Learning Through Play: The Mass

Children have different learning styles- some learn through listening, some through seeing, some through music, and some through movement.  Even with specific strengths like these, I think we can agree that all children benefit from skills learned through doing, practicing, modeling, and acting out- in essence, through play.  Even though my students are 10 and 11, this is no less true for them as it is for their younger peers.  As I tweak things in my classroom over the summer and make room through growth in student centered instruction plans, I am on the look out for Catholic resources that allow for hands-on interaction and learning.

Meeting all of my expectations, I have fallen in love with these Mass play sets from Wee Believers.  Part of the Wee Discover series of faith filled toys, the My Little Church Magnet Set* and My Pop Out Mass Kit* have both received a Seal of Ecclesiastical Approval and are wonderful faith centered toys that help kids play, pray, and learn.  The Wee Believers Sr. Mary Clara and Fr. Juan Pablo dolls and Vocation books were among some of my first purchases as a new DRE years ago and they remain a favorite addition to my Faith Corner in our classroom, so I am excited to add these to our collection of resources.

After trying out these play sets (lots of pictures and details below), I can easily see how these could become a favorite toy for kids at home.  I wanted to think about some practical classroom adaptations as to how these sets could also be used as a resource in Catholic schools and CCD programs.  I love how they are child friendly while still being uniquely Catholic, accurate, and beautifully made.  Here are a few ideas:

For Younger Students (5-8 years old):

• Practice setting up the church  or altar for Mass (maybe limiting the number of Mass articles at the beginning)
• Playing Mass by moving the priest/people/Mass articles for each main part of the liturgy
• Pray the parts of the Mass alone or with a "congregation" using a Mass book like this or this. (affiliate links)
• Practice the steps and prayers during Mass, especially in preparation for receiving First Holy Communion 
• Work on memorizing and using the correct names for the Mass articles and their use

For Older Students (9-11 years old):

• Practice correctly setting up the church and altar
• Know the names of each Mass article and their purpose
• Match objects to name cards 
• Understand the difference between setting up for Mass or Adoration or another liturgical celebration
• Note differences inside the church during various liturgical seasons
• Talk through the Mass parts and movement of people and things in the church 
• Discuss prayers and responses from Mass and Adoration and their meanings
• Tour church Sacristy or invite a Sacristan or Priest to join the class and show the students the parish's real Mass articles

I plan to use both of these sets in my classroom with some of the the above ideas during our Sacrament unit on the Eucharist.  They'll work great along with other content activities for stations as well as enrichment and choice work.  Wee Believers even offers lots of matching printables and activities for free download on their website here.

Here are some close up views of these two play sets along with what I like about each:

First up, the My Little Church Magnet Set- It comes with a tri-fold magnetic church interior, 38 magnetic pieces, and an instructional booklet:

The church tri-fold stands on its own and the magnets can be arranged in tons of different ways:

Different magnets feature the priest sitting and standing (and facing backwards for Latin Mass) as well as different colored chasubles.

It includes Mass articles:

And Sanctuary furniture:

And people for the congregation:

I love this little booklet that has pictures that match the magnets and great explanations about the Mass articles and their uses.

All the pieces of the magnetic set stick easily to the trifold board even when standing (no sliding!) and even with the pieces in place, it still folds easily for storage.  Everything fits perfectly in the clear storage pouch so no little magnets are lost for next time.


Next up, the Pop Out Mass Kit:

It comes with a heavy weight "altar", 14 Mass articles, and an explanation/set up sheet:

I popped out all the pieces and am super impressed with the heavy cardboard and sturdy stands that can be removed easily for storage and then reused again and again:

The set comes with an info sheet with instructions for how to set up for Mass:

And Adoration:

I really like how each item is clearly labeled on the back:

The other side of the info sheet also has matching pictures and short descriptions of the purpose and use of each item.  I'll definitely be laminating this sheet for longevity and keeping it with the set for student use:

All of the pieces easily store back in the clear storage case, or they fit well in  shoe box sized container which is how I'll store them in my classroom, eliminating the need to un-assemble and assemble each time.

While for younger children this set would be great for pretending and playing Mass, for my intermediate students this set will be very useful for emphasizing the names and purposes of Mass articles.  Instead of using just pictures, the students have the advantage of touching and interacting with the objects first, and then could use the same objects for an assessment.  I could definitely see setting up a table like this where the student have to match each number with the name of the Mass article and what it is used for, either on a recording sheet or using vocab cards.

