Decorating & Organizing Your Classroom: Considerations For Children With Sensory Processing Disorders

Every teacher wants a beautiful classroom which stimulates their students to want to learn. Having colorful and stimulating classrooms seems to be the norm today, but is it the right thing?

Teachers need to take in mind that some students would find their classroom sensory alluring, but others with sensory processing challenges would find it a bit too much and could not handle your classroom. Behavior problems would result and children in your classroom would not be learning to their fullest potential.

Some children process sensory stimulation (sounds, taste, smells, touch, and what they see) differently than others. Some over react while others seem oblivious to the goings on around them. As a parent of a special needs child, teachers need to take into consideration all the senses and structure the classroom to meet children’s sensory needs.

For many students sensory overload is one of the most detrimental and critical problems in the classroom. An over-stimulating environment can cause some students to shut down, become excited, inappropriate behavioral problems can arise and may escalate which could lead to major meltdowns. Examples of an over sensory environment is: buzzing and flickering lights, clutter, decorations that are vivid in color and different kinds of patterns, loud sudden noises (fire alarm, timers, bells, etc.), students too close or brushing up against you, loud and noisy surroundings, various smells (certain foods, dry erase board markers, cleaning supplies, carpet, mold, etc.), crowded and chaotic classrooms, etc.

When designing children’s environments, it is important to consider the needs of children with sensory processing disorders and to think through the space as an experience. What will the children possibly see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? Are there things that could be designed differently in critical areas so as not to interfere with a child’s ability to learn?


Considerations for the Classroom:

slideshare.net- Sensory Considerations When Teaching And Setting Up The Classroom

sensory-processing-discorder.com- Problem Behavior In The Classroom: Dealing With Children And Sensory Processing Disorders At School

abilitypath.org- Sensory Awareness In Your Classroom

brighthubeducation.com- Activities for Hypersensitive Tactile Teens in the Classroom

sensorysmarts.com- Working with Schools from Raising a Sensory Smart Child

What Every Catechist Needs To Know

I taught CCD for 16 years and some have asked me, “What does every catechist need to know?” Well, I’m no expert, but over the years as a special education teacher and as a catechist I have experienced a lot and have seen a lot and I try to learn from my mistakes and that of others. Here are a few things that I think every catechist should know about or do:



1. Catechist Training- Most dioceses and/or parishes require some kind of catechist training before they can teach a class each year. By providing assistance and training to all catechists before CCD starts it will prepare the catechist so they can be an effective teacher. Certified catechist should also participate in the training because no catechist can know everything and they could also benefit from new ideas and activities. Suggestions of what can be in the catechist training is posted.



2. Know The Curriculum- To ensure consistent progress and development the catechist must read, study, and learn the curriculum. A good lesson depends on how well the catechist understands the material. Providing essential information about the curriculum will help the catechists build their lessons on a strong foundation. The training should provide a concise overview of the curriculum and how to use it properly so the catechist will know what to do.



3. Co- Teaching- How to be a good co-teacher.



4. Get Parents Involved and Have a Contact List- Give detailed information on how parents can get involved in their child’s faith education and how they can volunteer at CCD.

Have an Introductory Letter To Parents. It is a great idea to take the opportunity to introduce yourself by welcoming the child and the parents in a letter the first day of CCD. It provides the parents with information of what is expected in the classroom and what the children 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.

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.

Classroom newsletters are an excellent way to keep in touch with parents and help them be a part of their child's education. Parent’s love to know what is going on in their child’s classroom and frequent and regular class newsletters enable parents to sense the feeling and momentum of the class and gain insight into what their child is learning.

Parent/Teacher Communication Forms/Letters/Templates- Communication with parents is key to having a good CCD classroom. Here are some forms/letters/templates you can use in your classroom.

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.



5. Inclusion of Special Needs Students in Your Classroom- What you as a catechist must do to enable your special needs student to participate in the classroom. You must also find out how you can best meet the student’s needs so they can learn to their fullest potential.



6. What Makes A Good Catechist- Tips on how to be a good catechist.



7. Know What Your Students Like To Do- The key to being a good catechist is knowing what your students like to do in CCD. Here are some tips and suggestions for activities to do in the classroom that are age appropriate.



