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In the early weeks of the year, children moving from Level II (1st-2nd grade) to Level III (3rd-6th grade) are introduced to materials which allow them to encounter familiar content in a new way. These "Bridge Work" materials provide a review of the big picture of Salvation History through the lens of the three great moments of Creation, Redemption, and Parouisa Nine months before Christmas we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The angel came to Mary and invited her to play a leading role in the salvation of mankind. As she had done every moment of every day prior to this, Mary said, "Yes." Her "yes" had been practiced over and over again so that when this invitation was given she had no reason to hesitate. From the age of three, the children in the Atrium know how Mary answered. As the children grow they begin to ponder how they have answered, how they are answering, and how they will answer. What "yes" is He inviting of you today?
The Sacraments are introduced in the Atrium as the children are ready to ponder them. Thus, in Level I (3-6 year olds) Eucharist and Baptism have many materials which allow for sensorial experiences of the elements of these Sacraments. In Level II (6-9 year olds) Reconciliation is introduced as the children begin to prepare to receive this Sacrament. In Level III (9-12 year olds) a broader encounter with the Sacraments is provided through the material called "The Holy Bible and the Sacraments." The seven Sacraments are introduced as a whole, starting with the way in which they are placed on the Plan of God timeline around the star and cross that mark when Jesus lived on the earth. Since His death and resurrection, the Holy Bible and the Sacraments are the means through which we continue to encounter Him and experience His presence. After introducing the Sacraments in this way the Level III children take time to discuss each Sacrament and ask questions and conduct research to provide definitions for each. Sharing our findings provides a place for further questions and answers about each of these beautiful ways in through we continue to encounter the Risen Christ today. In a recent post on the Liturgy it was stated that The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is founded on two pillars, Scripture and Liturgy. From the first weeks of the year the youngest children in the Atrium are introduced to the Holy Bible as the Word of God, the way in which He is present, speaking for all to hear. This introduction to God's Word is repeated every year, forming a foundation for the importance of this holy book. In addition, there are many, many materials in the Atrium which lift up particular aspects of God's Word which speak deeply to children at different ages. From the age of three through the age of twelve the children spend many hours pondering, enjoying, studying, and engaging in discussion around the truths revealed to man by God in the Holy Bible. Every year some of the Level III (3rd-6th grade) children read and ponder how particular prophets were called to their vocation as spokesmen for the Lord. This year the interest of the 3rd grade children led to four weeks of pondering these "calls" and brought the 4th graders into the study as well. Three girls planned a whole project on the prophets. They talked for an extra half hour after the forty-five minute Scripture study about Malachi as the last Old Testament prophet as well as whether or not there were prophets in the New Testament, finally deciding that the Apostles were prophets because they had listened to Jesus and then they had gone out to tell others about Him. Remembering Jesus' instruction to His friends to "Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," they began to talk about their own Baptism and their own call to speak Jesus' message. One boy had his own idea to extend the work. Having written and illustrated a verse from each of the four prophets that were studied together, he began looking in other prophetic books to discover how each prophet was called to his role by God. While he was disappointed that many prophets did not record the way in which they first heard God's call, he did find several additional passages (with a bit of help) that allowed him to add a few more prophets to his collection.
A 4th grader (Level III), returning to the Level II Gifts Strip, worked for weeks on a follow-up. The drawings are stunning and the child pointed out that each page begins with an illuminated letter which fits the theme of the page. In addition, the four "tan" pages include snakes (his favorite animal), all of which he named as specific types in describing each picture. When asked about his image of Parousia, he said, "The light of the Monstrance is spreading out and filling the Church, the Kingdom." Amen.
At the beginning of each year the Level III children are reoriented to the "big picture" of Salvation History through work focused on The History of the Kingdom of God. In Level II they are introduced to this work through the long ribbon, La Fettuccia, the Blue Unity Strip, and The History of the Gifts material which all show the vastness and the unity of Salvation History, a history into which God pours His love by way of gift. In Level III, it is important to begin the year with a reminder of that overarching reality before focusing in on God's work with mankind, particularly through His revelation of Himself in the Bible and through Jesus, experienced today in a most particular way in the Sacraments. Not only is this reminder of Salvation History important at the beginning of the year, but these materials provide a beautiful foundation for the ongoing, personal work of the elementary child. After laying out the materials, each child was asked to choose a way to continue thinking about this work, a way of internalizing or summarizing what their work had helped them to ponder, or to express their response to their work through a written prayer. Such follow-up is important for the elementary child as it allows for an integration of the truths presented, through the use of their reasoning mind. Some children had ideas for follow-up right away and others needed a few suggestions to help them think of what might best help them to ponder their work more deeply. Setting an expectation for follow-up from the beginning of the year helps the children take ownership of this expectation throughout their Atrium time. It is always such a gift to see their creativity in action!
