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With 1000's of Religious Education Printables for Children

8 Things to Help You Participate in Mass Handout

Help Children Focus on the Mass with Eight Easy Reminders
This printable sheet is a very easy way to help build a better understanding of the Mass through preparation and participation for this most important event. The eight simple reminders presented are applicable for Catholics of all ages, although they have been written especially for children.

This is a solid teaching tool for first-time communicants and a great review sheet for those who may find it a bit challenging to remain focused during the Holy Mass.

Life of Christ Timeline for Preschoolers and Young Catholics

Help very young children learn about Jesus with this friendly introduction to 24 events in the life of our Lord.

This smaller-sized timeline uses standard 8.5"x11" size paper and is perfect for small spaces and those who prefer to use the Classical learning style or an incremental teaching approach.

We've included two blank timeline pieces for you to color in and create your own events to add to the timeline.

To create our Life of Christ timeline follow these steps.

1. Download our Life of Christ Timeline from our website.

2. Cut apart all pieces on dotted lines.

3. Affix lines to wall or bulletin board by placing the header at the top and following down through time by alternating curves and lines. (See below as an example.)

4. Affix cards to lines; there are three events per line. Display in order by occurrence or by desired study focus.

Feel free to organize the lines and pieces in the way that works best for your family or classroom.

Features:

Age: Wee+
Focus: Recognizing the order of events in the Life of Christ
Theme: 24 important events in the life of Jesus Christ

Sin and Forgiveness Worksheet

Help learners prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This worksheet was created for CCD or home use. Three areas of content are covered in it.

1. Three common names that represent this sacrament
2. Five steps to a good confession
3. Three main effects of receiving this sacrament

References are given from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), and an answer key is provided.

Features:

Age: Gr.2+
Focus: Recalling factual information about the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Theme: Preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
This can be used as a worksheet or a quiz.
References to the CCC are provided, and an answer key is included.
An alternate color version of this resource is also available

Pope Benedict XVI Mini-Book

Little Mini-Book Research Activity Helps Kiddos Remember and Learn About Pope Benedict the XVI.

Use our simple mini-book to help children build confidence in their research skills as they learn about the 265th Pope.

Using resources you already have on hand or can easily acquire on the Internet, this eight-page booklet is sure to be a welcomed change for new writers and those learning the art of narration or comprehension. Space is provided to answer writing or drawing prompts as well as create a title illustration.

Writing prompts include:
Who is Pope Benedict XVI?
What is so special about him?
When and where was he born? When did he become pope?
What special things did he do or accomplish while he was pope?
Describe his papal coat of arms below using words or pictures.
Write one unique fact about Pope Benedict XVI.

Features:

Age: Elem+
Focus: Introductory research skills, fine motor skills
Theme: Pope Benedict XVI, Pope
This resource is one of a larger collection of mini-books that can be easily incorporated into a religious Ed. or CCD class.
Mini-book Keepsake pages are available to help keep this book and others like it organized and easily accessible for review.

Lenten Fill in the Faces Worksheet

Help Children Recall the Details of Lent

Whether you use this sheet as an ice breaker, an informal quiz, or a take-home activity, it is sure to be met with a bit of enthusiasm. With only a few select ideas, answers that can be colored in, and a printable answer sheet, which children can use themselves, it has everything you need to accompany your Lenten lessons.

This version features US English.

Features:

Age: Elem+
Focus: Fact recall
Theme: Lent
This resource features US English usage. A UK version is also available

Lenten Mobile and Lesson

Lesson and Mobile Help Teach About Lent

Present the beauty of the liturgical season of Lent and invite children to make their own resolutions with this mobile project.

The lesson is laid out, and instructions for the mobile's assembly are provided in this six-page download that asks children to think about prayer, fasting, almsgiving and how Lent leads them to be closer to God. This resource will create a hanging reminder of Lent that can be used to decorate one's home or a CCD or Religious Education classroom.

