Catholic Education Week 2017: Walking Forward Together
Walking Forward Together with God
DAY 1: Monday
BOOK TITLE:
Does God Hear My Prayer?
AUTHOR and
ILLUSTRATOR:
August Gold and
Photo Illustrations by Diane Hardy Waller
ISBN-13
9781594731020
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
This lovely rhyming book playfully guides children down their own
paths of spiritual understanding by exploring the many ways that
children can communicate with God. Using simple, every day
examples that children can relate to, and beautiful photo
illustrations, this book offers guidance on how to pray and illustrates
how prayer can help to express a multitude of emotions. This book
invites children, teachers and parents on an imaginative journey
toward a deeper understanding of God.
CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:
OCSGE
An Effective Communicator
A Reflective and Creative Thinker
A Collaborative Contributor
A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
A Discerning Believer
Suggested Grade Level:
PRIMARY
MATERIALS:
Book
Elmo – overhead projection
device (if available)
Laptop/computer/promethean
board/LCD projector/speakers
(for presenting YouTube video)
Copies of BLM Day 1 primary
page (Prayer isn’t telling God
what to do…)
Drawing/colouring materials
Student journals
MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:
Language Arts
The Arts
Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of the Human Person
Scripture Focus:
R.E. Curriculum: Living A Moral Life, Praying
Family Life Curriculum: Created and Loved by God, Living in
Relationship
MINDS ON (Before)
Approximately 10 minutes
Learning Goals:
Students will:
 Identify different ways to communicate with God
 Learn about letting go of our will and trusting in God’s will
 Explore a relationship with God by praying in different ways
 Recognize God as a special and loving friend
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PAUSE & PONDER
Consider designing success
criteria with the students prior to
the lesson.
Before Reading:
Show students the following video:
“Be Still and Know that I am God”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKWGSzxtcZA
After students have watched this video, ask for student responses to
the song. Invite students to provide “feeling words” to describe their
emotions as they were watching and listening, and record these on
the whiteboard. Tell students that a song like this one can help us to
quiet our minds and prepare us for prayer.
Pre-Reading:
Invite students to turn and talk to a partner about all the times and
all the ways that they might pray to God. Ask for a few students to
share their ideas. Ask, “Do you think God hears your prayers?” “How
do you know?” Show students the title and the cover of the book.
Invite students to comment on the title as well as the photos on the
cover. Ask students to make predictions about the book.
ACTION (During)
Approximately 20 minutes
Read the story to the students. As you are reading, invite students to
observe and comment on the photographs and how they relate to
the text.
Ask for student reactions to the book. Did they enjoy the book?
What was their favourite part and why? Did the book answer some
of their questions from when they talked to a partner? How? Ask
them to discuss their predictions vs. what they just heard. Was
anything surprising to students?
If students haven’t already commented on the fact that the book is
in rhyme, ask if they noticed an interesting pattern to the words in
the book. Read the story a second time to students, inviting them to
chime in with you on the last word of each rhyming couplet.
Divide the students into groups of 3 or 4 and assign each group
several pages of the book to present. In each group, have students
select a narrator who will read the words from the designated pages
in the book, and have the other members of the group act out the
words as they are being read. Depending on the number of students
in your class, divide it so that the entire book is read in order, in this
manner.
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Turn and Talk is an excellent
cooperative learning strategy to
promote and support higher level
thinking. When students are
given the opportunity to reflect
on a specific topic and then pair
with another student to discuss
before sharing with the big
group, they are sometimes able
to take their sharing to a deeper
level.
PAUSE & PONDER
It is hoped that the reading and
discussing of the book can help
students to recognize that God
has open and welcoming arms
for receiving our prayers, and
that we may bring God all that
we need to our questions and
our fears, all our laughter and
our tears, etc.