One of the "capstone" works available to the Level III child is writing their Level III (Complete) Missal. This lengthy project includes over fifty pages of handwritten work, copying the prayers of the Mass. Another "final" work that focuses on reviewing the big picture of Salvation History is called "The History of the Kingdom of God and My Place in It." In this material the child makes his own booklet, copying information and answering questions that helps him "memorialize" his understanding of his own role in God's Plan. This past school year has been one of many gifts and many challenges. As we approach the summer with the knowledge that we have hired a new Head of School and as we look forward to introducing her to our school and parent communities, it seems like the perfect moment to look back at this past year. In the Level I (3-6 year old) Atrium we speak often about the many gifts that God has given to us. We "open and enjoy" them, lifting them up and marveling at God's goodness. His plan for fullness of life was foretold by the prophets, witnessed to by angels and shepherds, Jews and Gentiles, learned men and even an unborn baby. As Jesus grew, He spoke about the Kingdom of God, revealing that it is like a Mustard Seed, a Precious Pearl, a Hidden Treasure and Leaven. He knows us by name and lays down His life only to take it up again and share with each of us a life stronger than death, a light stronger than darkness. What great love! The Level II (6-9 year old) children, while still encountering and recognizing His many gifts, also begin to ask how they might respond to the one who has filled the earth so that it resembles a banquet table lavishly heaped with all that we need. His great love demands a response in kind! As we ponder the Parable of the True Vine we realize that we don't want to just bear fruit; we want to bear the most beautiful fruit that will bring the greatest glory to God! The Level III (9-12 year old) children were recently pondering the four Cardinal Virtues of Justice, Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance. In our conversation on Fortitude they began speaking about the many saints who had been martyred for their faith: Blessed Miguel Pro, St. Joan of Arc, St. Sebastian, St. Lawrence, and others. One child said that St. Mother Teresa had also lived with fortitude because she was willing to die when she worked with those who had sicknesses that could kill her. This led to a dialogue about living with fortitude and, eventually, to a discussion about white martyrdom or pouring oneself out in the way one lives daily life. What other option is there? How else can we live if we follow the one who has given all for us in laying down His life for His sheep? During every Mass we remember and experience again this essential interaction between God and man of gift and response. God gives all to us through sending the Holy Spirit in the Epiclesis who transforms our gifts of bread and wine (representative of the little work we do in elevating His gifts of wheat and grapes) into the very Body and Blood of Jesus. Having received such an incomprehensible gift, how can we respond? The only "gift" we can give in response is the gift we have just received...Jesus, Himself. When the priest lifts up Jesus and offers Him back to God in the Doxology we, too, offer our thoughts, words, and actions, all of the ways we have imitated the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, pouring ourselves out for the one who has given all for us.
This year I have witnessed on a regular basis several individuals pouring themselves out for the children, families, and staff of our school. Thank you to those who have truly given all that they have. Your gift of self is seen and it is so appreciated. The beautiful, amazing fruit on your branch of the True Vine is bringing great, great glory to Our Heavenly Father, the Vinegrower. Thank you for opening and enjoying His gifts and for your whole-hearted "yes," like Mary, in response. May God reward you as only He can! Before Spring Break, which we enjoyed last week, the children are always invited to go through their folders and take time to finish up any of the work they would like to take home with them. This year, because of the two weeks I was away in Israel, there were several beautiful follow-ups that I had not seen the children creating. It is always a gift to enjoy their finished work with them before they take it home, and this pre-Spring Break foray into their follow-ups was no exception! Several examples of the work that was taken home is pictured below, including prophecies, virtues and parables, the Sacraments, and a "mini Bible." This final work of Scripture was especially intriguing to me because of the passages that were chosen. Five citations were included, four of which reflect the Incarnation (Annunciation, Nativity/Presentation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection), and one of which was referenced by Christ Himself as foreshadowing the purpose for which He came (Jonah). The child as the theologian (this "book" was compiled by a 3rd grader) comes through very clearly here! |
Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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