Grade Four Links

Children's Bible http://www.childrensbible.com

This site focuses on the Gospel of Mark and through visuals, key words and various descriptions regarding Jesus and his followers seems to offer a basic understanding of the prominence that Jesus had on his family, disciples and various crowds alike. There are sixteen chapters and all offer the opportunity to view animated picture stories. It also offers students/teachers alike Scripture quizzes and art outlines where children can draw in. --Franco Di Marco

How to teach your child the Bible http://www.bible.ca/f-child-teach-bible.htm
This site is adult intended and discusses the importance of teaching children how to read from the bible. Great tips and ideas are presented as how to keep children engaged. It discusses different ways and strategies of helping them understand what they are reading ex) daily devotion, memorization and family discussion.

The Voice: Christian Resource Institute, The Church Year: Pentecost http://www.cresourcei.org/cypentecost.html

This site can be useful to a teacher’s preparation before the teaching of this unit. The site provides a good overview of the meaning of Pentecost, the history, the reasons for celebrating and references from the Bible. Readings from both the Old Testament and the New Testament are provided. As well, the important aspects and/or focus for each reading are highlighted. I think that this site is useful to a teacher’s preparation for the unit because it offers a generous amount of background information that is easy to understand. I believe that it is extremely important for a teacher to be well prepared before attempting to teach any subject. By becoming more familiar with the material at hand one is not only more comfortable and confident teaching it to others, but is also better prepared for any questions that may arise.--Amy Valitutti

This website is user friendly and certainly helps one to better understand the content and meaning of parables. Each parable is examined using a specific structure. It first discusses the parameters of the parable which basically provides circumstances and contextual information related to the parable. A list of questions regarding the parable are noted in the 'Problem' section. The 'Progression' of the parable is an interesting aspect. It is usually chrononlogical yet at times ideological in nature. Next follows a look at the 'Point' of the parable and subsequently some 'Principles' that can be derived from the parable and applied to our lives. The parables are also examined according to the relation of the parable to the kingdom of God. The translations of the parables are such that they are clear and very understandable.

The Parables of Jesus http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/parables.htm

This website is a valuable resource for providing the teacher with background information. It begins by introducing what parables are. It also lists many of the parables used in Jesus’ teaching. There is a meditation at the end of each parable. Teachers can use this for personal reflection or can modify it for use with students.--Jennifer Dewan

The Puppetry Home Page: Using Puppets http://www.sagecraft.com/puppetry/using/index.html

This website can be used when integrating Religion with Drama. This will allow students to relate religious lessons to their everyday life.This website features ways to write for puppets, how to make puppets, and how to use puppets, as well as many other ways to integrate puppetry into the curriculum. Puppetry is an effective way to teach parables. Students and teachers can both dramatize the stories that Jesus told.--Jennifer Dewan

From Jesus to Christ. Jesus' Many Faces. The Parables.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/jesus/parables.html

In Unit 3 of the Come and See Program, Jesus is introduced to students as a teller of parables. Since the focus of this unit is on the parables, this website is useful to teachers as it provides background information on the parables. A brief description of the parables and the use of parables in Jesus' ministry is provided. The website also describes how parables fall into three groups, which are similitude, parable, and exemplary story. All information is provided in a way that is easy to understand and with relevant information for the scope of this unit.--Christina Montesano

The Parables of Jesus Christ http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/jpbl.html
In Unit 3 of the Come and See Program, students explore some of the parables told by Jesus. This website lists the parables of Jesus and where they can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Once the title of the parable is selected, the website provides the parable, discussion questions related to the parable that may be posed to students, and comments that answer the discussion questions. At the end of each parable, there is a related "Bible Rap" which the students may enjoy! --Christina Montesano