I really love both the My Little Church Magnet Set and My Pop Out Mass Kit and know that they will make a great addition to my Sacrament focused curriculum.  My students will benefit from the hands-on method of these learning toys and the examples and explanations they can relate to.  I know that they would be a wonderful toy for any Catholic kid- whether at home or in a classroom.

Have you ever tried these products or other play Mass sets?  How have you used them with your children or students?


*Wee Believers provided me with a free set of My Little Church and My Pop Out Mass Kit in exchange for an honest review.  I only recommend things that I have used and love, and these opinions are entirely my own.

32 Days: The Girl Who Inspired Fulton J. Sheen

One of the most well known and inspiring aspects of Fulton J. Sheen's life was his daily Holy Hour.  No matter his busy television schedule, world travels, and demands as a bishop, Sheen prioritized his time to include at least an hour each day in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  He credited his success in writing and speaking to this time in prayer, and he remained devoted to this promise for his entire priesthood.

While Sheen's daily Holy Hour has been an inspiration to thousands, he said he himself was inspired by an unlikely hero.  A young Chinese girl during a time of persecution witnessed the desecration of a Catholic Church and saw 32 Consecrated Hosts lying on the floor.  She bravely snuck back into the closed Church, made a Holy Hour, and received Jesus in the Eucharist.  Despite great danger, she returned for 32 days to receive each of the 32 Hosts, but on the last night she was caught by the guard and killed. 

This story is always connected to Sheen but has been difficult to pin down in origin.  Some say that it happened during the 1911 Republic Revolution in China (or earlier Boxer Rebellion), when it could have been heard of by Sheen before he was ordained in 1919 and made his promise to make a daily Holy Hour.  Or it could have happened during the Communist Revolution in the 1940's, serving as a further inspiration for Sheen to continue his promise.  Regardless, this unknown girl and her devotion to our Eucharistic Lord has had an amazing ripple effect during the 20th and 21st centuries.

(This post contains affiliate links- meaning that if you make a purchase through me, I earn a small percentage at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for supporting my little blog!)

You can read more about the story of the Chinese martyr from other sources:

• A summary of Sheen's connection with this story can be found on p.30-36 in his book St. Therese, A Treasured Love Story.
• The Cardinal Kung Foundation (Underground Catholic Church in China) relates the story here.
• You can read about Sheen's resolution to make a daily Holy Hour in an excerpt from his autobiography  Treasure in Clay here.

I share with my students the story of this little Chinese girl during our Fulton Sheen unit and despite the lack of hard facts, they are always inspired by her courage and conviction, especially over things they often take for granted.  So when I found out that Pauline Books & Media had published a new kids' book called 32 Days: A Story of Faith and Courage* telling the story of the Chinese martyr and her connection to Fulton Sheen, I knew that I had to share it with my students.  

I used this book as a read aloud with my class without previously telling them anything about the Chinese martyr.  This book by Ellen Lucey Prozeller begins with a scene of Fulton Sheen being interviewed on television and being asked about who has most inspired him.  We then travel back to 1948 China and meet Pei, an 11 year old girl who witnesses the Communist Revolution and becomes the heroine of the story I related above.  The end of the book cuts back to Fulton Sheen in the television studio and then closes with an afterward sharing info on the research and facts behind the story.

The fictionalized life of Pei shows the realistic struggle and success of a young girl striving for holiness as well as family catechesis shared from the wisdom of her parents and grandparents.  We are given a child's perspective of the historical events of this time and place, helping young readers to begin to grasp the depth of the atrocities of the past.  We also glimpse the possible story of one of thousands of martyrs whose lives are known only to God.

A few of my opinions as a teacher:

• I really liked how solid church teaching on prayer, the Eucharist, virtue, and more were woven naturally into the conversation of characters. 
• A lot of time is spent on character development, showing that Pei's holiness was more than just her final actions, which is so important for kids to understand- we are called to sanctity in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.  However, as a result, it felt a bit long as a read aloud.  I definitely think that it would work better for a small group or individual reading.  I would LOVE to see this as a graphic novel (hint, hint Pauline!) or shorter edition more geared as a read aloud. 
• Some of our best conversations were about Pei's persecution and losing things my students take for granted- attending a Catholic school, receiving the Sacraments, being known as Catholic.  It was great to hear them reflect on what it would be like to lose those freedoms.
• The provided discussion questions at the end of the book were well written and incredibly useful in the classroom to continue discussions, make kids think, and bring the important aspects of the story together.  They would be equally valuable to an individual reader.
• Honestly, my students' biggest disappointment was at the end when we read the afterward and they found out that this story was fictionalized and not a biography.  We have read too many stories of heroic people from the past for them to disregard this one as untrue.  The discussion that followed about the value of oral tradition being written down, the themes of the story being shared even without facts, etc. was very valuable and helped develop critical thinking skills.  

