O Antiphons Projects {Free Printables, Bible Study, and Google Classroom Projects}

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel

As the end of Advent draws near, I wanted to give my students a tool to help ready their hearts for Christmas. There is no better way to do that than with the O Antiphons! Packed with meaning from both the Old and New Testament, the O Antiphons have been prayed by Christians for over 1200 years. I created two Google Classroom assignments for my students to choose from, one more open ended and one more structured.

Both studies include:

• O Antiphon Art
• Background info on the O Antiphons
• Links to videos to listen to the O Antiphons in both English and Latin
• A chart with the English & Latin titles, dates, and Old & New Testament references
• Links to O Antiphon printables (coloring pages/ornaments/etc.)

The Bible Study invites the student to read the Old Testament prophecy connected to the O Antiphon and then the New Testament fulfillment. The Creative Project allows the student to study one O Antiphon and create a unique reflection based on their skills and talents- art, poetry, video, news article, etc. If I were teaching in person right now, I probably would have done the Bible Study as a whole class, and then had the students complete the project on their own, but as they are working individually at home I set it up so they could choose.

I would expect either of these tasks to take my junior highers about 60-90 minutes, so this is a multi day assignment for them. You could shorten it by taking out slides, or spread out over several days. Remember the tasks can also be edited to simplify for younger students or enriched for older students. Make it work for your kids!

These were created in Google Slides because I will share them directly to Google Classroom for my students, but you also can download them and edit in PowerPoint to use or share as you need. (A few more details about that at the end of this post).

And FYI, there is a new section under the Sharing the Faith tab with all of the other editable Google Classroom assignments I've made available on the blog. ;)

Click here for the digital O Antiphon Bible Study:

Here's a little preview of the slides:

Click here for a more open ended project allowing the students to learn about the O Antiphons and then create a project like art, a poem, a video, news article, etc.

Here's a preview of the slides:

These activities originally began as a set of printables, which I added to the blog five years ago. If you'd rather have some coloring pages, I have them in several sizes. Each has the title of Jesus, the date, the Old and New Testament references, and an image. They are great as coloring pages, ornaments, gift tags, decorations, or Bible Journaling. Check out this post for the printables:

It includes a full size O Antiphon Coloring Book:

Click here for the 4-per-page mini book, which also make great ornaments or gift tags:

Or they are also available in a 2" size which are great for Bible Journaling or tiny ornaments.

I wish you a holy remainder of Advent and a very blessed Christmas!

~ ~ ~

A few notes about the digital versions: 

-These assignments were created in Google Slides with the intention of being assigned in Google Classroom. You can certainly download them in PowerPoint and send them through email, or whatever tool you are using to communicate with your students.

-They are totally editable. You just have to make a copy on Google Slides or download to PowerPoint before making any changes. Delete, change, add-- make them work for your kids. (If you request edit access on these files, I won't be able to grant it because it would change the master slides for everyone. You have to make a copy to make changes.)

***All of the resources needed for the tasks are readily available- like public websites or docs I've created. If you share the slides with your students, make sure that they can access all of the links as well. For example, if you have a closed Google Domain (many schools are) they will not be able to open any of the files I have linked because I am outside of their domain. You will have to make a copy, save in your own Google Drive, and link. (Unfortunately, I get A LOT of student access requests to docs shared by their teachers, but I can't even email them back because of domain permissions. It breaks my teacher heart to not be able to help them- so if you are in a closed Google Domain, please keep that in mind!)***

Sweeter Than Honey Coloring Pages {March}

The big idea of our Sweeter than Honey CCD theme this year is to encourage the kids to know and memorize Scripture, specifically the Psalms, so that they know that God's promises are so sweet.

