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Cases to Examine: Dealing with Conflict
This handout provides three situations for students to read and evaluate. Students must give a suggestion for how to respond to the conflict in each scenario based on the strategies in the book.
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Cases to Examine: Is This Euthanasia?
This handout provides three situations for students to read and evaluate. Students must decide if the story shows an example of Euthanasia.
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The Ending is Yours
This handout provides the beginning of a story about a teen who is about to break up with his girlfriend. Students are to complete the story following teacher instructions.
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Cases to Examine: Self-respect
This handout provides three situations where teenagers are not fully respecting themselves. Students read the situations and respond with suggestions that demonstrate more self-respect.
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Role-plays: Kindness and Truth
This handout provides two role-play situations for students to practice open, honest communication in a kind, truthful way.
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TV Truth: Keeping a Record
This handout provides a chart to help students keep track of the types of truths and lies portrayed on TV.
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An Inventory on Money Matters
This handout provides a chart to help students keep track of their expenditures during one week
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Perspectives on Sex
This handout provides several comments from teenagers about sex. It can be used as a discussion starter or writing prompt.
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Three Perspectives on Drugs
This handout provides three different comments from teens about their drug and alcohol usage. This can be used as a discussion starter.
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Cases to Examine: What Are We Afraid Of?
Students read several real-life scenarios and explore the many fears, anxieties, and pressures that influence decisions.
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What Can a Person Do?
This article gives several suggestions of how an individual can bring about distributive justice.
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The Plight of the Worlds' Children
This handout provides several statistics and pieces of information about the alarming needs of children in our world.
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Correlation to Curriculum Framework
Correlation to Curriculum Framework Course IV: Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church from The Church: Christ in the World Today.
Video
Matrimony (Why Make it Catholic)
A short video from Busted Halo that explains the Sacrament of Marriage.
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The Trinity - 3 in 1
A short video that uses the three forms of water (solid, liquid, gas) to explain the trinity.
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Tradition – Who We Are
A brief explanation of tradition versus Tradition. A short video about how Catholic traditions that have been handed down help God reveal himself to us.
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The Paschal Mystery
A personal reflection on how Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension save us from sin and death and bring us to new life in him.
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Asking the Saints and Mary for Prayers
A personal reflection on why Catholics ask the saints and Mary for prayers.
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Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory
An easy-to-understand explanation of what Catholics believe about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.
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Jesus’ Unconditional Love
A personal story about turning to Jesus for help and loving others unconditionally, just as Jesus loves us.
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What is Catholic Social Teaching?
A personal story about living out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
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Catholicism is Universal
A personal story about discovering how Catholicism is truly universal.
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Confirmation (Why We're Confirmed)
A short video, from Busted Halo, that explains the Sacrament of Confirmation.
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How the Trinity is Like an Apple Tree
A wonderful analogy on how the Trinity is like an apple tree.
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Chapter 44 Activity: Ask Annie and Andy
Students are asked to answer a series of “Dear Abby” style questions that deal with Internet safety.
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Chapter 44 Summary: Respecting Sexuality
A nice summary of the Sixth and Ninth Commandments, and how God wants us to conduct ourselves in sexual matters.
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Life Issues B Activity: Meeting Jesus: A Guided Meditation
A guided meditation that uses the imagination to spend time with Jesus and understand how he wants us to live.
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Life Issues B Summary: God, Where Are You?
A nice summary of the ways God promises to be with us always.
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Life Issues A Summary: Dealing with Peer Pressure
A good summary on dealing with peer pressure.
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Handbook Session Overviews
Overviews of the five sections in the Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers, Second Edition.
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Catechist Guide Overviews
As stated in other sections of this online resource, three catechist guides accompany the sessions presented in The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle School- ers, Second Edition (CCH). Each session in the CCH is supported by a session in the …
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Program Scheduling
A guide for how to schedule programs based on the Catholic Connections program.
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Getting Started
This segment will help you to get started with Catholic Connections. First it de- scribes details about the program and section features. Then it describes specific “getting started” tasks and provides a checklist for your planning.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 6: Using Scripture
A tip sheet for catechists focusing on using scripture.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 5: Helping Young Adolescents to Pay Attention
A tip sheet for catechists focusing on helping young adolescents to pay attention.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 4: Effective Group Management
A tip sheet for catechists focusing on effective group management.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 3: Effective Storytelling
A tip sheet for catechists focusing on effective storytelling.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 2: Active Learning and Faith Formation
A tip sheet for catechists focusing on active learning and faith formation.
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Hearing the Voice of God
A personal story about tuning out the noise and tuning in to God through prayer and quiet reflection.
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Touching the Lives of Others
A personal story about the mission and ministry of those in consecrated life.
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Recognizing the Presence of God
A personal story about recognizing the presence of God, and answering his call with confidence and joy.
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Celebrating Life: The Human Person and the Rules of God
A personal story about the life affirming ‘yeses’ within the Church.
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The Gift of Catholic Education: A Treasure to Inherit
A personal story about Catholic education.
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Unity Under Christ
A personal story about being open in sharing our faith and receiving the faith of others.
