Level 1 – Chapter Notes
2014 – 2015
These lesson plans are designed to guide you through each chapter. Cover all material outlined in each lesson. Please follow our guidelines and feel free to incorporate any other activities suggested in each chapter. More information is available at and feel free to call our office at any time at 631-265-2200 ext.12.
Week Of / Chapter / GoalsNov. 3 / Introduction
A New Year / A New Year – Explain to your child that each week you both will take time to learn about Jesus. Remind them that when they were Baptized, Parents and Godparents made a promise that the child would be raised in the Catholic Faith. By attending Mass each Sunday and being enrolled in Religious Education, Parents and Godparents honor the promises they made. Remind children that the book they have is a Holy Book. Working with it they will learn about their Faith and how to live a Catholic Life.
Pg. 316 The Sign of the Cross. Children should know the proper way to do this, using their right hand. (Photo on pg. 298)
Pg. 2 – Read through page and what symbols mean. Pg. 3 Read and do Share Your Faith Activity. Pgs. 4 and 5 If you have a Bible at home (A family Bible or a children’s Bible will work) it will help you illustrate these pages.
Pg. 6 – Our Catholic Life, this should help your child be more comfortable about learning more of their faith. Do Live Your Faith at bottom of page.
November 1 was All Saints Day – A Holy Day of Obligation.
Pg. 15 – 16 Helps students understand why we celebrate All Saints Day.
Parents: Please read pg. 18, Family and Faith especially the Helping Your Child Understand box.
Nov. 10
Parents:
Read pg. 46
Our Catholic
Tradition / Unit 1
Revelation
Chapter
1
Created By
God / Prayer – Sign of the Cross. Introduce The Lord’s Prayer on Pg. 317
Chapter 1 – Pgs. 47 – 56.
Pgs. 48 – 49 God’s Creation and Share Your Faith Activity. Pgs. 50 and 51 God Loves You and Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 52 – 53 Our Catholic Life and Live Your Faith Activity.Do
Pg. 56 Chapter 1 Review.
Parents: Please read pg. 55 Family and Faith, especially the Children at this Age box.
Nov. 17 / Chapter
2
God’s Gifts
For Us / Prayer – Sign of the Cross. The Lord’s Prayer pg. 317.
Chapter 2 – pg. 57 – 66
pg. 57 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 58 – 59 Gifts From God and Share Your Faith Activity
Pgs. 60 – 61 Made to Help Us and Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 62 – 63 Our Catholic Life and Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 66 Chapter 2 Review
Pgs. 292 – 293 The Dignity of Work
Parents: Please read pg. 65 Family and Faith, especially the Children at this Age box.
Nov. 24 / Chapter
3
Made to
Care / Prayer – Sign of the Cross. The Lord’s Prayer pg. 317
Chapter 3 – pgs. 67 – 76
Pg. 67 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 68 – 69 In God’s Image and Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 70 – 71 God’s Command. Have your child study the photo on pg. 70. It’s from a Stained Glass Window. They are very popular in churches. Although we do not have any at Holy Cross. And do Connect Your Faith.
Pgs. 72 – 73 Our Catholic Life and Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 76 Chapter 3 Review
Activity Master Dittos Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
Parents: Please read pg. 75 Family and Faith, especially the Children at this Age box.
You have just completed Unit I - Please have your child do pages 77 and 78 and mail to us. NOT page 79. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2
Dec. 1
Parents:
Please Read pg. 80
Our Catholic
Tradition / Unit 2
Trinity
Chapter
4
The Holy
Trinity
And Advent / Prayer – Sign of the Cross. The Lord’s Prayer pg. 317.
Chapter 4 – pgs. 81 – 90
Pg. 81 God’sWord. Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 82 – 83 Helping Others. Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 84 – 85 God Is Love. The image of the Holy Trinity is difficult for a first grader to understand. Explain that as they continue through Religious Education they will be learning more about this and will gain a better understanding. Do Connect Your Faith.
Pgs. 86 – 87 Our Catholic Life and Live Your Faith Activity
Pg. 90 Chapter 4 Review
Parents: Please read pg. 89 Family and Faith, especially the Children at this Age box.
Pg. 19 – 20 Advent Waiting for Jesus. Advent began on
Sunday, Nov. 30 and ends of Dec. 24. This is the time we Prepare for Christmas and the Birth of Jesus.
