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The Fishbowl Method
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use it as a guide for a Fishbowl discussion technique.
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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.
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"Tools of Evangelization" Word Search
Please note that this document is only available as a PDF.
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WebQuest
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using WebQuests as a classroom learning tool.
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Creating Photo Stories
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It gives ideas for using PhotoStory in the classroom, available for free download.
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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.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects that communicate key ideas about the Catholic Church and its nature.
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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.
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Using the A to Z Method
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the A-Z Method of pre- and post- assessment.
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The Holy Spirit
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a brief introduction to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
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Using Small Group Hands On Experiences
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using small group, hands-on activities in the classroom.
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Media Literacy
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses several modes of communication and the importance of media literacy education.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects that communicate various important ideas about the Church in the world today.
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The Mystery of Suffering - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. Rather than a philosophical or theological discussion of the mystery of suffering, this resource asks students to meditate and think about Jesus' example of suffering for people he loves.
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Symbols of the Paschal Mystery - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It uses vivid images to discuss the various signs and symbols that represent the Paschal Mystery. Students are asked to reflect on why a certain symbol is significant.
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What the Incarnation Is and Is Not - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a number of statements about common ideas or misconceptions about the Incarnation. Students can answer 'true' or 'false', following which, the teacher or catechist can explain the correct answer.
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Bible Search Challenge 1
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Effects of Grace - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It presents information on the effects of sin and the effects of grace on human relationships with God, others, and self.
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Written Conversations
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It explains the use of written conversations to facilitate classroom learning and dialogue.
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Service and Justice: A Conversion of Heart
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses 5 stages in introducing service learning to a classrooom setting.
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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.
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Treating Sensitive Topics
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses and gives tips on how to approach sensitive topics in a classroom environment.
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The Interfaith Classroom
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses techniques and challenges for teaching Catholic themes in an interfaith classroom environment.
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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.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 4
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use this guide to assess students for communicating key ideas from the Paschal Mystery in a project that the teacher assigns.
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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.
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I Know, I Think I Know, I Want to Know
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can classify information being introduced into categories of their own knowledge level.
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Written Conversations
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of classroom discussions as well as suggesting new styles of this method.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 3
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects about the Paschal Mystery, especially the accounts of Jesus' public ministry in the New Testament.
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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.
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Word Splash
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses and explains the value of using a Word Splash for classroom learning.
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Hevruta: Learning Together
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It explains the classroom discussion method of Hevruta, an ancient Jewish practice of reading aloud and discovering that each text has several layers of meaning. It can also be used with …
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The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl Reflection
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can answer basic, advanced, and highly reflective questions about the story.
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The Parable of Juan and the Fishbowl
This story is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a modern day parable that illustrates the necessity and perfection of the Incarnation. There is a PowerPoint that corresponds as a visual aid to the story.
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Training Students to Read Aloud
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for helping students become comfortable with reading aloud.
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Critical Questioning Method of Engaging with Texts
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It discusses methods for encouraging students to engage texts they are reading on a deeper level to benefit their learning and the classroom dialogue.
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Using Primary Sources
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using primary source texts in the classroom.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students for projects on the Paschal Mystery, especially the notion of covenant throughout the New and Old Testaments.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing student projects that communicate some basic ideas of the Paschal Mystery: the Fall, the need for salvation, and the redemptive acts of Jesus Christ.
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Preassessment Statements
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers several statements with which students may agree or disagree as a preassessment tool for teaching the Paschal Mystery.
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Introduction to Salvation History - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint presentation is part of the Living in Christ Series. It explores salvation history, the transmission of Divine Revelation, and the role of the Magisterium.
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Jesus - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It explores the terms Savior and Redeemer, as well as other images used in the New Testament, to understand who Jesus Christ is.
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Introducing the Trinity: God Is Three-in-One - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses various imagery and scriptural passages that highlight the distinct persons of the Trinity.
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The Development of Catholic Trinitarian Theology - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It gives an overview of the development of Trinitarian theology in the Cathlic Church, including the context and the main heresies to be opposed in the early Church.
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Introducing the Trinity: Central Mystery of Faith - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. Using imagery, scripture and analogy, it explores the central mystery of the Christian faith: the belief in the Trinity.
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The Paschal Mystery
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers an introduction to the Paschal Mystery including the root of the words, its effects, and theories of how the salvation of mankind precisely transpires through Jesus' suffering, death …
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3 Week Discipleship Integration Plan
This resource is a part of the Living in Christ Series. The 3 Week Discipleship Integration Plan is a helpful tool for setting goals and charting progress in various areas of discipleship.
