Sixth Grade Catechist Support Group! - Page 2

asquared · #16 Jan 27, '06, 6:54 am

see if your textbook series has a website, most do, with supporting resources, including saint stuff. Ask your DRE if she has a video or something that helps you get the most out of the catechist manual. Most of these publishers have all kinds of additional helps for catechists that we never hear about, because somebody just hands you the book.

**mercygate** · #17 Jan 27, '06, 7:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by asquared

see if your textbook series has a website, most do, with supporting resources, including saint stuff. Ask your DRE if she has a video or something that helps you get the most out of the catechist manual. Most of these publishers have all kinds of additional helps for catechists that we never hear about, because somebody just hands you the book.

That's a really good idea. I'll do that. Our series is published by Sadlier and they have a lot of great stuff on line.

BTW, our subject matter this year is Scripture, so I just bring in this other stuff for remediation because these kids do not know ANYTHING.

I'm still keeping them after chapel for a few minutes and drilling them on how to enter the church: Make the sign of the cross with holy water, genuflect to the tabernacle, bow to the altar, kneel in your pew. Repeat upon departure.

JMJ Theresa · #18 Jan 27, '06, 10:34 am

When I taught CCD, I backed off some of my usual charitable giving and bought as many tracts and booklets that I could afford and sent them home.

Your students are lucky to have you! God Bless.

**mercygate** · #19 Jan 27, '06, 11:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMJ Theresa

When I taught CCD, I backed off some of my usual charitable giving and bought as many tracts and booklets that I could afford and sent them home.

Your students are lucky to have you! God Bless.

Ha ha! They're already used to Mrs. Mercygate's happy handouts!

TAS2000 · #20 Jan 27, '06, 11:28 am

Can I take your class?

Seriously you sound great. I am from the "largely untaught" generation, despite attending CCD from grade 1-confirmation. We had one good year that I can recall, and the rest were ****. Kumbyah, feel good, but nothing about our faith.

I "volunteered" last year and got 7th grade, but this year I am out again (had a baby). My advice is keep doing what you're doing and teach them everything you can. You clearly know what's important. And ask often "How can we apply this in an everday example?" I find it much more useful to teach "this is what the Church says", then find an example, rather than read endless text book stories about little Susie being asked to shoplift by her classmates, etc., then trying to tie that into being Catholic. That teaches nothing about why Catholicism is the true church and why just any religion isn't good enough.

I hope that makes sense.

luvthelight · #21 Feb 3, '06, 9:23 pm

I am currently a 4th grade ccd aide (I'm 17) and we also use sadlier publications. mostly my job during the class is to keep the class under control while the teacher is teaching (and add imput during discussions about living our faith/why we do wht we do). some of the kids got quite restless, complaining they learn the same things every year. to change up the pace we've begun a bible study where one student takes home the bible along with a hand out that further explains the passage and the next week he presents to the class. each of the passages do something to explain our faith, for example, we read a few chapters in matthew and explained how the papacy became established, or read the beatitudes and discussed the importance of living our faith through doing good for others. my main hope is that even if they don't remember the exact passages, they will remember that there WERE passages the supported these main catholic doctrines.

every few weeks we also play a jeapordy game and all of the questions from the handouts, and let me tell you, nothing motivates a child to learn who was the first pope and how we know Jesus chose him or the different mysteries, and stay focused in the class than these games. all of us teachers were greatly impressed at how much the kids got (one girl even remembered for a bonus question the word kepha). its not a perfect method - but for now it works!

mercygate - I admire you so much! we need so many more ccd teachers willing to teach the faith as it is! good luck!

**mercygate** · #22 Aug 1, '08, 1:48 pm

I'm resuscitating this ancient thread because I am gearing up for my FOURTH year of teachng 6th grade and came up with a GREAT idea for helping kids to want to learn their Scripture memory verses.

I'm going to make a little stick-up sign that reads: Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps 119:105)

Underneath it on a table, I'm going to put a votive candle for each student. My 20-odd students are divided into to separate sections, so at most, I should have 10 or 12 candles. After prayer, class begins with 3 minutes of silence while they write out their verse. I will have them raise their hand when they finish, and I will collect the papers and read them. When all have finished, I will call the names of those who got it right and ask them to light a candle. We're allowed to have candles in the classroom, and kids love little rituals like that.

I plan to ask parents to sign a permission slip to allow me to offer a little treat -- a date stuffed with an almond -- for them to take when they have learned their verse. If all the kids can eat this stuff, I'll do it. Otherwise not. I figured a little introduction to Bible foods couldn't hurt, and it would connect both food and sweetness with the Word of God.

Wish me luck.

Tim Kirchoff · #23 Aug 1, '08, 2:04 pm

I actually signed up to be a teacher's assistant for CCD at my local parish.

