Elementary School Religion Thematic Unit Plans

My Kindergartners STRUGGLE with the Stations of the ✞ Cross! It's so long!

This presentation makes the Stations of the Cross into a very ACTIVE prayer for the smaller kiddos.

Each station includes the traditional call and response (We adore you....) as well as actions that the students can do to identify with Jesus' struggle. The kids can be physically and mentally engaged during the entire prayer.

Check out the preview so it makes more sense and let me know what you think.

1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death

2nd Station: Jesus carries His cross

3rd Station: Jesus falls for the first time

4th Station: Jesus meets his mother

5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross

6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

7th Station: Jesus falls the second time

8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

9th Station: Jesus falls a third time

10th Station: Jesus clothes are taken away

11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross

12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross

13th Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross

14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb

If you like this, there are other products available!

➳Lent Countdown and Goal Setting

➳I have...who has...: Reinforce Lenten vocabulary and trivia.

➳Sort the Lent Events: A fun sequencing game to learn the events of Holy Week.

Visit Catholic Kids Bulletin each month for awesome activity pages to help younger students learn about the Mass!

Do you need more Stations of the Cross Activities?

Stations sorting cards for games or task cards

Early Reader Booklet with tracing and coloring

Presentation Outline and Performance Task for High School Students

This PowerPoint will help you to teach a quick and simple lesson on Advent!

If you want a more In-Depth Lesson on the Nativity, Advent, and Christmas, check out a complete unit packet and lesson plan here. The information on these slides is included in the Jesus' Birth and Childhood Unit.

Enhance your Advent lessons with our comprehensive Advent PowerPoint presentation! This downloadable resource features 23 informative slides designed specifically for elementary students and anyone new to the tradition of Advent. Perfect for teachers, catechists, and parents, this presentation offers a dynamic and engaging way to introduce the significance of the Advent season.

Key Features:

• Advent's Meaning: Discover the profound significance of Advent, which means "coming," as we eagerly await the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. This section provides a foundational understanding of the season's purpose.
• Tips for Active Waiting: Learn how to actively wait during Advent with practical tips and activities. Students will engage with concepts of helping others, understanding the importance of repentance, and establishing a daily prayer routine.
• Advent Wreath Symbolism: Dive into the rich symbolism behind the Advent Wreath, including its evergreen circle that represents God's everlasting love and the four candles that illuminate our path during this sacred time.
• Candle Descriptions: Gain insights into the traditional names and meanings of each candle: Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherd, and Angel. Each candle symbolizes key themes such as hope, faith, joy, and love, providing a deeper understanding of the Advent story.

How It Can Be Used:

• Classroom Instruction: This PowerPoint can be integrated into classroom instruction, serving as a visual aid during discussions about Advent. Teachers can use the slides to facilitate engaging conversations and group activities, enhancing students' understanding of the season.
• Religious Education Programs: Perfect for catechism classes, this presentation can be utilized by catechists to explain the significance of Advent and the traditions associated with it, fostering a meaningful connection to faith.
• Home Schooling: Parents can use this resource to teach their children about Advent, allowing for meaningful discussions and family activities centered around the season.
• Retreats and Workshops: This Advent presentation is ideal for youth retreats, church workshops, and community gatherings, providing a structured yet flexible format for exploring the themes of Advent with diverse audiences.

Who Can Use It:

• Teachers: Educators looking to enrich their curriculum with a focus on religious traditions will find this presentation a valuable tool for teaching students about the significance of Advent.
• Catechists: Those involved in religious education can use this resource to provide a thorough overview of Advent, making it accessible to learners of all ages.
• Parents: Families seeking to deepen their understanding of Advent can utilize the slides as a teaching tool at home, fostering discussions about faith and preparation for Christmas.
• Youth Leaders: Leaders in church youth groups can incorporate this presentation into their programs to help young people grasp the importance of Advent and inspire them to actively participate in the season.

Bring the joy and anticipation of Advent into your classroom or home with this engaging Advent presentation. Help your students understand the beautiful traditions that make this season so special, and inspire them to actively participate in the preparations for Christmas!

You'll also want this Advent Wreath Poster to enhance your Advent lesson!

Advent Wreath Poster

Visit Catholic Kids Bulletin eachmonth for awesome activity pages to help younger students learn about the Mass!

Create an unforgettable Christian summer experience with "The Ultimate VBS Summer Camp Planning Book - Christian + Bible." This comprehensive guide is designed for anyone looking to organize a vibrant Vacation Bible School (VBS) or summer camp. Packed with Bible-based activities, Christian-themed crafts, and lesson plans, this book ensures your camp fosters spiritual growth and fun. Perfect for churches, youth groups, and Christian educators, this essential resource simplifies planning for a faith-filled VBS or summer camp.

Are you a small camp struggling with the high costs of VBS (Vacation Bible School)? I understand the challenge, having spent seven years creating and writing my own VBS to support my small camp. Now, I am excited to share my Summer Camp Program Planning Package, over 170 pages of meticulously crafted content designed to elevate your camp experience without breaking the bank.

All-Inclusive Resource for Camp Organizers

• This comprehensive resource equips camp organizers with everything needed to create an extraordinary summer camp. From detailed schedules and creative crafts to engaging Bible lessons and thrilling gym games, this package is a treasure trove of inspiration and organization.

Key Features:Extensive Six-Week Collection (170 Pages)

• Our Summer Camp Program Planning Package offers a robust collection of 170 pages, providing carefully curated schedules for six weeks of camp. Each schedule balances structured activities, free time, and special events, ensuring daily excitement and engagement.
• Creative Crafts with Step-by-Step Instructions: Inspire campers with a wide array of craft ideas, each with detailed step-by-step instructions. From friendship bracelets to nature-inspired masterpieces, these crafts foster creativity and provide campers with lasting memories and tangible mementos.

