We will be closed for Christmas break from December 23–January 3. We look forward to serving you on January 4! Merry Christmas!

Document

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 …

Document

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.

Document

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.

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4

This handout provides two final project possibilities for Unit 4.

Document

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.

Document

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.

Document

Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3

This is the rubric to assess the final project possibilities for Unit 3.

Document

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.

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2

This handout presents two project possibilities to assess student understanding of the concepts learned in Unit 2.

Document

Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

This is the rubric to evaluate student’s final projects for Unit 1.

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

This handout provides two project possibilities to assess student understanding of the concepts covered in Unit 1.

Document

Creating a Triptych

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

Document

God’s Presence in Nature

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

Document

Responding to God’s Invitation: Exemplary Models

This project asks students to research an exemplary model of what it means to be the best person that God created each of us to be.

Document

I Am . . .

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

Document

Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 5

This is the evaluation tool for the two final-project possibilities for Unit 5.

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 5

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

Document

Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4

A rubric to assess the two final project options for Unit 4.

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4

This handout provides two project options that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the concepts learned in Unit 4.

Document

Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3

This is the rubric for two projects designed to assess student understanding of the concepts presented in Unit 3.

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3

This handout presents two projects to assess student understanding of the concepts presented in Unit 3.

Document

Faith in Action

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

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2

This handout presents two final-project possibilities for Unit 2.

Document

Rubrics for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

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

Document

Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

Two possible projects to assess student understanding of concepts learned in Unit 1.

Document

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.

Document

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 …

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 5

A grading rubric for the final performance task project options for Unit 5 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.

Document

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.

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4

An evaluation rubric for the project ideas from Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

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

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4

An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth Teacher Guide.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

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

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”

An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”

Document

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.”

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”

An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”

Document

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.”

Document

Interview Questions for a Practicing Catholic

A list of interview questions to ask a practicing Catholic.

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”

An evaluation rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”

Document

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.”

Document

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.”

Document

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

A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.

Document

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.

Document

Using Rubrics to Assess Work

A reading on using rubrics to assess or evaluate students’ work.

Document

Using Final Performance Tasks to Assess Understanding

A reading on using final performance tasks in the classroom to assess students' understanding.

Document

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

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

Document

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.”

Document

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

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

Document

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.

Document

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.”

Document

Students Teaching Students About Environmental Justice

A lesson plan entitled “Students Teaching Students about Environmental Justice.”

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

A grading rubric for several final performance task options for Unit 4 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

Document

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

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

Document

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."

Document

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.”

Document

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

A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 8 of “Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society.”

Document

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.”

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."

A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 3 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."

Document

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.”

Document

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

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

Document

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.”

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 1 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."

Document

Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1

A grading rubric for the final performance task options for Unit 1 of "Catholic Social Teaching: Christian Life in Society."

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

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

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied ecclesiology, especially ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

This resource is part o the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for final assessment activities for students studying apostolic succession, sacraments, and the four marks of the Church.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied eccesiology, especially the nature and role of the Catholic Church.

Document

Paul, the Missionary Adventurer: The Comic Book Version

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a project idea for students to create a comic book/graphic novel about Paul's adventures in the Acts of the Apostles.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6

This resource is from the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied the Paschal Mystery, especially the themes of redemptive suffering and grace.

Document

The Powerful Symbol of the Cross

This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can reflect the difference between symbols and signs, and do a project to create their own symbol of the Cross.

Document

Modern Day Martyrs

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It introduces a project idea for students learning about modern-day martyrs for their faith and religious convictions.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. If offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied the Paschal Mystery and the redemptive nature of Jesus' suffering.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers project ideas for students who have recently studied the Paschal Mystery, especially the life and ministry of Jesus Christ in the Gospels.

Document

Liturgy Reflection

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers reflection questions for students to use as prompts when writing papers on the Liturgy.

Document

Research Component - Liturgy Writing Assignment

This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. It outlines the guidelines for a research writing assignment in which students reflect on various liturgical seasons.

Document

Semester Long Project

This project idea is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students compile a portolio of written assignments, making observations and reflecting on the Paschal Mystery through the Sacraments.

Document

Portfolio Instruction

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers instruction to students who must put together a portfolio of their readings, writings and assignments from lessons on Jesus and Christology.

Document

Using a Wiki for Group Projects

This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the use of Wikis for classroom group projects, including some suggestions and caveats.

Document

Using Final Performance Tasks to Assess Understanding

This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using Final Performance Tasks to assess students.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas of assessing students who have recently studied scripture, especially original sin and salvation historys' culmination in Jesus Christ.

Document

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 studied the Bible, including inspiration, divine revelation, and exegesis.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

This is a helpful resource for coming up with final assessments for students after reviewing biblical scholarship, history, genres, and criticism.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 7

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied christology, especially Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection in salvation history.

Document

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 christology, especially Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 4

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers various project ideas for students who have recently studied christology, especially Jesus' relationships with Mary and the disciples.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 3

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers three different options for assessing students who have recently studied Christology, especially Jesus' fully human, fully divine nature, his historical context, and his relationship to God the Father.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 2

This resource is from the Living in Christ Series. It offers three ideas for assessing students who have recently studied Christology, including core themes like monotheism, trinitarianism, and community.

Document

Final Performance Task Options for Unit 1

This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers ideas for final assessment projects for students studying Christology, including revelation, the Church, and tradition.

Document

A Place at Our Table

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

Article

The Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony

This session from Catechetical Sessions on Liturgy and the Sacraments invites participants to consider the unique ways in which ordained ministers and married people serve the people of God, responsibilities that are presented in the vows they take in either …

Article

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 …

Article

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: …

Article

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 …

Article

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 …

Article

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 …

Article

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, …

Article

Following the Spirit Down the (Yellow?) Brick Road

The road is really a five-foot wide path. The bricks are more dappled browns than yellow. But the journey does have a wizard and feisty little black terrier. And along the way we found our hearts, our minds, and our …

Article

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 …

Article

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 …

Article

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 …

Article

Community Service Courses:

This past semester, at the end of a year-long service program at a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed youth, two students from my community service course wrote a poem to express the significance of their experiences. These are the …

Article

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 …

Article

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 …