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Sharing the Good News

This activity helps students prepare to share the Good News of Jesus with different individuals or groups, and then act out how they would do so, given the individual's or group's particular needs and characteristics.

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Your Relationship with Jesus

This worksheet leads students to reflect on one of three Gospel passages in which Jesus interacts with the people around him and how he shows them compassion and mercy. Students will also reflect on their own relationship with Jesus and …

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Chapter K: Let Your Voice Be Heard: Synod on Cyberbullying

Students are challenged to write a speech as if they were a member of Pope Francis’ synod addressing the problem of cyberbullying.

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Chapter G: Design a Monastery

Students design a monastery based on the responsibilities and needs of the monks.

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Exploring the Lectionary

In this activity, partners read the readings for a specific feast day and identify key symbols, similarities, and differences that help make Mass more meaningful.

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Paul’s Missionary Journeys

This small-group activity asks students to read a Scripture passage about one of Paul’s missionary journeys. Students must then create several blog posts describing the story.

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Miracles

This small-group activity asks students to read several versions of a miracle of Jesus. Groups must then answer questions and create a storyboard to accompany the Scripture passage.

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Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3

This handout provides two project possibilities for students to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts learned in Unit 3.

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Creating a Triptych

This is a description for an art project where students express the relationship between Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

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God’s Presence in Nature

This assignment helps students to create a poem of praise about an object in nature.

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I Am . . .

This is a project description that asks students to create a poster as they explore their identity.

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Final Performance Tasks for Unit 5

This handout lists two final-project possibilities for Unit 5.

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Faith in Action

This handout challenges students to create a poster representing the ways they participate in Jesus’ mission to serve others.

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Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

This is a rubric to assess the final project options for Unit 1.

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An Interreligious Interview

This handout offers guidelines for setting up an interview with a person from a different religion.

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A Zoroastrian Symbol

This handout presents a Zoroastrian Symbol of faith and explains its elements. Students are then challenged to create their own symbol to represent their personal understanding of faith and human nature.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8

The final performance task options for Unit 8 of Church History: Apostolic Times to Today. The options include writing journal entries from World War I to today, or writing an original graphic novel or comic book about the Church in …

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7

The final performance task options for Unit 7 of Church History: Apostolic Times to Today. The options include creating a children’s book about the Catholic Church in the United States, or creating a PowerPoint presentation about the Catholic Church in …

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Brochure on Vatican I

Work with your group to create a six-panel (folded) brochure describing the history and work of Vatican Council I.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6

The final performance task options for Unit 6 of Church History: Apostolic Times to Today. The options include coming up with interview questions for Pope Pius IX, or creating the front page of a newspaper from the day after Vatican …

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Creating a Promotional Brochure

Your group has been assigned to create a brochure about one of the two major religious orders to emerge during the Catholic Reformation: the Jesuits or the Carmelites. Imagine that you are members of this new religious order during the …

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Web Quest on Renaissance Culture

Write your group member’s names at the top of this handout, and circle the topic assigned to your group. Use the Internet to locate three reliable sources about your group’s assigned topic in Renaissance culture. Use this handout to organize …

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Handout: Images of God in Scripture

Circle the Scripture passage that your teacher assigns you in the following list. Reflect on your assigned Scripture passage using the questions below. Use poetry, prose, painting, illustration, sculpture, or another medium to depict an image of God that is …

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The Wheel of Life

An image of a wheel.

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The Bible’s Big Picture (Part I)

A worksheet with Scripture passages to cut out.

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The Images of Jesus Book

Read through the passages below, and select seven you like best. Create a booklet of drawings around the seven images you chose from the readings. Using copies of the handout, “Images of Jesus” (Document #: TX003029), fill in the missing …

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The Last Words of Jesus

Read the following seven passages from Scripture, which each contain one of the seven last words (meaning phrases or statements) of Jesus. Create a song title for each Scripture passage, expressing what you think these last statements meant to Jesus. …

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The Fig Leaves of My Life

A craft activity where students cut out a fig leaf and draw or write the ways that they hide who they really are.

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First Comes Love

A three-part worksheet that encourages the participant to compose a narrative about a personal experience of being loved and respected.

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Vocations: Answering God’s Call – Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3

Several project options that reinforce the main ideas of Unit 3.

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Vocations: Answering God’s Call – Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2

Several project ideas centered around the main ideas from the Unit.