8. Prepare Your Classroom to enhance your student’s learning.



9. How To Access Your Students’ Progress- Since students learn in different ways, they must be tested in different ways to find out if they have learned the information taught in class. Here are a few suggestions for your students to do that might come in handy for reading comprehension and assessment activities.



10. Discipline- Having a well behaved classroom is critical for proper learning. For the students to learn to their fullest potential they need an environment that is quiet, without distractions, and organized. Discipline is crucial in a classroom and all catechists must know how to keep disruptive behavior down to a minimum. When establishing classroom rules you should identify behavioral expectations for your classroom to promote a positive environment. Catechists must also use good behavior classroom strategies and games which is an approach to help manage classrooms behaviors with rewards to children for displaying appropriate on-task behaviors during instructional times. When behaviors become a problem in a classroom an effective strategy is to implement a behavior contract.

What do students like to do in CCD?

What to do with the students in your CCD classroom depends upon their age. Coming up with activities that excite your students and invites them to learn about our faith can sometimes be overwhelming. Keeping students involved and engaged in activities that have them moving, working in groups, and discovering information for themselves allows students to become excited about their learning and they are motivated to come to class. Having engaging and fun activities for your students to do each week can also keep absenteeism down to a minimum. The students will know they will do something fun in the class and want to be there.

The key to being a good catechist is to have your students anticipate activities that are fun and challenging so they will want to come to CCD each and every week. A good way to accomplish this is before you dismiss your students give them a little teaser of what they will do in class next week. Make it sound fun and exciting.

Example: “Why do problems come into our lives? People face problems each and every day. Some are harder than others. There are many choices that the person can have to solve his/her problem, but which one is the best? Next week we will play a game to see if you can choose the right thing to do.”



So what do students like to do in CCD?


All Students
How To Review Material- You just completed a chapter with your class and you need to review it to make sure your students understand it and/or get them ready for a test. What should you do? How can you make it interesting and fun and the students will learn? Try to incorporate a game to review the material in your classroom.


Pre K – K students like singing and doing finger plays, coloring, making simple crafts, and playing games. The more movement the better so that the catechist can burn up some of their never ending pent up energy. Changing activities about every 15 minutes is also a good idea since their attention spans are extremely short. Interest Centers are important for any Preschool or Kindergarten classroom. These center activities: Art, Block, Book, Creation, Home Living, Manipulative, etc. gives the students a chance to “Learn by Doing”.

Having a God’s Helping Hands Chart encourages teamwork and self-esteem as students take responsibility for their classroom. This also builds community and dependability and it could also get the children to help more around the house as well. By assigning students various tasks to do will keep them busy and they will not get bored. It will also cut down on behavior problems because they will be moving and not sitting so much.


Pre K – K lesson plans- with: Objectives, Word Wall, Bible Story with questions, Songs and/or Finger Plays, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Coloring/Puzzles

hubbardscupboard.org- lessons for ages 2 - 6

dltk-bible.com- Old and New Testament lesson for preschool posted. Lessons include memory verse, teacher's guide, puzzles, take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts and activities, etc.

clclutheran.org- lessons for preschool (click on Lessons on the left side and then click on Old or New Testament Lessons)

missionarlington.org- Sort by Scripture. Each lesson has a preschool lesson

sermons4kids.com- Index of Coloring Pages

The Catholic Toolbox- FREE Religious Coloring Pages

walzingm.com- saint coloring sheets. You can find all of her coloring pages listed up at the top of her blog by clicking on the tab called Coloring Pages.

paperdali.blogspot.com- Paper Dali has tons of free printables for your nonprofit, personal use.

Bible Story Mini Books- Bible Story Mini Books are a great way to review a Bible story or concept with young students. Here are some online for free to print out for the students to take home. Students can read these to their parents or the parents can read them to their child.

FREE One Page Printable Bible Stories- Short on paper and need some printable Bible stories? You can print these out in color or black and white, whichever you prefer. Great for review and for your children to read.

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.



