

Introduce craft: How can we remember the reason we celebrate Holy Communion?



Jesus in the Holy Eucharist Craft

*This is an adaptation of catholiccollector.blogspot.com craft. This blog and craft have been removed.

1. Print out host template. Cut out and fold host so that it opens like a door with the picture of Jesus inside.

2. Print out template of chalice. Cut out template. Fold a yellow piece of construction paper in half and put the flat side of the chalice template on the folded edge. Trace around template and cut out. When you open it you will have a complete chalice. Be sure to draw in the top part of the chalice.

3. Glue chalice to your background paper and let your child decorate it with crayons, markers, glitter, plastic jewels, sequins, etc.

4. Glue host above the chalice making sure the door opens the correct way. You can also draw a cross on the outside of the host.


This activity 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.

Host Template

Chalice Template



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


Here are some other crafts that are fun to make:

catholicinspired.com- Jesus in the Eucharist ~ Art Project

catholicicing.blogspot.com- Craft a Monstrance with a Gold Doily