Today is a “Red Letter Day!”
We begin our new CCD school year and it is a Feast Day–“The Feast Day of the Guardian Angels.” The children learn about the history of using the color red to denote a feast or Holy Day in the Church.
This is our first day of Sunday School. I am teaching first and second graders, as well as one third grader who has not yet had a First Holy Communion. My focus is on preparing the second graders and third grader for their First Holy Communion in May. I know most of the first graders, and am confident they will love the class, as well. I am not an artist or a singer, but I love to do both, and to use art and music as a large part of the curriculum. The children have two books for their use at home–one text and one activity book. The families also have a Catholic Children’s Bible to read with their children. I am emphasizing the stories of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and the families are reading the Old Testament stories at home. Here are the books we using:
Jesus Our Life Faith and Life Series Ignatius Press, San Francisco Catholics United for the Faith, Steubenville, Ohio
Third Edition BOOK TWO
Jesus Our Life, Second Grade Text, 3rd Edition
The Catholic Bible for Children
We process in and bow to our classroom altar, placing THE HOLY BIBLE on the altar.
These are some of the things we do and learn in our first class:
Today, we practice genuflecting, bowing, making “prayer hands” and learn how to make a “throne” with the dominant hand to “receive the King.” I tell the children the absolute importance of consuming the Host immediately upon receiving it, as it is the Real Presence of Christ.
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
We sing our abbreviated version as we start to learn this hymn:
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God Almighty God in Three Persons Blessed Trinity"
To Hear the Tune:
We Talk About Our Community
Teacher’s and students’ names, the name of our church parish, our priest, the name of our diocese and bishop
We read “God is Love” on the blackboard and sing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”
We Learn About the Holy Trinity–The “3 in 1”
Source: faithfilledfreebies.blogspot.com
We Learn about The Mass
We read about the procession into the Mass with the Bible. The Children Stand in Front of our Classroom Altar.
We Read the Abbreviated Reading for the Day from “Exodus.”
First Commandment:
The “Double Love” Commandment
“THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.”
We Hear the Story of The Creation from “Genesis.”
“LET THERE BE LIGHT.”
We Hear From the Gospel:
“Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” Luke 22:19
We Learn About The Day and Liturgical Season
Saint of the Day–Feast of the Guardian Angels October 2, 2016
Meanings of Liturgical Colors —Green for “Ordinary Time” (A Time of Hope and Growth)
We Begin Our Catholic “A, B, Cs”
A Angel
“God’s Helpers and Messengers”
B Baptism
“Baptism is the first Sacrament we receive. At Baptism, we are placed in water or water is poured over our heads. The priest or deacon prays special words. We are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized, we are anointed with oil. This reminds us that we are receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Source: We Believe & Celebrate First Communion, p.14)
C Christ
A word (not a last name) which means the “The Anointed One” and “The Messiah”
C Creator
“The Heavenly Father who ‘Created the Universe.'”
C Communion
“Communion” means to ‘join together’ to receive the Body and Precious Blood of Jesus Christ” Source: Child’s Guide to First Holy Communion
D Decalogue* One of Our “College Words”
The Greek word for the Ten Commandments or rules written on tablets of stone by God and given to Moses on Mt. Sinai
More About Our Faith
Angels–Special Angel Prayers and Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
“From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God.”
– from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 336.
Children’s Angel Prayer–“Angel of God”
“Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side, To light and guard, Rule and guide.”
Amen.
Story From Dear Pope Francis
A Child’s Question:
“…what did God do before the world was made”
Story From Dear Pope Francis
Page 12-13 “There is beauty in creation.”
Our Classroom Work Folder Decorating Art Project
We used Color Sharpies and Kwik Stix on Note Card Stock
Teacher’s Sample
Homeschool Art Project:
“Watercolor Angel” using watercolors with brushes on watercolor paper
We Gather Together to Say Good Bye and to Recite “The Guardian Angel Prayer.”
Homework
- Please color in the Liturgical Colors and decorate the handout.
- Please read about “The Creation”
and “Adam and Eve” from The Catholic Children’s Bible.
- Begin to Memorize “The Guardian Angel Prayer”
