Icebreaker Discussion: My Personal Opinion
You can use this discussion format in a number of ways. Here’s one: Pass out a small, blank card to each student. Write on a board several typical values, vices, events that teens are likely to have a strong opinion on either way. See…
First Week of School Introductions
Here’s a brief introductory activity you might use on the first day or in the first week of school to help you and your students get to know each other better. Prepare pre-printed name tags that are big enough for the students to add several…
Disney’s Version of the Ave Maria
An interesting piece of information you may wish to share with your students is Walt Disney's inclusion of Schubert's classic Ave Maria in the full-length animated motion picture Fantasia. The idea of a popular, secular film containing…
People Who Met and Recognized Jesus
During Jesus’ ministry many would-be friends and enemies did not recognize him or his mission as the Son of God. But several people did. Give the following list to the students and ask them to name some of the people who met and recognized…
Reflection Exercise: I Forgive Me
Here is a short exercise on how to forgive oneself. Use the following information to make a handout. Distribute to the students and have them work individually to complete the items. Tell them you will check to see that they did the work, but that…
Seat Warming Activity on Marriage
Last week was National Marriage Week. As a seat warming activity, have your students write answers to the following questions about marriage. The first set of questions is objective questions with the answers to be summarized from the Catechism of…
Sharing News about a Religious Vocation
The discernment of a religious vocation for a young man or young woman is accompanied by prayer, questioning, and finally a decision. At some point the person tells his or her family of the choice to further prepare for the priesthood or religious…
Dialoguing Principles
Small group and full classroom discussions encourage sharing among your students. Though each lesson and activity uses slightly different dialogue techniques, some general methodological principles apply to all of them. The following principles,…
Catholic New Years’ Resolutions
As a welcome back to class exercise after Christmas vacation, ask the students to create a list of ten Catholic New Years’ Resolutions.
A Discussion on the Sacrament of Penance
Here’s a short discussion activity you can lead prior to a fuller lesson on the Sacrament of Penance and, perhaps, participation by your students in the sacrament itself.