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Bad News Becomes Good
A personal story about the Parable of the Fig Tree from the Gospel of Luke.
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Use Your Imagination
A personal story about experiencing the stories of the New Testament in new ways through imagination.
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Make a Connection with People in Need
A personal story about having a spirit of solidarity with those in need.
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What are you Called to do?
A personal story about actively living out the principles of social justice.
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The Wise Old Man on the Porch
A personal story about seeing the Church as a wise elder sitting on a porch.
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It's Never Too Late to Claim Chastity
A personal story about how it’s never too late to recommit to chastity.
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Obedience to God's Will: Our Greatest Happiness
A personal story about how rules are created out of love and how obedience to those rules ensures lasting happiness.
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Fall in Love With God
A personal story about being intentional about our Christian discipleship.
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Find the Source of Salvation
A personal story about the mission of the Church to share the good news of salvation with others.
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Three Renewal Movements
Work with your group to complete the section of this handout that corresponds to your assigned topic.
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Living in a Material World
A worksheet where students are asked to rank items on their necessity for living a happy life.
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What Do Sisters Do?
An article that discusses the roles and responsibilities of religious sisters.
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The Formation of a Priest
A PowerPoint about a priest’s formation through their family, discernment, the vocations director, minor seminary, and theology studies.
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The Formation of a Priest
While watching the PowerPoint “The Formation of a Priest”, the students must fill out this worksheet by filling in the blanks.
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Catholic / catholic
A worksheet that visually explores the differences between Catholic and catholic.
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The Holy Trinity
A short video explaining the Holy Trinity and the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.
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Jesus and Mary Compared to Adam and Eve
A brief clip on the similarities and differences between Adam and Eve, and Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Does Excommunication Condemn Someone to Hell?
A brief discussion on if excommunication condemns someone to Hell.
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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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Catholic Mission and Volunteer Organizations
A worksheet where students are asked to research a mission or volunteer organization and answer several questions about their findings.
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Understanding the Lord's Prayer
An activity to help students understand the Lord's Prayer from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Teach Us to Pray
An activity to help students learn "The Lord's Prayer" from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Communal Prayer
A worksheet to help in preparing for a celebration of the Eucharist, from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Praying with Scripture The Magnificat
Praying with Scripture, using The Magnificat, from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Teacher Guide.
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Praying with Scripture A Guided Meditation
A guided meditation on praying with scripture from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Meditation on a Goal or Concern
A meditation on a goal or concern from "The Catholic Connections Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Pray in Good Form
A worksheet, from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide, to assist students in researching and presenting different prayer forms.
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Prayer 101 An Introduction
An introduction to prayer from "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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What Is Prayer
A worksheet, found in “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth” Teacher Guide, that is based on students’ current understanding and experience with prayer.
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Vocabulary for Unit 6
A vocabulary sheet from Unit 6 of "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 6
A rubric for final performance tasks for Unit 6 of "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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Final Performance Task Options for Unit 6
Options for final performance tasks for Unit 6 of "The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth" Teacher Guide.
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The Cardinal Virtues
A handout on defining the Cardinal Virtues and describing how a person who exhibits the Cardinal Virtues acts.
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The Ten Commandments
A worksheet focused on what the Ten Commandments teach us about living in right relationship with God and with our neighbors.
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Interview Questions for Family Members
Several interview questions for family members on family life and the Fourth Commandment.
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Honoring God
A worksheet on honoring God based on students’ knowledge of the first three Commandments.
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What Makes Something Moral?
Two scenarios that involve people making moral choices. Students are asked to identify the object, intention, and circumstances surrounding the act in the scenario and indicate whether the choice is morally good or morally bad.
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Vocabulary for Unit 5
A list of vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 5 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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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.
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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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Just a Closer Walk with Thee
A worksheet where students are asked to read and reflect on the Gospel of Luke’s powerful image of how Christ is present in the celebration of the Eucharist through the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
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What Is a Symbol?
A worksheet on symbols, their abstract meanings, and how they are integral parts of Church liturgies.
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Sacred Time: The Liturgical Calendar
A worksheet where students are asked to fill in information on the liturgical calendar.
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Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ
A worksheet that looks at the seven Sacraments.
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Vocabulary for Unit 4
A list of vocabulary terms and definitions from Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition.
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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.
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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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World Religions and the Catholic Church
An activity where students are asked to research several religious traditions, complete a comparison chart, and then reflect on their findings.
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Marks of the Church
A chart that students are asked to fill in with at least two examples of ways the Church models the four marks of the Church, and at least two examples of ways they model the four marks of the Church.
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Five Models of the Church
An activity where students are given a chart containing the meanings, strengths, and limitations of each of the five models of the Church and asked to answer related questions.
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Vocabulary for Unit 4
Vocabulary terms, and their definitions, for Unit 4 of The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth Teacher Guide.
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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.
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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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Could I Walk in Your Shoes?
A survey that will help students consider how difficult it might be to walk in the shoes of another person who may be quite different from them.
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Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God
Scripture passages that go along with the group assignment that uses parables to see the Kingdom of God.
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Seeing the Kingdom of God Through Parables
A group assignment on using parables to see the Kingdom of God.