The Christian Teacher’s Lounge http://www.just4kidsmagazine.com/teacherslounge/
This website is specifically geared towards teachers. It includes seven
lessons that Jesus taught found in the Gospel of Matthew (must scroll down
click on ‘The Parables Jesus Taught’). Each of the parables listed provides
interesting follow-up questions to get your students thinking, a word search,
and a quiz. Furthermore, the website supplies a detailed list (with specific
chapters and verses) for all of the parables present in each of the four
gospels—a very useful tool! --Tina Ali

catholiclinks.org http://www.catholiclinks.org/seccioninfantilingles.htm

This web site contains many topics of interest for Catholic Teachers for varying age groups of students. Students can work on line or off hard copies.
Specific to this web site are the two links which are especially relevant to the Grade 4 Religion Program. Students learn how to find passages in the Bible with a focus on readings from the New Testament. There are several stories about Jesus and Jesus' teachings under the Jesus Stories links, and the coloing through the Bible link match these stories with online or printable coloring pages with Bible quotes and references under the pictures. The stories and pictures are age appropriate and excellent in helping the students understand the teachings of Jesus. Definitely a web site that I will incorporate into my Religion program very early in the year.
Not only do these web sites offer stories and coloring pages from the New Testament, but also from the Old Testament. These stories fit in beautifully with the program and are an excellent tool to help the students learn the history of the Bible and come to realized how God has kept his Covenant to His people.--Jean DeNoble

Rainbow Castle http://www.just4kidsmagazine.com/rainbowcastle/rainbowcastle.html

This website offers a variety of bible resources for parents and teachers to use with children. More access to particular resources is given upon subscribing to their magazine for free. The website has links to bible stories such as Noah’s Ark, 10 Commandments, Parables of Jesus, and the Easter story. Each link contains a beautifully illustrated story and is usually followed by comprehension and reflective questions, crosswords, colouring pages, and crafts for children. --Madeleine Reyes

MSSS Crafts http://www.mssscrafts.com

This website contains Primary and Junior lesson plans complete with illustrations, question cards, and follow up activities. It promotes teaching religion through the arts: visual, drama, and music. Though the site primarily focuses on crafts for children, it has numerous links to other websites that support the bible stories from the Old and New Testament in its content. --Madeleine Reyes

Jesus' many faces http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/jesus/parables.html

This web-site provides background information on Parables. This particular page deals with the history of parables as a literary genre. It also offers an explanation on the three types of parables: similitude, parable, exemplary story. For each type, examples are given from Jesus' Parables. By understanding the three types of parables, for example, we can determine when Jesus is narrating a typical or recurrent event, or Jesus is telling a story about a one-time event which is fictitious, or when Jesus is giving an example one specific case which illustrates a general principle. The site also provides general guidelines for teaching students how to write parables, as suggested in the Assessment Unit " The Glory of the Story".

MSSS Crafts http://www.mssscrafts.com/
This site provides directions to different activities and crafts for parables that my supplement the lessons. A number of parables have links to their own page, with lesson outlines and activity sheets suitable for Junior Students. In addition it provides a variety of additional activity ideas that may be adapted to any Bible Story, or parable not found on this page. The activities can be downloaded for free. The site also gives access to "Bible Character Crafts", with ideas and directions on how to create a variety of Bible Characters, which can be useful for retelling stories. --Rosetta Cupani

The Jesse Tree http://www.stmichaelonline.org/LiturgicalYear/Jessetree.htm
In this unit the children are introduced the the Jesse tree, the stump and the symbol and that from the dead stump came life and the savior of the world. This site offers an historical background for the children to come to realize the history of the Old Testament and the Covenant that God made with His people. This site offers history, explanations, and the symbols and passage readings for each of the 29 symbols. Using the stump, that is in the classroom, the teacher is able to teach the relevant history of the Old Testament and God's Covenant to His people with the children actively participating in the decorating of the Jesse Tree with the symbols during the season of Advent. An excellent resource for the Catholic teacher. A great follow up of the Bible Stories and pictures both from the Old and New Testaments from the previous site.--Jean DeNoble

The Christian Resource Institute: The Jesse Tree http://www.cresourcei.org/jesse.html
In this particular part of Unit #4, the students learn about the significance of the Jesse Tree. The website that I have found, explains the story of the Jesse Tree and provides the steps in making a JesseTree. It also offers a table of scripture readings for the story of the
Jesse Tree. It is straight-forward and easy-to-follow.--Grace Lavallata

Domestic-Church: Advent http://www.domestic-church.com/index.dir/index_fridge.htm
In certain sections of this unit, the students learn about the meaning of the season of Advent. This website is an excellent resource for both teachers and students. It offers articles, stories, and art ideas (To name a few!) As a teacher, I found it very practical and useful.--Grace Lavallata

