session essentials - St. John the Evangelist Catholic Churchof the Advent songs found in today’s music. Children might also “point to the purple” in the room, showing such objects

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© 2014 Published by Morehouse Education Resources, http://www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Question of the WeekIn Advent, as we anticipate Christ’s coming, how do we wait?

Helps for Catechists ◆ More about Today’s Scriptures◆ Reflection◆ The Scriptures and the Catechism◆ Liturgy Link: The Message of

Advent◆ Faith Formation and the Arts, Part 1◆ The World of the Bible: Grace and

Peace

Enrichment ◆ Discover the Good News◆ Singing Together◆ Purple Crafts (see listed materials for

each craft on page 3)◆ Movement: Purple Parade (craft

items created in previous activity)◆ Advent Wreath (flour, salt, bowl,

spoon, cookie sheet, 4 candles)◆ Info: Young Children and the

Gospel◆ Info: Where You’ll Find Everything

Else

Core Session◆ Getting Started (simple

crèche set, baskets of natural materials)

◆ Gospel Story: Look for Jesus◆ Action Rhyme◆ Praying Together (Advent

wreath or candles)

We wait for the coming of God’s kingdom.◆ In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples to be on watch for the unexpected time when

he will come.◆ With young children we focus on the simplest of Advent messages: Jesus is coming.◆ In today’s session we begin several seasonal Advent activities that will be repeated in

coming weeks.

WatchfulnessScriptureMark 13:33-37

1s t Sunday o f A d ven t – B

Living the Good News | Preschool/Kindergarten | 1st Sunday of Advent – B

http://www.MorehouseEducation.org

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Getting Started (5-10 minutes)Note: You can use a crèche made of unbreakable, unpainted wood, or make a crèche set before the session or during the session using the crèche resources attached to this document. If you choose to make a crèche set, you might do this in the session as the children enjoy free-play time.

When children see materials made in their presence, they gain insight into the process of creation—an empowering insight that might be expressed as, “I can make things, too!”

In this activity, children use the crèche figures for free play. We recommend that you provide a crèche for children’s free play throughout the weeks of Advent and Christmas.

Cover a box, stool or small table with a cloth. Arrange the crèche figures on the table. Place baskets of natural materials nearby, such as evergreen branches, pine cones, twigs and stones. Invite two or three children at a time to explore this free-play area.

Because some children may worry about whether or not they may touch the crèche figures, emphasize the children’s freedom to touch, move and rearrange the figures and materials.

Gospel Story (5-10 minutes)Look for JesusFocus: Children hear a rhymed adaptation of today’s gospel, then learn movements to accompany the story themselves.

The golden sun begins to rise;Bright morning light now fills the skies.

Look for Jesus! Look and say, “Will Jesus come to us today?”

The evening sky grows dark and deep.All the world falls fast asleep.

Look for Jesus with all your might.Will Jesus come to us tonight?

“By morning sun or evening moon, Look!” says Jesus. “I’m coming soon.”

Advent Action Rhyme (5 minutes)Look for JesusYou can pause several times during today’s session and reenact this rhyme with the children:

The golden sun, (Hold arms to front, waist-level, in circle.)Begins to rise;(Slowly lift circle over head.)Bright morning light now fills the skies.(Slowly open arms to side, palms up.)

Look for Jesus! Look and say,(Frame eyes with hands.)“Will Jesus come to us today?”(Stretch raised arms to front, then fold and cross them over chest.)

The evening sky grows dark and deep.All the world falls fast asleep.(Hold arms to side, bring together over head to form sun. Bring hands together and pillow head on them.)

Look for Jesus with all your might.(Frame eyes with hands.)Will Jesus come to us tonight?(Stretch raised arms to front, then fold and cross them over chest.)

By morning sun (Hold arms in circle.)Or evening moon,(Pillow head on hands.)“Look!” says Jesus.(Frame eyes.)“I’m coming soon.”(Cross arms over chest.)

Praying Together (5 minutes)Gather the children around an Advent wreath or four pillar candles. Say:◆ We have four candles for Advent.◆ There is one candle for each week until Christmas.◆ We will light one candle each week.

Light the candle. Then softly repeat the words and motions of today’s story as a closing prayer.

Note: Distribute this week’s At Home with the Good News to children before they leave, or e-mail it to their parents after the session.



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Discover the Good News (5-10 minutes)In today’s Discover the Good News you’ll find an illustrated version of today’s gospel story and action rhyme. In the To Parents section you’ll find several picture books recommended that help families explore the themes of Advent and Christmas. You may enjoy reading one or more of these to the children yourself.

