School has been back in swing for...three months now, and I am just now getting around to some of the back-to-school posts in my draft folder. I guess that goes to model what a teacher's fall usually looks like. I gave you a peek inside my classroom back in this post, and mentioned my faith corner, promising more details later. Well, it is later, so here are some ideas for creating a holy space in your Classroom/CCD Room/Youth Room/etc. (FYI- I know that not all CCD teachers are blessed to have a permanent location to set up something like this faith corner. Lot of programs have to use shared spaces and can't store items in the same place that they teach. I hope that the things that we use might inspire you as you set up your "mobile" classroom to find a few important items to make the space sacred for your students. And God love you for working in such a state of transition, because I don't know if I could do it!) Here is what our faith corner usually looks like: It includes a classroom set of Bibles: And another shelf with activities, our classroom Bible, prayer jar, and Mary statue. This is also our Saint of the Month Board. August/September was St. Maximilian Kolbe, who also happens to be our classroom Saint (click here for the Lit/Religion Unit I teach on him). October is St. Terese. I love these posters, which are through Pauline Books and Media. Facing the opposite way are shelves of our faith books. Lots on the Saints, liturgical seasons, Bible stories, etc. We also have a box here for our "Words of Faith" which is a vocab activity we do in each chapter of our religion book, featured books (often related to Saint feast days- you can see Take it to the Queen featured for August), and inspiring words (right now is a colored and framed version of this quote.) You'll also see my friends Fr. Juan Pablo and Sr. Mary Clara featured in this post. I also have a prayer kit that came with my Religion book series. Here is our classroom Bible, which the kids are free to use and look through, but is always left open on the top shelf in our Faith Corner. I tell the kids that a Bible should be lived in, and demonstrate by highlighting and labeling things that we talk about in class. We read the upcoming Sunday Gospel during the week and discuss it so that the kids are more prepared for Mass and can listen for the main message. I highlight the reading and label it with the date so that it can be easily found by the kids during the week. The nice thing is that after next year (my third year doing this in this particular Bible) it will be all set for the future because of the three year lectionary cycle. Score one for the organization of the Catholic Church. We also have our student Prayer jar on the top shelf in the Faith Corner. I wrote about the prayerful environment/classroom management tool that is our Prayer jar here. And of course, Our Lady. On that shelf, there are also baskets with themes like Scripture, Saints, Prayer, etc. They contain books, small games, etc. The kids are welcome to explore these baskets, and many use them for early finisher activities. I also store manipulatives/models from lessons here after we use them together so that they can get them out and see them again. On the shelf just above are some Catholic coloring pages and prayer starters. This old metal recipe box is our Saintly virtue box, which is a part of my classroom management system. In brief, the kids can receive rewards as a whole class or individually. When they earn an individual reward, they get to choose a saint card from this box. I am always restocking it with various saints, some cards that I have purchased, and others that have been donated to me. There are several ladies at church who save all of those free things that they get in the mail, and I make good use of them. The idea is that the students is being rewarded for showing virtue of some kind (we are working on what that means and how we live it out) and that the Saints are our models of virtue. They get to choose a Saint to remind them to keep making good choices. Hanging from the ceiling is this chain (made from giant paper clips.) The students all have a binder ring with a card that says "name is growing in Saintly Virtue." They get to attach their card, and will add many more throughout the year. They then get to take home their own kind of mini book/prayer wheel of the Saints that they have chosen. We also include other items for liturgical seasons, featured projects, prayers, etc. as they become important throughout the year. I hope that gives you some ideas for creating a faith filled space for your students. I'd love to hear how you have done it in your own classrooms!

Three New Classroom Icebreakers. Icebreaker for Lesson on Discipleship, Icebreaker for Lesson on the Trinity, Icebreaker for Lesson on Communion of Saints

The Religion Teacher's Guide to Lesson Planning is a free eBook designed to help religious educators effectively plan their lessons.