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Definitions and Application of Theological Terms
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use this chart to fill in the definiton of various terms, then find a practical application for their life.
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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.
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Student Notes for Unit 8
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review main ideas from studying Jesus Christ, especially faith and discipleship.
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Cross the Line
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It introduces a method of classroom discussion that is interactive and a part of the bodily-kinesthetic learning method. Students move to indicate their responses to various questions.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review key concepts about the person of Jesus Christ.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can review the main ideas from studying the person of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
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Using Venn Diagrams
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using Venn Diagrams for classroom learning.
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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.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it to review key concepts about the person of Jesus Christ, his disciples, and his mother Mary.
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Review of Concepts for Jesus Chirst: God's Love Made Visible
This review is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it to review key ideas from studying the person of Jesus Christ.
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A Gallery Walk - Discussion Technique
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It is an instructional article for teachers to learn how to administer a "Gallery Walk" discussion technique.
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Salvation: Different Theories
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers an overview of some of the main theories of salvation, including the Prophetic, Sacrificial, Ransom, Divinization, Vicarious, Moral Exemplar, and Penal Substitution models.
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Introduction to Revelation
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers an overview and introduction to the Revelation in the Catholic Church, including Natural and Divine Revelation and information the Church Father and the Second Vatican Council.
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Socratic Seminar Symbol Codes
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a standard for assessing student participation in a socratic seminar and/or class discussion.
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Using the Think-Pair-Share Method
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the Think-Pair-Share Method of classroom learning and discussion.
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Using a Mind Map
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It introduces and explains the concept and method of Mind Maps as a classroom tool.
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Finding God and Being Found by God - PowerPoint
This PowerPoint is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a great introduction to what God desires from humans and why God chooses to reveal Himself to us.
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Using Rubrics to Assess Work
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It explains the value of using rubrics to assess student work.
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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.
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Rubric for an Oral Presentation
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use this as a guide for assessing students on oral presentations.
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Student Evaluation for the Socratic Seminar
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use it to evaluate students on their participation in a Socratic Seminar.
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The Socratic Seminar
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use it as a guide to using the Socratic Method in classroom discussion.
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Gospel Comparison Chart
This chart helps teachers and students observe the differences between the various contexts, themes, audiences, and time frames of the four Gospels.
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Blogging and Beyond
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It offers an overview of what blogging is and how it can be integrated in the classroom. Several suggested blogs are featured at the end of the article.
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Setting Up a Blog
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It gives an introduction and overview of blogging and its educational value.
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Compare and Contrast: Abraham and Moses
In this exercise the students compare and contrast the covenant experiences of Abraham and Moses to gain a deeper understanding of the role of covenant in the history of the Jewish people.
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Using Quotations
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It explains the value of using quotations to facilitate classroom discussions.
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Using Google Earth
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers an introduction to the use of Google Earth in the classroom.
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Using the Found-Read Method
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the "Found-Read" Method to facilitate classroom learning and discussion.
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Using the Take-a-Stand Method
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the Take-a-Stand Method.
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Check Your Understanding
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a review of several important terms and asks students to define, associate, and put the term into the context of Salvation History.
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Using the Barometer Method
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the Barometer method to facilitate classroom discussion.
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Using the Jigsaw Process
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the Jigsaw Process to facilitate classroom learning and discussion.
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Using the Big Paper Exercise
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of using the Big Paper Exercise for classroom discussion.
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Using an Ungraded Association Quiz
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the value of an ungraded association quiz as an assessment or preassessment.
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Preassessment Informs Teaching
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers an brief explanation behind preassessment diagnostic evaluations as ways to learn what students already know about a topic.
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Introducing Biblical Navigation
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It offers guidelines for teachers teaching students how to navigate the Bible, including reference to other worksheet for the students.
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How to Lead a Socratic Seminar
This article is part of the Living in Christ Series. It includes information on how to prepare for, lead, assess and follow-up the classroom use of a Socratic Seminar discussion method.
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Building Scaffolds for Learning
This article is from the Living in Christ Series. It discusses the notion of structured teaching methods through the model of scaffolding.
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Reading Notes and Questions for Student Book Articles 9-12
This reading guide is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can use it while reading other articles from the LIC Series to take important notes and answer significant questions.
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Mind Map
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a handout for students to use the Mind Map format to brainstorm and explore relationships and associations between ideas and words.
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Learning About Learning
This worksheet is part of the Living in Christ Series. It asks students to reflect on their responses, likes, and dislikes to new learning methods.
