If you sat down to think about it, you could probably come up with a long list of things that God gives us to make us better people. There are a whole host of gifts that allow us to reach our dreams and conquer our greatest challenges, but based on the Scriptures (Isaiah 11:2-3) and the Church’s teaching we know that there are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel (right judgment), fortitude (courage) , piety (reverence), and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe).
This lesson plan about the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit will help students recognize and appreciate the gifts that God considers to be most important and understand how they can turn to the Holy Spirit for an increase in God’s gifts especially through the sacrament of Confirmation.
Lesson Objectives
- SWBAT list the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- SWBAT recognize the gifts they have already been given the most.
- SWBAT make connections between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their personal lives (particularly their goals and dreams).
Lesson Assessment
- Exit Cards
- Journal Assignment
Teaching Strategies
1. Bell Work: List all of the skills, talents, gifts, etc. that you have been given by God and provide one example of how you have used that gift. (Note: Provide an example from your personal life such as: “For example, I have been given the ability to sing well and I use that gift to sing loudly in Church on Sundays.” (P)
2. Video: Watch “The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit” video. Have students complete The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit worksheet (also available for free at Teachers pay Teachers) as they watch the video. (R, O)
3. Flashcards: Have students create flashcards with each of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit labeled on one side and synonyms and definitions on the other side. Once they have finished making the cards, give them time to memorize the gifts and their meanings with a friend. (C)
4. Journaling: While each of us receives the gifts of the Spirit in special ways at Confirmation, we have all been given a portion of these gifts by the grace of the Sacrament of Baptism and our daily prayer. Have students choose a few or all of the gifts and write how they have used each gift in a positive way in their lives lately. (P, O)
5. Class Activity: Label different parts of the room with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you are crafty, create labels ahead of time that resemble balls of flames (or tongues of fire). Have students write one gift that they would like to receive from God the most on one side of a piece of paper and how they will use that gift to become a better person on the other side. Again, use papers shaped in tongues of fire or create them as a class project. (C)
6. Assessment: On a blank note card (“exit cards“) have students list the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit from memory without looking at the board, their notes, or the walls of the room. (ESS)
About Jared Dees
Nice plans. Looks like the same plans used by Teach for America
I’m not familiar with TFA plans, but I’ll take that as a compliment!
Thanks for all the great ideas. I will be trying them out with my 8th graders preparing for confirmation. Let me know if you are aware of anymore resources, especially videos. They love videos.
Thanks Ed, I’ll be adding more videos throughout the year. Thanks for the feedback.
Thank Jared. I’ll use the video and lesson plan for teaching and learning activity.
WOW!!! What a gift from God to have found your website. I am a new homeschooling mom trying to prepare my daughter for receiving the sacrament of confirmation & this is such a HUGE help!!! Having had such poor catechesis growing up, I, too, am learning alongside my daughter…
May God bless you abundantly for sharing your GIFTS with us!!!
thanks for sharing with us your great ideas about teaching religion. may your tribe increase! more power…