Each month, I'll share a set of coloring pages, one for each Sunday, featuring the Psalm from Sunday Mass.  Using special fonts and simple decorations, they are meant to be a quick addition to your weekly class as an aide to memorizing the Responsorial Psalm.  Add it to your opening and closing prayer, give the students a few minutes to color it during class, and send it home to be hung up on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

Here are the coloring pages for the four Sundays of March:

Click here for the full size Psalm coloring pages for March:

Click here for the half page size Psalm coloring pages for March:
(These fit perfectly inside the Scripture Book cover from this post)

I'll post coloring pages of the Psalms once a month, so stay tuned!  You can find the other resources at these links:

August Coloring Pages

September Coloring Pages 

October Coloring Pages 

November Coloring Pages

December Coloring Pages

January Coloring Pages

February Coloring Pages

ou might also like our Sweeter than Honey theme resources (folder covers, logo, signs, etc.), Sweeter than Honey theme decorations, and St. Abigail and St. Ambrose patron Saint coloring pages.

Holy Family Hearts Coloring Page + Prayer Cards

The month of February is dedicated to honoring the Holy Family.  I'm so happy to share with you a few printables celebrating the Holy Family using the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Pure Heart of St. Joseph.  Perfect for any time of year, they would also be awesome, holy activities for this Lenten St. Valentine's Day as well. :)

Click here for the Holy Family Hearts Coloring Page:

I just made these cute little aspiration cards for a ladies' youth group event and realized they'd make great Valentines too.  They have the Holy Family Hearts on one side and on the other side there are eight short, easy prayers to memorize and use frequently during your day like "Jesus, I trust in You," and "Come Holy Spirit."

Click here for the Holy Family Hearts Aspiration Cards:

The Holy Family Hearts are also available in my Etsy shop as both a rubber stamp and a couple of different kinds of stickers.  I have to hold back to not stamp it on every thing I own. ;)

I also have tons of versions of coloring pages and prayer cards for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, including these pretty stained glass coloring pages.

Click here for more printables:
Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Pages
Sacred Heart of Jesus & Anima Christi Prayer Cards
Sacred Heart of Jesus Color-A-Novena
Immaculate Heart of Mary & Seven Sorrows of Mary Coloring Pages
Immaculate Heart of Mary & Hail Holy Holy Queen Prayer Cards

“I wish to invoke the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth…it is therefore the prototype and example for all Christian families…St. Joseph was a “just man”…may he always guard, protect and enlighten families. May the Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of the Church, also be the Mother of “the Church of the home”…May Christ the Lord, the Universal King, the King of Families, be present in every Christian home as He was at Cana, bestowing light, joy, serenity, and strength”
~St. John Paul II

Sweeter Than Honey Coloring Pages {February}

The big idea of our Sweeter than Honey CCD theme this year is to encourage the kids to know and memorize Scripture, specifically the Psalms, so that they know that God's promises are so sweet.

Each month, I'll share a set of coloring pages, one for each Sunday, featuring the Psalm from Sunday Mass.  Using special fonts and simple decorations, they are meant to be a quick addition to your weekly class as an aide to memorizing the Responsorial Psalm.  Add it to your opening and closing prayer, give the students a few minutes to color it during class, and send it home to be hung up on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

Here are the coloring pages for the four Sundays of February:

Click here for the full size Psalm coloring pages for February:

Click here for the half page size Psalm coloring pages for February:
(These fit perfectly inside the Scripture Book cover from this post)

I'll post coloring pages of the Psalms once a month, so stay tuned!  You can find the August Coloring Pages here, the September Coloring Pages here, the October Coloring Pages here, the November Coloring Pages here, the December Coloring Pages here, and January Coloring pages here.  You might also like our Sweeter than Honey theme resources (folder covers, logo, signs, etc.), Sweeter than Honey theme decorations, and St. Abigail and St. Ambrose patron Saint coloring pages.

Sweeter Than Honey Coloring Pages {January}

The big idea of our Sweeter than Honey CCD theme this year is to encourage the kids to know and memorize Scripture, specifically the Psalms, so that they know that God's promises are so sweet.