Features:

Age: 7+
Focus: Lent, creating a mobile, fine motor skills
Theme: Lent, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, drawing closer to God.
This lesson can be used in a formal CCD or Religious Ed. class or in the home.

Four Marks of the Church Mobile and Lesson

I had a chance to write and create this lesson today that a few people suggested last night. It is a mobile lesson on the four marks of the Church. I think it would be good for children who have already made their First Holy Communion, but that is only a suggestion. I learned a lot as I tried to make connections for the children at their level using the CCC. I hope many find it fun and useful. My kids were jazzed about it as I put it together today. That’s always a good sign.

7 Sacraments Mobile and Lesson

Here's what we did in my CCD class last week to begin covering the seven sacraments. Like it? It is a lesson and art project in one. It took us about 50 minutes to do the lesson and finish the art part. I finally wrote out the formal directions so that you can download it for your own Religious Ed., CCD or home use now.

7 Sacraments Mobile and Lesson

Celebrate the Seasons of Advent and Christmas with Lots of Our Theme Resources and Goodies

Find Ways to Celebrate the Seasons of Advent and Christmas with Lots of Our
Theme Resources and Goodies.

Nativity Christmas Tag Set

Keep Christ in Christmas with

Nativity Christmas Gift Tags.

Printable Litany of the Infant Jesus Prayer Sheet for Children

Celebrate and Honor the Infant Jesus by

Praying the Litany of the Infant Jesus.

Know-N-Go Nativity Story Game

How well do you know the nativity story? Use this fun game to help learners
commit the details of the nativity story to their hearts and memories.

Basic questions about the story of the birth of our Lord are presented in a get
up and move type classroom or home education game.

Advent…The Coming F3 Activity

Fun activity helps children learn about and invite the season of Advent into
their hearts and minds.

8 Words to Describe the Word Baby Worksheet

Help children practicing using language skills by having them find adjectives to
describe the word baby. The picture selected shows the Infant Jesus in a manger.

Focus on Jesus' Family Worksheet

Focus on common nouns while you teach about the Holy Family.

Christmas Phonics Tree Worksheets

How about some phonics help? Our Christmas vowel tree worksheet set is perfect
for learners of many different ages and is simple to use. Simply select a vowel
sheet and fill in the missing blanks to create words.

Learn About the Chasuble and Liturigal Seasons Including Advent and
Christmas

This five-page set of worksheets explains about the symbolism of the liturgical
colors of green, purple, red, white, and rose (pink) and when they are used in
the church year.

Christmas Theme Adjective Worksheets

A decorated Christmas tree helps kiddos count down until Christmas while
encouraging grammar practice and adjective use. Children simply draw or write a
noun for a person, place or thing in the boxes provided and write a few
adjectives for each.

December Christmas Preparation Themed Tactile Calendar

This tactile calendar focuses on the month of December and preparation for
Christmas while adding life to your learning environment and providing pieces to
create a great family calendar that can be used over and over again.

Make the Perfect Little Christmas Gift to Add in Your Christmas Cards.

It is that time of the year when we send greetings to those we value, cherish,
admire and well, just simply love. Many times we want to send a gift to everyone
on our list, but let's face it; it's just not possible. So today we have a
special little gift that you can add into every Christmas card you send this
year and yes, it fits!

Forgot to buy the Christmas gift tags? Let us help!

We haven't bought a Christmas gift tag for the last few years. We just decided
it would be more fun to make our own.

Yummy Cookie Recipes Perfect for Christmas Snacking and Gift Giving

Christmas Tree Math Counters Help Make Counting Practice Fun.

Celebrate Christmas in Your Math Practice

Plan for Christmas Easily and Quickly - Christmas Planning Sheets

From the creative mind of Shell of

Thinking Love, No Twaddleeasily be used to keep track of the tasks and activities for December or the
season of Advent.

Little Lesson of Advent Stories

Advent and Christmas, People and their stories are great little lessons written
by Shell of

Thinking Love, No Twaddle blog.