Singing Together (5-10 minutes)From Singing the Good News, sing together:◆ “Light Your Lamp” (songbook p. 14)◆ “Prepare the Way” (songbook p. 16, also available as

an MP3)

You can also teach children an Advent hymn such as the refrain to “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Purple Crafts (10-30 minutes)Purple Cloths and ScarvesYou can use any bandannas, scarves, tablecloths or lengths of cloth for this item.

Purple CrownsFor each crown, cut a 9" x 12" sheet of purple con-struction paper in half to make two 4½" x 12" strips. Cut one strip in half to make two 4½" x 6" strips. Use scissors to shape the 4½" x 12" strip into a crown shape. Staple one 4½" x 6" strips to each end of the crown shape, trimming away excess paper. Fit crowns to heads and staple to close.

Purple BraceletsFor each bracelet, twist a pipe cleaner into a bracelet shape, fitted to the wrist of a child. Tie several purple ribbons, in any lengths, to each bracelet.

Purple WandsFor each wand, cut two circles of purple construction paper. Glue the two circles together, sandwiching a dowel, stick or tongue depressor between. Children can decorate these wands with stick-on stars, sequins or glitter.

Movement (10-20 minutes)Purple ParadeBefore the session collect or plan to make during the session enough of the purple crafts listed in the previous activity so that each child in the group can have at least one purple item.

Explain:◆ We are getting ready for Christmas during this

special time called Advent.◆ During Advent we are getting ready for baby Jesus

to be born.◆ Purple is a special color we use during Advent.◆ We can dress ourselves in purple, too. (If the

children have not already done so, invite each child to choose a purple cloth, or make a crown, bracelet or wand.)

If you stay in your room, invite the children to form a Purple Parade around the room. Sing one or both of the Advent songs found in today’s music. Children might also “point to the purple” in the room, showing such objects as an Advent wreath or candle, an Advent calendar or the cloths in the free play area.

If possible, take the children on a tour of the church. Ask them to “point to the purple” when they see something purple. If possible, allow them to handle the purple object. You can name the object and answer questions about it. The children may need help to see an Advent wreath hanging high overhead!



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Advent Wreath (10-20 minutes)Activity Soundtrack: Play Kimberly Braun’s “O Antiphons.” (Open your Winter-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Companion Music for options on obtaining this music.)

Children work together to make an Advent wreath from bread dough.

Mix 2 cups flour and 1 cup salt in a large bowl. Use the spoon to stir in 1 cup water slowly until the mixture forms a ball. Add extra flour or water, if necessary, to make a dough that is not sticky.

Invite the children to take turns kneading the dough. After 5-10 minutes, the dough should have a smooth, yet firm, consistency. Give each child a lump of dough. Show the children how to roll the lumps between their hands to make fat ropes of dough.

To make a wreath, take three of the ropes—they need not be the same length—and begin to braid them. As you come to the end of one rope, overlap a second rope to join it and continue braiding. Incorporate each child’s rope into the braid.

(The last rope of dough can be doubled back or tucked under the finished wreath.)

Join the two ends of the braid together. Ask volunteers to place the four candles at equal distances around the wreath. Let the wreath air-dry during today’s session; you will light the first candle in today’s closing prayer.

After the session, you can let the wreath continue air-drying until hard or you can bake it at 225-250° for 45-60 minutes, until it turns a light golden brown.

Young Children and the Gospel

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the season in which we prepare the way of the Lord. In today’s session, the children work together to prepare for Advent and Christmas.

In several sessions of Winter, we will also explore the theme of the New Covenant. We invite children to reflect on their understanding of Jesus, on the stories about Jesus found in the New Testament of the Bible and on the experiences of other Christians who come to share their stories about Jesus.

Where You’ll Find Everything Else

◆ Attached to this Session Plan you will find:— Backgrounds and reflections for today’s

readings, titled More about Today’s Scriptures.— A copy of today’s Gospel Story: Look for Jesus,

which can be distributed or e-mailed to children and their families.

— An optional Advent Calendar Craft to use in the session.

— An enlarged-text version of the Advent Action Rhyme: Look for Jesus, for use in today’s Gospel Story.

— For catechists, an article on managing group behavior called Preventive Discipline.

◆ Open your Winter-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Seasonal Articles to find:— Information on Winter-B’s Models of the Faith.— Articles on Using an Advent Wreath and on

Making an Advent Wreath for use in the session or at home.

— An article for catechists and/or families offering an Advent Overview.

— An article for catechists on how to elicit and share First Impressions of artwork.

— An article for catechists and/or families on The O Antiphons.

— For catechists, a PowerPoint Presentation on The Gospel of Mark (the primary gospel for this liturgical year).


