Grade 3

Chapter 1
In chapter 1, you and the children focus on the Holy Trinity. This is an appropriate time to share the Glory prayer with them.

You might like to make a copy of the prayer for each of the children. Invite them to cut out and decorate the prayer to make a holy card.

Point out to the children that the Glory prayer is on page 474 in their texts.

Click here to download "Glory Prayer"

Chapter 2
In Chapter 2, the children learn about God's wonderful creation. Use the following format to help the children write a psalm which praises and thanks God for their favorite gifts of creation.

Click here to download "A Creation Psalm"

Chapter 4
In chapter 4, the children learn about four women who are women of faith. These women were models of faith for Mary. All five women are models of faith for the children today. On page 41, the children are asked to name women they know who are models of faith. You might like to extend this lesson with one of the following ideas.

Use the form below to help the children write letters to the women of faith they know. (See page 46 of the student text.)

Pray a litany with the children. Use the name of the women of faith in the litany. Lead the litany, pausing for the children to offer the names of the women of faith. Invite all the children to recite the response together.

Click here to download "A Letter to a Woman of Faith/Praying a Litany"

Chapter 5
In chapter 5, the children learn about the Holy Family, Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The children read about how Mary and Joseph shared their love of God with Jesus. Mary and Joseph are models for all parents. This is an appropriate time to share a family blessing with the children. Make copies of this blessing, and encourage the children to share the blessing with their families. You might like to invite the children to decorate the blessing. Encourage them to display the blessing in their homes.

Click here to download "A Family Blessing"

Chapter 6
In chapter 6, the children learn about the Paschal Mystery. This is an appropriate time to talk to them about the memorial acclamation. We say or sing the memorial acclamation during the Eucharistic prayer at Mass. Use the acclamation included below to review the Paschal Mystery with the children.

Click here to download "Memorial Acclamation"

Chapter 7
In this chapter, the children learn about the Holy Spirit. They will learn a variety of names and symbols for the Holy Spirit. Invite the children to make prayer cards to help the children remember that the Holy Spirit is with them at all times.

Click here to download "Making Prayer Cards"

Chapter 8
In this chapter, the children learn about the Sacraments of Initiation. On pages 82-83, they learn about the sacrament of Baptism. Through Baptism, we become members of the Church. This is an appropriate time to give the children an opportunity to welcome the newly baptized members in their parish.

Click here to download "Making Welcome Cards for the Newly Baptized"

Chapter 9
n this chapter, the children learn about the communion of saints. On page 91 of the pupil text, the children read that the communion of saints includes living people who are trying to live holy lives. Use the following activity to help the children honor people they know who are trying to live holy lives.

Click here to download "Making Communion of Saints Cards"

Chapter 10
In this chapter, the children learn about the apostle Paul. On pages 100-101 of the pupil text they read about Paul persecuting Christians. On pages 102-103, they read about Paul's conversion. To help the children visualize Paul prior to his conversion, invite volunteers to spontaneously act out Who Was Saint Paul? as you read aloud.

Click here to download "Acting Out The Story"

Chapter 11
In this chapter, the children learn about the sacraments. On page 118 of the pupil text, they learn about sacramentals. This is an appropriate time to invite the children to bring in any saramentals they may have and bless them.

Click here to download "Blessing Sacramentals"

Chapter 12
In this chapter, the children learn about reconciliation. On pages 124-125 of the pupil text, they learn about forgiveness. On page 208 of the catechist guide, you are given some vignettes. Invite the children to use these vignettes to develop skits.

Click here to download "Performing Forgiveness Skits"
Click here to download "Acting out Vignettes"

Chapter 13
In this chapter, the children read the scripture story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Page 220 of the catechist guide suggests that you play "Simon Says" with the children. Play this game to help the children learn and recall a number of liturgical gestures and prayer postures.

Click here to download "Playing "Simon Says""

Chapter 15
In this chapter, the children read the story of the Wedding at Cana. This is an appropriate time to discuss some of the other miracle stories.

Click here to download "Exploring Miracle Stories"

Chapter 16
In this chapter, the children learn about the Mass. This is an appropriate time to review the parts of the Mass with the children. Try playing charades to review the Mass.

Click here to download "Playing Charades"

Chapter 17
In this chapter, the children learn about the liturgical year. This is an appropriate time to help the children understand more about the liturgical environment. Consider inviting a guest who serves on the Environment or Liturgy Committee.

Click here to download "Inviting a Guest"

Chapter 18
In this chapter, the children learn about the Great Commandment. Invite the children to present skits to help them name ways they can love God, love themselves, and love others.

Click here to download "Presenting Skits"

Chapter 19
In this chapter the children learn about the Ten Commandments. Follow the directions below to help the children understand the importance of rules.

Click here to download "Asking "What If?""

Chapter 20
In this chapter the children learn the last seven commandments. As you conclude this chapter, follow the directions below to help the children better understand all the commandments.

Click here to download "Illustrating the Ten Commandments"

Chapter 21
In this chapter, the children learn about the psalms. This is an appropriate time to help the children understand that we pray the psalms at Mass when we sing the repsonsorial psalm. Follow the directions below to help the children better understand the responsorial psalm.

Click here to download "Singing the Responsorial Psalm"

Chapter 22
In this chapter, the children learn about grace, heaven, saints, and funerals. This is an appropriate time to invite a guest to talk to the children about their experience of the funeral ministry in your parish.

Click here to download "Inviting a Guest"

Chapter 23
In this chapter, the children learn the Our Father. Page 367 of the catechist guide suggests that children who know different languages teach the group the Our Father in another language. Or, you can use the prayer below to teach the children the Our Father in Spanish.

Click here to download "Praying the Our Father In Spanish"

Chapter 24
In this chapter, the children learn about being people of prayer. On page 253, the children read about parish payer. This is an appropriate time to invite a guest from your parish to talk to the children about prayer ministry. Follow the directions below.

Click here to download "Inviting a Guest"

Chapter 25
In this chapter, the children learn about the Apostles' Creed. Follow the directions below to have the children write their own creeds.

Click here to download "Writing Creeds"

Chapter 26
In this chapter, the children learn about Mary. On pages 268-269 of their texts, they read the story of the Annunciation. Use the script below to involve the entire group in reading the story.

Click here to download "The Annunciation"