Grade Three Links

CatholicGlobe.Org/News for the Diocese of Sioux City http://www.catholicglobe.org/archive/2002/0302/21/stories/story2.htm

When searching for websites pertaining to Unit 2 of the grade 3 religion program, I found numerous resources and background information teachers can use with their students. The article explores the aid and preparation of the Eucharist.The website is a recount of an event that took place at Kuemper Catholic School. The school designated March 8,2002 First Communion Jesus Day. The grade 2 class were being treated to a special day to stress the significance of the sacrament and aid them in the preparation of receiving the Eucharist. The website outlines activities the students and parents did together. Students watched a video with their parents titled “Grandma’s Bread” that focused on the traditions within families. To tie into the video, students and parents made bread loaves in different shapes. Other activities included making banners and chalices, and singing songs that were later sung in the students’ respective parishes. This is a prime example of good community building because parents were involved in their children’s developing faith.
The website provides supportive reasoning how to prepare your students to receive the Eucharist with the help of parental and school involvement. Unit 2 dwells on the celebration of the Eucharist as students remember the gathering rite and the community that gathers when receiving the Eucharist. This website offers teachers practical ideas for preparing students and parents for communion. It offers recount stories of teachers’ and parents’ experiences in creating activities to encourage faith in community building, as well as, the significance of the sacrament of communion. It promotes the advantage of an excellent home-school connection in which parents are involved in. Therefore, this website serves to be a beneficial resource in offering an example of how families and schools can work together as a team to prepare students for their First Holy Communion. --Marilena Ferlisi

New Advent: St. Vincent de Paul
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15434c.htm and St Vincent de Paul http://www.cin.org/vincpaul.html
Unit 2 of the grade 3 religion program analyzes the life of St. Vincent de Paul. The website discusses the congregation of his mission, and his work for the poor. St. Vincent de Paul was a man that won the hearts of galley convicts of Paris and converted many of them. He set out on a mission to build a hospital in which ten years later was crowned with success. The websites also discuss how he established the Daughters of Charity. It was a charity that would go on to help thousands of people in need of help. He visited the poor and offered any help he can give. Over the years, his charity reached all provinces, and not only Paris. He was a modest and dedicated man who had much simplicity.
By reading St. Vincent de Paul’s accomplishments, children hear the story of St. Vincent de Paul and come to appreciate how his life’s work influenced other to do the same. In this way, the students will see that the Holy Spirit is at work in Him. This particular website can be used as additional background information. Teachers can use this as a read aloud. Teachers can ask posing questions such as: What are Vincent de Paul’s dreams? What made Vincent de Paul come alive? With whom did Vincent want to spend his life and why? How did he gather people? As the teacher reads the background information and stories, students can reflect on how Vincent’s spirit reflected on others and the world. As an extension, the teacher can ask how his spirit reflects on others today. Students can think, pair, share their ideas and then come together as a whole class for an open-ended discussion about the importance to love and respect one another. They can later reflect in their journal as a writing exercise. Teachers can also provide photocopies for each student and use it as shared reading material. Teachers can also print out the background information and place it at the reading center, prayer table and/or self selected reading center. This gives students access to reading material that they can benefit from. Therefore, this website offers additional support when lecturing how the Holy Spirit is at work in the Eucharist and how the Holy Spirit is at work among us. --Marilena Ferlisi

Social Justice Resources for Educators http://www.poxjoliet.org/justeach2.html

The second unit of “In the Spirit We Belong” explores our relationship with the Holy Spirit. It makes connections between family and community and examines how the Holy Spirit is at work in those who do good. St. Vincent de Paul is given as an example of someone who dedicated his life to helping those around him, particularly the poor. This website offers educators information about teaching social justice and social action in the classroom. It provides a description of seven core values of Catholic social teaching, as well as ideas for classroom action projects. Monthly newsletters are posted and links to other useful websites are available. This website would be a valuable support to educators as they address the topics of social responsibility and charity in Unit 2. --Lynda Apreda

