Activities for use in the classroom on your return to school.
It will be important to get the students in your classroom back into a normal routine as soon as
possible. I have however provided just a few ideas that might be helpful to you and to them to work
through a process of healing. Good luck as you begin the new school week and please be in contact
if I can support you in any way.
God Bless Cushla
One idea might be to create ‘wordles’…you could ask
the students to write down 5 words each to express
their:
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feelings about the quakes.
words of praise to God.
Words of thanks, joy or gratitude for all those
who are offering support.
Love of God and neighbour.
The ideas are limitless.
The web link is:
http://www.wordle.net/
ACROSTIC poem prayers
Explain that green is the symbol of hope in Catholic liturgies.
Give students squares of coloured paper and get them to write their prayer on the paper. If students
want ideas about where to begin they could draw a symbol of hope or write an acrostic poem based
on the word HOPE, GRATITUDE, THANKFULNESS, and NEED. Display the prayers
Journaling may be a very helpful way for the students to express their feelings/anxieties around the
earthquake. Allow them time to do this and to write personal prayers. They may want to share with
a partner.
Newspaper prayer: (Based on Praying with Art, Year3, Prayer and Sacramental Celebrations, Religious Education
Programme for Catholic Primary Schools in Aotearoa, New Zealand)
Using an image from the newspaper allow the
students to reflect on the following…what do we
see? What do we feel? What do I like? What do
you think Jesus wants to say to me? What would
you like to say to Jesus? Children share some of
their reflections with the class? Students write a
prayer reflection about the newspaper image.
I have included some examples of images of people who have been helping others in need during the
past week. Many of these are available on the net.
You could discuss the efforts of:
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Catholic Social Services
The Red Cross
The Salvation Army
How has CARITAS New Zealand responded? Visit www.caritas.org.nz and also look back at
CARITAS resources in your school for ideas.
From CARITAS, Catholic Social Teaching for Children and you may want to pose questions
around the 10 headings (see attachment):
1. Everyone is created in the image and likeness of God and is worthy of
respect. How has human dignity been promoted during the disruption to out
city?
2. How has have families and communities grown together through
association, growing with one another?
3. We are one human family and are responsible for one another? How have
we shown solidarity to those in our community who are in need. How has
the region of Canterbury been shown solidarity by those in others parts of
the country?
4. How has the principle of the common good been expressed?
Look at video or newspaper clips. Divide class into four groups. Allocate one of the following dot
points to each group:
 Individuals
 Families
 School communities
 Local communities
 Etc…
Use the 1-2-4 Strategy outlined below;
Divide the class into as many groups as you have brainstormed and allocate a group to each team
1:2:4:8 Strategy
1
2
4
4
2
4
4
1:2:4 (etc.) encourages the individuals in a team to each fully contribute
to the team’s task.
First, each class member works separately on a particular activity, in this
case noting down one idea on a post-it of the impact of the earthquake
on the group their team has been allocated.
Students then find a partner from their team and form a combined list of
their findings.
The pairings then join together to form a team of four and collate both of their lists into a single final
list with each idea noted on a post it.
The four students have then formed a collective total of their knowledge.
This process could be extended once more to eight if you wish.
Groups make a label on a piece of A3 paper for the area they have been allocated and discussed,
with their post-its underneath. Each group reports back.
As a class discuss responses noting any common factors and connecting them with string or wool.
Give students time to look at other groups’ responses.
Discuss Catholic teaching about dignity of human person and response to natural disasters.
Discuss the meaning of solidarity within Catholic context: to support those in distress through
speaking for them, taking action on their behalf and caring for them through prayer. Discuss the role
of prayer in times of despair as a means of fostering hope in our own lives and the lives of others
and as a way of connecting self and those we pray for to God.
Ask students to think about the issues on the post-it display and choose something or someone they
think needs prayers for hope, thankful ness, need etc.
Frayer Concept Model Strategy
The Frayer Model is an adaptation of a concept map. The framework of the Frayer Model includes:
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concept word
definition
characteristics of the concept word
examples of the concept word
non-examples of the concept word.
It is important to include both examples and non-examples so students are able to identify what the
concept word is and what the concept word is not. First, the teacher will assign the concept word
being studied and then talk about the steps involved in completing the chart.
Definition
Examples
Characteristics
GRATITUDE
Non-examples
In the centre oval of the Frayer Model, students write the concept word. You could use words like
gratitude, compassion, patience, love, common good etc
In the first box, students write the definition of the concept word under the space labelled
DEFINITION. Remember this definition needs to be clear and easily understood by all students.
In the second box, students list the characteristics of the concept word following a group or class
brainstorm.
In the third box, students list examples of the concept word.
In the fourth and final box, students list non-examples of the key or concept word.
Mandalas – “Mandalas or sacred circles offer us a template for the interior journey to the heart of
ourselves where we encounter the heart of God present as well.”
Give each student a circle
Explain to them that they can uses words or symbols to show God how much they know God loves
them. You might like to brainstorm ideas.
Talk to them about how we have seen God working in other people who have helped during the
earthquakes….the Red Cross, the Police, the Ambulance service, The Army, Catholic Social Services
etc.
Brainstorm things people did for them or they did for others…a phone call to see if a friend,
neighbour or relative was ok, people donating bottled water, food, clothing blankets etc.
Discuss and list feelings.
Allow students time to use words and images (in a 10 minutes ‘ reflection’ ) to create a mandala
(template provides) Play music to create a reflective atmosphere
Display all the mandalas under a banner….perhaps a scripture quote or Jesus’ great commandment
to us! (Love one another as I have loved you)
Digital Pictures – Life of Jesus
Don’t forget that there may be times where you or your students need space!!
The Digital Pictures – Life of Jesus resource has a folder of colouring in sheets. Use it!!