Little Lesson of Advent and Christmas Part I

Little Lesson of Advent and Christmas Part II

Little Lesson of Advent and Christmas Part III

Christmas wreath helps children be creative while reinforcing that God
and His love for us eternal.

Advent and Christmas are very special times of the year for Christians. Advent
is our time of preparation for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Christmastide is a celebration of His arrival. Today we have a simple decorative
project that you can use to celebrate either aspect of this season - Advent or
Christmas. It's fun, easy and festive.

Sets of Christmas Themed Writing Paper

Writing letters for Christmas helps children build writing and penmanship as
well as tells others they are important and valued.

Hot Chocolate always brings smiles and this gift will too!!

Homemade gifts can be so neat to make, unfortunately they are not always as fun
to receive. We sometimes even have to quietly ask ourselves, "What is it?" But,
we are sure that you won't have that trouble with this cute yummy homemade gift.

Christmas Playclay Brings Fun and Relaxation for Kids (and Parents)

If you are looking for a little something to help keep your kiddos occupied
while you do a few extra holiday tasks or during a family party, then our
homemade play clay maybe just the thing you need.

Easy Printable Booklet Helps Prepare Us for the Sacrament of
Reconciliation

This little resource booklet is the perfect printable to help prepare young
Catholics to meet our Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Give the Gift of Prayer. Printable Decade - A - Day Spiritual Bouquet is
the Perfect gift for all!!

Beautiful but easy craft combines prayer and tea and makes prayer a meaningful
gift to others!!

Advent and Christmas Coloring Sheets

Help children learn about the story of our Lord's birth with these coloring
sheets..

Celebrate the season with Happy Holiday coloring sheets featuring symbols of
Christmas and winter.

Let the kids help create a festive Christmas meal setting.

Advent is a time of preparation. So why not give your table a few thoughts and
moments of preparation as well. Dress your table for a kids' Christmas party, a
Sunday Advent meal with the in-laws, a fun party at church or in the classroom.
You could even use these cute printables for your big Christmas meal too!

Christmas Theme Assignment Sheet Helps Celebrate the Season

Children can use their daily work to help cheerfully pass the time until
Christmas with this check-off style assignment sheet..

Prayer is a wonderful way to bring the true spirit of the season to the hearts
and mind of all who visit your home this season.

Month of December and Christmas Theme Incentive Chart

Help your kiddos track progress in any area or activity with this incentive
chart featuring the month of December and Christmas.

Color the Seasons of the Liturgical Church Year Worksheet

Help young children begin to understand the calendar of the church year with
this simple worksheet that asks children to note five different liturgical
seasons using a simple liturgical wheel..

Use this rowed resource to keep things organized all month long. Perfect for
noting tasks, planning meals or seeing events, this resource features a cute
Christmas theme.

Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ Notebooking Set

Set of twelve sheets allows students at any level to learn about the nativity of
our Lord, Jesus.

Math 100 Square Counting Worksheets

Christmas Tree Themee

Christmas Cookies Theme

Nativity Christmas Tag Set

Keep Christ in Christmas with Nativity Christmas Gift Tags

Use one of these gift tags on your next Christmas present to tell the wonderful story of the Nativity and what it means to the world.

Simply print out the sheet that contains fourteen different images and cut apart the tags.

Christmas Theme Assignment Sheet with Subjects

Christmas Theme Assignment Sheet Helps Celebrate the Season

Children can use their daily work to help cheerfully pass the time until Christmas with this check-off style assignment sheet.

Columns are provided for a subject, task and a check mark to show accomplishments. Space is provided for a 3-hole punch. Six pre-printed academic subjects, including: math, phonics, spelling, reading, English, religion have been included on this resource.

This printable assignment sheet is one of a larger collection of similar resources, which can be found on our Religious Pack DVD

There has never been a better opportunity to have over 6000 printables at your fingertips.

This Friday, November 23, 2012 Thatresourcesite.com is having a

Black Friday Sale of 50% off of our Educational Resources Discs

These Printables on disc would make a great gift!

