“Practical resources for religious educators.” That has always been the focus of The Religion Teacher. When a catechist or religion teacher shows up at this website, they are going to find something practical, something immediately usable and effective in the classroom. It is my hope that with each resource you find and use here, you…
The Religion Teacher Blog
Jubilee Year of Mercy Activities and Worksheets
From Advent 2015 to the end of the liturgical year in 2016, the Catholic Church is celebrating a Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis is encouraging the entire Church to meditate on God’s mercy in their lives and to share that mercy with others. The following resources may help you in planning your Year of…
Holy Spirit Lesson Plan
The Holy Spirit is often the most difficult person of the Trinity to explain to young people. They have seen plenty of art work depicting God the Son. They are at least able to wrap their minds around God the Father, even if their concept of him is as an old man with a white…
All Saints Day Activities for Children
The resources found within this collection of All Saints Day activities can be used to celebrate the November 1st Solemnity, but many of these saints resources can be used all year round. Explore each of the websites and resources below for ideas to help you teach about Catholic saints in your classroom. The Gospel reading…
A Teacher’s Prayer
TEACHER’S PRAYER Heavenly Father, Enable me to teach WISDOM,For I help to shape the mind. Equip me to teach with TRUTH,For I help to shape the conscience. Encourage me to teach with VISION,For I help to shape the future. Empower me to teach with LOVE,For I help to shape the world. AMEN. Adelaida (Adelle), a…
Nine Activities and Lesson Ideas to Teach about Pope Francis’s Visit to the United States
A full and varied schedule highlights Pope Francis’s first apostolic visit to the United States. If you are reading this prior to his September 2015 visit, plan to follow along with the pope on his journey through appropriate mention and study in your theology classes. If the trip has already occurred, some of these suggestions can also work well in review or in conjunction with another trip the…
10 First-Week Mistakes You Must Avoid This Year
It is time to return to the classroom! Are you ready? I always find that it is a little bit difficult to get back into the swing of things. It’s hard to jump right back in and pick up the momentum where you left off the year before. I know that I’ve personally made many…
Six Activities to Help Teach about the Parables
“The disciples approached him and said, ‘Why do you speak to [the crowds] in parables?’ He said to them in reply, ‘Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.’” Matthew 13:10-11 New! The Religion Teacher’s Parable Worksheet Pack includes thirty-four…
Save Your Voice and Your Sanity: 3 Ways to Effectively Get Students’ Attention
The class mumbles with whispering for a few moments. It grows to a murmur and before you know it, they are nearly shouting to the people next to them. How do you get their attention? How do you snap them out of discussion mode and back to listening mode without raising your voice? I’ve used…
Ascension of the Lord Worksheets
Help students explore the meaning of the Ascension of the Lord with a couple of worksheets from The Religion Teacher membership website and The Religion Teacher’s Rosary Activity Pack. A good catechetical worksheet not only helps students recall information, it helps them reflect on how God is working in their lives today. When I create…