Domestic-Church.Com http://www.domestic-church.com

Unit 2 of “In the Spirit We Belong” explores the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist. Since children are often confused by the definition of the Holy Spirit, an understanding of its presence in the Holy Eucharist is often lost. This website provides access to an article titled, “Explaining the Holy Spirit to Children”. This article suggests a way for teachers to explain what the Holy Spirit is before they begin to relate it to the Eucharist. Without this type of prior knowledge, children may not fully grasp the true meaning of the Eucharist. To access this article, select the “Search” option found in the menu bar at the top of the page. Use the keywords, “Holy Spirit” in your search. You should see the title of the article in your list of results. This website also offers educators other valuable essays and short articles on many relevant topics found within the Grade 3 curriculum (i.e. the Sacraments, Lent, Advent, Mary, the Rosary, etc.).--Lynda Apreda

Eucharist Catechist and Teachers http://www.faithfirst.com/RCLsacraments/eucharist/catechists/stories/storiesCh05.asp
In unit # 2 of the grade 3 catechism program the students explore the sacrament of the Eucharist. The website listed above lists some scripture background of the sacrament of the Eucharist and lists some bible passages that relate to the story of the last supper. In addition, this site provides picture that can be downloaded for students to use as a visual and perhaps color or use to write their own personal reflection about the information covered in this unit.--Wendy Rodgers

DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids http://www.dltk-bible.com/guides/last_supper.htm
At the site listed about the teacher can find a lesson plan which teaches students about the last supper which relates to
the sacrament of the Eucharist which is discussed in unit #2 of the grade 3 catechism program. Included in the lesson plan are recommendations for grade 3 students, suggestions for music and crafts, coloring pages and reinforcement pages that can be sent home. Also suggested as part of the lesson plan are bible stories that can be shared with the students.--Wendy Rodgers

Teaching Liturgy to Children http://www.worship.ca/docs/godkids2.html

This website offers a variety of information for various age levels, but particularly for the grade 3 level when teachers are preparing students for communion and teaching the liturgy of the word. This site is a teacher resource on how to plan, prepare, and teach the liturgy to children. This step-by-step process of the liturgy is easy to understand and offers suggestions to teachers on how to present it. There are sample lesson plans, as well, links to other websites pertaining to teaching liturgy to children.--Sabrina Bartolini

Communion Preparation http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/ children/docs/CP_200206-full.pdf

This site provides teachers with a guide as to how to prepare not only children (but their parents and grandparents) for their first communion. This site suggests ways to actively have family members engage and participate in the learning process about eucharist preparation. Teachers can use hands on activities to teach about the bread and wine, as well, teach the children the things they “wear” and “use at the altar.” The site also offers suggestions as to how to prepare children to learn prayers and songs so that they can fully participate in the celebration. Care must be taken to discern the slight differences between Anglican and Roman Catholic Eucharistic theology.--Sabrina Bartolini

Prayer Resources… (Homepage is titled: The Highland Sheppard) http://www.msgr.ca/msgr-3/StLuke'sPrayers.html

The teaching of the Eucharist is a cherished tradition for young Catholics. Their First Day of Communion admits them into a new phase in the journey with God. Through the preparation time, the children learn the different parts of a mass and the importance of each section. This site offers a unique chance for the students to compare what they have learned about their Catholic faith practice with those of other countries. On the site you will find the celebration of the Eucharist from Kenya, Brazil and from the Native Americans. This site is an excellent opportunity for students to explore the different Catholic cultures and how they celebrate the Eucharist. --Gino Piccone

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish – The Eucharist http://www.seton-parish.org/parish/Eucharist.htm

As a first year teacher, I was finding it difficult to answer some of the questions that students posed about religion. Specifically, I found it difficult to answer a lot of their questions about their first communion, but did the best I could. When researching for this assignment I found this site, and I wish I had it while class was going on. This site answers 15 questions that explain the Eucharist. From the last supper to the bread and wine after the mass, this site is an excellent resource for students and teachers to better understand the sacrament of the Eucharist.--Gino Piccone

Catholic Update The Sacrament of Baptism: Celebrating the Embrace of God
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0389.asp

This article Sacrament of Baptism can be used as a quick resource for teachers. It provides an overview on the history of baptism and also explores some of the symbols of baptism. The article also makes reference to the importance of the Holy Spirit in baptism. --Jill Esprit-James

Advent Site for Teachers http://www.silk.net/RelEd/reviewsadvent.htm

This website provides links to a selection of websites containing resources on Advent for Catholic educators. The website provides information on the symbolism of the Advent wreath and includes an explanation of the symbols along with prayer suggestions. The website also offers an Advent Calendar which focusses on Mary and her relationship to other women in the Old Testament.--Jill Esprit-James