Bible Wheels To Make and Enjoy by Carmen Sorvillo- Bible Wheels are Bible stories on wheels that help reinforce Bible stories. Children ages 4 to 7 can make the Bible Wheels easily by cutting them out, coloring, and assembling. Each wheel is made from two reproducible patterns that you can print out on cardstock and are secured with a brass fastener. A window in the wheel reveals what happens in the Bible story and the children can turn the wheel dial to retell the Bible story they just learned over and over again. Bible Wheels are a great way to supplement your Bible stories and help your students to remember the lesson. Children are fascinated by how they work and the Bible Wheels in this book will surely keep the children’s attention and spark their imagination. The book contains 30 (14 Old and 16 New Testament) Bible Wheels that have limited text with the title of the story, the Bible reference and pictures telling the Bible story on each one. Cutting is simple but for younger students you might want to cut out all or some of the craft prior to class. Bible Wheels are a great take home activity for children to do with their parents and they are an excellent way to help the children remember the Bible story.

Click here to see some of the book then click on Excerpt.






Elementary age students enjoy crafts, games, and creative puzzles such as hidden pictures, word shape, word jumble decoder, spiral, etc. Usually boys at this age absolutely despise coloring and as soon as you whip out a coloring sheet for them to do, discipline problems immediately erupt. Students at this age like object lessons and activities that involve movement and learning. Nothing is more fun than doing activities that use all the students’ senses and challenges them.

Play a game that reviews previously learned material. 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.

Lesson Plans for 1st Grade On Up- with: Objectives, Review, Vocabulary Words, Bible Story with questions, Activities, Crafts, Games, Snacks, Puzzles/Mazes/Worksheets

dltk-bible.com- Old and New Testament lesson for preschool through 3rd grade. Lessons include memory verse, teacher's guide, puzzles, take home sheet, coloring pages, crafts and activities, etc.

clclutheran.org- lessons for 1st through 8th grade (click on Lessons on the left side and then click on Old or New Testament Lessons)

missionarlington.org- Sort lessons by Scripture

sermons4kids.com- find various kinds of puzzles for your students to do that are posted in alphabetical order

sermons4kids.com- Click on Sermon Index to find the subject or sermon you want. Tons of object lessons for you to choose from.

Bible Story Mini Books- Bible Story Mini Books are a great way to review a Bible story or concept with young students. Here are some online for free to print out for the students to take home. Give these to your students every week so they can read these to their parents.

FREE One Page Printable Bible Stories- Short on paper and need some printable Bible stories? You can print these out in color or black and white, whichever you prefer. Great for review and for your children to read.

catholicicing.com- Embrace your amazing Catholic Culture by "icing" your Catholic Cake with all of these yummy "extras"! This is a place to find Catholic Arts and Crafts, Fun Food, Feast Day Celebration ideas, and much, much more!

thereligionteacher.com- Scroll down for: Feast of the Epiphany in the Modern Day- Lesson Plan Activities, Catholic Thanksgiving Day Lesson Plans on the Eucharist as “Thanksgiving”, Teaching the Mysteries of the Rosary to Elementary Students, etc.



Hidden Pictures Explore Hidden Treasures in God’s Word: Grade 1 - 3 (Fun Faith-Builders) by Linda Standke- Children will absolutely love the fun and creative Bible story based hidden picture puzzles in this book! My students are just wild about hidden picture puzzles and ask for them every week at CCD. The students start these puzzles by looking up the scripture reference to answer the question about each story. Then they find and circle the story related items hidden in the picture. Each puzzle has a list of 8 items to find. To make it easier for the students, drawings of the 8 items are next to each word and these look exactly like the ones in the puzzle. The book has 27 (13 Old and 14 New Testament) hidden picture puzzles and also an answer key for each. These hidden puzzles are a fantastic fill in activity for CCD or great to do just before the parents come to pick up their children.

Click here to see some of the book then click on Sample.





The Encyclopedia Of Bible Games For Children's Ministry by Group Publishing- This book is a collection of 175 creative and entertaining games that will add fun and enhance your lessons for your class, vacation Bible school, retreats, etc. The games get students involved and allows them to learn through activities that will help reinforce Bible stories or various Bible subjects. The activities are broken down into 9 categories: Bible Story Games (75), Jesus Is… Games (10) that connect your students to Christ, The Bible Is… Games (10) to teach the truths, Holiday Games (10), Wild ‘n’ Wacky Games (10) to get your students up and moving, Total Silence Games (10), Travel Games (10) to try when you are going from here to there, Icebreaker Games (20), and Group Builder Games (20). Each game specifies the scripture, the Bible theme, energy level with complete directions, supply list, what to say, and post game discussions. All supplies that are needed for each game are found easily around the home or church. You can also search the indexes by type of game, Bible point or passage, and energy level. The games can be easily adapted for all ages, class size, indoor or outdoor, etc. and a suggestion page is in the book to help you with any situation so all children can enjoy playing the games. This is must have in any youth ministry!