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Vocations: Answering God’s Call - Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

Several final performance task options/activities that correlate with Unit 1 of Vocations: Answering God’s Call.

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Middle School Retreat to Learn about the Church as a Saving Community

An outline to help plan a middle school retreat focused on the Church as a saving community.

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Presentations on Vocations

A project where students are asked to create several presentations on vocations.

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Modern-Day Martyrs: Redemptive Love in Action

An activity where students will learn about the lives of several modern-day martyrs, draw connections between the lives of these people and the life and death of Jesus, and explore what the witness of martyrs, from the time of Jesus …

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A Graphic Novel or Play

A project where students are asked to create either a graphic novel or a play based on what they have learned in the Old Testament.

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Researching and Writing about Scripture

A wrap-up project on researching and writing about Scripture.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5

Several final performance task project options for Unit 5 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

Several project ideas that coincide with Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

Several final performance tasks options for Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”

Several final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”

Several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”

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Interview Questions for a Practicing Catholic

A list of interview questions to ask a practicing Catholic.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”

Several final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”

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Wrap-up: A Graphic Novel or Playlist, from Section 3 of "Jesus Christ: God's Love Made Visible"

A section wrap-up activity where students create a graphic novel or playlist.

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Research Ideas for the Life and Times of Jesus, from Section 3 Part 2 of "Jesus Christ: God's Love Made Visible"

Several research ideas for projects and activities on the life and times of Jesus.

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Interviewing an Adult Who Has a Personal Relationship with Jesus, from Section 2 Part 1 of "Jesus Christ: God's Love Made Visible"

How to conduct an interview with an adult who has a personal relationship with Jesus, including appropriate questions to ask.

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A Brochure about the Trinity in Everyday Life

A wrap-up activity for Section 1 of “Jesus Christ: God’s Love Made Visible.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 8 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 7 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Paul's Missionary Journeys

A group assignment on Paul’s missionary journeys.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 6 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Analyzing Artistic Depictions of the Book of Glory

A group activity where students analyze the artistic depictions of the Book of Glory.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 5 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 4 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ”

Several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ"

Several final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The New Testament: The Good News of Jesus Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 8 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 7 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 6 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Miracle Presentation Plans

A planning sheet for a group presentation on miracles.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 5 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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A Service Project

A service project that will help students imitate Jesus’ love for those in need.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 4 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final performance Task Options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” New Testament Teacher Guide.

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Using Final Performance Tasks to Assess Understanding

A reading on how to use final performance tasks to assess student understanding.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 8 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 7 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 6 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 5 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Moses and Joshua: Small-Group Project, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

A small-group project where students compare and contrast Moses and Joshua as leaders of Israel, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 4 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Festivals and Holy Days: Research Project, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

A research project on festivals and holy days, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide

Several final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

Several final performance task options for Unit 8 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 7 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 6 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 5 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 5 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

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Just Choices

A worksheet on just choices where students choose a topic to cover as well as a task based on their preferred learning style.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 6 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 4 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

A list of several final performance task options for Unit 7 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

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Prayer Stations

Three prayer stations presenting ideas for craft projects to help make forgiveness more tangible for students.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

Several final performance task options for Unit 8 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

Several final performance task options for Unit 3 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

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Final Performance Tasks Options for Unit 4 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

A listing of several final performance tasks options for Unit 4 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

A listing of several final performance task options for Unit 2 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3

A number of final performance task options for Unit 3 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2

A listing of final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ.”

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

Options for final performance tasks for Unit 1 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

Options for final performance tasks for Unit 1 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 8

Several performance task options for Unit 8 of "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

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Spotlighting Quotes on Respecting Sexualtity

Quotes on respecting sexuality, from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

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Card Deal Questions on the Christian Vision of Marriage

An activity dealing with index cards from "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

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Final Performace Task for Unit 7

Several final performance task options for Unit 7 of "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6

Options for final performance tasks for Unit 6 of "Christian Morality: Our Response to God's Love."

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The Church Is One

This project is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to do research on the mark of the Church as 'One' using various websites.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for assessing students who have recently learned about the Church, especially the birth of the Church at Pentecost.

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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 5

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied the Paschal Mystery, especially the birth of the Church at Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the …

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A Place at Our Table

A class activity designed to raise awareness of the reality of hunger in our nation and world.

