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
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…
Holy Week Lesson Plan & Worksheets
You can use this lesson plan during Holy Week to teach about the Triduum. Holy Week Lesson Objectives SWBAT list the events that occur during Holy Week and the Triduum. SWBAT live as Jesus showed us to live in the Holy Thursday and Good Friday Gospel readings. SWF admiration for Jesus because of the sacrifices…
Stations of the Cross Activities, Worksheets, and Coloring Pages
The Stations of the Cross is a wonderful devotion for you to practice with your class during Lent. If possible, devote some of your class time to the preparation for or participation in the Stations of the Cross. Use these Stations of the Cross activities and printables to help teach about Christ’s Passion and Death…
Video: What is Laetare Sunday?
Show this video in class to help students understand and prepare for Laetare Sunday, the name for the Fourth Sunday of Lent when priests wear rose vestments. As you shows the video, use the graphic organizer, which is available for download at the bottom of this page. (Members can download this video and graphic organizer here.) What…
Liturgical Year Lesson Plan and Flashcard Activity
How do you introduce young people to the liturgical year? Most catechists and religion teachers spend in-depth class meetings focusing on each individual seasons, especially during Advent and Lent. Sometimes, though, it is important to zoom out and help young people see the whole picture. The liturgical years isn’t about colors and rituals. The seasons…
Holy Week Prayer Services
There are a number of great Holy Week prayer services for kids that religion teachers and catechists can use in class the week before Easter. We should all use this time, known as the Triduum, as a special week of preparation for the joys of Easter with particular focus on preparing our hearts with the…
Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan
This Ash Wednesday lesson plan is a part of The Religion Teacher’s Lenten Activity Pack, which includes lesson plans, a Lenten video series for kids, 20+ worksheets, prayers, and other activity ideas to help students encounter the love of Christ during Lent. Want a preview? Check out the Lenten Video Series that is used in…
Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest in the Catholic Church?
With the recent buzz around the new Confession iPhone App by LittleiApps, I thought it might be a timely discussion about the often asked question, “Why do I need to confess my sins to a priest?” The reasons might surprise you.
A Reflection on Developing Virtues in Teens
One thing that separates religious education from other disciplines is that religion teachers and catechists go beyond teaching about the faith to teach students how to have faith. This is especially the case with the Christian moral life. With Christ as our model, teachers show students how to be moral persons. They do this by…
