HOLY NAME SCHOOL RELIGION CURRICULUM BENCHMARKS

 

GENERAL CONCEPTS – AGES 3-5

The early childhood learner is beginning to experience new surroundings – a classroom structure, social interaction and dimensions of a larger environment. Learning is both a cognitive and affective experience requiring use of all five senses

The faith development of the young child is highly dependent upon the faith of the primary care givers. The experience of the faith of others becomes the foundation upon which the child begins to build a faith life. The environment exerts a profound effect on the young child.

Catechists of the young, while engaging the children in such experiences as story telling, imitative projects, and multisensory opportunities of a religious nature, need to bear in mind the influence of their own faith life. The way in which they reverence God, sacred places and things, their practice of kindness and other virtues are likely to have a deeper effect upon the beginning seeds of faith than many activities in which the child would engage.

 

The Profession of Faith

The Celebration of the

Christian Mystery

Life in Christ

Christian Prayer

A.      Trinity (238-60)

·         The sign of the Cross (232-33)

·         Various terminology and images for God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (31-43)

A.      Sacraments (1113-1690)

·         Baptism as celebration of membership in the Church (1226-28)

·         Simple rituals involving the symbols of oil, water, bread, candles and blessing (1182-89)

·         Eucharist as a meal Jesus shares with us (1323,29, 37-38)

A.      Dignity of the Human Person (1700-1748)

·         All made in image of God (1701-09)

·         Scriptural stories of Jesus (525-34)

A.      Forms of Prayer (2558-2649)

·         Spontaneous prayer (2688)

·         Prayers of petition, thanksgiving, praise, and contrition (2626-43)

·         Prayer experienced through song, dance, and gestures (1156-58)

B.      Jesus and Incarnation (422-682)

·         The birth of Jesus (525-30)

·         Jesus, Son of Joseph and Mary (530-34)

B.      Liturgy (1069-1209)

·         Liturgical year (1168-73)

·         Christmas (525)

·         Easter (638-40, 1169)

B.      Morality and Virtue (1749-1876; 2052-2557)

·         Following Jesus (1716-17)

·         Jesus:  forgiving, healing (1718-24)

B.      Traditional Prayers (2650-2865)

·         Sign of the Cross (1235; 2157)

·         Our Father (2759)

·         Hail Mary (2676-77)

·         Meal prayers (2660; 2698)

·         Morning and night prayers (2659, 2698)

C.      Catholic Beliefs (51-133; 184-221; 811-873)

·         Jesus died for us (595-628)

·         Jesus rose to give us life (638-55)

·         People of God (781-86)

 

C.      Social Justice and Service (1702-2051)

·         Serve people (1803-09)

·         Love and respect people (1810-29)

·         Examine choices (1965-72)

 

 
 
 GENERAL CONCEPTS - AGES 6-8


Children six to eight are at a stage where the concepts and beliefs of others, primarily parents, are most essential to faith growth.  However, the realm of influence is expanding to include teachers, catechists and other significant adults.

It is at this time that children learn about life experiences through stories.  They learn about faith experiences through scripture stories, lives of the saints and modern day role models.  They are not yet able to think abstractly.  It is important that catechists present real experiences and use concrete objects and examples. Catechists of these children also need to concentrate on a strong sense of membership in the faith community so that the seeds that have been planted will grow and provide a healthy foundation for further faith development.

The Profession of Faith

The Celebration of the

Christian Mystery

Life in Christ

Christian Prayer

A.      Trinity (238-60)

·         God the Father and Creator (198-226)

·         Jesus the Son, brother and savior (430-35)

·         God the Holy Spirit, source of strength, and guidance in decisions (687-90)

A.      Sacraments (1113-1690)

·         Baptism: welcome into God’s family (1217-28)

·         Eucharist: meal Jesus shares with us; Body and Blood; gathering in praise of God (1337-44)

·         Reconciliation: love and forgiveness (1423-29)

A.      Dignity of the Human Person (1700-1748)

·         Care and love for all creation (1700-15)

·         God’s grace (1997-98)

A.      Forms of Prayer (2558-2649)

·         Prayers of petition, thanksgiving, praise, and contrition (2626-43)

·         Liturgical prayer (1140)

B.      Jesus Incarnate (422-682)

·         Ministry of Jesus (535-60)

·         Paschal Mystery: death and resurrection (571-655)

B.      Liturgy (1069-1209)

·         Parts of the Mass (1348-55)

·         Church seasons: Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter (1163-73)

·         Liturgical space (1179-86)

B.      Morality and Virtue (1749-1876; 2052-2557)

·         Commandments (2052-55)

·         Conscience formation (1749-56)

B.      Traditional Prayers (2650-2865)

·         Sign of the Cross (1235; 2157)

·         Our Father (2759)

·         Hail Mary (2676-77)

·         Act of Contrition (1451-54)

·         Apostles’ Creed (194)

C.      Catholic Beliefs (51-133; 184-221; 811-873)

·         Church:  community, people of God (781-86)

·         Angels (328-36)

 

C.      Social Justice and Service (1702-2051)

·         Corporal works of mercy (2443-49)

·         Church ministry (2044-46)

 

 
 
GENERAL CONCEPTS – AGES 9-11
 

Children of this age are said to be in the “group” or “belonging stage” of faith development. Having experienced a sense of affiliation in the family, they now expand that sense and want to join clubs, groups and organizations.  They are naturally ready for the development of Christian community. Because of their strong appreciation of justice and fairness these children should have opportunities that introduce them to social justice and action. They are able to understand forgiveness and reconciliation as responses to hurt and unfairness and other occasions, which divide or exclude.  They value friendship and come to view God as a trusted companion.  Faith at this age is largely unquestioned and children will conform to the experiences, values and understandings of the faith group to which they belong.  As at the previous level, catechists need to reinforce a sense of belonging to the Christian community and provide opportunities for the development of fairness and justice.