My Friend – The Catholic Magazine for Kids http://www.myfriendmagazine.com/

This unit includes an exploration of people of the past such as Mary and Joseph. This website is geared for kids as well as for parents and teachers. The link in this website titled “Saint” offers information on Mary and the text is written for a child which can be used with the grade 3 students. The “Learn About the Holy Spirit” link provides a small power point presentation using visuals, music and words, telling the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus to Mary, which is one of the themes in this unit. The teacher can use this to show the story visually and as an extension, have the students create their own presentation of the Annunciation story using this as an example. The link “Printable Games and Activities” has an Advent calendar colouring page that can be used with the class to discuss and prepare for the Advent season, which is one of the requirements for this unit.

Advent Ideas http://www.domestic-church.com/index.dir/index_fridge.htm

This theme focuses on Advent and its arrival. Attention is drawn to the different figures, one being Isaiah, a Hebrew prophet. In this theme, Isaiah is presented followed by Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph, the husband of Mary which are discussed in the other themes of this unit. Isaiah plays a prominent role in Advent and many of his readings from the old testament are read during this time. The theme opens with the making and blessing of an Advent wreath.

This website entitled Domestic Church is very resourceful. Its main focus and aim is to act as a teaching tool for families, although may be used by educators for general information. There is an index with several different links such as Essays, Articles, Teachings, Sacrament, and Saints that can be used for background information. There are some ideas that may be implemented as lessons in the classroom, for example, how to make an advent wreath which ties in nicely to this particular theme. This website has some great easy to read material. There are also several other websites you may access to continue your search. The information is definitely endless.--Patricia Greco

The Mary Page http://www.udayton.edu/mary/

This theme focuses on the second Advent figure which is Mary. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, Mary becomes the mother of Jesus. During the Advent season, we recall Mary and celebrate the Annunciation and anticipation.

This website entitled The Mary Page, is maintained by the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton in Ohio. This international research center focuses on Mary and her role in Christian life. This library contains the largest collection of printed material on the Blessed Virgin mother. There is an index with various links. One can search the database of the Marian Library by indicating the topic, for example Advent, and in turn various articles and information are located. There is a link called Resources which further connects you to materials that can develop your personal understanding of Mary and her role in the life of Jesus. Also, there are some resources that can be used in the classroom to teach the students about Mary ranging from worksheets and different prayers and litanies to videos. This website provides background and a bountiful source of information for educators. It’s a great website!--Patrizia Greco

This unit explores the themes of reconciliation and forgiveness. Children examine how Jesus demonstrated forgiveness and they also explore the reality of sin in their daily life. This website is appropriate for this theme because it provides teachers with everyday strategies that teach children how to resolve conflict (e.g. The Five A’s). Background information is also available for teachers that wish to explain conflict in greater detail and relate it back to Catholicism. (e.g. Conflict as an opportunity - by handling it right, an individual has a chance to glorify God and better themselves.) In short, this website offers information that teachers may use to integrate the meaning and importance of reconciliation into daily practices and rituals.

TeacherPlanet.com http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/earthday.php

This website is very useful by the mere fact that it provides background information to teachers regarding Reducing, Reusing and Recycling, which lends itself extremely well to the notion of caring for creation an idea that stems from this particular Religious unit. Despite the fact that the website does not have any religious affiliation it still provides the necessary information to teach children about caring for the earth – the religious connections can always be supplemented by the teacher in class. This particular site has a free downloadable unit entitled “The Quest For Less”, which is suitable for use in grades JK-6. The unit is complete with background information for teachers and worksheets for students. I have decided to include this website due to the fact that it provides such relevant issues as natural resources, products, waste, recycling, composting, source reduction, landfills and combustion, and a neat little summary entitled “Putting it all Together”. This unit not only provides excellent information but also helps inspire children to take care of God’s creations to ensure future generations are provided with the same luscious space that they enjoy today. --Gloria Ferri

"We cannot harm God's Creation [sic]" http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-environcreation.htm

An article countering Rush Limbaugh's statememt found in the title. It includes a series of scriptural quotations on the Bible and ecology.--Gloria Ferri