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Biblical Scavenger Hunt for Events in the Life of Jesus
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It is a biblical scavenger hunt through the New Testament in order to find various key events in the life and ministry of Jesus.
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The Cycle of Redemption
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students may use it as a quick reference to key ideas behind the Cycle of Redemption in the Old Testament.
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Why Do We Study History
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students are asked to reflect on important historical documents and consider the overall significance of studying history.
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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.
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Field of Dreams Reflection Questions
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a follow up reflection on the movie, "The Field of Dreams," prompting students to think about the themes of inspiration, revelation, and vocation seen throughout the film.
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Biblical Exegesis Worksheet
This activity is related to the "Biblical Exegesis Chart" and is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students must fill in the remaining column to answer questions about the exegetical work of various methods of biblical criticism.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves a guide for assessing students for projects that communicate key points about Scripture, especially revelation, inspiration, and vocation.
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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 studied the Bible, including inspiration, divine revelation, and exegesis.
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Biblical Scavenger Hunt
In this activity, students are asked to find various famous Old Testament stories and events by searching through Scripture.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects that communicate their knowledge of various key points about the Bible.
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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.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 7
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects about the person of Jesus Christ, especially his life, death and resurrection, and the effects of the Paschal Mystery.
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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.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 6
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It serves as a guide for assessing students on projects on the person of Jesus Christ, especially his teaching on morality and Christian lifestyle.
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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 christology, especially Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and the fulfillment of the Ten Commandments.
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Encountering Jesus: Writing Assignment
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. It gives two options for a writing assignment that uses scripture and the imagination.
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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.
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Group Review Form for Posters About Jesus
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a review form for students or teachers to fill out after doing a poster project.
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Etymology and Understanding
This activity is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students define, associate, and find similaries among various words that a teacher or catechist assigns, in order to see the root and relationship between them.
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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.
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The Development of Catholic Trinitarian Theology
This handout is part of the Living in Christ Series. Students can fill in the blanks to learn or review key concepts about the development of Trinitarian theology.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 2
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for assessing students on projects that communicate key points about the Trinitarian nature of God.
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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.
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Grading Rubric for Interview Questions
This resource is part of the Living in Christ Series. Teachers may use it as a grading rubric after assigning their students an interview assignment.
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Rubric for Final Performance Tasks for Unit 1
This rubric is part of the Living in Christ Series. It offers a guide for grading and assessing students who have completed projects regarding Jesus Christ as the manifestation of God's Love for humanity.
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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.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 6: Using the Scriptures
The Scriptures play a critical role in our faith growth as a source of inspiration, celebration, education, and formation. As a catechist you should become comfortable with using the Scriptures, and nurture such comfort in young people.
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The Holy Trinity
Student handout: Activity for an unnamed section of Cath Connections Handbook (pg 35-39 ish) word puzzle
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Pass the Bag: A Biblical Affirmation Exercise
Class activity that familiarizes them with scriptural values, increases vocab, and ups self-esteem
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Directions for Game on! Games for Catholic Connections
Original directions to go with Game On! Cards. instructions for Baseball, Dodgeball, Identity, Jeopardy...
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Let Your Light Shine: An Overnight Retreat on Self-Esteem
This overnight retreat on self-esteem invites the young people to explore their own personal gifts and encourages them to share those abilities with others. The retreat emphasizes the light of Christ in our Life, the special people who bring us …
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I Am More Like. . .
Class strategy. Activity to help students articulate and share some of their personal characteristics and develop an appreciation for differences among people
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Catechist Tip Sheet 5: Helping Young Adolescents to Pay Attention
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Giving Thanks for Special People: A Communication Activity for Thanksgiving
A thank-you card activity to give thanks for the special people in students' lives.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 3: Effective Story Telling
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Catechist Tip Sheet 4: Effective Group Management
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Catechist Tip Sheet 1: Developmental Characteristics of Young Adolescents
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
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Birthday Blessings
Similar to back to school blessing handout. Something you can do at home, "introduce God into your birthday celebrations at home"
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Back-to-School Blessing: A Prayer Service for the Beginning of the School Year
A resource/handout for teachers or catechists. Something fun to do on first day of class, or during the beginning of the new school year.
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Catechist Tip Sheet 2: Active Learning and Faith Formation
Handout that Catechists attending Session need to print out/can use. Resource
Video
Lifehouse's Everything Skit
This skit is a powerful depiction of the human weakness in the face of temptations and the love of Jesus Christ, who conquers sin and death.