Do you know a Religious Education Teacher? Our most popular Religious Pack Disc has over 3000 pdf files on it that are perfect for using in CCD classes, Co ops and Sunday Schools. Or if you are the DRE of your Catechist group, you can get our Parish Pack Disc that includes all the content of the Religious Pack, but includes (4) discs that can used among your teachers.

Or, you could just get yourself a copy and save yourself hours of searching the internet looking for the perfect printable for your class or children to use. Your time is too valuable for that.

For the Ultimate Printables, we'd suggest ordering our Combination Pack Disc.

This (2) disc set includes our Religious Printables as well as our Educational Printables. Over 6000 pdf files would be readily available for you with this set.

All of our Printables on Disc Packs are Ad Free and very easy to navigate. They work the same way as a website with big, bright thumbnails to help you see what you would be printing.

You simply load the disc. From the main window you can select the category you want to look in. Then scroll up or down the page viewing the large thumbnails of the actual file so you can see instantly what the file would look like. When you've found the one you want, simply click the thumbnail and the pdf file will open and you can print it out!

Don't miss out. This will be the best chance to get this many printables at such a discounted price.

Below are some of the Printables categories we have on our discs. (these are from our Religious Pack)

Logs

Learning Logs, Calendars, Cover Sheets, Reading Logs

Games/Puzzles

Games

Copy Work

Alphabet Letters, Copy Work, Prayer Copy Work

Calendars

Monthly, Oversized Wall

Charts

Chore and Incentive Charts

Projects

Various Projects

Books

Parables from Nature - My Library of the Saints

F3/Lapbooking

Activities, F3 Folders, F3 Pieces, KWL Pieces

Note Booking

Alphabet, Blessed Mary, Life of Christ, Field Trip, Faith, Sacraments, Saints

Planning

Assignment Sheets, Daily, Goal, Monthly, Misc, Weekly, Yearly

Worksheets

Worksheets, Cool Facts About

Posters/Signs

Alphabet, Sign Language, Table Settings, Misc. Printables, Book Basket, Posters and Labels

Montessori

Religious, Sign Language (Letters), Sign Language (Numbers)

Coloring

Bible Alphabet, Saintly Symbols, Bible

Mini-Books

Covers, Faith, Human Body, Memory Pages, Saints, Saint Unit Study

Lesson Handouts

Teaching Handouts

Timeline

Life of Christ Timeline for Children

Life of Christ Timeline for Preschoolers

Virtue Lessons

How to Use Our Lessons, Consideration, Courage, Courtesy, Detachment, Determination, Love, Faithfulness, Joyfulness, Kindness, Modesty, Patience, Responsibility, Reverence, Thankfulness, Tolerance

Know-N-Go Game Featuring the Saints

How well can you identify the Saints?
This fun game gets learners up and moving as they answer simple question about well known Saints.

Twelve Saints are featured in this quick and easy game including: St. Anthony, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Patrick, St. Roch, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Cecilia, St. Pascal, St. John Bosco, St. Therese of Lisieux, and others.

Instructions and an answer key are included in this resource.

This game is perfect for CCD, classroom use and could even be a great party game for All Saints Day.

St. Francis of Assisi is perhaps one of the most popular and well known saints in the world. There is so much to tell about this holy hero of the past. Many remember him for his association and gentleness with animals. Others recall the wonderful prayer of St. Francis, which tells us, specifically how to be better Christians. But I remember most fondly that St. Francis is the one responsible for the nativity scene as we know it today.

We offer these resources to help inspire young Catholics to learn more about St. Francis of Assisi.

In God’s House Worksheet

Review the Ways to Show Reverence to God in His House.

Help children learn how to show our Lord reverence in His house with this simple fill-in the circle worksheet. Children are given twelve statements with which they must decide to either agree or disagree. They make their selection by coloring or filling in the appropriate face.

The basics of church etiquette are covered.

An answer sheet is provided in the lesson.