Wailing Wall Live Cam http://www.aish.com/wallcam/ (Click on tab on the left)

AISH.COM provides an open window into one of the holiest places on earth, the Western Wall. The site offers a live video feed of the Western Wall including other historical information about this holy landmark. The site can serve as a primer for teachers wishing to enhance their own knowledge of the Western Wall such that they can have more meaningful dialogue with their students when exploring this unit. On March 2000, John Paul II placed a prayer in the Western Wall. This site also provides teachers and students with an opportunity to create a prayer and have it placed in the Western Wall (i.e. they will print your letter and place it in the wall themselves). The site offers a great amount of background information on the Western Wall and a unique opportunity for visitors to interact with one of the most sacred places on earth. It compliments the unit’s attempt at providing students with a basic foundation of Israel and the Jewish faith.

The Jewish Museum http://www.jewishmuseum.org/

The Jewish Museum is the virtual component of the “bricks and mortar” museum situated in New York City. It provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the Jewish culture through the visual arts. As a visitor, you are able to browse a large art collection by clicking on different categories of art forms (e.g. photography, paintings, sculpture, etc.). Since Unit 5 explores the history of Israel, Jewish culture and faith, this particular website provides the educator with an array of artwork that he or she can bring into the classroom to help support the material being covered in the unit. By having access to this website, educators are presented with the possibility of combining different subject areas and teaching across the curriculum (i.e. teaching religion and the visual arts together).

Daily Life in Jesus Time The Walden’s Homepage http://www.3waldens.com/Pages/HRE2O_Chapter_4.htm
This is a website put together by a family by the name of the Walden’s. Chapter 4 discusses daily life in Jesus’ time. The information is presented in a very reader-friendly manner and is aimed for children’s use. Students could use this site to help them with research projects. Topics discussed include: Palestine, Samaria, Judea, Jerusalem, the Herodian Dynasty, etc. This comprehensive site gives a good overview of understanding what life was like during Jesus’ time.

Parables about the Kingdom of God http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/parables

This web site divides Jesus' parables into 4 sub categories: Parables about the Kingdom of God, Parables of the Mercy og God, Parables about Good Work and Virtues, and Parables about Responsibility and Grace. When you click on Parale about the Kingdom of God, it further lists the 5 parables of the Sower, the Tares, the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, and the Treasure hidden in the Field. When you select any one of these, it provides you with some historic significance as well as some interpretation of each. This is an excellent site for background information about these parables.

Miracles of Jesus Christ http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/jmrcls.html

This site sub divides Jesus' Miracles into 4 types: Nature Miracles, Healing Miracles, Ressurrections, and Casting our Demons. The wonderful thing about this site is that it provides you with an awesome index of parallel texts. When you click on a specific miracle, it gives you the exact biblical passage and goes on the answer the question What does this reveal about Jesus? This site provides you with quick references and where the miracles can be found in all 4 Gospels.

Liturgies With Children: For Parish and School http://www.rcdiocese-calgary.ab.ca/office_religious_education/catechetics_child_liturgies.htm

This site outlines the General Liturgical Principles, for example, how the Eucharist, and or the Liturgy of the Word are celebrated. The Liturgical Year is also outlined, as well as the celebration of Lent, Holy Thursday, Easter, and Advent. Drama and liturgical music for the students is also incorporated. Furthermore, this site will be most useful for new Junior Division teachers as a supplement for their Religion Education Program. --Hollie Copland

Teacher Planet: Pentecost Theme Page http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/pentecost.php

This site would be a great support for a teacher who is looking for creative ideas to complement the teaching of this unit. Many ideas are provided that include craft ideas, activities to do with family at home, lesson plans, mass guides, sample plays and easy to understand definitions and explanations. Colouring worksheets and word searches are also available. This is a great supplementary tool for teachers to use on rainy days or as a follow-up when students finish their work early. Another excellent aspect of this site is that clipart images are provided. This is useful when creating handouts for students or for overhead presentations when explaining the meaning of symbols. Other links, readings and resources are also provided in which the teacher can gain some background information. Since this site is geared toward teachers it makes it a valuable resource that one can use time and time again.--Amy Valitutti