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kathleenmom
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| Posted: July 28 2009 at 6:45pm | IP Logged
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I've done it different ways. I've used catechism class online. I've used Faith and Life. I've done CCD. I've never had my kiddos memorize the Catechism. Do you? What works best for you?
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Barbara C.
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I was just thinking about asking the same thing. I'm planning to use the St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism v. 1 as the spine of my daughter's RE/FHE preparation. But I'm unsure how I want to use it.
She really responds well to just "conversation"-style learning about this subject matter, so I am considering just using the questions as starting points over dinner or at bedtime with the answers there to keep me on the right track. Then again, I can see a certain value to memorization, but I don't know if she would get as much out of it.
Can't wait to hear others thoughts.
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Mackfam
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I teach from the Baltimore Catechism in the mornings with everyone as part of our morning family learning block. I don't divide up by ages - we work from the same book once they're past First Communion age. If I'm teaching the lesson we might spend a good deal of time talking about the lesson, but in learning the Q & A we only spend about 10 - 15 minutes reviewing them a day. Once they've learned the answers, we move on to the next lesson. To supplement, we read the Angel Food books for boys and girls stories that coordinate with the lesson we're learning. The stories are so nice.
This is only one dimension of our faith studies. There are lots of biographies of the saints that children read at their particular reading level, Catholic Mosaic, Mondays with Mary, lots of living the liturgical year.
I mention those because they add a fullness and richness to teaching faith in the home. I think memorization is important - these are pegs for holding important truths of our faith which will one day be very important in living and defending the faith. Young children memorize so easily - I take advantage of that!!! Adding the stories, the picture books following the liturgical year, liturgical teas, etc., all provide opportunities for discussion and relating how Our Lady, St. Peter Julian Eymard, etc., "knew, loved, and served God in this world so they could be happy with Him forever in heaven."
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Meredith
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Our Catechism studies have mainly revolved around sacramental prep, but we roughly follow a daily plan similar to Jennifer's  My kiddos really like to begin the day together with prayers, so catechism fits in nicely here too.
I am looking forward to adding in the Angel Food books this year and like Jen mentions, the memorizing is great at the younger ages without the workbookiness of Faith and Life.
The children then really connect all the Saint's stories and activities we read/do throughout the liturgical year and see the flow of how it all fits together with our faith. We also attend a Latin Traditional Mass and it is such a rich teaching opportunity about the Mass, it's like a Catechism all wrapped up into one 
Many blessings,
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 29 2009 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
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Barbara C. wrote:
| She really responds well to just "conversation"-style learning about this subject matter, so I am considering just using the questions as starting points over dinner or at bedtime with the answers there to keep me on the right track. |
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This is what we do. My oldest girls are only 7 and 8, so we only have a couple years experience with this. They read a chapter of it together out loud. Then, later that day dh or I sit down for 10-20 min or so and talk about it...the younger kids listen to this too....using the questions simply as a guide. If there are 1 or 2 Q & A I think they should memorize, then they do copywork or memorize it for a couple days.
They also like to look at the pictures and talk about them.
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ekbell
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For memorization I use quiz cards and we do it as a informal 'game'.
I used the St Joseph Catechisms to make up three different levels of cards.
So I pull out a random card out of the ones we are studying and give the question to a child who's studying that level
If they answer correctly, I will read out the exact wording (and bible verse) on the back of the card. They then get the card and pull a card out.
If they can't answer the question the question is thrown open. If another child can answer the question then they get the card, and pull one out.
If no one can answer it, I give the answer and pull another card.
The person with the new card gives the question to the next person (which can include me!) and the game continues until I say times up.
The child with the most cards is the 'winner' but we normally don't card count.
The children enjoy this simple game a good deal.
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Sharyn
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| Posted: July 30 2009 at 8:35am | IP Logged
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We memorise the Baltimore Catechism. I'm still in the process of trying to learn the best way to do this though. At the moment they read through 10 each day until they know them, but since there are alot to remember I'm going to have to work out a good way to revise them. We memorise Bible verse and read a chapter from the New Catholic Picture Bible.
We read Saint stories but I'll have to take better look at Catholic Mosaic because I'd like to co-ordinate things better with the liturgical year.
The Living My Religion series (not sure if this is still in print) serves as our main catechism resource.
They do their catechism together. They both listen as I read a selection from the book they are up to and we discuss it. We often have long discussions. I question them to see what they've learnt.
I'm enjoying reading what others here do as I feel there is much yet I could do better.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: how do you teach the catechism?
