b'NegotiatingChangeby BrianSinger-Towns Several years ago,I met with ourFast forward.I had a fun year and parish director of religious educationlearned a lot about sixth graders to discuss my catechetical assignmentand how to teach them Scripture. for the coming year. She startedUnfortunately, my co-catechist left with: I know youve been teachingafter two months. We both started a different grade and really enjoy it.with some reluctance, so why was But Im having real troublendingmy experience positive and his sixth-grade catechists. Wouldnegative? I cant say with certainty, you consider switching? If so, Illbut I noticed my co-catechist didnt pair you with a co-catechist. have realistic expectations for sixth graders. And any failed learning My thoughts racedin quickactivity was frustrating for him. On succession: What? I dont knowthe other hand, I was willing to let that age. Do I want to undertake allthe sixth graders be who they were, new lesson planning? Im not surewhich often included being noisy I like the curriculum being used. and impulsive. And I looked at any failed activity as a chance to learn I ultimately said yes,but notwhat does work with this age level.without some negotiation. I wanted to keep the class small, I wanted to use a different, more active curriculum, and I wanted to make the Bible the primary text. The director thought these were great ideas, and we were off and running. 42 Inspire!Spring 2020'