The Profession of Faith

The Celebration of the

Christian Mystery

Life in Christ

Christian Prayer

A.      Trinity (238-92)

·         God our Creator (295-301)

·         Jesus’ relationship to the Father (441-51)

·         Holy Spirit (687-701)

A.      Sacraments (1113-1690)

·         God’s presence in the world (1122-30)

·         Symbolic actions of Christ (1114-20)

·         Initiation (1121)

·         Healing (1122)

A.      Dignity of the Human Person (1700-1748)

·         Covenant relationships (2197-2206)

·         Humanity made in the image and likeness of God (1878-85)

·         Grace (1997-2005)

A.      Forms of Prayer (2558-2649)

·         Jesus and prayer (2599-2616)

·         Prayers of petition, thanksgiving, and praise (2626-43)

·         Liturgical music (1156-58)

B.      Jesus and Incarnation (422-682)

·         Ministry of Jesus (535-60)

·         Kingdom of God (541-56)

·         Paschal Mystery (571-655)

B.      Liturgy (1069-1209)

·         The church at prayer (1140-44)

·         The liturgical year (1163)

·         Feasts and seasons (1168-73)

B.      Morality and Virtue (1749-1876; 2052-2557)

·         Commandments (2056-74)

·         Beatitudes (1716-17)

·         Good and evil (1750-56)

·         Original sin (386-90)

·         Sin and mercy (1846-64)

B.      Traditional Prayers (2650-2865)

·         Rosary (2678)

·         Prayers of the Mass (1153)

·         Our Father (2761-72)

·         Creed (185-97)

C.      Catholic Beliefs (51-133; 184-221; 811-873)

·         The Bible (115-33)

·         The Church – the Body of Christ (787-96)

·         People of other faiths (820-22)

·         Resurrection of the body (988-1014)

 

C.      Social Justice and Service (1702-2051)

·         Integrity of creation (2415-18)

·         Human rights and life issues (2259-98)

 

 

 

GENERAL CONCEPTS – AGES 12-14

Young adolescents experience a vast array of changes in all aspects of their lives. Their faith life is no exception. The faith of significant adults is no longer the strong supportive structure of faith that it was at a younger age. As the adolescent begins to grow out of childhood faith, this separation often expresses itself in terms of questions and doubts, troubling relationships with authority and concern about self-expression and appearance.

The young adolescent needs to experience compassionate understanding and assistance in the search for self. The propensity for deepening friendships is fertile ground for seeking a more profound relationship with God. Catechists would do well to build on the need for being part of a group and provide the opportunities to participate more fully in the life of the church.

 

The Profession of Faith

The Celebration of the

Christian Mystery

Life in Christ

Christian Prayer

A.      Trinity (238-60)

·         Revelation (56-79)

·         Faith (84-95)

·         Mystery (238-60)

A.      Sacraments (1113-1690)

·         Spiritual effects (1113-30)

·         Sacraments prefigured in Scripture (1077-87)

·         Christ as celebrant (1136-44)

A.      Dignity of the Human Person (1700-1748)

·         Living in solidarity (1939-42)

·         Common good (1905-12)

·         Catholic social doctrine (2419-25)

·         Natural law (1954-60)

A.      Forms of Prayer (2558-2649)

·         Personal (2559-65)

·         Communal (2689)

·         Retreats (2691)

·         Meditation (2705-08)

B.      Jesus and Incarnation (422-682)

·         Person:  human and divine (464-78)

·         Titles (429-54)

·         Ministry (535-60)

B.      Liturgy (1069-1209)

·         Celebrations; rites (1200-06)

·         Mary and Saints (1172-73)

·         Sacramentals (1667-76)

B.      Morality and Virtue (1749-1876; 2052-2557)

·         Human acts (1750-56)

·         Moral conscience (1776-82)

·         Sin:  social and personal (1846-53)

·         Church precepts (2041-43)

B.      Traditional Prayers (2650-2865)

·         Our Father (2765-66)

·         Creed (185-97)

·         Prayer of the Hours (1174-78)

·         Psalms (2585-89)

·         Way of the Cross (2669)

C.      Catholic Beliefs (51-133; 184-221; 811-873)

·         Church history (758-69)

·         Mission and ministry (770-76)

·         People of God (781-86)

·         Creed (185-97)

·         Communion of Saints (946-59)

·         Mary (487-507; 964-72)

 

C.      Social Justice and Service (1702-2051)

·         Within family (2201-06)

·         In larger community (2044-46)

·         Christian beatitudes (1720-24)