Each month, I'll share a set of coloring pages, one for each Sunday, featuring the Psalm from Sunday Mass.  Using special fonts and simple decorations, they are meant to be a quick addition to your weekly class as an aide to memorizing the Responsorial Psalm.  Add it to your opening and closing prayer, give the students a few minutes to color it during class, and send it home to be hung up on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

Here are the coloring pages for the four Sundays of January:

 Click here for the full size Psalm coloring pages for January:

Click here for the half page size Psalm coloring pages for January:
(These fit perfectly inside the Scripture Book cover from this post)

I'll post coloring pages of the Psalms once a month, so stay tuned!  You can find the August Coloring Pages here, the September Coloring Pages here, the October Coloring Pages here, the November Coloring Pages here, and the December Coloring Pages here.  You might also like our Sweeter than Honey theme resources (folder covers, logo, signs, etc.), Sweeter than Honey theme decorations, and St. Abigail and St. Ambrose patron Saint coloring pages.

Sweeter Than Honey Coloring Pages {December}

The big idea of our Sweeter than Honey CCD theme this year is to encourage the kids to know and memorize Scripture, specifically the Psalms, so that they know that God's promises are so sweet.

Each month, I'll share a set of coloring pages, one for each Sunday, featuring the Psalm from Sunday Mass.  Using special fonts and simple decorations, they are meant to be a quick addition to your weekly class as an aide to memorizing the Responsorial Psalm.  Add it to your opening and closing prayer, give the students a few minutes to color it during class, and send it home to be hung up on the fridge or bathroom mirror.

Here are the coloring pages for the five Sundays of December:

Click here for the full size Psalm coloring pages for December:

Click here for the half page size Psalm coloring pages for December:
(These fit perfectly inside the Scripture Book cover from this post)

I'll post coloring pages of the Psalms once a month, so stay tuned!  You can find the August Coloring Pages here, the September Coloring Pages here, the October Coloring Pages here, and the November Coloring Pages here. You might also like our Sweeter than Honey theme resources (folder covers, logo, signs, etc.), Sweeter than Honey theme decorations, and St. Abigail and St. Ambrose patron Saint coloring pages.

Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Activities for Your Home and Classroom

The Solemnity of Christ the King and the end of the Liturgical Year is this weekend! But every end also means a new beginning, and this beginning brings Advent.  I LOVE Advent.  The preparing, the waiting, the hope, the peaceful promise.

Here are some ideas for you to use with your kiddos to keep and celebrate the season of Advent.  Click on any of the images to take you to the resource or post:


Looking for music to keep you in the season?  Check out this Advent Song Playlist:

And videos are always a great addition in the classroom:

Learn about the New Liturgical Year with this Liturgical Year Coloring Book:

And this Liturgical Year Calendar:

Make plans for decorating for the Liturgical Year:

Try some new Advent Traditions:

Printable Advent Candles for an Advent Wreath:

What Advent Looks Like printable:

Wandering Wise Men: 
An alternate activity to Elf on the Shelf, I used the Wise Men from our classroom Nativity to emphasize the waiting and preparing and seeking that is required of us during Advent.  Click on the images to go to the posts with 15 different ideas.

   

Pray and color the O Antiphons:

Seeking our Savior: An Advent Detective Journey based on Scripture, showing how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ.  Printable coloring book, Scripture cards, mini craft projects, and a leaders guide.

Make a Peg Doll Nativity:

 Advent Jeopardy Trivia games here and here.

 Party Like a Saint- A December-Saint-Themed Advent Party with crafts and games.

What if they had email?  Youth Group Advent lesson idea putting the Christmas story in a new perspective.

 A Stocking For Jesus: Activities to go along with the book, including some Advent printables.

Nativity Photo Booth, putting all of those Nativity play costumes and props to good use!

Advent Prayer Ring- Great for Youth Groups or Bible Studies:

My Gift- An Epiphany Readers' Theater:

How will you be keeping Advent this year?