1/2. Sam at Cultivating Catholics Okay, I’m a little biased here. But that’s why I only gave myself the number “1/2” :). I’ve dabbled in creating free printables (most are exclusive to my subscriber list, so make sure you sign up!) Some of my very first printables I ever created were Sacred and Immaculate Heart […]

Listed below are four community-building activities that can help teens in a class or parish group get to know each other better.

This liturgical year lesson plan is meant to be an introduction to the Church year so students can understand Jesus is the reason for EVERY season.

Catholic Mass Lesson Ideas: Five activities about lessons, games, and activities that can be used to teach students and kids about the Catholic Mass.

These fill in the blank prayer worksheets will help young people learn the words of the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Act of Contrition, and Creeds.

Whether you are looking for resources to use as bell work, in centers, as reinforcement, or to teach new ideas, these Catholic worksheets may be just the resources you need to supplement and guide your religious instruction. General Worksheets Graphic Organizers Lesson Planning Templates Catholic Sacraments Worksheets Sacrament of Baptism Activities & Worksheets Catholic Mass...Read More

Don't spend another minute looking for Catholic kids' shows and videos. I have compiled a list of some of the cleaner options for you and...

Today marks the beginning of a short stretch of Ordinary Time. In the Liturgical Year, Ordinary Time occurs: -From the Baptism of the Lord (3rd Sunday after Christmas) to the first Sunday of Lent -And from Trinity Sunday (Sunday after Pentecost) to Christ the King (Sunday before Advent) During Ordinary Time, we focus especially on the Life of Christ and growing in our relationships with the Lord. Click on the printable above for some of the signs and symbols of this Liturgical Season. You might also like these posts: What Advent Looks Like What Christmas Looks Like What Lent Looks Like What Easter Looks Like

Show your support for Catholic teachers with this "Educating is an act of love" vinyl sticker. The matte finish and waterproof and dishwasher safe material makes it a thoughtful and lasting gift for teachers. Perfect for back-to-school, teacher appreciation, and homeschooling. A special way to show your appreciation! The durability of the Pope Francis quote Catholic vinyl sticker will last on any water bottle, laptop, phone case, prayer journal, or car window for 3-5 years! DETAILS: Durable and waterproof vinyl sticker Matte finish Size: 2.7in x 3in Pope Francis quote design Waterproof, sun proof, fade resistant, scratch proof "Educating is an act of love" -Pope Francis Contact us to purchase in bulk for schools.  Copyright Saint Clare and Francis, 2021. You may not reproduce or resell this item without consent from the owner.

Item description This Catholic Saints bulletin board is a great way to teach the value of listening to the saints. The eight posters contain quotes from the saints that are easily applied to our lives. The posters are 8.5 X 11. Bulletin boards come in many different sizes so I have included the title letters in two sizes. You can further enlarge on your printer if needed. This is a very quick board to assemble. I leave mine up for 8 weeks and I challenge the students to learn one quote a week. Saints included: St. Pope John Paul II St. Teresa of Avila St Clare of Assisi St. Therese of Lisieux St. John Bosco St. Francis of Assisi St. Padre Pio St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Catholic bulletin boards designed to save teachers time and money! A different board for each month of the year, all with a Catholic theme.

Get ideas and inspiration for Catholic teacher gifts for Christmas and end of the year! Shirts, coffee mugs, books, candles, and classroom decorations, etc

Five different ways to teach your students the names for the items commonly found during a Catholic Mass. Great for whole group, small groups, centers and more to reach all of your learners in a religious education, Catholic classroom or homeschool setting.

Here are a few ways to introduce and model how to participate in Eucharistic Adoration with kids and and youth in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.

Small details that make the difference and unite the Church Do not be late. Remember that God is waiting for you to fill you with your love, give your forgiveness and a hug, speak to your

Quick and easy tips for creating a prayer space in your classroom that will engage students with their Catholic faith.

More than a billion Catholics, more than a billion perspectives.