DIOCESAN CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR ELEMENTARY

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN

 

These Curriculum Guidelines are presented to assist and guide all who labor in the catechetical ministry in our parish schools and in our religious education programs. The General Directory for Catechesis reminds us that, “the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus” (80). Thus, a primary goal of all catechesis is to help students develop a relationship with Christ that influences their thoughts and action. Another goal of religious education is to foster active membership in the Church, the Body of Christ. In order to feel a sense of belonging to the Church, students should know and understand its beliefs, prayers and traditions.

These Curriculum Guidelines are divided into three sections for each grade level. The first section, “Our Church’s Teaching,” lists concepts or doctrinal points that are to be covered in a particular grade. Each doctrinal point is given reference to both the Scripture as well as to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). These doctrines are the minimal and essential teaching for a particular grade level. It is presumed that students will also have religion textbooks, approved by the Bishop’s Conference to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that are much more comprehensive and will offer many more topics for learning. The second section is entitled “Our Common Knowledge of the Faith,” which lists questions and answers to be memorized in a traditional catechism-like manner. There are forty-five questions and answers to be memorized over the course of eight years. The wording of the questions and answers attempted to be closely aligned to those of the Baltimore Catechism so that families could share a common knowledge. The third section includes certain age appropriate prayers that should be known “by heart” by the completion of the grade. Each year, the teacher should review the prayers learned in previous years.

The use of memorization for some central beliefs of the faith ensures that students will have a foundation upon which to build. The General Directory for Catechesis reminds us that, “Catechetics forms part of that ‘memory’ of the Church which vividly maintains the presence of the Lord among us. Use of memory, therefore, forms a constitutive aspect of the pedagogy of faith” (154).

Every catechist must remember that memorization alone is not enough. Catechists must use all forms of learning including reasoning, spontaneous reaction, reflection, dialogue, silence, writing, music and use of art forms. There is a diversity of methodologies for catechesis. Again, the General Directory for Catechesis shares its wisdom with catechists stating, “the Church, in transmitting the faith, does not have a particular method nor any single method. Rather, she discerns contemporary methods in the light of the pedagogy of God and uses with liberty ‘everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honor and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise’ (Phil. 4:8). In short, she assumes those methods which are not contrary to the Gospel and places them at its service” (148).

Each teacher must assess the capabilities of the students in a class and discern how best to teach. While these guidelines are simple and basic, each catechist should insert these teachings and the material to be memorized over the course of the academic year. Much of what is presented here for each grade level is in line with the scope and sequence of most textbook series. Therefore, these guidelines should easily be adapted into the lessons plans.

These guidelines were developed to assure consistency in the teaching of the faith in the Diocese of Brooklyn. They are to help catechists plant the seeds of faith that others will help nurture and grow. These guidelines are intended not only to give common direction to our efforts and provide norms for this evangelizing ministry of the Church, “but to nurture, with the power of the word and the interior action of the Holy Spirit, the hope of those who labor in this privileged area of ecclesial activity” (GDC

  

First Grade

FIRST GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

 CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

1. Who is God?

A. God is a Supreme Being who made all things and keeps them in existence.

2. In whose image did God make us?

A. God made us in his own image and likeness and made us good.

3. Why did God make you?

A. God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to live with

Him forever in Heaven.

4. Where is God?

A. God is everywhere.

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

FIRST GRADE

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father (with open right palm towards you, and fingers together, touch the middle of your forehead) and of the Son (touch the middle of your chest) and of the Holy (touch your left shoulder) Spirit (touch your right shoulder) Amen (bring both open palms together in front of you).

The Our Father

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Glory Be

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Prayer to Your Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Our Church’s Teaching

 Second Grade

SECOND GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

5. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. It is a meeting with Christ.

6. What is grace?

A. It is God’s life in us.

7. How many Sacraments are there?

A. There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

For First Penance

8. What is Reconciliation or Penance?

A. Reconciliation is the sacrament in which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven.

9. What is sin?

A. Sin is any deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the law of God that harms others or myself.

10. What are the five steps to a good confession?

A. The five steps to a good confession are:

1. Examine my conscience.

2. Tell God I am sorry.

3. Promise to sin no more.

4. Confess my sins to a priest.

5. Say my penance.

For First Eucharist

11. Who is Jesus Christ?

A. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, true God and true man.

12. What is the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?

A. The Holy Eucharist is the sacrament of the body and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

13. What is Holy Communion?

A. Holy Communion is receiving the body and blood of Christ.

14. What are the principal parts of the Mass?

A. The principal parts of the Mass are:

1. The Liturgy of the Word

2. The Liturgy of the Eucharist

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

SECOND GRADE

The Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God have mercy

Students should know all the responses of the Mass (except for the Gloria and the Nicean Creed which will be covered in later grades).

Third Grade

THIRD GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

15. Is there more than one God?

A. No, there is only one God and Him alone you should adore. In God there are

three Divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

16. How do we know God?

A. We know God as beyond us, as with us and as within us.

17. Are the three Divine Persons one and the same God?

A. The three Divine Persons are one and the same God, having one and the same Divine Nature.

18. What do we call God becoming man?

A. We call God becoming man the mystery of the Incarnation.

19. How was the Son of God made man?

A. The Son of God was conceived and made a man by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

20. What are the four marks of the Church?

A. The marks of the Church are four: It is one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

THIRD GRADE

The Confiteor from Mass

I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The Gloria from Mass

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ. with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, the Father. Amen!

Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord! and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace After Meals

We give thanks for all your benefits, almighty God, who lives and reigns forever. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Our Church’s Teaching

Fourth Grade

FOURTH GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

21. What is mortal sin?

A. Mortal sin is a serious offense against the law of God.

22. What makes a sin mortal?

A. For a sin to be mortal, three things are necessary:

1. It must be a serious matter.

2. The person must know it is a serious matter.

3. There must be full consent of the will.

23. What is a venial sin?

A. Venial sin is a lesser offense against the law of God.

24. What are the Ten Commandments?

A. The Ten Commandments are:

1. I am the Lord, your God, you shall not have strange gods before Me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

4. Honor your father and mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

25. What are the four Gospels?

A.   The four Gospels are those books written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that describe the main events of the life of Jesus Christ.

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

FOURTH GRADE

The prayers of the rosary are:

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (said Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays of Advent and the Christmas season) are:

The Sign of the Cross The Apostle’s Creed The Our Father The Hail Mary The Glory Be Hail Holy Queen

 

2. The Visitation

3. The Birth of Jesus

4. The Presentation

5. The Finding in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary (said Thursdays) are:

1. The Baptism of Jesus

2. The Wedding Feast of Cana

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom (The Call to Conversion)

4. The Transfiguration

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary (said Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays of Lent) are:

1. The Agony in the Garden

2. The Scourging at the Pillar

3. The Crowning with Thorns

4. The Carrying of the Cross

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary (said Wednesdays and Sundays of ordinary time) are:

1. The Resurrection

2. The Ascension

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4. The Assumption of Our Lady

5. The Coronation of Our Lady

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement! O loving! O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Our Church’s Teaching

Fifth Grade

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

                                    CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

26. What are the Sacraments of Christian Initiation?

A. The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

27. What is Baptism?

A. Baptism is a sacrament that gives us new life in grace by which we become children of God.

28. What is Confirmation?

A. Confirmation is the sacrament through which the Holy Spirit comes to us in a special way to enable us to profess and live our faith.

29. What are the Sacraments of Healing?

A. The Sacraments of Healing are Reconciliation (or Penance) and the Anointing of the Sick.

30. What is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?

A. Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament of healing that brings Jesus’ healing, comfort and strength to those who are seriously ill, elderly or in danger of death.

31. What are the Sacraments of Service or Vocation?

A. The Sacraments of Service or Vocation are Matrimony and Holy Orders.

32. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?

A. Matrimony is a sacrament by which a man and a woman bind themselves to each other in love for life. 19

 33. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

A. Holy Orders is a sacrament of ministry whereby men serve God and God’s people by becoming deacons, priests, and bishops.

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

FIFTH GRADE

Morning Prayer

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Church’s Teaching

Sixth Grade

SIXTH GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

                                                         CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

34. What are the corporal works of mercy?

A. The corporal works of mercy are:

1. To feed the hungry

2. To give drink to the thirsty

3. To clothe the naked

4. To give shelter to the homeless

5. To visit the sick

6. To visit the imprisoned

7. To bury the dead

35. What are the spiritual works of mercy?

A. The spiritual works of mercy are:

1. To counsel the doubtful

2. To instruct the ignorant

3. To admonish the sinner

4. To comfort the sorrowful

5. To forgive offences willingly

6. To bear wrongs patiently

7. To pray for the living and the dead

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

SIXTH GRADE

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father, through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen

Our Church’s Teaching

Seventh Grade

SEVENTH GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

                                          CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

36. Where shall we find the chief truths that the Catholic Church teaches?

A. We find the chief truths that the Catholic Church teaches in Scripture and Tradition.

37. What is Scripture?

A. Scripture is the revealed Word of God written by different authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

38. What is Tradition?

A. Tradition is the living transmission of revealed truths taught by Christ and His apostles, which were given to the Church by word of mouth and put in writing principally by the Fathers of the Church.

39. What are the Eight Beatitudes?

A. The Eight Beatitudes are:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.

3. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be filled.

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled.

5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be called the children of God.

6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

40. What is actual grace?

A. Actual grace is that help of God which enlightens our mind and moves our will to avoid evil and do good.

 41. What is sanctifying grace?

A. Sanctifying grace is God’s life within us, a supernatural gift of God.

42. What are the effects of Confirmation?

A. The effects of Confirmation are an increase of sanctifying grace, the strengthening of our faith and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

43. What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?

A. “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord” (CCC-1831).

OUR PRAYER TRADITION

 SEVENTH GRADE

Prayer to Our Lady (Memorare)

Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you, O Virgins of virgins, our Mother. To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear us and answer them. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Our Church’s Teaching

Eighth Grade

EIGHTH GRADE

OUR COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

                                       CORE BELIEFS TO BE KNOWN

44. What is prayer?

A. Prayer is the lifting of the heart and mind to God. It is a response to God’s invitation to seek Him.

45. What are the four types of prayer?

A. The four types of prayer are:

• Praise

• Thanksgiving

• Contrition

• Petition