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More about Today’s ScripturesToday’s readings call us to watchfulness. Isaiah assures us that God works for those who wait in faithfulness, especially through challenging times. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul affirms his readers for their spiritual gifts, which well equip them for the return of the Lord Jesus. In today’s gospel, Jesus directs us to “keep awake” (v. 37).

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7When the exiles returned to their land, they found Israel still desolate and the temple still in ruins (64:10-12). Their conviction that God desired Israel’s

salvation wavered in the face of the immense task of restoration and their own continuing sense of sinfulness and alienation.

The prophet cries out for God’s glory to be manifested as in the past. Sinfulness now bars the people from

God’s presence, just as ritual uncleanness barred one from corporate worship. The prophet recognizes the need for a Redeemer, God alone, who would return their hearts to “doing right.”

In the space of a few verses, Isaiah three times reminds God that “you are our father” (63:16; 64:8). He recalls the fatherhood of God in order to stress God’s role as Israel’s begetter, the One that gives life and identity to Israel. The prophet’s use of the title Father also reminds his audience of the permanence of their relationship with God. In that relationship rests all their hope.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9Paul adapts the customary introduction of ancient letters and combines the usual greetings, “grace” (Greek) and “peace” (Hebrew). These are more than good wishes. They describe the state of salvation as “grace,” God’s gift, and as “peace,” the harmony of the kingdom of God. Paul also freely applies to Jesus terms used of God in the Old Testament, for example, those who “call on the name of our Lord” (Joel 2:32) and “the day of our Lord” (Isaiah 13:6-9; Amos 5:18).

In the thanksgiving, Paul sets forth the themes of the letter. He gives thanks for the same spiritual gifts, speech and knowledge, that were causing so much

division in the Corinthian community. Later in the letter he will deal with the misunderstanding and misuse of these gifts (chaps. 12 and 14). They are undoubtedly God-given and confirm “the testimony of Christ” (v. 6), Paul’s preaching of the gospel. Here Paul carefully places the Corinthians’ present individualistic use of the gifts into a context of future revelation and shared responsibility in the community.

Mark 13:33-37Chapter 13 of Mark is known as the “little Apocalypse.” The Greek word apokalypsis means revelation, disclosure or uncovering. Such writing usually comes out of tribulation, which is interpreted through signs and symbols to disclose the unseen reality of God’s presence and purpose beneath the appearance of disaster.

Jesus’ terse parable about the deputized servants who await the master’s return urges us to live in that balance between keen anticipation and faithful obedience. The former without the latter may lead to idleness and a neglect of service. An unwavering commitment to responsibilities without an eager hope may result in feelings of drudgery and despair or spiritual and moral lassitude. The final word to all is: “Keep awake!”

ReflectionWhen Jesus warns us to be constantly alert, we might take that ominously, as though some distant, punitive deity is waiting eagerly to pounce on our slightest mistake. But we can think of this gospel more positively.

Our news reports are filled with pictures of families awaiting the return of spouses, offspring, siblings and parents from war in Iraq or Afghanistan. When the buses roll in, sometimes at odd hours of the night, gyms are packed with welcome banners and fluttering flags. As each beloved soldier emerges, families and friends explode with joy. The same phenomenon occurs at airports. Observe the faces scanning each arriving passenger, then see them light up as a familiar, beloved figure emerges into the waiting area.

Do we await Christ’s coming with the same happy anticipation? Would we rush delightedly into his arms if he appeared suddenly at our doors? “I’ve waited so long for you!” we might cry. “And I’m so glad to see you.” If we don’t think of a reunion with Jesus that way, why not? Are we happier lugging around our own doubtful baggage of guilt, resentment or depression? What welcome banner might you prepare for him?

“A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.”

—Dietrich Bonhoeffer


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The Scriptures and the CatechismAs the new liturgical year begins, we renew our hope (CCC, #1812–19, 2087–94, 2657) and recognize our call to discipleship from God who identifies each of us as a beloved daughter or son. God invites us into the family of those who recognize God’s gifts and await Jesus’ return (CCC, #39–43, 238–42, 370, 2779–93). We prepare for his coming by our watchfulness because we do not always recognize when he breaks into our lives (CCC, #522–24, 668–77).

Liturgy LinkThe Message of AdventThe word advent means coming. During this season of the Church year, we remember the coming of Jesus as a babe in Bethlehem long ago, we celebrate the coming of Jesus to us here and now in word and sacrament and we prepare for his coming in great glory at the end of all time.

Jesus’ coming in human form fulfills both the words of Israel’s prophets and the events in Israel’s history that speak of God’s saving grace. Thus, the Church has appointed scriptures for Advent that tell of God’s promises to the people of Israel, especially the promise of the coming of the Messiah.