Hey, as long as I don't have to take the flak for reviving an old thread, I might as well make the most of it...

**mercygate** · #24 Aug 1, '08, 2:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Kirchoff

I actually signed up to be a teacher's assistant for CCD at my local parish.

Hey, as long as I don't have to take the flak for reviving an old thread, I might as well make the most of it...

I think it's great to be a teacher's assistant (wish I had one -- make that THREE!). Look out: you'll be in charge of a class before you know it!

**puzzleannie** · #25 Aug 4, '08, 6:38 am

since this old thread has been resurrected may I take this opportunity to thank all you catechists and aides from the bottom of my heart.

number one advice for new catechists: recruit a friend, teen or parent from the class as your aide. essential to have supervision for those going to restroom as well as for crowd control, getting materials ready, helping with transitions, games and activities.

**mercygate** · #26 Aug 4, '08, 8:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by puzzleannie

since this old thread has been resurrected may I take this opportunity to thank all you catechists and aides from the bottom of my heart.

number one advice for new catechists: recruit a friend, teen or parent from the class as your aide. essential to have supervision for those going to restroom as well as for crowd control, getting materials ready, helping with transitions, games and activities.

I don't know if I mentioned it on this thread, but I pass out a sign-up sheet at the beginning of the year so that I will have one parent in the room for each session.

I defiinitely second having a companion teacher or aide. Besides crowd control (which can be an issue in 6th grade) it also gives you a knowledgeable backup person who can fill in if you must miss class for an emergency.

**mercygate** · #27 Aug 7, '08, 6:47 am

Hey, teachers!

One thing new I am doing this year is requesting the names of my kids' 5th grade teachers so I can contact them and get the word on any potential problems.

Two years ago I phoned every parent a week before the start of class. Didn't do it last year because I didn't get my roster until 3 days before the semester started. I will make those calls this year, and this time, my questions will include:

Is there anything in particular I should know about your child to help him succeed in my class?

I've been googling around on the Internet and have learned (surprise, surprise) that classroom management is the number one "issue" in teaching. There books and talk lists that deal exclusively with middle school! What a big help -- except that so far, I'm pretty much doing all the right stuff, and my classes are STILL fairly hideous.

YinYangMom · #28 Aug 13, '08, 6:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by puzzleannie

number one advice for new catechists: recruit a friend, teen or parent from the class as your aide. essential to have supervision for those going to restroom as well as for crowd control, getting materials ready, helping with transitions, games and activities.

Puzzleannie,

I understand how ideal that would be but we catechists had to attend the diocesan training on that whole ethics issue which stemmed from the sex scandal in the church. It was my understanding from that training that only people who have gone through that training are allowed to be in the classroom with the kids - for their protection and ours. If anything happens to them from a volunteer the buck stops with the teacher who brought them in.

I know that the screening process is one of the reasons there is a shortage of volunteer catechists, they don't seem to want to go through the training and sign the documents in order to be in the classroom to teach about Jesus.

I guess I just wanted to put a caveat to your recommendation to have any catechist check with the DRE before inviting people to volunteer. I expect the DRE will be the one required to screen any assistants.

**mercygate** · #29 Aug 13, '08, 6:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by YinYangMom

Puzzleannie,

I understand how ideal that would be but we catechists had to attend the diocesan training on that whole ethics issue which stemmed from the sex scandal in the church. It was my understanding from that training that only people who have gone through that training are allowed to be in the classroom with the kids - for their protection and ours. If anything happens to them from a volunteer the buck stops with the teacher who brought them in.

I know that the screening process is one of the reasons there is a shortage of volunteer catechists, they don't seem to want to go through the training and sign the documents in order to be in the classroom to teach about Jesus.

I guess I just wanted to put a caveat to your recommendation to have any catechist check with the DRE before inviting people to volunteer. I expect the DRE will be the one required to screen any assistants.

Does the child protection training requirement apply to volunteers who work WITH you WHILE you are in the classroom?

YinYangMom · #30 Aug 13, '08, 7:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercygate

Does the child protection training requirement apply to volunteers who work WITH you WHILE you are in the classroom?

That's just it, my recollection (and it's been about four years now) is that the bottom line is to err on safety. Keep doors open at all times, be sure any passersby can see me at any given time, have any guest speakers and such screened by the DRE, etc.

I don't recall if they needed to take the course, but I do recall we cannot expose our children to people the DRE is not aware of, for their protection and that of the parish program. I know that our DRE provides volunteer assistants for the younger grades and that those assistants to through the ethics training and have to attend regular catechist meetings.

I should note all our catechists and aides are volunteer. Only the DRE and the assistant receive funding, and yes, parents have to pay a fee for the year.

I teach eighth grade so I never had to worry about escorting little ones to the bathroom and such. That's probably one of the reasons I prefer the upper grades.