Parents: Please read pg. 22 Family and Faith, especially Helping Your Child Understand box.
Dec. 8 / Mary / Prayer – The Sign of the Cross and The Lord’s Prayer. Introduce the Hail Mary, pg. 317. Children should know these three prayers by memory as they enter Level 2.
December 8 we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It is just one of many days that Celebrate Mary and it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Pg. 9 God’s Word – This is a special Prayer to Mary. Mary has many special prayers, the most popular is the Hail Mary. Your child must understand that Mary was chosen by God the Father to be the Mother of the Son, Jesus. Because she is Jesus’ mother, she was born without sin. This is what we celebrate on Dec. 8. Also, because she is the Mother of Jesus, she is also our Mother.
Pg. 10 – the picture illustrates the Angel Gabriel coming to Mary as asking her to be the Mother of Jesus.
Pg. 11 Color drawing of Mary and Jesus.
Pg. 301 – another illustration of the Angel asking Mary to be the Mother of Jesus.
Pgs. 302 – 303, explains there are many prayers and titles that Mary has in the Catholic Church.
FYI – There are 6 Holy Days of Obligation. Three of the six are dedicated to Mary. They are: January 1 The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God; August 15 the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and December 8 the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Children will learn more about Mary as they continue in Rel. Ed.
Dec. 15 / Chapter
5
The Holy
Family
And
Christmas / Prayer – The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Chapter 5 pgs. 91 - 100
Children should understand that at Christmas we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. If you have a Nativity Set, it would help you in explaining this to your child.
Pg. 23 Christmas the Light of Christ. God’s Word and Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder? It could help if you also played some Religious themed Christmas Music.
Pg. 24 A Season of Joy. Explains that Christmas is a Season that begins on Dec. 24 and Lasts through mid-January.
Parents – Please read Pg. 26 Family and Faith, especially Talking about Christmas and Helping Your Child Understand.
Chapter 5 – pgs. 91 – 100 The Holy Family addresses Jesus growing up, his family with Mary his Mother and Joseph his Foster Father.
Some explain that Joseph was the husband of Mary and God the Father asked Joseph to take care of Jesus and Mary. Joseph was a very good man who worked as a Carpenter.
Pg. 91 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What Do Your Wonder?
Pg. 92 – 93 Read about the different families. Share Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 94 – 95 Read Jesus’ Family and a Day in Nazareth. Inform your child that Jesus grew up in a very traditional Jewish Family.
Pgs. 96 – 97 Our Catholic Life and Live Your Faith.
Pg. 100 Chapter 5 Review
Parents: Please read pg. 99 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Jan. 5 / Chapter
6
About the
Bible / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Chapter 6 pgs. 101 – 110
Pg. 101 – God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 102 – 103 We Learn from Stories. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 104 – 105 Stories About God. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 106 Our Catholic Life. If you have a Bible at home, please use to help illustrate this chapter.
Pg. 107 Follow the Maze.
Pg. 110 Chapter 6 Review.
Activity Master chapter 5
Parents: Please read pg. 109 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Reminder: Level 1 Parent Meeting next week.
You have just completed Unit 2 - Please have your child do pages 111 and 112 and mail to us. NOT page 113. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2
Jan. 12 / Unit 3
Jesus Christ
Chapter
7
Jesus
The Healer
Parents: Read pg. 114
Our Catholic
Tradition / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary.
Chapter 7 Pgs. 115 – 124
Pg. 115 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 116 – 117 Read Share God’s Love. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 118 – 119 Read Jesus Heals. Do Connect Your Faith
Activity.
Pgs. 120 – 121 Our Catholic Faith. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 124 Chapter 7 Review.
Parents: Please read pg. 123 Family and Faith, especially Children At this Age box.
Jan. 19 / Chapter
8
Jesus
Teaches
Love / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Chapter 8 Pgs. 125 – 134
Pgs. 125 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 126 – 127 Read Show Your Love. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 128 – 129 Read Love God and Others. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 130 -131 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 134 Chapter 8 Review.
Pgs. 284 – 285 Life and Dignity
Parents: Please read pg. 133 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Jan. 27 / Chapter
9
Jesus
Teaches Us
To Pray / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Chapter 9 pgs. 135 – 144
Pg. 135 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 136 – 137 Stay Close to God. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 138 – 139 Learn To Pray. Activity Connect Your Faith.