Video
Why is the Mass Changing?
The Mass Is Changing...How? Why? And what does it all mean for you? Catholic Answers Senior Apologist Jimmy Akin explains why the Church has decided to issue a new translation of the Roman Missal.
Video
Porn - What's the Harm?
Jason Evert speaks with youths about pornography and its impact on love and relationships. This video addresses one of the most prominent issues for male adolescents, and is explained by one of the most relatable professionals.
Video
What are the Historical Roots of the Mass?
What are the historical roots of the Mass? The Mass is changing...How? Why? And what does it all mean for you? This video is a detailed summary of continuity concerning liturgy.
Video
26 Years of World Youth Days
A video produced by Grassroots Films (http://www.grassrootsfilms.com/ ) for World Youth Day 2011 Madrid, showing the WYD experience.
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
Play Ball
Preparation Gather the following items: * two foam balls or two beanbags * one copy of the resource A Communication Process(PDF) Secretly Ask a participant to help you with the activity. Explain that the second activity in this session is …
Article
From the Author: Beth Dotson Brown
God is always at work in my life and once in awhile, I am blessed with the knowledge about where God is guiding me precisely when it's happening.So it was in the summer of 2005. As a longtime freelance writer …
Article
Paul's Conversion
Background for the Teacher This session focuses our attention on Paul's conversion experience. Using a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg as focusing symbols, the young people reflect on the meaning of conversion. Then two or three of the participants …
Article
Paul: Persecutor of Christians
Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women . . . To prison. (Acts of the Apostles 8:3) Convinced that following the teachings of Jesus was wrong, Paul pursued the early Christians …
Article
Paul: Religious Zeal
I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. (Galatians 1:14) A tent maker by trade, Paul's Jewish name was Saul. But because Paul …
Article
Taking Care of Myself: Prayer for Stress Relief
Reflection Sleep is a natural part of everyone's life, but many of us know little about how important it is. Sleep is something our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Sleep does indeed sustain us. Not only …
Article
Meeting Jesus at the Movies: Cinema Divina for Teachers
One of the most spiritually powerful essays I have ever read is "To Fall in Love with the World: Individualism and Self-Transcendence in American Life" by John M. Staudenmeier, S.J. (Institute of Jesuit Studies, May 1994). The author asks: "How …
Article
Nurturing Spirituality with Faculty and Staff
This vision paper presents stories and ideas of Catholic educators who care deeply about their faith, their vocation, and their school communities. It is a reflection on how staff spiritual development empowers the mission to teach as Jesus did. The …
Article
Blessed are the Media Makers . . .
Imagine if a teacher brought students to the school library and allowed them to read anything they wanted without ever asking a single question or demanding that students think critically about what they were reading. Preposterous! What teacher would ever …
Article
Program aims to get youth excited about Bible
Young people in the diocese are getting excited about Scripture and it's all part of a national effort called "Yes! Youth Engaging Scripture." YES is a Catholic teen-to-teen Bible sharing concept and to date, some 1,800 young people have been …
Article
A Friend for Life
Editor's note: The names of the minors in this story have been changed to preserve confidentiality, in accordance with the wishes of Holy Cross Children's Services. DETROIT--When Tonya entered a youth detention home of the Holy Cross Children's Services …
Article
Leader's Guide for The Master's Companion: A Christian Midrash
Table of Contents Beyond Scripture Helpful Hints for Using and Creating Midrash with Young People Classroom Activities Chapter 1: The Small Black Dog with the White Foot (John 4:1-30)--compassion for animals Chapter 2: A Night in the Garden (John 4:39-45)--significance …
Article
The First Address from Pope Benedict XVI
"Grace and peace in abundance to all of you! In my soul there are two contrasting sentiments in these hours. On the one hand, a sense of inadequacy and human turmoil for the responsibility entrusted to me yesterday as the …
Article
Advent: Let God be God . . .
