When you read the Parable of the Good Samaritan with your students, help them understand why the people in the story do what they do, then help them reflect on how they can be more or less like each person. Your goal is to help them understand the message Jesus has for them them today…
The Religion Teacher Blog
The Parable of the Great Feast Skit Script
When you read a parable with your students, help them understand the meaning of the story, but also guide them to reflect on what the parable means for them today. Challenge them to imagine what Jesus is saying to them through the parable. One of the ways to help students engage more deeply with a…
The Parable of the Lost Coin Worksheet
The Parable of the Lost Coin Worksheet is one of the thirty-four printable handouts in The Religion Teacher’s Parable Worksheet Pack. Learn more about this collection of resources here. Have your students read the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10). This parable is a part of a series of three parables about the mercy…
The Last Supper Lesson Plan
This Last Supper lesson plan can be used to help your students better understand the significance of the consecration at Mass or to help them prayerfully reflect of the events on Holy Thursday. Last Supper Lesson Objectives Last Supper Lesson Activities 1. Prayer of Thanksgiving Begin the class with simple prayers of thanksgiving. Before blessing…
The Last Supper Skit Script
One of the things I really want my students to be able to do is imagine themselves in the story of the Last Supper. This is essentially what happens during the consecration of the Catholic Mass. So, in order to prepare them to understand more deeply how powerful this event is in the life of…
Lent Project and Lesson Plan Ideas
Forty days. We have forty days to help young people grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ during Lent. How do we make the most of our time with them? First, think about some ongoing Lenten projects you can do with the students this year. How can you check in with them each time…
Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Lesson Plan
You can use this lesson plan to prepare children for their first confession or at any time to help them prepare for the amazing experience of mercy in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Lesson Objectives Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Lesson Activities 1. Lesson Hook (Learn more about lesson…
A Lesson Objective Cheat Sheet for Religious Educators
In step 2 of The Religion Teacher’s Guide to Lesson Planning, I explain how to establish lesson objectives for your students achieve by the end of your lessons. This follows step 1, which is simply creating a list of all the most important topics that you might teach in the lesson you are preparing. Check…
Christmas Tree Lesson Plan
Christmas trees can be a great tool for catechesis whether at home or in a classroom. This lesson plan will help you unpack the symbolism of the Christmas tree customs with your students. They will be able to see their trees in a new way and even be able to teach their parents about what…
Action Homework Assignments
The following article is an expanded excerpt from chapter 5 of Christ in the Classroom: Lesson Planning for the Heart and Mind, which will help students learn, love, and live their Catholic faith. Think of the final step in your lesson plans as unassigned and ungraded homework. You want your students to freely choose to act…
