“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth
and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters—Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light.”
Source: USCCB.org “Genesis,” chapter 1:3
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
CCC 2221 “The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute. The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable.”
Source: scborromeo.org
Hello parents. I am excited to begin another school year writing and designing art projects for families on SundaySchoolUpdates.com. There is no better place to start the new school year then by learning about God’s “Creation of the World” in Genesis, chapter 1. This year, I am looking forward to “coaching” children in preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, at my new church in Florida.
I hope your children will try making one or more of the paintings below. It is so much fun to learn through art. Invite the entire family to join in. Kids love having their parents participate in an art project. Have a wonderful school year with your children.
Sincerely, Connie Goldin
Our Art Gallery
“Genesis,” chapter 1:31
“The Story of Creation”
A Pictorial Storytelling
Source: USCCB.org
Method and Materials for Art Projects at End of Post
A Prayer of Praise
(Author of Text Unknown)
Source: USCCB.org “Daniel, chapter 3:60-81”
A Reading for Children
“GOD MADE US”
An Excerpt from The New Saint Joseph FIRST COMMUNION CATECHISM
“…God made all things.” Pages 7-8
“God made the earth and the sky.
God also made the sun.
God made the moon and the stars.
God made night and day.
God made rain and snow.
God made hills and mountains.
God made oceans and rivers.
God made the trees and flowers.
God made all animals, big and little.
God made the fishes in the water.
God made the birds in the sky.
God made the Angels.
Angels are spirits.
They have no bodies.
They know much more than we do.
They have great power.”
Celebrate with Music!
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” A Video with Lyrics
Beginning to Prepare for First Reconciliation
Learning from a Saint–Mother Teresa
In this short video, we learn what Mother Teresa of Calcutta taught this priest to do every morning. Begin the day with, “Good Morning, Jesus.”
This is an easy start for all of us each day (kids included!) to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
Here is how this works:
“Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Story” September 5, “Saint of the Day”
“Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor, was beatified October 19, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1950, as a diocesan religious community. Today the congregation also includes contemplative sisters and brothers and an order of priests.” Read More Here–FranciscanMedia.org
An Excerpt from Magnifikid!, Vol. 16* Part 10* Section 2* September 1, 2019* Page 4
“Humility”
“Humility is the virtue that helps us accept the truth about ourselves. The truth is that we are human beings who need help, and need love. No one has the right to look down on others. Each one of us is God’s “favorite one.” Each one of us has special gifts and talents from God. It’s easy, however, to want to be better than others and look down on them. Jesus is the best example of humility, because he loved everyone, even the sinners and outcasts. The truly humble person rejoices in respecting others. Humility helps us to see Jesus in each other–and in ourselves.”
Gallery Materials and Methods for Art Project
I bought children’s’ acrylic paints and just started exploring. I love making simple prints by painting an original edition of something, then pressing a new piece of paper on top. When it is peeled off, there is usually a lovely (and slightly different) copy of the origin. That’s what I started doing while trying new techniques for painting with acrylics. When I made three new copies from one original, it led me to the idea of making prints for “The Creation Story” from Genesis, chapter 1. I made a print, let it dry, then painted something on top of it. I had a wonderful time over several days making these paintings and learning about using acrylics. I recommend the liquid paint for kids, shown below, because it is nontoxic, cleans off easily, and is inexpensive. The little tube acrylics were something I had, but never tried. They also are child-friendly. They dry shiny and have a great texture, but are more expensive, harder to clean off hands, and I used them up quickly. I ended up using them sparingly on top of the liquid acrylic paint, for the shiny effect.
Scrunching a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball makes a great tool for painting. It works not by smearing or spreading the paint, but by dabbing repeatedly, and moving paint around. The painting of the world in the gallery above was made from a painting disaster, and saved by dabbing paint with the foil ball. I had put down a paper plate as a place holder for outlining a circle for the earth. That was a poor idea as there was glue in the base coat! It got completely stuck and left bits of paper plate on the painting. I just painted over it with a brush, then started to dab paint all over. The disaster became a success. Please tell your kids to set aside a painting they don’t like. It can be cut-up for a collage, fixed with more paint, or by using new “tools.” The kitchen has all sorts of painting tools! Don’t worry about the paint on the hands and counter. It comes off with gentle scrubbing. A large plastic cutting board is essential.
(P.S. I used leaves and a small tangerine as “stamps” for the plant print. A small comb and a basting brush do amazing things with wet paint.)
Suggested Homework Activities
Please Have Your Child Read Aloud:
“God’s Blessing”
“God created the world.”
“Faith to Grow”
“God created everything on this earth, and
then he asked people to take care
of his creation.”
“Prayer”
“Thank you for creating the world, Lord.
Your creation is beautiful!
In the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
Source: Catholic Book of Bible Stories by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger, Page 11
Talk with Your Child About the Meaning of the “Golden Rule.”
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.” Matthew, chapter 7:12