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saintanneshs
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| Posted: July 05 2006 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
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Ladies, I was just reading through the threads on First Communion notebooks and am eager to get planning, as my Luke's FHC will be this spring. I noticed that there were lots of references to CGS and to CHC's 2nd grade lesson plans. I have neither one, nor do I have Faith and Life's lesson plans for FHC. I do REALLY want Catholic Mosaic and see that as a must-have for us.
Basically all I have are The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism, lots of great picture books and plenty of enthusiasm, plus the notebook thread ideas. This will be my first exp. preparing my children for their FHC. Having little memories of my own preparation and not much to look back on other than a photo, a certificate and the wonderful feeling I had on that day (or was it my Confirmation Day? sad, huh?) I don't want to miss anything with my kids. I feel like my own formation was really lacking and I don't want to leave anything out.
Unfortunately, the last few times I've felt this way about something I ran out and bought resources only to discover how well they collected dust and to re-learn the lesson of trusting in my instinct that I can do more with less.
This year one of my hs resolutions was to buy fewer "how-to" teaching/planning books and spend what I saved on whole books. So, here's my first challenge. Do I really need more than what I already have (listed above) or is it enough to carry us through?
THANK YOU!
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Kristine
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MichelleW
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| Posted: July 05 2006 at 10:41pm | IP Logged
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Kristine, I can send you the workbook that our parish required us to use (it has been written in). Honestly though, I felt that it was busy work compared to the FHC notebook that we did. I didn't have any CGS, CHC or F&L lesson plans. I just used the Bible and the NSJFCCatechism.
Our notebook (based very much on the plans you've already seen in the archives looked like this:
-Titled "One Body" Body outline, picture of Christ at the head and then we filled in the body with pictures of our family and friends, names of people we knew to be part of the body of Christ and verse from 1 Cor12:4-6 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts..." written out in full around the outside outline of the body. This page is on 22 inch paper and folded in half in a page protector with the pictures on the outside.
-A list of all the Bible stories we could think of that included water. Then we categorized them based on water's function in the story (destruction, purification, cleansing, renewal, life)
-Illustrated narration of Noah's Ark
-Illustrated narration of Jesus' baptism
-"My Baptism" page with pictures of the child's baptism and some thoughts
-"The Bible" page with definition
-Illustrated "My Favorite Bible Story" page that includes narration of the story, why the child favors this story and what we can learn from this story.
-Section on the Exodus from Egypt and the First Passover (this includes narrated pieces, colored pieces and pictures from when we acted this out)
-A page on "The Passover" and how the elements point to Christ
-A page on "The Last Supper"
-A list of Bible stories that include bread in some way.
-An illustrated annotated picture of Christ's birth (Bethleham means "House of Bread", manger held food/grain)
-Illustrated narration of the centurion's faith story "Lord I am not worthy to receive You..."
-Construction paper church/altar with everything labeled (and a little paper priest wearing the appropriate chasubel for the season)
-"We Are Thankful" page. Eucharist comes from the Greek word for "thankful" so each child made a list and offered it.
-"In Communion" page. We discussed the definition of communion and how communion is a sign that we are reconciled to God and in submission to His authority. Each child filled this page with what that would look like for him/her.
-As a prayer was memorized it was added to the notebook. I did not set a minimum standard, so each child's notebook prayer section is very different.
See? There is nothing there that you couldn't do for free! My kids were very well prepared. They take communion with such reverence, and they really understand and appreciate the beauty of the gift.
Michelle
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kingvozzo
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| Posted: July 05 2006 at 11:13pm | IP Logged
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My oldest rec'd FHC last August; he was prepared at home. Although we have Faith and Life, it was really an additional resource. We used the New St. Joseph Catechism, read many books, particulary the children's Missal, studied the prayers, esp. Act of Contrition.
Michelle has some really excellent ideas. I think that if your family is trying to live the faith and follow the Liturgical year, you are going to have so many opportunities for discussion etc, that the "formal" (ie F&L, CHC,)preparation is almost unneccessary.
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Noreen
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Mom to 4 great kids and 10 sweet ones in Our Lady's arms
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 4:53am | IP Logged
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You really don't need anything but the notebook plans and a picture Bible. A trip to the scrapbook store is nice...
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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saintanneshs
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| Posted: July 06 2006 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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Fabulous. I hated the thought of buying one more unnecessary resource and it sounds like I don't have to. I'm just trying so hard to keep it simple this year. I always try to cram too much in and my chicks are still so little...This is a VERY big year for ds6 though, so I didn't want to lose anything while embracing a more "minimalist" attitude. Make sense?
I do however, LOOOVE the thought of visiting the scrabook store (one of my favorite places AND dh will be only too happy to get me out of the house). I think Luke will really like the one-on-one time.
Michelle, THANK YOU for sharing your GREAT ideas!  I'm adding them to the list so I can get started!!
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Kristine
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Erin
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| Posted: July 12 2006 at 7:27am | IP Logged
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saintanneshs wrote:
Ladies, I was just reading through the threads on First Communion notebooks and am eager to get planning, as my Luke's FHC will be this spring. I noticed that there were lots of references to CGS and to CHC's 2nd grade lesson plans. I have neither one, nor do I have Faith and Life's lesson plans for FHC. I do REALLY want Catholic Mosaic and see that as a must-have for us.
Basically all I have are The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism, lots of great picture books and plenty of enthusiasm, plus the notebook thread ideas. ...... Do I really need more than what I already have (listed above) or is it enough to carry us through?
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Kristine,
All I have used in the past to prepare my children for FHC was the St Joseph First Communion Catechism. I have used that little gem to prepare my three older children and also two of my brothers (who are also my godchildren). For the first time I am also using the notebooking approach, which ds loves  I'm using Elizabeth's suggestions for page headings that she posted on the FHC notebook thread.
I really believe you have enough to carry you through. Enthusiasm is the main key.
Congrats on your January blessing.  Lovely news.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: do I really need to buy something else?