Limited preview- To see some of the book.






Older students enjoy discussions and a variety of activities that lets them manipulate the information physically and mentally. They like breaking off into small groups to work together for a common goal and present it later to the class. Group projects are a hit as well as field trips to places they have previously studied about. They also like playing games that involves the whole class reviewing previously learned material that is fun and educational too.

thereligionteacher.com- How To Get Students To Participate In Class Discussions

Catholic Lesson Plans For Teens- FREE Catholic lesson plans for small group study or classroom covering a variety of issues for today's teens.

Play a game show that quizzes your students about the subject. Make it fun and exciting by using a game that is created on PowerPoint. Download the template and modify the game to fit your curriculum needs.

Play a game that reviews previously learned material. 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. (There are several games posted here that can be used for older students.)



Faith Facts for Young Catholics: Drills, Games and Activities for Middle School Students by Kieran Sawyer- This is an incredible activity book of drills, games and activities for middle school students that all will enjoy. The 25 activities include: Sacraments, Ten Commandments, Parts of the Mass, Review Games, Seven Gifts, Scriptures, Gospel Trivia, etc. There are pages and pages of review cards, key word cards, flash cards, Gospel trivia cards, Scripture passage cards, etc. to go with all the activities in the book with answers included. Teachers need to from time to time supplement their curriculum with activities to help teach their students and review material and by using the creative activities in this book it will help enhance the lessons and allow the students to understand more and have a lot of fun in the process. The games will also be great in a variety of religious education settings such as religion class in school, CCD, youth group meetings and youth retreats. (*This book is spiral bound to make copying easier.)





What do your students like to do in CCD class?

Zacchaeus, Come Down

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.








Zacchaeus, Come Down! Place your markers on “START”. Roll the die and follow the directions. Who ever gets to Zacchaeus first to help him down, wins. Continue playing to find out who comes in second, third, fourth, etc. place.


Zacchaeus Come Down! Game- Directions, Game Board

Xerxes (file folder 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.


Purim is a Jewish holiday celebrating the salvation of the Persian Jews from Haman’s evil plot to have them all killed. It is tradition to use noise makers (gragger as they are called in Hebrew) to make as much noise as possible whenever Haman’s name is mentioned when you read the story. The purpose is to stamp down or blot out Haman’s name which comes from the book of Deuteronomy which says, “You shall blot out the memory of the Amalekites (Haman’s people) from under the heavens.” Encourage the children to boo or hiss when the name of Haman is mentioned and cheer when Esther and Mordecai are mentioned.


Xerxes: Be the first player to collect 4 Xerxes cards and win!




Directions: Place the Xerxes cards near the game board. Each player places a marker on START. Players take turns rolling the die and moving clockwise the number of spaces rolled on the die. Players follow the directions on the space they land on. If a player lands on a picture of a crown that player takes a Xerxes card. If a player lands on LOSE A CARD, they must put one of their Xerxes cards back into the pile. If a player lands on a picture of Haman all players boo and hiss. The player that landed on Haman gets to take a Xerxes card from any player they choose. If you land on LOSE A TURN you lose your next turn. When a player has collected four Xerxes cards, that player is the winner.

Optional: Play may continue until every player collects the four Xerxes cards.

Xerxes Game- Directions, Game Board, Xerxes Cards

Who Gave Thanks To God (card 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.


Who Gave Thanks To God: (card game) Are you thankful to God? Here is a fun game about Biblical characters that are thankful to God.


The object of the game is to match more pairs of cards than the opposing player(s). On each turn, the player will turn over two cards (one at a time) and will read them out loud (or someone else can read the cards for them). The player keeps them if they match (the question card is answered correctly by matching it with the proper picture card). The cards are color coded to avoid confusion of which pair of cards match (each matching pair shares the same text box color). If the player successfully match a pair of cards, that player also gets to take another turn. When a player turns over two cards that do not go together, those cards are turned face down again where they were found and it becomes the next player’s turn.