CONSOLIDATION (After)
Approximately 15-20 minutes
After Reading:
Show students the BLM page, Prayer isn’t telling God what to do, it is
letting God help you remember what’s true. Call on a few students to
share their comments on this sentence from the book. Invite
students to provide their own response to the book by illustrating
this sentence with whatever comes to mind.
PAUSE & PONDER
God listens to us every time we
ask him. So we know that he
gives us the things that we ask
from him.
-John 5:15 ICB
As a follow-up, have students write a short journal entry about
anything they may still be wondering about, any questions they
might still have about talking and listening with God.
NOTE: Since there may not be
time during the lesson to
respond to all of the questions
generated by students on this
very broad topic, the journal
entry can provide students an
opportunity to express their
curiosity and further wonderings,
which can then perhaps be
explored in future lessons.
Primary students can often
surprise us with their abilities to
offer wisdom and profound
insights as they begin to journey
down their own paths of spiritual
discovery.
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BLM Day 1 Primary
Prayer isn’t telling God what to do, it is
letting God help you remember what’s true.
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Catholic Education Week 2017: Walking Forward Together
Walking Forward Together with God
DAY 1: Monday
BOOK TITLE:
Journey to the Heart
AUTHOR and
ILLUSTRATOR:
Frank X. Jelenek and
Photo Illustrations by Ann Boyajian
ISBN-13
9781557254825
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
“We are off to take a journey to the center of ourselves…” are the
first words of this inspiring book, which provides information and
instructions on contemplative prayer practice for children. With ageappropriate illustrations and text that provide clear directions on
how to engage in this practice, Journey to the Heart is an excellent
resource to prepare the heart and mind for the joys of
communicating with God.
CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:
OCSGE
An Effective Communicator
A Reflective and Creative Thinker
A Collaborative Contributor
A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
A Discerning Believer
Suggested Grade Level:
JUNIOR
MATERIALS:
Book
Elmo – overhead projection
device (if available)
Laptop/computer/LCD
projector/speakers (for
presenting YouTube video)
Large, plain white sheets of
paper
Drawing/colouring/painting
materials
MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:
Language Arts
The Arts
Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of the Human Person
Scripture Focus:
Micah 6:6-8 Act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
R.E. Curriculum: Living A Moral Life, Praying
Family Life Curriculum: Created and Loved by God, Living in
Relationship
MINDS ON (Before)
Approximately 10 minutes
Learning Goals:
Students will:
 Identify the steps needed in order to engage in centering
prayer
 Learn about traveling to the deepest part of one’s heart
 Explore a relationship with God by practicing centering
prayer
 Recognize God as a special and loving friend
5
PAUSE & PONDER
Consider designing success
criteria with the students prior to
the lesson.
Before Reading:
Tell students that they are going to be participating in a kind of
prayer today, called a centering prayer. Let them know that you will
be reading a book together that teaches about this type of prayer,
but that you will first be listening to a song that helps set the stage.
Tell students that while they are watching the video, they are invited
to try to come up with a special, sacred, secret, Holy word that they
will use during the centering prayer but that they will not share with
anyone. Give several examples of possible sacred words… Jesus;
God; love; faith; Holy Spirit; etc.
Play the following video, “Be Still and Know that I am God.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKWGSzxtcZA
After students have watched the video, ask for student responses to
the song. Tell students that for 3 minutes, they are invited to first
record their sacred word, and then write a short private journal
entry about anything that they’re feeling.
Pre-Reading:
Show students the title and the cover of the book. Ask if anyone has
ever participated in a centering prayer. Invite students to discuss
why they think it might be called a “centering prayer.”
ACTION (During)
Approximately 20 minutes
Read the book to the students. Invite students simply to listen the
first time you read it and then let them know that they don’t need to
follow any of the steps yet.
After reading, invite students to share their reactions to the book.
Ask them to identify what they think are the positive aspects of
centering prayer, and why they think Frank Jelenek wrote the book.
Ask if anything in the book was surprising. Invite students to share
what they think could be challenging about this type of prayer.