Bible Resource Center: Lent http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/theme/lent.dsp

The Bible Resource Center is but one link that provides activities to be completed as a family, however I see no reason why the classroom family cannot celebrate these activities in the school. Each activity brings to life the Lenten season by creating community actions in the classroom that focus on the Lenten Symbols. It provides a day-by-day plan as to what we, as teachers, could do to bring to life the meaning of Lent. It includes an outline for a daily prayer or scripture reading, a study guide format to make the reading more meaningful, paper chain of Lenten Symbols, spring murals, writing down the sacrifice made for Lent, planting flower seeds to symbolize new life, taking a nature walk to better appreciate the gifts from God, write Lenten poems, butterfly art ideas, bringing the classroom outdoors to enjoy a feast (lunch), and making pretzels to emulate activities of the past. In conjunction with this website I have further researched additional websites that help establish more background information for some of the Lenten Symbols and other symbols utilized during the preparation for Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. See also Fun Facts about Lenten Symbols – http://www.nvds.com/stgreg/facts.html Christian Symbols of Lent and Easter http://www.uwec.edu/greider/HonorsWorld%20REligions/Lent%20Group/Tammy/Christian%20Symbols%20Web%20Page/ - Submitted by: Gloria Ferri

Faith First http://www.faithfirst.com/

This website has some BLMs which can be used in the Grade 3 classroom. It is a more general resource if you are looking for quick ideas. although it requires the "Faith First" books for more background information if you are looking for supplementary ideas this website is useful. There are also suggestions for celebrating different periods in the Liturgical year, as well on sections on the different saints. This website has a great download for preparing students in grade 2 and 3 for their sacraments.

Easter http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/7134/Easter/index.htm

Under the sub-heading EASTER, is background information on the origin of Easter, Lent, and Easter symbols. Under the sub-heading HOLY WEEK, is an age appropriate retelling of the passion of Jesus accompanied by beautiful paintings and music. Under the sub-heading EASTER COLOURING BOOK, are four pictures of Easter that can be coloured. Under the sub-heading ONLINE QUIZ, is a quiz on the origin of Easter, Lent, Easter symbols, and Holy Week. --Silvana Sardena

Catechetical Resources: A Community of Catechists http://www.catecheticalresources.com/Teacher_Resources.htm

This is an excellent website not only for teaching reconciliation at the grade three level but it touches upon other topics for grade levels one through eight. Some of the topics it touches on are the 10 commandments, Advent, Baptism, Christmas, Reconciliation, and Sacraments etc. When teaching reconciliation, this site provides a variety of activities that can be used. For example, students can draw the five steps to confession; it prepares children on what to say at confession along with discussion questions that the teacher can use with his/her lesson. It also helps prepare students to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and many more suitable activities. This site is very easy to understand and it also contains a search form that teachers can use to help narrow the topic they are looking for at a specific grade level. This website provides specific reproducible worksheets that can be used for each of your lessons and made specifically for the grade level. Not only does this website provide worksheets, but it does contain games for example word searches that you can used with your class to reinforce key terms that are important throughout your unit. From a teacher’s perspective, this site also gives the teacher excellent background information on Catechetical Series, which is based on Faith and Life and Images of God. It also suggests and lists other resources like books and magazines that can be used to help reinforce your lessons.--Anna-Sabrina Deacetis

Bible Stories: Welcome to our Kids Bible Story Page http://www.touchoffire.com/biblestorymain.htm

This is an excellent hands on website that students can use when they have some free time. This website is very accessible and easy to use. This site is more of reinforcement for students after the teacher has already read and discussed Bible stories with the children. I think when preparing students for one of the sacraments like reconciliation, the Bible is very important and should be used. Not many students will pick up the Bible when they have free time, so this site is an excellent site that students can enjoy and learn about the important events that took place. On this site, students can select their favourite Bible story. Each story contains pictures as well as a sound button where a voice will come on and read the story to the students. This site also includes online Bible Quizzes that students can take after they have read or heard each Bible story. This site is great for students because it will encourage and help them understand and learn more about the Bible and why it is very important especially when they are going to be receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and then First Holy Communion.--Anna-Sabrina Deacetis

Stations of the Cross – Children and Their Families Walk with Jesus http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/child/stations/01.html