Pgs. 140 – 141 Our Catholic Life. By now your child should know the Lord’s Prayer by memory. Pgs. 140 helps your child understand the meaning of the words. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 144 Chapter 9 Review
Activity Master Chapter 8 and chapter 9
Parents: Please Read pg. 143 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
You have just completed Unit 3 - Please have your child do pages 145 and 146 and mail to us. NOT page 147. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2.
Feb. 2
Parents:
Read pg. 148
Our Catholic
Tradition / Unit 4
The
Church
Chapter
10
Responding
To God / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Chapter 10 pgs. 149 – 158
Pg. 149 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 150 – 151 Read Trust in God. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 152 – 153 Read All Are Invited. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 154 – 155 Read Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 158 Chapter 10 Review
Pgs. 286 – 287 Call to Community
Parents: Please read pg. 157 Family and Faith, especially Children at the Age box.
Feb. 9 / Lent / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary.
Lent pgs. 27 – 32
Pgs. 27 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What do Your Wonder?
Pgs. 28 – 29 Read Lent. Do Activity on Pg. 29.
Pg. 30 Put God First.
Ash Wednesday is February 18. As a family come to services.
Parents: Please read pg. 32 Family and Faith, especially Helping Your Children Understand box.
Feb. 23 / Chapter
11
The
Church’s
Guide / Prayer: Sign of Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be, pg. 316.
Chapter 11 pgs. 159 – 168
Pg. 159 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 160 – 161 Read God the Holy Spirit. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 162 – 163 Ways to God. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 164 – 165 Our Catholic Faith. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 168 Chapter 11 Review
Parents: Please read pg. 167 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Mar. 2 / Chapter
12
Friends of
God / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 12 pgs. 169 – 178
Pgs. 169 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family, What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 170 – 171 Holy People. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 172 – 173 All Kinds of Saints. Do Connect Your Faith. Remember that each chapter of the Religion Book highlights the life of a Saint.
Pgs. 174 – 175 Our Catholic Faith. Do Live Your Faith Activity. Remember our very first lesson was about All Saints Day.
Pg. 178 Chapter 12 Review
Activity Master Chapter 10
Parents: Please read pg. 177 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
You have just completed Unit 4 - Please have your child do pages 179 and 180 and mail to us. NOT page 181. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2.
Mar. 9
Parents:
Read pg. 182
Our Catholic
Tradition / Unit 5
Morality
Chapter
13
Disciples
Serve / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 13 pgs. 183 – 192
Pg. 183 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 184 – 185 Jesus the Servant. Do Share Your Faith Activity. Discuss the pictures of Washing the Feet.
Pgs. 186 – 187 Disciples of Jesus. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 188 – 189 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 192 Chapter 13 Review
Parents: Please read pg. 191 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Next week we begin the Level 1 tour of the Church. Please review with your child pgs. 306 – 309. Special things in the Church.
Mar. 16 / Chapter
14
Making
Choices / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 14 pgs. 193 – 202
Pg. 193 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family, What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 194 – 195 Types of Choices. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 196 – 197 Good Choices. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 198 – 199 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 204 Chapter 14 Review
Pgs. 288 – 289 Rights and Responsibilities
Parents: Please read pg. 201Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Mar. 23 / Chapter
15
Showing
Sorrow / Prayer: the Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 15 pgs. 203 – 212
Pg. 203 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 204 – 205 Obeying God. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 206 – 207 Ask for Forgiveness. Do Connect your Faith Activity. Remind you child that next year in Level 2 they will Receive the Sacrament of Penance.
Pgs. 208 – 209 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 212 Chapter 15 Review
Parents: Please read pg. 211 Family and Faith, especially the Children at this Age box.
Activity Master Chapter 15
You have just completed Unit 5 - Please have your child do pages 213 and 214and mail to us. NOT page 215. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2.
Mar. 30 / Holy
Week
And
Easter / Prayer: Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
Holy Week pgs. 33 – 35 Explain your child, that Holy Week is the Last Week of Lent. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Thursday before the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Holy Thursday Night, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are known as the Triduum. As the children get older they will learn more about this.
Pg. 33 God’s Word. Discuss with your child/family, What Do You Wonder?
Pg. 34 Time For Remembering. Do Activity on page.
Parents: Please read pg. 36 Family and Faith, especially Helping Your Child Understand box.
Easter pgs. 37 – 39
Pg. 37 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do Your Wonder?