I also asked my students their opinion after finishing and discussing the book.  Some of the things they shared included:

• disappointed to find that it wasn't factual- maybe should have told in the the prologue
• liked how it went from Fulton Sheen back in time to China and then back to Sheen
• would like to see it as a picture book that is a shorter version or a graphic novel
• appreciate the details the author created based on what she knew and her research
• wanted to know about Fulton Sheen's actual interview- can we find it and watch it?
• really would love to know the real story
• I thought it was a little confusing to find out that it was a legend
• even if it was a legend, it was still a good book, and an example of bravery and martyrdom and people can learn from it

Overall, I think that 32 Days is a valuable contribution to Catholic literature for 9-12 year olds.   Next time, I will probably begin with the end and preface the origins of the story to my students.  Reading with that lens will help them accept the story as it is and be able to learn from the sacrifice and witness of those whom we will only know the names of once we join them in heaven.

Connecting activities:

"Greatest Love Story" Adoration Coloring Page

Adoration Booklet Printable

Seeing Jesus in the Eucharist Monstrance Craft

Praying an ACTS Holy Hour

*Pauline Books & Media provided me with a free copy of 32 Days in exchange for an honest review.  I only recommend things that I have used and love, and these opinions are entirely my own.

Sacred Heart Novena {Color-a-Novena}

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  This year, the Feast of the Sacred Heart is on Friday, June 23rd with the Feast of the Immaculate Heart on Saturday, June 24th.  To prepare, you can pray the Sacred Heart Novena during this month or on the nine days leading up to the feast.

Click on the image below to print your own Sacred Heart Color-a-Novena:

You can also find several versions of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary Coloring pages and prayer cards here or by clicking on the images below.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on Us!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Prayer for Us!

This Happy Teacher

I'm a happy teacher.  I love my school, my coworkers, and my students.  I also love some of the tools I get to use as a teacher- shelves of books, new school supplies... and teacher bags.  We carry around a lot of stuff, therefore a good tote is important.  So even though it might be nearly the end of the school year, I 'm super happy that I found the perfect teacher bag and I have to tell you about it!  (Don't worry- this post isn't just for teachers- this bag would be perfect for college, as a carryall, the office, for a diaper bag, travel, etc.)

I'm picky about bags and purses and will look for a long time (ahem...years) before finally deciding and making a new purchase.  My former teacher bag had been looking fairly worn (and sad and threadbare and had a broken strap) and needed replaced.  I had some specific expectations that I was willing to wait for that included:
  -tall enough to easily carry file folders, notebooks, etc.
  -wide enough to fit my ancient & big 16" laptop
  -be able to carry my laptop AND all the papers I need to grade- not one or the other
  -slightly structured with some flexibility in the loads it could carry

  -zippered closure so I don't dump student work all over my backseat

  -large main compartment without separation and a few pockets for pens, etc.
  -leather.  I knew it would be pricey, but I was ready to invest.  I know leather will last, will age well, can be able to be repaired, and is timeless.
  -I originally wanted a cross body strap, but realized that was a little impractical and probably not as good on my back considering the weight I was going to load in it.

And guess what?  I found my perfect bag!

After looking and looking and not being 100% committed, I stumbled on this beauty on a site I had already been perusing.  She's called the Meles Leather Carryall and is from an awesome company called Fashionable.  Not only am I super happy with my bag, but I love that I found a company that is working to make local and global change to employ women around the world.  They carry totes, purses, jewelry, and shoes.  You can read more about their mission to impact those in poverty by providing empowering jobs on their website.
 

The leather is just so, so lovely.  It is thick and sturdy while also being soft and gently distressed and still has a rich true leather smell.  I know with care and conditioning it will look beautiful for a very long time.  I chose the cognac color (this bag also comes in black, pewter, and chocolate), which is complimented by the brass hardware and sweet rose lining.

I love that my bag stands solidly on its own when it is loaded up.  Originally, I was unsure about the cutouts on the corners, but they actually help the bag adjust to carrying wider or longer loads, which is really nice.  Since I gave up on finding a good cross body, I was super pleased that the nice long straps (an 11" drop) sit and stay put on my shoulder.

Pleeeeennnnnty of room for my laptop, cord, planner, lesson plan book, papers to grade, books to read, and approximately 28 pens.

Well, maybe not 28, but there are a lot of colored pens and Ticonderoga pencils and some Saint stickers for grading.

And there is one nice sized zipper pocket for all the little things I like to keep with me as I go back and forth to school.