Tell students that you are going to divide them into 7 groups and
that each of the groups is going to become an expert on one of the
steps of centering prayer, in order to teach it to the rest of the class.
Instruct each group to meet, discuss the step, and then identify one
thing about the step that seems easy and one thing about the step
that might be challenging. Give students about 5-7 minutes to work
in their group. For groups that finish more quickly, invite them to
memorize their step or to come up with a creative way to explain it.
For those students assigned to Step 1, invite them to come up with
as many possible sacred words as they can (without revealing their
own secret word to one another)
Come together as a group and have each group explain its step,
including what might be easy and challenging, following the step.
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PAUSE & PONDER
Engage in centering prayer as a class. In the whole group, proceed
through the steps, relying on the group “experts” to guide the rest of
the class in following their step.
CONSOLIDATION (After)
Approximately 15-20 minutes PAUSE & PONDER
After Reading:
While still in the circle, invite students to reflect on the centering
prayer practice. Ask them to identify what worked, what was
challenging, and their overall reactions to participating in the
experience.
Art Activity:
Distribute large sheets of white paper to students. Explain to
students that today’s Catholic Education Week theme is, “Walking
Forward Together.” Invite students to do a free drawing or painting
on anything that comes to their minds related to this theme and/or
centering prayer.
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Catholic Education Week 2017: Walking Forward Together
Walking Forward Together with God
DAY 1: Monday
BOOK TITLE:
The Oak Inside the Acorn
AUTHOR and
ILLUSTRATOR:
Max Lucado
Photo Illustrations by George Angelini
ISBN-13
9781400310040
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
It was hard for Little Acorn to believe he would ever be a big, strong
oak tree. Soon, Little Acorn grew into Little Oak. But now, what was
he to do? He just grew and grew until he became Big Oak, and his
branches were big and strong – but still, he didn’t know what he was
to do. Then one day, Big Oak found that his strong branches were
just right for a very special purpose. The Oak Inside the Acorn is the
story of the miracle inside each of us. For within every child, is the
special person God created, just waiting to grow. The book reminds
us to trust that God is always with us in times of change and growth.
As we journey to become the people we are called to be, we draw
strength from the love of God, our steadfast companion.
CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:
OCSGE
An Effective Communicator
A Reflective and Creative Thinker
A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner
A Discerning Believer
Suggested Grade Level:
INTERMEDIATE
MATERIALS:
Book
Elmo – overhead projection
device (if available)
Laptop/computer/LCD
projector/speakers (for
presenting YouTube video)
Copies of BLM Day 1
intermediate page
Student journals
MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:
Language Arts
The Arts
Media Literacy
Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of the Human Person, Care for
God’s Creation
Scripture Focus:
Micah 6:6-8 Act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
R.E. Curriculum: Living A Moral Life, Praying
Family Life Curriculum: Created and Loved by God, Living in
Relationship, Living in the World
MINDS ON (Before)
Approximately 15 minutes
Learning Goals:
Students will:
 Recognize the importance of trusting God in times of change
 Explain the meaning of the title “The Oak Inside the Acorn”
 Identify a possible purpose God might have for them
 Write a short reflection on their understanding of what it
means to be the person God made them to be
8
PAUSE & PONDER
Consider designing success
criteria with the students prior to
the lesson.
Before Reading:
Begin by showing the video of the song, “Who am I?” by Casting
Crowns to students:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C53GgUJ6y-Y
Pre-Reading:
Ask students to turn and talk to a partner about their reactions to
the song. What did they think it was about? What messages did they
think the song was trying to convey? Invite students to share their
responses in the whole group setting and record their ideas on the
board.
ACTION (During)
Approximately 20 minutes
Show students the title and cover of the book. Ask them if they
notice anything surprising about the title (how can an oak tree be an
acorn?). If students don’t pose this question, then ask students to
explain it. Ask students to make predictions as you read and then
evaluate these predictions as you continue to read. Ask guiding
questions as you are reading, such as:
 What do you think the author means with the statement,
“Within you is a great oak, Little Acorn. Just be the tree God
made you to be.”?
