Crafty Crafters: Moses in the Bulrushes (Stand Up Crocodile)

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite craft you make for Moses in the Bulrushes?

Introduce craft: What is in the Nile River that could have eaten baby Moses? A crocodile.


storyplace.org- Stand Up Crocodile
(for my little ones I cut out the mouth part prior to class)
*You can also make a template and draw the crocodile and eyes on a piece of green construction paper. Cut out and color. Use googly eyes for that added touch.



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

Crafty Crafters: Noah's Ark Craft

So how crafty are you?

What is your favorite religious craft you make for the Bible story “Noah’s Ark”?



Here is a craft you can make using paper plates:


Introduce craft: Who built the ark? Noah. What happened in the story?




Noah’s Ark Craft- directions and pictures

To show the 40 days and 40 nights of rain, have the wheel with the rain showing. Turn the wheel again to see the sign that God did that promised that He would never flood the whole Earth again.


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

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:


This is what I plan to do the first day of classes with my first grade students:

Welcome- Greet each student and parent. Introduce yourself and welcome them to class. Ask the students to find a seat at the table. While they are doing so give each parent an Introductory Letter to Parents to provide them with information of what is expected in the classroom and what the children will be doing during the year. Tell parents that they are welcome to stay and join our classroom.



Class Contact List- 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.



Names- Have name tags where each student is going to sit and help students find their seats. After all students have found their seats have them introduce themselves to the class. Introduce game: How well do you know everyone in class? Directions: I will stand behind a student’s chair and say, “Who am I?” and the class must name that student. Stand behind a student and say, “Who am I?



Attendance- Fill out the CCD Attendance Sheet and place in classroom tray for DRE. Fill out the classroom attendance sheet that is in my binder.



Classroom Activities- Go over classroom activities with students so they will know what they will be doing for the year.

• We Know Our Prayers- My 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 completes, they will be able to pick a prize from the prize bag (show prize bag).

• Take Home Sheets- At the end of every class each student will be given a Take Home Sheet for their parents to go over with them to review what we did in class. Parents need to help their child fill this out and bring back to class the following week. Students that complete their homework and bring it back to class will be able to play HOMEWORKOPOLY.

• Take Home Tests- We also have 4 take home tests during the year. Parents will need to help their child study, fill out the test, and return it to class. Students that bring back their completed test will be able to play HOMEWORKOPOLY.

• Homeworkopoly- (Hold up game and show students) In order for a student to play HOMEWORKOPOLY, he or she must complete their homework and hand it in to the teacher on time. This is how the student moves around the game board and win prizes from the prize bag. If the student does not have their homework finished, they do not get their chance to roll the dice and move for the day.



Classroom Behavior Expectations- Go over the Classroom Behavior Expectations and post the classroom rules after we have gone over them in a place where all students can see them.


*Ask students if they have any questions. Then start today's lesson.





More Ideas:

The Catholic Toolbox- What Every Catechist Needs To Know

thereligionteacher.com- Classroom Procedures and the First Weeks of School

thereligionteacher.com- 6 Classroom Management Strategies for the First Weeks of School

lumenchristiparish.org- Ten Ideas for a Great First Day

voices.yahoo.com- 18 Things Teachers Need to Do the First Day of Class

voices.yahoo.com- Tips for Teachers on the First Day of School

Gospel for the Mass: 9/2/12- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

*Be sure to check out Gospel for the Mass Year B 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.



Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The Tradition of the Elders



Activities

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

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.

sadlierreligion.com- Scroll down to Gospel Reflection, Discussion Questions for the Gospel, and Proclaiming Faith Activities

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

4catholiceducatiors.com- Resources on the Sunday Readings

sermons4kids.com- True Worship object lesson with coloring page

sermons4kids.com- Skin Deep or From the Heart object lesson with coloring pages, group activities, puzzles, quiz, maze, etc.

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean object lesson with group activities, coloring page, puzzles, quiz, worship bulletin, etc.

sundayschoollessons.com- Jesus’ Disciples Eat Without Washing Their Hands lesson

sundayschoollessons.com- What Is Clean in the Sight of God lesson

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



Coloring

sermons4kids.com- Mark 7:6b

sermons4kids.com- Let’s praise Jesus!

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean?



Crafts

sermons4kids.com- Skin Deep group activities (crafts)

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean group activities (crafts)



Games

sermons4kids.com- Skin Deep group activities (games)

sermons4kids.com- Clean or Unclean group activities (games)



Puzzles

sermons4kids.com- Maze

sermons4kids.com- Word Search

sermons4kids.com- Word Search

joanyedwards.com- Word Search

sermons4kids.com- Word Shape

sermons4kids.com- Word Jumble

sermons4kids.com- Decoder

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

sermons4kids.com- Crossword

joanyedwards.com- Crossword



Quizzes

sermons4kids.com- Multiple Choice

sermons4kids.com- Fill in the Blanks

sermons4kids.com- Fill in the Blanks

Church Potluck Recipe: Onion Bread

This sounds funny, but it is so good and soooooooooo easy. My grandmother made it, my mom made it, and now I do. Great with roast, boiled shrimp, etc. almost anything. Great to take for Church Potluck!

Onion Bread

Ingredients:

1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 stick of butter or margarine
1 long loaf of French or Italian bread


Directions:

Melt butter in sauce pan. Mix onion soup in melted butter. Slice almost through (do not cut all the way through) bread loaf (each slice at least 1 inch thick). Brush butter and onion soup mixture on both sides of the bread slices. Wrap bread in foil and put in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.

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!