Classroom Basics – 

Starting Class

Setting up a prayer table and service – get the students involved, use special religious items that hold special meaning to your class.

Attendance – have the students working on something while you are taking attendance, make notes for yourself to follow-up absent students with a personal phone call to find out why they are out and that you look forward to next week.

Special occasions / intentions – talk about what is happening at school, at home, with family, with friends… and in society… use these occasions for prayer starters, etc.

Body of Lessons

Plans- Be prepared!  Know what the message of your lesson is supposed to be.  Ask for volunteers to read,  make up games, etc.  Be sensitive to kids with special needs or concerns… 

Incentives – what will be the “carrot” to tempt the students into participating?  Maybe if you read tonight you don’t have to do it again next week…we can play a game if we get our work done…etc.  (ideas)

Interactions and Participation Activities – bring in magazines to show examples of the subject matter, do skits, play music – ask for the students to bring in some of their music, (preview it first), have students make prayers, posters, etc.

Developing Prayer and Mediation Moments

Reflect the needs and interests of the students – find contemporary and traditional prayers, cultural prayers from home, etc.

Use varying resources – take time to research ideas, use the internet in your preparation, use current magazines, newspapers, etc.

Use varying media – T.V. shows, movie clips, etc. 

Student led / teacher led / Student created / teacher created

Using the common seasons – Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, as jump offs for starting topics, etc.

Addressing cultural and current event concerns – be careful not to express so much of your personal beliefs, but rather church teachings, and if unsure, tell them you will look it up.

Incorporating a class focus / community service program –