Who Game Thanks To God Game- Directions, Game Cards

Which came first? (file folder 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.



Which Came First?



Which Came First? When this question is asked, most people think of the chicken or the egg. Here is a game that wants to know which Bible story came first.

Directions: Place your markers on START. Players take turns by rolling the die and moving that many spaces on the game board. Players must follow the directions on the space they land on. If the space has a picture of a chicken/egg on it, the player to their left draws a card and asks them a question about which story came first in the Bible. (If they cannot read it someone else can read it for them.) If the player answers correctly, they stay where they are. If they are incorrect, they must move back 2. If the player lands on a broken egg, they lose a turn. Play continues clockwise. The first player to reach FINISH wins. (You can also use this game to review what happened in the correct order of a certain Bible story or several of your own choosing. Just write up questions about key events in the story and play the game.)




Which Came First Game- Directions, Game Board, Question Cards

The Wedding At Cana File Folder 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.

The Wedding At Cana File Folder Game: Answer questions about the story and receive a jar token. The first player to collect 6 jars wins. (Younger students do not have to answer a question and can just collect a jar token.)


Wedding at Cana File Folder Game- Directions, Game Board, Question Cards, Tokens

Walls of Jericho (file folder 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.


Walls of Jericho: The first player to go around Jericho 7 times and receive 7 tokens wins.


Preparation: Print out black and white pages of web.archive.org-The Walls of Jericho (page 2) for the children to color or print out the color version on page 3 and cut out. Make into a 3D model and put in the center of the game board (you might have to tape the two pieces together smaller so it can fit inside the game board). You can make the 3D model in a circle or in a rectangle, which ever you prefer.

Or you can use these templates (adjust to fit your needs) and have your students make them:

itsalwaysautumn.com- Scroll down to: Click here to download the template

bastelspiele.jimdofree.com- Scroll down to DOWNLOAD

dltk-kids.com- Castle Craft

easy-crafts-for-kids.com- Build A Cardboard Medieval Castle

drawn2bcreative.com- Printable Castle

lambsongs.co.nz- Click on Walls B & W or Walls Col

Or have your students make a castle out of blocks or Legos.


Place Question Cards in a small basket near game board. Use another basket for discards. (Use only the cards that reflect your student’s abilities.)

Directions: Place your markers on GO. Players take turns by rolling dice and moving that many spaces on the game board. Players must follow the directions on the space they land on. When a player lands on or passes GO the person to their right draws a card and asks them a question about the Walls of Jericho (if they cannot read it someone else can read it for them). If the player answers correctly, they receive a token. If they are incorrect, the player must go back to where they were. Land on a picture of dice, the player rolls again. Land on +2, +3, +4, etc., the player moves ahead that many spaces. If a player lands on a ram’s horn, they proceed directly to GO and can answer a question to receive a token. If they are incorrect, they stay on GO and try to answer a question on their next turn. Land on the Ark of the Covenant you can change your position with any player (if one is in front of you), but you cannot pass GO. Play continues counter clockwise. The first player to go around Jericho 7 times and receive 7 tokens wins. (Younger students do not have to answer a question. They receive a token every time they land on or pass GO.)

Walls of Jericho Game- Directions, Game Board, Question Cards, Tokens

Virtues 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.


Virtues Game: The objective of the game is to get the most points by answering questions about theological and cardinal virtues.

Set a timer for a specified time. Have a player roll the die on the floor in front of the class. If the die lands on a blank space, they do not answer a question. If the die lands on "?", they are asked a question by the teacher about theological and cardinal virtues. If the player answers correctly, they receive a point (you can use tokens, write it on the board, etc.). If they are not correct, they do not receive a point. Players must collect as many points as they can. The game is over when the timer goes off. Whoever has the most points, wins. You can play this game individually or in teams. For an added challenge, you can also have "Lose 1 Point" and "Take 1 Point" on one or a couple of the sides of the die. When a player rolls "Lose 1 Point", they must lose 1 point. If a player rolls "Take 1 Point", they may take a point from any player they choose.


Virtues Game- Directions, Questions