Methods of Faith Formation Session 2:

Teaching an Engaging Catechetical Session

How can we teach as Jesus taught?

Session Schedule

• Opening Prayer• Partner Activity: Jesus & the good catechist • Talk #1: Personalizing Lesson Plans• Standing Activity: Teacher manual treasure hunt• Talk #2: A Framework for Classroom Management

& Discipline• Small Group Activity: Parables in Action • Closing Prayer

Opening Prayer--Choral Meditation:“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Lk 11:1)

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy Will be done,

on earth as it is in Heaven.

Opening Prayer--Choral Meditation:

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive others.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Partner Discussion:Jesus and the Good Catechist

•What methods of teaching did Jesus use?

•How can we teach “as Jesus taught”?

Personalizing Lesson Plans—The Why, What and How of Catechesis

I. WHY: Forming Disciples to Become Witnesses

•Conversion of heart: not just knowing about Jesus, but knowing and following him.•“The Christian faith is, above all, conversion to Jesus Christ, full adherence to his person and the decision to walk in his footsteps” (NDC, n. 29).•Toward an “Evangelizing catechesis”: fostering an encounter

Catholicism: New Evangelization

“It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization: it is He who impels each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is He who in the depths of consciences causes the word of salvation to be accepted and understood….

“Through the Holy Spirit the Gospel penetrates to the heart of the world, for it is He who causes people to discern the signs of the times- signs willed by God--which evangelization reveals and puts to use within history.” (EN, n. 75)

Pope Paul VI’s Evangelii Nuntiandi

II. WHAT: The Six Tasks of Catechesis

1. Promoting Knowledge of the Faith - The Creed - Scripture and Tradition

2. Liturgical Education - The Sacraments- The mysteries of the faith

3. Moral Formation - Fulfillment of the Commandments- Applying Jesus’ teaching

The Six Tasks of Catechesis

4. Teaching to Pray - Relationship with God-The mysteries of the faith

5. Education for Community Life - Participate in the life and mission of the Church- Concern for the poor and alienated

6. Missionary Initiation- Spread the Gospel to others by word and example- Serve as witnesses of the faith

III. HOW—Planning and Personalizing a Catechetical Session

* Our message is not our own

* Begin with the end in mind

A. Objectives are what you want the students to know and/or be able to do

B. Planning Procedures and Activities1. Have an opening activity ready when the students arrive

2. Engage the students with some kind of “hook”

3. Start with a basic proclamation of the truth that will be explored and the lesson’s objective

4. Begin the lesson with a prayer that helpsset the tone for the lesson

5. Map out the lesson’s activities

6. Remember closure and assessment:Review and clarify key points

C. Educating the Whole Person

COGNITIVE:The “Head”

Knowing

COGNITIVE:The “Head”

Knowing

AFFECTIVE: “Heart” Loving

AFFECTIVE: “Heart” Loving

BEHAVIORAL:The “Hands”

Serving

BEHAVIORAL:The “Hands”

Serving

Share examples….

D. Plan for Different Learning Styles

• Visual learners

• Auditory learners

• Kinesthetic learners

SHARE EXAMPLES and/or BRAINSTORM….

Standing Activity:

Teacher Manual Treasure Hunt

Select 1 or 2 important or helpful points:  * Characteristics of children and developmental stages?

* Learning styles and differentiation?

* Addressing diversity?

* Lesson plan format?

* Other essential information?

Talk #2: A Framework for Classroom

Management & Discipline

I. The Faith Formation Environment

•Create an atmosphere where children can listen to and follow the Lamb of God

•Recognize that we are fellow pilgrims on a journey

•Create a sense of community

•Remember to raise big “life questions”

•Make your classroom inviting and welcoming

II. Procedures, Rules and Expectations

How will you greet students and transition them into the lesson?

•Opening Ceremonies

How will you get the students’ attention and quiet the class?

•Give me five

How do you want to wrap up the class and what’s the final note you want to end on?

•Closing Ceremonies

Expectations

• Your expectations will help shape the faith formation environment

• What makes a great teacher

• What’s your “vision statement” for who you are as a classroom community?

For all to have a relationship with Christ

Classroom Rules• Consider asking the students to help write their class rules Not more than 4 or 5 Easy to remember Character-building Natural consequences

Examples you like to use?

Reinforce the good behavior you want to see

“Less Talking is Always More Effective”

Procedures and rules should help students develop self-discipline and self-restraint

III. Practical Strategies & Problem-Solving

• Use music • Plan a variety of activities• Use the “thumbs up”• Plan for drawing or

symbolic expression

Practical Strategies & Problem-Solving

1. Start with “Proximity”2. Use other non-verbal cues3. Change seats4. Try a “time-out” or “refocusing task” 5. Give a verbal warning about calling home

IV. The Guidance of the Holy Spirit

• We are never alone in the classroom

• Embracing & Embodying the gifts of the Spirit:- Knowledge and Understanding- Wisdom & Courage- Right Judgment- Reverence and Fear of the Lord

++++++++++“Pray as if everything depended on God; work as if everything depended on you” (CCC, n. 2834).

Small Group Activity:Role-Playing and Re-Directing Misbehavior

Scene 1 is misbehavior of some sort and how NOT to handle it

Scene 2 is a consultation between the catechist and a veteran “catechist coach” (or DRE!)

Scene 3 is a return to the original misbehavior and a demonstration of HOW TO handle it.

An impromptu and unscripted skit….

How can we teach as Jesus taught?

“Come to me, all youwho labor and areburdened, and I willgive you rest…

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.”

Mt 11:28-29

Follow-up Reflection and Resources1) Session Evaluation & Feedback

2) Recommended follow-up:

-Review the resources located at the website below

-Consider resources such as “catechist.com” and Joe Paprocki’s blog: “catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com”

3) For Catechists & Catholic School Teachers:“Record of Formation,” including

required reflection & documentation

Scriptural Prayer:Echo Pantomime

Visualizing, Representing, and Enacting the Word of God

Closing Prayer: The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied….

The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.