Sixteen Inviting Ideas to Enrich Your CCD Class or Program

The learning year has just begun, and faith formation programs are in full swing. The children have registered and are filing into the classroom. You are ready to go and enthusiastic. But what happens if your students aren’t so excited about missing soccer practice, their favorite TV show, or piano lessons to attend class? Nothing is worse than to be absolutely certain that some children in your class are not very keen on being there. How do I know? Simple, I ask the children on the first night of class.

If parents are present with us in the class, I sometimes ask moms and dads to close their eyes so that the children feel they can answer honestly. (I'm pretty sure they peek, though.) I then ask who would rather be somewhere else or doing something else besides coming to class. It is very disheartening to see even a single hand go up. But I would rather know the truth on the first night; however, sad it may be, so that I can plan my year accordingly, and show up next class ready to change their minds.

I recognize that as a catechist I am competing with the world for each child’s attention. Sporting events, television shows, school functions, video games, the internet, texting, social circles, and fatigue, are all realistic factors that make demands on children’s time and energy. I generally do not feel overwhelmed with the competition, on the contrary. I feel spurred on by the challenge to reach every single child with the message of the Church – and it doesn’t involve just reading in class.

Below are sixteen different ideas to help bring the faith to life for your CCD class or Faith Formation program with easy, inexpensive, and very effective activities that are sure to help bring the truth of Christianity and the Catholic faith to life for young hearts and minds.

1. Invite your pastor to visit your class with his Mass kit. Children always find this activity so fascinating. The Mass kit, sometimes called a Mass travel kit, is a smaller portable version of everything a priest needs to celebrate the holy Mass. Children will begin to recognize the importance of sacramentals as well as the need for serving those away from a formal parish, not to mention, slowly taking one thing out of the case at a time appeals to a child’s natural tendency to be awed by the truth.

2. Ask your sacristan to give a step by step tour of how he or she prepares the altar and sacristy to celebrate holy Mass. This activity helps children to recognize the parts of the church, the importance of the altar, and the sacramentals used in the celebration of the Eucharist.

3. If your church has a cemetery, have a knowledgeable long-time member of the parish, give a tour of the cemetery to the children. Not only do the children see historical names and dates of those who worshiped in their church before them, but it is a good opportunity for your accompanying catechist or DRE to teach about reverence for the dead, how to behave in a cemetery, and the Communion of Saints. When the tour is completed, appropriate prayers may be prayed as a class on-site or back in the church, including the Eternal Rest prayer or the Litany for the Dead.

4. Have your pastor give a personal tour and talk in the church about how he prepares to celebrate the holy Mass. What vestments does he don and what do they mean? Does he say any special prayers? Are there specific tasks that he performs in the sacristy, on the altar, or in the church to prepare for his parishioners and the presence of our Lord? This helps children see the importance and reverence associated with the holy Mass, and the love the pastor has for his Bridegroom, the Church.

5. Provide special opportunities for community prayer as a CCD class or Faith Formation Program. For example, you could pray the Rosary as a group, with each child using an individual rosary and a catechist leading the bead placement. Invite a few children to read appropriate reflections on the Mysteries from the ambo. Similar activities can be done for litanies, novenas, and other devotions.

6. Lead a church tour. Give children the opportunity to explore, ask questions about and become familiar with the place that we call God’s House. As Catholics we are asked to spend a minimum of about 60 hours a year (weekly Mass and Holy Days of Obligation) in the church. It is important that children become as familiar with and as comfortable as possible in the place we hold in such reverence, so that they will feel needed and welcomed. Children need to feel a sense of ownership and belonging just as adults do. After all, each generation will attend Mass and worship our Lord, support the Church socially and financially, and be given the task of evangelizing and spreading the Good News, just like the generation before it. Every generation is important!

7. Arrange a Meet the Ministries Night. Help children see that there are many different people who work together in various ministries or groups to allow the church to serve the parish community in a very meaningful and real way. Kiddos can meet new people while they are introduced to groups that might encourage their participation – prayer groups, youth or family groups, Mass lectors, or choirs.