This particular website is age as well as grade appropriate because the content and information contained within it is specifically designed for young children. There are a few specific aspects of this website that are notable in teaching youngsters about the significance of the suffering, sacrifice and death of Jesus. First, the details of each station are worded in a very straight forward and easily comprehensible manner, while maintaining the important elements of each. Secondly, each station description is accompanied by a simple, yet effective, visual of the station in question. Lastly, and most interesting, is that following each retelling and reflection of the details of each station, children are asked to apply the apparent lesson or message of each station to their own lives and to reflect on their everyday experiences in light of the events in the life of Jesus. In addition, through the suffering of Jesus, children are asked to reflect on how the suffering and sacrifice of their Lord can aid themselves in becoming stronger. --Jonathan Poon

Stations of the Cross for Kids http://www.ainglkiss.com/stations4kids/

Again, this particular website is age and grade appropriate due to the manner in which its content, regarding the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, is designed for young children. Each station is divided into two main sections. The first section of each station details the significant events of each station using very simple and short descriptive phrases. This website is also interesting in that the description of each station often cites specific passages and phrases from the bible that support the events of each. The second section of each station presents students with a reflective prayer which is unique to each station that calls students to focus their thoughts about the suffering and sacrifices of Jesus. Again, the prayers and short reflections lead young students to ask Jesus for forgiveness and to offer them strength, courage and wisdom to face everyday challenges. --Jonathan Poon

The Stations of the Cross http://members.aol.com/jocatholic/stations.htm

This website is very useful in visually communicating the events of each station of the cross to young students. This particular site contains engaging and detailed visual depictions of each station that capture the suffering and sacrifices of Jesus effectively as well as realistically enough in order to create meaning for young viewers. The visual pieces would definitely accompany, compliment as well as add to the overall effectiveness of educating young students about each station of the cross. Also, the pictures definitely supplement and place into context the content and information offered by the two websites identified and described above. --Jonathan Poon

Teacher Background: This site is useful for teaching any Religious Education Program that focuses and touches upon the Holy Spirit. The site provides teachers with information about the Holy Spirit and the works of the Holy Spirit to enable students to understand the gift and mystery of the Holy Spirit. It provides useful quotations and scriptures that will assist teachers in describing the mystery of the Holy Spirit to students. In addition, through the search option of this site, any other Religious Education information can be found.

EEK- Environmental Education for Kids http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/springhunt

This particular website can be extremely useful in teaching movement three in this unit, Spring Burst. The emphasis of this theme is allowing the children to explore their natural environment and look for signs of new life associated with spring. The website provides a child-friendly checklist of sorts which the students can follow while on their nature walk, that draws attention to specific signs of change occurring in the springtime. For instance, students are asked to observe and examine leaves on trees that have already bloomed and the website provides a link where students can go and identify the specific type of leaf and tree. Links providing other important scientific information about the changes noticeable in spring are available for students to explore. This website uses rather simplistic language and would be rather easy for students at the grade three age level to use while completing the nature walk in this theme of the religion program.--Andrea Furlan

Gospelcom.net http://www.gospel.com.net/growingtogether/1999/03/index-03-11-1999.html

This website is a Christian gospel website that features many links to children’s bible activities. The site explains the idea of Colourful Resurrection Easter Eggs as a manner in which to tell the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and Resurrection. A dozen plastic eggs are divided in half; the first six eggs represent the passion and death of Jesus and the last six eggs, the Resurrection. The site provides biblical passages of the Easter story which are placed (one each) inside the eggs alongside a symbol of that part of the story. For example, inside the egg that refers to the burial of Jesus’ body in the tomb there is also a small stone so that the students have a visual symbol of the event. This website proves useful in teaching this unit in the grade three program in movement four where the students are to be engaged in an Easter party to celebrate Jesus’ journey and the new life he brings. This is an interesting way for the students to tell the story of Jesus as part of their celebration, and they can even be involved in preparing the eggs with the writing and collection of the symbols. The eggs can then be displayed in a plastic container on the prayer table in the classroom throughout the Easter season to remind students of the true meaning of Easter in the Catholic Church. (Please note that this site is a Christian site and may not necessarily approach the Easter story in a distinctly “Catholic” perspective. Read the contents of the activity carefully to determine if any omissions or adaptations to the language needs to be made.)--Andrea Furlan