The Way: First Grade Teacher Guide

The Heart of First Grade Catechesis

Catechesis for children aged three to six is rooted in the understanding that they’re fully capable of embracing and delighting in the message of God’s love through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Even before the age of six, children are naturally connected to God. Your role is to nurture that connection.

While you will certainly be teaching them directly, it is equally important that you guide them as the Holy Spirit works within their hearts.

Allow them the space to wonder and reflect on God’s mysteries. Your role is not merely to provide answers but to inspire curiosity and awe.

Kids at this age are information sponges. They’re thirsty for knowledge and ready to soak it all in.

But don’t worry about fitting everything into a big picture just yet—that will come later. Imagine they’re gathering puzzle pieces but aren’t quite ready to put the puzzle together.

Instead of focusing on grand themes, feed them with stories, names, and images.

Let them build a treasure trove of ideas and images they can piece together as they grow.

Essential Stories for First Grade

Above all else, young children need to feel loved, cared for, and protected. This is the bedrock of their religious education. Without this foundation, nothing else will stick.

The Parable of the Good Shepherd is the best way to convey this. This story encapsulates everything first graders need.

The Good Shepherd knows each of his sheep by name, loves them, cares for them, protects them, and will go to any length to bring them back if they’re lost.

Jesus as the Good Shepherd is THE Gospel message for first graders and the primary understanding you want to impart.

While the Good Shepherd is the cornerstone, don’t stop there. Introduce them to other stories from Jesus’ life, particularly aspects of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery.

The Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Jesus, the Presentation in the Temple, the Last Supper, and the Resurrection captivate young minds and are essential building blocks of their faith.

Notice that most of these are mysteries of the rosary. By delving into these vital aspects of the faith, you’re preparing children to get even more depth from that prayer later.

Also, note—when you talk about the Crucifixion, always pair it with the Resurrection.

And steer clear of the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. First graders don’t respond well to the story of a young boy getting separated from his parents and lost.

When planning your lessons, carefully review your first-grade textbook to identify and prioritize these stories.

Start the year with the story of the Good Shepherd, but try to align other lessons with the liturgical calendar.

For instance, focus on the events surrounding Jesus’ birth as you approach Advent and Christmas, and similarly, cover the Paschal Mystery as you near Easter.

Keep in mind that your textbook may not include all the stories we’ve discussed, so be prepared to supplement where necessary.

It’s perfectly fine to develop lessons beyond what’s in the textbook if it serves the children’s learning.

Don’t feel bound by the textbook’s lesson plans—use them as a guide, not a limitation.

Making Lessons Concrete

Kids this age crave concrete, hands-on experiences. They need to see, touch, and interact with their learning materials.

We spoke earlier about giving children the space to wonder and reflect. This is how they do that.

If you can, accompany Bible stories with physical objects they can manipulate—like dioramas or models. You can purchase these or make them yourself with clothespins or dowels covered with paper drawings.

At the least, you should have a Good Shepherd diorama. As we said earlier, the Good Shepherd is the primary image of Jesus we want to convey in 1st grade.

First, present the story with the children watching how you use the diorama. Afterward, allow them to retell the story on their own.

Provide a framework for them to follow, but also encourage creative exploration of the narrative. This method makes the stories more vivid and engaging.

By offering guidelines while allowing room for personal expression, you enable them to reflect on the mysteries and bring the Bible stories to life in a way that resonates with them.

First graders feel safe when they know what to expect. Keep your teaching environment orderly and consistent.

Show them how to do tasks step-by-step and stick to the routine. As they become more comfortable, you can introduce more complex tasks.

But remember, consistency is crucial. Children learn by watching and imitating, so your actions set the tone for engaging with religious teachings.

The Power of Movement and Touch

Movement and touch are very important for first graders. Their need for movement at this age goes with their need for tactile experiences.

So, incorporate movement and touch into your lessons.

Concrete materials like Mass kits and miniature churches are excellent tools. These items give children a tangible connection to what they see in Mass, setting the stage for deeper understanding in later years.

Children only need to handle these items and learn their names at this stage. Their deeper purpose will come in 2nd grade.

Don’t overlook the power of art in religious education.

Simple activities like tracing line drawings or using different art media allow kids to express what they’ve learned.

Often, textbooks include blackline masters as supplemental materials for lessons. While these can be used for coloring, it’s even better to trace them.

While freehand drawing might be too challenging for some, tracing builds confidence and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Activities for this age group may appear uncreative, yet they are crucial. By around age six, many children are ready to advance beyond tracing.

Expose them to different forms of art as a way to engage with the stories and materials they are learning.

Tools like watercolor paints, colored pencils, playdough, sand tray modeling, and letter illumination offer diverse and enriching experiences.

Giving them the choice of media encourages creativity and allows for personal expression.

Final Thoughts

Teaching first graders about their faith is a beautiful journey.

Remember, it’s not just about the facts—it’s about nurturing their connection with God, making them feel loved and secure, and giving them the tools to explore their faith in a hands-on, creative way.

Keep things simple, consistent, and engaging, and you’ll lay a solid foundation for their spiritual growth.