 What do you notice about how Mother Oak reassures Little
Acorn about his future? How does this help him? Do you
think this is similar to how most moms reassure their
children about growing up?
 How does Little Acorn change in the story? What helps him?
 How does Little Acorn finally figure out his purpose?
 How does Big Girl figure out her purpose?
 Why do you think the author chose an acorn to be the main
character of the story?
CONSOLIDATION (After)
Approximately 15-20 minutes
After Reading:
Encourage students to reflect on becoming the person God calls
them to be. Tell them that to prepare themselves to write a
response on this topic, they will be participating in a walking
meditation in which they reflect on what God’s plan might be for
them.
Walking Meditation:
Walking Meditation is a wonderful initiation for beginners into the
art of Meditation. It is easy to practice and enhances physical,
mental and spiritual well-being. Tell students that they will be
heading outdoors for a 10 minute walking meditation and that
during this meditation they are going to reflect on the question,
“How can I become the person God made me to be?” Provide
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http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.ca/2012/03/oak-inside-acorn-guest-post.html
9
PAUSE & PONDER
Possible ideas to emerge from
the reading of the book: God
designed each of us in his own
image, yet made all of us unique.
He did so because he loves us
and wants us to glorify him. How
one of the best ways we can do
this is to be patient enough to
understand his plan for us, to
treat it and to follow his call. We
each have a gift inside ourselves,
which we must honour, and how
we might also see and encourage
the gift in others. 1
PAUSE & PONDER
Consider connecting this lesson
to the Grade 7, Fully Alive,
Theme 1, Created and Loved by
God, Topic 1: “Who am I?”
perimeters on how far they are allowed to walk, but explain that the
point is to wander aimlessly without a specific destination at which
to arrive. Explain to students that the idea is to be somewhere,
rather than to go somewhere. Tell students that they are able to
start out walking a little faster than normal, and gradually slow down
to a normal walking speed, and then walk very slowly. Instruct
students that they are to be mindful of their breathing, without
trying to control it. Tell students that their breathing should feel
natural, not artificial, and that they should try to let all worry and
sadness fall away from them as they walk, and simply concentrate
on the question. Let them know that they are to walk in silence,
both internal and external. Explain that they need to be mindful of
their walking and need to make each step a gesture of the peace and
love we feel for God and for the universe. Encourage students to
walk with slow, small, deliberate, balanced, graceful footsteps.
Encourage students also to notice the beauty of their surroundings.
(For more information about Walking Meditation, read, “Peace is
Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life” by Thich Nhat
Hanh Foreword by H.H. the Dalai Lama, published by Bantam Books.)
Once students have returned from their walking meditation, ask
them to see if their walking meditation helped them to find answers
to the reflection question.
Journal Writing:
Have students write a one page reflection which answers the
question, “Who am I?” Encourage them to include ideas about what
they think their life purpose might be and to identify people in their
lives who can help them to figure out how to become the person
God made them to be.
Distribute the reflection “Slow Me Down, Lord” and read it together
with students.
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You might consider having
students keep the “Slow Me
Down” reflection in their journals
for further reflection and future
journal writing.
BLM Day 1
Intermediate
Slow Me Down, Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my
hurried pace. Give me, amidst the day’s confusion, the calmness of the
everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with soothing music of
singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art
of taking “minute vacations,”...slowing down to look at a flower, to chat
with a friend, to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise; that the race is not
always to the swift; that there is more to life than measuring its speed.
Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak and know that it
grew slowly and well. Inspire me to send my own roots down deep into
the soil of life’s endearing values...that I may grow toward the stars of
my greater destiny.
Slow me down, Lord.
~Wilfred Arian Peterson
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