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The Goodness of Creation
A worksheet on the goodness of creation, using Scripture passages from the Book of Genesis.
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My Understanding of the Mission of Jesus Christ
A worksheet on students’ understandings of the mission of Jesus Christ.
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Vocabulary for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 3 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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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.”
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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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What Is Faith?
An activity on the best description of faith, based on students’ experiences and understanding.
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Who Is Jesus?
An activity where students rate their level of agreement on statements about Jesus.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth”
Vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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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.”
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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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Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God
A listing of Saint Thomas Aquinas’ five proofs for the existence of God.
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Interview Questions for a Practicing Catholic
A list of interview questions to ask a practicing Catholic.
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Vocabulary for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
Vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth.”
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What Do I Know About Catholicism?
An assignment where students test their knowledge of Catholicism.
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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.”
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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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Chalk Talk
Steps on how to facilitate a silent conversation in writing in response to a topic or question posed.
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Bloom's Taxonomy
A short reading where the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy of the cognitive domain are explained.
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Sustained Silent Reading
An article on how to use sustained silent reading as an effective tool in the classroom.
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Abraham's Family Tree
A worksheet where students work to fill in Abraham’s family tree, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Covenant, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A worksheet that uses certain Scripture passages to describe covenants, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Historical Genre Stations, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
An activity where students read certain Scripture passages and look for illustrations of community and identity, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Small Passage Midrash, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
An activity where students read an assigned Scripture passage of the mythical genre and then work on interpreting what they have read, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Order of Creation, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A worksheet where students are to organize several Creation events into the proper order in which they occurred. Students are to look at both of the Creation stories in the Book of Genesis.
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JEDP Reading for Perspective, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
An activity dealing with different perspectives of the same event, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Vocabulary for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide
A sheet of vocabulary terms and definitions for Unit 2 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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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.
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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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Vocabulary terms for Unit 1 of “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
A sheet of vocabulary terms, and blank spaces for students to write in the definitions, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Mind Map
A mind map for a brainstorming activity on the Bible, from “The Catholic Youth Bible” Old Testament Teacher Guide.
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Learning about Learning
A review of students’ understanding of unit material and their learning experiences. This review consists of several questions and encourages additional written feedback from students.
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Socratic Seminar Observation Form - Student
A student observation form for the Socratic seminar debate method.
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Socratic Seminar Symbol Codes
Socratic seminar symbol codes to help quickly evaluate a seminar speaker.
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The Socratic Seminar
A reading on the process and expectations for the Socratic Seminar debate.
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Using Rubrics to Assess Work
A reading on using rubrics to assess or evaluate students’ work.
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Using Final Performance Tasks to Assess Understanding
A reading on using final performance tasks in the classroom to assess students' understanding.
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The One-Act Play
One-act plays give students the opportunity to be creative as they explore a concept, issue, dilemma, person, or situation.
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Expert Groups
A reading on how expert groups are a valuable classroom instructional strategy that helps to build student confidence, class collaboration, and expertise in chosen topics.
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Suicide Prevention
A document on suicide prevention including warning signs, action steps, online resources, and lifesaving facts to consider.
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Using Graphic Organizers
A reading on how to use graphic organizers as learning tools to deepen understanding.
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Audits: Point of Inquiry
This document explains the educational benefits of an audit, instructions on how to assign an audit, and an example of an audit handout.
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Justice Conversation Starters
A list of several conversation starters or self-reflection questions on the topic of justice.
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Sabbath Reflection Grid
An organizational grid to help students reflect on how they spent their Sabbath.
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Using Learning Stations
Instructions on how to effectively use Learning Stations in the classroom.
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Using a Mind Map
A reading on using a mind map, which is a creative way to introduce a concept.
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Using Multiple Intelligences in the Educational Process
A reading on using multiple intelligences in the educational process, including a chart on ways to use each intelligence in religious education.
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The Whip Around
A reading on a quick and participative assessment tool called the whip-around.
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Vocabulary for Unit 1
Vocabulary terms for Unit 1 of "The Sacraments: Encounters with Christ."
Video
Finding Meaning: Applying Gospel Values at Work
A discussion among Notre Dame staff regarding ways in which we can live gospel values while working.
Video
Join JVC
A brief description of the work and lives of the college-age volunteers of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). JVC is an example of an organization putting the ideas of Catholic Social Justice into practice.
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Thomas Merton - What is Contemplation?
A montage of pictures during which an excerpt of Thomas Merton's definition of 'contemplation' is read. Click above to access this online resource for Live Jesus in Our Hearts: Revelation and the Old Testament. Revelation and the Old Testament is …
Video
The Easter story animated 3/3 - Jesus is Alive
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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The Easter Story Animated 2/3 - The Death of Jesus
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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The Easter Story Animated 1/3 - Jesus is Nailed to a Cross
A short series using cartoons to depict the story of Jesus' death and resurrection.
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Community in the Catholic Church
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the social nature of the Catholic Church, especially with reference to community and salvation.
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Guidelines for Assigning and Assessing PowerPoint Presentations
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses how to assign and how to assess PowerPoint Presentations in the classroom, including a grading rubric.