Bible Lessons for Daily Spiritual Growth

• The package includes comprehensive Bible lessons for each day of camp, seamlessly integrating faith-based teachings. These lessons promote spiritual growth through engaging activities, thought-provoking discussions, and memorable stories, helping campers develop a strong moral compass and meaningful connections with their peers.

Thrilling Gym Games Galore (Over 50 Pages)

• Keep campers active and energized with over 50 pages of gym games. From classic favorites to innovative team challenges, these games promote teamwork, physical fitness, and healthy competition, building essential life skills such as communication, strategy, and sportsmanship.

"Welcome to Camp" Handbook for New Staff

• Set your new staff members up for success with our specially crafted "Welcome to Camp" handbook. This invaluable resource provides comprehensive information on camp policies, procedures, safety guidelines, and practical tips, ensuring a seamless integration into the camp community from day one.

Weekly Themes and Bible Studies:

Week 1: Building Our Foundation on the Rock

• Theme: The Solid Rock
• Bible Verse: Matthew 7:24
• Lesson Summary: Focuses on the importance of building our lives on Jesus, the solid foundation.

Week 2: Discovering God's Creation

• Theme: The Wonders of the Sea
• Bible Verse: Psalm 150:6
• Lesson Summary: Explores the beauty and wonders of God's creation in the sea, highlighting God's power, creativity, and love.

Week 3: Walking on Water

• Theme: Trusting Jesus
• Bible Verse: Matthew 14:27
• Lesson Summary: Covers the story of Jesus walking on water and emphasizes the importance of trusting Jesus in life's storms.

Week 4: The Pearl of Great Value

• Theme: Finding True Treasure
• Bible Verse: Matthew 13:44
• Lesson Summary: Teaches the parable of the Pearl of Great Value, emphasizing the importance of seeking and treasuring God's kingdom.

Week 5: Beach Blessings

• Theme: Gratitude for God's Abundant Blessings
• Bible Verse: Psalm 107:1
• Lesson Summary: Reflects on God's blessings and the importance of gratitude and using blessings to help others.

Week 6: Trusting God's Plan

• Theme: Journey to the Stars
• Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
• Lesson Summary: Explores the story of Joseph from Genesis 37-50, emphasizing trusting God's plan even in difficult times and how God works for our good.

Purchase Now and Transform Your Summer Camp! Unlock the full potential of your summer camp with this invaluable VBS Planning Package. Create a transformative experience that will leave a lasting impact on the lives of your campers. Order now and embark on a journey of inspiration, growth, and spiritual transformation!

Bring the joy and significance of the Advent and Christmas season into your classroom with our comprehensive Advent and Christmas Resource Bundle!

This all-inclusive collection features interactive activities, lesson plans, and engaging materials designed to deepen students' understanding of the birth of Jesus and the traditions surrounding this holy time.

Perfect for teachers seeking to enrich their curriculum, this bundle caters to diverse learning styles and encourages creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Bundle Components

• Advent Maze and Note-Taking Page for Mini-Posters

  • Engagement: Start your unit with a fun and interactive maze that allows students to engage with seasonal themes.
  • Double-Sided: Print the maze double-sided for added interactivity.
  • Note-Taking: Use the accompanying note-taking page for students to summarize their thoughts.
  • Differentiation: The open-ended format encourages drawing, writing, and coloring, focusing on comprehension rather than strict completion.

• Advent & Christmas Vocabulary Game Cards

  • Excitement: Add energy to your classroom with ready-to-print Catch Phrase game cards.
  • Vocabulary Review: Ideal for reviewing Advent and Christmas vocabulary and key biblical names.
  • Versatile Use: Can be incorporated into brainstorming sessions or group games to reinforce vocabulary and critical thinking.

• Advent & Christmas Hexagons for Discussion

  • Collaborative Learning: Encourage small group discussions using 40 printable hexagons to make connections between various concepts and terms related to the season.
  • Deeper Conversations: Promotes deeper discussions about Advent and Christmas themes.
  • Challenge Advanced Students: Allows more advanced students to explore complex connections and insights.

• Engaging Advent PowerPoint Presentation

  • Introduction Tool: A fantastic resource for introducing students to the meaning and symbolism of Advent.
  • Informative Slides: Features 23 informative slides covering the tradition of Advent and the significance of each candle on the wreath.
  • Foundation for Discussions: Serves as an excellent foundation for discussions and activities, ensuring students grasp the importance of actively waiting during this season.

• Advent Wreath Poster and Holy Family Readers Theater Skit

  • Visual Tracking: The Advent Wreath Poster helps students visually track their Advent journey.
  • Engaging Skit: The Holy Family Readers Theater skit brings the stories of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to life, perfect for grades 4-11.
  • Reflection Materials: Includes a coloring page and worksheet for reflection after the performance, connecting students emotionally and spiritually to the narratives.

Benefits of the Advent and Christmas Resource Bundle

• Comprehensive Learning: A variety of activities and materials to create an engaging learning environment.
• Deepens Understanding: Helps students reflect on the significance of Jesus’ birth and the themes of Advent.
• Fun and Spirit of the Season: Engages students while fostering a joyful classroom atmosphere.

This Advent and Christmas Resource Bundle is an essential addition to your classroom this holiday season. Prepare your students to explore these important themes while having fun and enjoying the spirit of the season!