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Exploring the Themes in Paul's Epistles

Background for the Catechist This session invites the participants to work in small groups to research some of Paul's major theological themes and create billboard representations to "sell" their assigned theme. In this way the young people get a deeper …

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Scripture Search and Discussion: Living by the Spirit of Jesus

(25 minutes) Before the session. Ask one of the participants to serve as a reader. Then, write each of the four following words or phrases on a separate sheet of paper. If your group is large, you might want to …

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The Final Beginning: Ascension and Pentecost

Overview After Jesus' death, his followers were fearful, angry, grief-stricken, confused, and shattered. About fifty days later, at Pentecost, they were confident, joyful, determined, committed, and passionate. This topic of this session covers the time from the Resurrection until the …

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Lenten Justice Crosses

OVERVIEW Through this hands-on project, the young people help spread the Lenten message of conversion to justice. They also become familiar with the message of the prophet Micah and the traditional spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Suggested Time: …

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January 22: Saying Yes to Life

Preparation Bring in pictures of fetal development. 1. Present a scenario in which a girl like those in your group experiences a crisis pregnancy. Then list on the board a number of options, such as these: She can keep the …

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Advent Buddies

Advent Buddies: An Intergenerational Relationship-building Activity OVERVIEW This activity helps young people learn from an older person in the parish and establish a faith relationship with that person. Suggested Time: About 15 minutes for each meeting during Advent Group Size: …

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Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving

Build a Meal: An Outreach Activity for Thanksgiving OVERVIEW This outreach activity invites the young people to build holiday meals and memories for families that might not be able to afford a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Suggested Time: 10 to 15 …

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All Saints' Day: Unmasking Saints

Unmasking Saints: A Learning Activity for All Saints' Day OVERVIEW This creative activity helps young adolescents learn a little about their Catholic heritage by exploring the life and work of their patron saint or a favorite saint. Group Size: This …

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Back to School: Saintly Guest Speaker

Saintly Guest Speaker? This activity is designed to have your students move around a little, look at the lives of a few saints, assess where they are in their spiritual lives, and help you assess how they are feeling about …

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Technology assignment - Catholic Social Teaching

Over ten years ago, I began using my home computer to file and create documents for my students. My high school, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, already had a very well-developed technological infrastructure. Internet searches, e-mail, PowerPoint presentations, …

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Feminine Images of God

Look up the following Scripture references and summarize each in the space provided. For each group of readings, come up with a category or theme. Isaiah 66:13 Isaiah 46:3 Isaiah 49:13-16 Hosea 11:1,3-4 Wisdom 16:25-26   Psalm 22:9-10 Isaiah 66:9 …

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Scripture Puppet Show

This assignment allows students to use their own creativity in the understanding and application of the Scriptures. Their grade for this assignment will be based on their ability to do the following tasks: Involve all members of the group. Create …

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Names and Images of God

Fill in the three columns ("Names for God," "Images of God," "Feelings Evoked by Names and Images") for each of the age categories in which you have lived to date. In the "Names for God" box, list all the names …

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The Connections Binder: A Theology Project

The Connections Binder encourages students to find meaningful connections between the content they are studying in class and something from the world outside the classroom that they find interesting or appealing. I assign this project at the beginning of my …

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Building Faith Community in the High School

In a workshop entitled "The Catholic High School as Faith Community," religion teachers, campus ministers, and school administrators discussed, among many things, the obstacles they face in trying to build faith community in their school. One obstacle they addressed was …

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Taking Off on the Ten Commandments

This classroom strategy is based on a method used by Fr. Steve Brice while teaching religion at Aquinas High School, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Young people love humor and satire. One way to alleviate pressures students feel from the culture around …

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Using Imaginative Retellings in Teaching the Bible

Biblical stories have been imaginatively retold over and over again for centuries. A particular type of retelling, in which students assume the role of a biblical character then retell the story using a first-person point of view, has proven effective …

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Introductory Activities for Teaching Christology

Mimi McCaul, who teaches at La Salle High School in Pasadena, California, passes along to you some of the strategies she uses in the course Jesus of History, Christ of Faith. Thanks, Mimi! Introductory Activity On the first or second …

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Back to School: Beatitude Jingles and Cheers

Jesus taught us what happiness is all about in a Christian lifestyle and summed it up in the Beatitudes. Many people know the Ten Commandments by heart, and that is great. But as a Christian, we should also know the …