----- Being in the wilderness reminds me to let God be God. When I'm at home In the day to day I forget Sometimes I try to make God mine To make God do things the way I think they …
Article
November, National Child Safety Month: Preparing for safe and sacred places
Preparing for Safe and Sacred Places Some experts predict the presence of at least one abuser and one victim of abuse anytime there is a gathering focusing on this topic. Someone in your community might be experiencing abuse of some …
Article
November, National Child Safety Month: Preventing Abuse
Ongoing Prevention and Education Your community can do several things to inform, prevent, and respond to sexual abuse. The following are essential strategies you will want to incorporate into parish- or school-wide ministries: • All young people need to know …
Article
November, National Child Safety Month: Considerations in Ministry Planning
CONSIDERATIONS IN MINISTRY PLANNING All adults who work with children and or young people must be capable of exercising good judgment and wisdom in their ministry. We recommend that you consider the following questions when planning any activity involving children …
Article
National Bible Week: PRIMA Bible Study
THE PRIMA PROCESS Prima is the Latin word for first. In the PRIMA process, each letter of the word stands for a step in reading and studying the Bible individually or with a group. Using the PRIMA process helps you …
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
Word-Association Exercise: Afterlife
(30 minutes) Prior to this exercise, have the all participants (including the facilitator) bring to the session a personal symbol. This symbol should be an object from among the participant's personal belongings that acts as a reminder of a much …
Article
Resources for Parents Who Want to View The Passion of the Christ with Their Teenage Children
Things to Remember Film is an art form, and many genres and subgenres exist within film. Comedy is a genre. Within that genre one could name romantic comedies, slapstick comedies, and dark comedies as subgenres. Before reading a piece of …
Article
Artist Appreciation Month: Graphic Images of Christ's Passion in Art
Mel Gibson is not the first person to shock the public with a graphically violent portrayal of the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In 1515, Matthias Grunewald revealed an artwork called The Isenheim Altarpiece to the monks and churchgoers …
Article
Survival in Youth Ministry
In 1994 Saint Mary's Press published a book called Survival in Youth Ministry, by Robert J. McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. As youth ministry continues to mature in the United States, we would like …
Article
Reflection Exercise: My Least Answerable Questions
(5 minutes) 1. Introduce this exercise by reiterating the idea that death is mystery and that since the beginning of time, people of all ages, cultures, and races have asked tough questions about death. Jesus himself struggled with such questions. …
Article
Talking Hands--Personal Attitudes Toward Death
(10 minutes) 1. Have the participants assemble and sit in a circle. Introduce this activity as Talking Hands. Explain to the participants the signals that they will need to use. Tell the young people that each time they hear a …
Article
Unbound!
OVERVIEW Praying for forgiveness sets us free. In this prayer the young people experience this message through a ritual of reconciliation. This strategy, which is ideal for a retreat or as a conclusion to a session on forgiveness, allows …
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Lenten Nails: A Reflection Exercise for Lent
OVERVIEW This two-part reflection exercise allows the young teens to evaluate their behaviors and attitudes and admit their faults, throughout Lent. The exercise is introduced at the beginning of Lent and concludes before Easter. Suggested Time: Approximately 10 minutes for …
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Ashes to Reconciliation: A Reconciliation Prayer for Lent
OVERVIEW This prayer can be used during the first week of Lent or any time the sacrament of Reconciliation (also called the sacrament of Penance) is discussed or celebrated. Suggested Time: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of …
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Soup or Bowl: A Game and Service Project for Super Bowl Sunday
OVERVIEW This combination game and service project is played in relay style by teams of young people with cans of soup that they bring as donations for the local food pantry. Suggested Time: A minimum of 10 minutes, or as …
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Advent: Saint Joseph and Jesus
This can be easily adapted to a video call. 1. Gather the group in a circle for a moment of silence. Light the candle and read these passages about Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21 and 2:13-15). Ask 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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The Twelve Virtues of a Good Teacher
THE TWELVE VIRTUES OF A GOOD TEACHER In 1706, John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers, listed twelve virtues of a good teacher in his Conduct of the Christian Schools. In 1785, Brother Agathon, the fifth superior general …
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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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A New Rock
OVERVIEW This is a youth catechetical session intended to lead young people to an understanding of Pope John Paul II's life, ministry, general papal responsibilities, and the procedure for electing a new pontiff. It can be used in a …
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A New Rock: Adaptations for Home Use
These activities are easily adapted for family members at home. When gathered for a meal, or for the specific purpose of these activities, family members can do one activity, a couple, or all of them, depending on the amount of time …
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Back to School: Latin 101
Invite your class or each student to create a motto for the year in terms of positive faith growth over the course of the year. Your students are most likely familiar with the tradition of mottos or creeds in Latin. …
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Unchurched Teens: Teens Who Don't Profess Church Affiliation Rises
According to a 2002 study the number of teens with no religious affiliation has risen by over 15 million young people since 1990. That is an average increase of over 1.15 million young people annually. When presented with such statistics, …
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Raising Up Leaders
I had a fascinating time with a group of young leaders. I was most struck by the diversity of the young people from a particular area. They came from single parent households, working-class families, and professional families. They were black …
