Teaching Tips
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As catechists, the best tools we have to guide and assist us in passing on the doctrines of our Catholic tradition are religion textbooks for the students and a teacher’s guide or manual. In most of the contemporary programs the dynamic of… read more
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Q. My students know all about popular cultural icons and amazing professional athletes. They want to be like them. How can I help them know the saints in the same way? A. One of the best ways to help children learn about the rich history of our Church… read more
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The 6 Building Blocks of Catechesis
On the first day of school, a teacher was glancing over the list of children when she noticed a number after each name, such as 154, 136, or 142. “Wow! Look at these IQs,” she said. “What a terrific class.” Right away the teacher was determined… read more
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3 secrets for starting off right
Thank you for answering the call to hand on the faith to the children in your parish. It’s no small job, but it can be very rewarding and uplifting. The beginning of your year sets the tone for the entire year, so what can you do to start off with your … read more
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Will this coming year be just another “ho hum” year for you? Or are you planning for a great year? Well, a great year of course! As you plan, there are four specific areas of growth to cultivate in your learners: message, community, worship, … read more
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I will sometimes make mistakes…I will sometimes make mistakes…I will sometimes make mistakes… Why am I repeating something so obvious? I’m reinforcing a basic concept so that I won’t forget it once I’ve started… read more
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How to cook up a dynamic lesson
Planning a good meal takes time and attention. It includes assembling the ingredients, preparing the food, and setting the right tone. Catechetical planning is much the same. Putting together a solid catechetical lesson is a creative process that involves many… read more
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Find and use collaborative learning tools on the Internet
When you think about all the new communication tools available through the Internet, do you feel excited or overwhelmed? Do you wonder how these tools can help you engage your students in faith formation, or do you simply wonder how to keep up with them … read more
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Five tips for teaching faith to everybody
Good teachers know that they learn more from their students than their students can learn from them! This can be especially true of students with special needs. Here are five steps you can take to ensure that the entire faith community is included in… read more
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Six characteristics of a successful catechist
What’s the secret to becoming a successful catechist or teacher? Make room for the Holy Spirit! Here are six ways to do that. PrayPray that you will be animated by the gifts of the Spirit. Pray for your fellow learners, that they will experience Christ. … read more