Pg. 38 Easter Joy. Do color activity.
Please check bulletin and website, for Services and Masses for Holy Week and Easter.
Parents: Please read pg. 40 Family & Faith, especially Helping Your Child Understand box.
Apr. 13
Parents:
Read pg. 216
Our Catholic Tradition / Unit 6
Sacraments
Chapter
16
Jesus
The Savior / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 16 pgs. 217 – 226
Pg. 217 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do Your Wonder?
Pgs. 218 – 219 Adam and Eve. Do Share Your Faith Activity
Pgs. 220 – 221 New Life With God. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 222 – 223 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 226 Chapter 16 Review
Pgs. 290 – 291 Option for the Poor
Parents: Please read pg. 225 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Apr. 20 / Chapter
17
Holy
Signs / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 17 pgs. 227 – 236
Pg. 227 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pg. 228 – 229 Signs of Love. Do Share your Faith Activity. Have children comment on the boys and girls in the photo who are receiving First Communion. Next year at this time it will be them.
Pgs. 230 – 231 Signs and Celebrations. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 232 – 233 Our Catholic Life. Do Live your Faith Activity.
Pg. 236 Chapter 17 Review
Pgs. 296 - 297 Care for Creation
Parents: Please read pg. 235 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
Apr. 18 / Chapter
18
We
Are
Welcome / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 18 Pgs. 237 – 246
Pg. 237 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 238 – 239 Welcome! Do Share Your Faith Activity. Ask your child if they know what the Holy Cross sign says?
Pgs. 240 – 241 Becoming Church Members. Do Connect Your Faith Activity. Share with your child photos of their Baptism.
Pgs. 242 – 243 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 246 Chapter 18 review
Activity Masters Chapter 17 and Chapter 18
Pgs. 304 – 305 Review the Seven Sacraments
Parents: Please read pg. 245Family and Faith especially, Children at this Age box.
You have just completed Unit 6 - Please have your child do pages 247 and 248 and mail to us. NOT page 249. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2.
May 4
Parents:
Read pg. 250
Our Catholic Tradition / Unit 7
Kingdom of
God
Chapter
19
We Give
Thanks / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 19 pgs. 251 – 260
Pg. 251 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 252 – 253 The Eucharist. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 254 – 255 During Mass. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 310 – 311 Review the parts of the Mass.
Pgs. 256 – 257 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 260 Chapter 19 Review
Pgs. 294 – 295 Human Solidarity
Parents: Please read pg. 259 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
May 11 / Chapter
20
Forever
With
God / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 20 pgs. 261 – 270
Pg. 261 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 262 – 263 Life Forever with God. Do Share Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 264 – 265 Happy Forever. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 266 – 267 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Faith Activity.
Pg. 270 Chapter 20 Review
Parents: Please read pg. 269 Family and Faith, especially, Children at this Age box.
May 18 / Chapter
21
God’s
Kingdom / Prayer: The Sign of the Cross, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.
Chapter 21 pgs. 271 – 280
Pg. 271 God’s Word. Discuss with child/family What Do You Wonder?
Pgs. 272 – 273 Love and Peace. Do Share Your Faith Activity
Pgs. 274 – 275 Living for the Kingdom. Do Connect Your Faith Activity.
Pgs. 276 – 277 Our Catholic Life. Do Live Your Life Activity.
Pg. 280 Chapter 21 Review
Activity Master Chapter 20 and Chapter 21
Parents: Please read pg. 279 Family and Faith, especially Children at this Age box.
You have just completed Unit 7 - Please have your child do pages 281 and 282 and mail to us. NOT page 283. You will get these pages back when your child is in Level 2.
Saturday May 30 and
Sunday
May 31 / Trinity
Sunday / Level1 children will receive a special blessing at the Sunday Masses. Children should bring their decorated Red Paper Hearts. As you enter the atrium that weekend bulletin boards will be up and the children should take a push pin that will be provided to place their decorated heart on the board.
Congratulations to all our Level 1 students who have completed their work. Please make sure you have completed your child’s re-registration form which will be mailed to you in the month of May. Return this form to our office by the due date indicated. Children cannot be placed in Level 2 until this paperwork has been received and all Level 1 work is satisfactorily completed. If you are interested in teaching a class during the 2015 – 2016 year please call our office,265-2200 ext. 12 or 11. Please continue to check our website for updates and information regarding the parish and Religious Education,