Isn't it cute!  I often have buyers' remorse, but not with this bag.  I did snag a sale and free shipping, so that helped, but I am so happy with the quality  and their mission that I plan to keep Fashionable in mind for my next bag purchase.

Aaannnnd... if you've never purchased from Fashionable, go visit and sign up for $10 off your first purchase!  Here I am, teacher lanyard and word wall and all, to prove that this teacher is very, very happy with her purchase.

FYI- This post isn't sponsored- I purchased my own bag and those are my honest opinions.  Fashionable does offer an incentive for referrals, so if you make a qualifying purchase through my link, I earn a small referral rate at no cost to you.  Things like this keep us little bloggers going, so if you are looking for something special for yourself or as a gift, I'd love for you to go check them out! 

Teaching With Fulton Sheen {150 page FREE Curriculum & a giveaway!}

Today is Venerable Fulton J. Sheen's birthday!  In honor of this great man who has so profoundly impacted my role as a teacher, I'm happy to share with you the second edition of my Teaching with Fulton Sheen Curriculum- 150 pages of printables and instructions available to you for free!  It is the fruit of five years of teaching faith through the lens of Fulton Sheen's life, and I'm happy to be able to share it with classrooms and homes around the world.

Common questions:
-Most of these activities were created for use with my 5th graders.  Many of them have been successfully used with varying ages with small adaptations or different purposes.  I would say the target audience of the content is 2nd-6th graders, but some activities could be used with younger students and some activities would work for older students.
-The pdf ebook contains not only the printables, but also instructions, lesson purpose, cross curricular connections, timeframes, and photos of projects.
-Most of the ebook is content common to all CCD and school classrooms- prayer, Saints, Sacraments, Mary, Adoration, the Rosary, etc. This book shows how you could teach those activities in connection with Fulton Sheen's life, but they also could be stand alone activities.
-The ebook could be used in pretty much any order and with any amount of content.  You could use one lesson, five lessons, or the whole book.  It's meant to be a flexible supplement to your existing classroom content.

Would you like to use the Teaching with Fulton Sheen Curriculum?  Click here to get your free copy!

And what's a birthday without presents?  In honor of Fulton Sheen's birthday and my excitement over the new edition of the curriculum, I would love to send one reader this stack of books!  Sheen was a prolific writer and reader, so I think he would approve. ;)

You could win: (affiliate links to Amazon just in case you're not the lucky winner!)

Finding True Happiness by Fulton Sheen 

The World's First Love by Fulton Sheen

Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly

Mother Teresa of Calcutta by Fr. Leo Maasburg (abridged edition)

The Second Greatest Story Ever Told by Fr. Michael Gaitley 

And I might just send some other surprise goodies too!

So how do you win?
All I ask is that you share the Teaching with Fulton Sheen Curriculum somehow.  You could:
-email this post to a teacher, catechist, or DRE
-tell a homeschooling parent or co-op organizer about the curriculum
-send this post to any Catholic parent for help enriching their family culture
-pin an image from the post on pinterest
-share this post on facebook
-post a pic on instagram, etc.

To enter, just leave a comment below telling me you shared the post and who you shared it with.  If you have trouble leaving a comment, or can only leave an anonymous comment, you can also send me an email at looktohimandberadiant (at) gmail.com with your entry and I'll put you in the running.  I'll collect all the entries submitted by midnight next Monday, May 15, 2017, and randomly choose a winner to send the stack of books to.  Good luck!

Thanks for sharing the life of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen with others, and most of all for spreading love and devotion to Christ and His Church.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us!

Honoring Our Mother Mary

Happy May!  In honor of the month of Mary, I've collected a whole series of posts with tons of ideas for teaching kids about Mary- and through her, modeling Christian life, prayer, generosity, and virtue.

Click on any of the pictures below to take you to a post with more info, ideas, printables, and pictures.  I'll spare you more descriptions...and let the posts do the talking!

And, to every woman reading this, thank you for all of the ways that you mother each soul you meet: the kind word, the smile, the caring touch.  You are what the world needs.  Keep on living that call to be what God has made you to be!

"A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." ~Proverbs 31:30

St. Joseph the Worker

My dear St. Joseph has a feast day today, celebrating his work and provision and protection for the Holy Family and for the Church.  This quote from St. John Paul II has long been one of my favorites, and I lettered it recently as a reminder to pray for the work of the leaders in our lives and homes.

"St. Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care.  May he always guard, protect, and enlighten families." ~St. John Paul II

Click here for the black and white printable coloring page:

Click here for the gray watercolor printable:

You might also like the St. Joseph quote coloring pages here and here.