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homewith3
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 7:49pm | IP Logged
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Ok ladies, I need some help. Excuse my ignorance PLEASE. This year we chose not to enroll our 2 boys (grades k and 4) in the Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings...first of all the time slot they offered was not feasible plus I figured we are homeschooling so I can handle it right? I am LOST
I did talk to the lady who taught my oldest son last year and got him ready for his confession and communion. She told me they are using the Faith First and that they have a Family Guide...problem is I am not sure what to order to go with this. It looks like you order the guide and then books for each child. This lady isn't actually teaching this but she knew what they were using.
Does anyone happen to be familiar with this? I am just feeling very lost right now.
Debbie
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Mary G
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 8:28pm | IP Logged
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I don't know anything about "Faith First" but you might want to look at the Catechetical Resources website which is the info arm of the Image of God series as well as the Faith & Life series (both put out by Ignatius ... they are wonderful (we love the Faith and Life) and there are tons of catechetical resources there for all catechists (that'd be you now if you're teaching them  )....
Good luck .... it's really fun to teach them yourself (you'll be amazed at how much YOU learn -- or I was anyway  )
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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Now is your question how to use Faith First in your home, or how to incorporate religion/catechesis into your home learning with other resources?
Like MaryG said, there are tons of other catechetical resources out there for you to use. Don't feel you have to recreate CCD. It's only a few hours a week, and you have 24/7 for religion formation at home.
Since you aren't doing sacramental preparation for either of your children, you have a little more flexibility. If you want to use textbooks, Mary's suggestions above are excellent. You could also go back to the St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism, always a good standby.
I'd use a little caution for Faith First. Here's a short review of the website. I'm not saying it's heretical, but somewhat "watered-down". Since you are the teacher, you could still use the books, but know where to reinforce with other materials.
Elizabeth Foss' Real Learning and Mater Amabilis done by MicheleQ and KathrynUK layout some "plans" on how to incorporate religion in the home learning and have many suggestions on supplemental reading and materials.
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homewith3
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 9:49pm | IP Logged
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thanks ladies. I was simply asking about Faith First because that was what I was told our church is using. I have been doing some reading tonight and have some good things to check out.
I will probably be back in the next day or 2 asking more questions 
Thanks again
Debbie
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 10:20pm | IP Logged
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Debbie,
Our church has a Family Homeschooling option--and I use it. However, I take my Faith First book the DRE gives me and shelve it and use Faith and Life(which we love) and also ideas gleaned from the wonderful ladies here. I agree that Faith First is watered down. It didn't work with my ds.
I will be going to the meeting of family homeschoolers with the DRE next week to pick up my new Faith and Life book for the year, gospel reading hand outs and teaching schedule for the year.
I you want to use Faith First and need some direction I could send you the lesson plans/outline of the year the DRE gives me. It will be for 4th grade. Even if you aren't doing 4th it might give you an idea of how to use the books.
PM me if you want....
Anne
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 10:23pm | IP Logged
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Oops, just re-read your message and you are doing 4th 
Sorry, I need to get to bed....
Anne
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folklaur
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 10:29pm | IP Logged
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In the past I have used our parish's homeschool option also. They also used to use FF, and I really was unhappy with it. So we used F&L too, plus the many ideas found around this site  .
Our new priest only wants Atrium/CGS classes now. So my kids will be attending Atrium (I do have a 3rd grade ds who will doing FHC/Confirmation this year too). But they offered all three levels during the day for homeschoolers, so I am happy for a change about the RE program at our church. .
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Jennifer
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| Posted: Sept 11 2007 at 10:47pm | IP Logged
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I blogged about the family formation program we use here.
Jennifer
Camp Homeschool
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vmalott
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| Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 7:20am | IP Logged
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Our former parish uses Faith First, and my husband was a 6th grade catechist there. Neither of us like the program, but essentially sent the kids to CCD to form some social connections within the parish that they wouldn't have otherwise formed.
Like the others have said, it is watered down. DH hardly ever taught from the book, something that was actually approved by our DRE...not surprising that the kids enjoyed his classes and actually learned a lot without using those books.
We still send our children to CCD in our new parish for the same social reasons. DH is still a catechist and the fee for our family is waived. If we had to pay for the classes, I doubt we would send them. I think how we live the rhythm of the liturgical year as well as their consistent exposure to good Catholic materials in our homeschool is more instructional.
Valerie
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Valerie
Mom to Julia ('94), John ('96), Lizzy ('98), Connor ('01), Drew ('02), Cate ('04), Aidan ('08) and three saints in heaven
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lmrook
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| Posted: Sept 13 2007 at 11:50pm | IP Logged
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Could anyone here give any more specifics about the "watered down" comments that I could pass on to my pastor? We have been using the Image of God series at our parish and now we are switching to the Faith First program. I am concerned as I've taught Faith Formation in the past using flashy, cartoonish books that only give little bites of info and not much content but I've never actually see the Faith First program. I've looked up links mentioned above and did a google search, but I'm looking for more first hand information with specific examples/comparisons. I would appreciate any input . . . Thanks!
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: CCD/Faith Formation