8. Highlight a Relic. If your church has a relic or is planning on hosting a relic, use it as an opportunity to teach about relics, saints, and reverence. It is also a wonderful chance to talk about mysteries and miracles, and how they have been an integral part of the Catholic faith both historically and in modern times. A short talk or presentation especially for children could be given by your pastor or the organization responsible for procuring the visitation of the relic such as the Knights of Columbus or other ministry. Children should be able to get fairly close to the relic, handling it under supervision, if possible.

9. Hold a yearly retreat for children. Retreats are completely spiritually oriented and are much shorter, and easier to plan and facilitate than a week long VBS type program. This single day-long program can focus on any of a number of topics: highlighting a liturgical feast, teaching children to pray, learning about the Blessed Mother or the Trinity, preparing to receive first Reconciliation or first Eucharist. I have held day-long retreats for my CCD classes for quite a few years, and they have been very well received, enjoyed, and quite memorable.

10. Invite children and their families to a Parish Mission. If your parish organizes a yearly Mission, you may approach your pastor to have the speaker address the families and children during one particular speaking block. The children and their families may be invited to sit in a specially designated or reserved area to help the speaker more easily address them – even if only for a few minutes of the planned program

11. Encourage Mass attendance by arranging for individual families or children to bring up the offertory gifts during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at different times throughout the learning year.

12. Invite children to attend the next Baptism in the church. This is very easily accomplished within class hours if you will have a child within the CCD program who will be preparing to join the church community within the learning year. With your Pastor's support and cooperation, plan for the Baptism to be the teaching event for your regularly scheduled class time. As a simple format, he could easily explain a bit about the sacrament of Baptism to the children and then baptize the child. This could be followed by a simple celebration of cake and welcoming into the church in the hall or designated room. It is important for children to celebrate as a community and see the sacraments in action. Reading about matter and form in a book is a nice introduction, but nothing takes the place of witnessing the dispensing of sacraments in the flesh.

13. Arrange for the CCD Program or a specific class within the program to lead the Stations of the Cross devotion. In some parishes, ministry groups take turns leading the traditional Lenten devotion weekly in the church. Ask for your ministry to be involved also. Ask for child volunteers to read individual stations. This can be a very exciting and welcomed task for many kiddos. If you do not have many volunteers, just a few children may be used and assigned a few stations a piece or catechists may also participate. Ask your parish secretary for copies of the devotion that is used and provide children with copies of their assigned stations so that they may practice ahead of time. Have a catechist with them during the devotion in case children stumble over words, or need help determining when to start or pause in their reading.

14. Inform families when the next sacrament of matrimony will be celebrated in the church and invite them to attend with the rest of the parish community.

15. Invite your pastor to a Q & A Night. Many children, and some adults, are not aware of all the tasks that a priest, and specifically, a pastor, performs. Ask students to prepare questions to ask their pastor, when he comes to speak. As a simple speaking idea, ask your pastor to perhaps do a Day in the Life account, which could then be followed by an open question period. For a bit older teens, this could even help lead a young person to explore the priesthood or religious life as a vocation.

16. Consider making Jesus a part of your class with Adoration. Whether you visit Jesus in the adoration chapel for a few minutes each class period or celebrate as a Religious Education Program for a half-hour monthly, incorporating Christ in the Real Presence into your year plan is awesome! We are blessed in our parish to have a pastor that holds 30 minutes of Adoration for our CCD children and families once a month. He leads and facilitates prayer, meditation, and allows for children to share any intentions they may have, which we pray for all together in the presence of our Lord. With children as young as five years old and those in the challenging tweens and early teens, the time with our Lord quickly became a monthly highlight for the children and teachers alike. Although some may be concerned about losing time to cover material in the classroom – there is nothing written in a textbook that is more important than actually being present with our Lord.

With a little planning and enthusiasm, the prospect of faith formation will be slowly become a solid priority in the life of your young Catholic learners.