Every covenant and prophecy––from the exodus to the foretelling of the nation’s return to Jerusalem––recalls the promise of union with God. In Jesus, the promise is fulfilled.

During Advent, we remember and honor those who prepared the way for Jesus: John the Baptist, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph and others. We hear the stories of preparation, and we sing carols of expectation.

So now we watch and wait. We watch and wait as the days of Advent run into Christmas. We watch and wait as the Church prepares place and song and heart for the infant Savior. We watch and wait for his Bread to feed us, in scripture and Eucharist. We watch and wait for the One who comes to fill all things, to make the whole creation new.

Faith Formation and the Arts, Part 1by Roger W. HutchisonWe all have a story to tell. I choose to share my piece of the greater story by painting pictures and writing words on paper. This began for me as a child and continues even now. I am forever grateful to those who encouraged me along the way.

Faith formation and the arts share an intimate dance. The space where these two experiences intersect is rich and full. There are colors and shapes, fragrances and textures, taste and touch. The space where this dance takes place is holy ground. It is life-giving. Our communities of faith must provide this space for all who enter our doors. We must welcome all to the dance. My reflection is about this creative dance: using the visual arts within the realm of Christian Formation. To fully be able to do this, over the next few weeks I’ll share some of my creative journey with you.

The World of the BibleGrace and PeaceThe basic sense of the word grace (Greek, charis, Latin, gratia) described a free gift that is bestowed not out of merit (then it would be owed rather than a true gift)

but because the giver has found some reason to single out or favor the recipient. The choice of one recipient (a favorite) from many possible ones for the gift led to the common connection of grace and honor. Thus

our salvation or right relationship with God is a grace or gift freely bestowed by God, our great benefactor.

Peace (Hebrew, shalom) describes the experience of fullness or completeness—lacking nothing that one needs for a full and happy life. Peace is a gift that comes with God’s presence. Thus it is also the goal for the life of the covenant community. The way to peace is justice—establishing and maintaining rightly ordered relationships for the covenant community according to God’s guidelines. As a greeting, peace is a wish for the fullness of life, for union with God and harmony with others leading to happiness for all.

“I do not understand the mystery of grace—only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us.”

—Anne LaMott


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Today’s reading call us to watchfulness. Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:27 (NAB) or 63:16b-17, 64:1, 3-8 (NRSV) assures us that God works for those who wait in faithfulness, especially through challenging

times. In I Corinthians 1:3-9, Paul affirms the spiritual gifts of his readers, which well equip them for the return of the Lord Jesus. In Mark 13:33-37, Jesus directs us to “Keep awake” (v. 37).

Preschool/Kindergarten children worked together

to prepare seasonal materials to use throughout

Advent and Christmas. The session included mak-

ing an Advent wreath from bread dough and hearing

today’s story. The children also made a paper-link

Advent calendar and had a purple parade to celebrate

the color of Advent.

Primary (Grades 1-3) children prepared seasonal

materials, including an Advent wreath and wooden

creche figures. Using water-dipped chalk, they

painted pictures of Jesus’ coming. The children also

played a variation of Gossip and completed a Jesse

Tree Poster.

Intermediate (Grades 4-6) participants made an

Advent wreath before talking about the season. They

considered Jesus’ teachings about the end of time. In

a study of 1 Corinthians, group members invented

roleplays to explore ways of experiencing community.

They gathered around the Advent wreath for closing

prayer.

First Sunday of Advent • Year B

© 2014 Morehouse Education Resources. All rights reserved. www.livingthegoodnews.com • 1-800-242-1918 • Permission is hereby granted to reproduce these pages for use in the purchasing congregation only.

If you don’t have an Advent

calendar, make a paper chain

garland. Add a link every day

until Christmas.

When Jesus warns us to be constantly alert, we might read that ominously, as though some distant, punitive deity is waiting eagerly to pounce on our slightest mistake. We can, however, think of this gospel more positively.

Our news reports are filled with pictures of families awaiting the return of spouses, offspring, siblings and parents from war in Iraq or Afghanistan. When the buses roll in, sometimes at odd hours of the night, gyms are packed with welcome banners and fluttering flags. As each beloved soldier emerges, families and friends explode with joy. The same phenomenon occurs at airports.

Observe the faces scanning each arriving passenger, then see them light up as a familiar, beloved figure emerges into the waiting area.


Light a candle and pray the traditional Irish blessing:• May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within.

If you plant some flowering bulbs now (hyacinths, crocuses, daffodils, tulips), either

outdoors or in pots indoors, your children will have a wonderful image for resurrection come spring.

In Advent as we anticipate Christ’s coming, how do we wait?

Winter • Year B

©2014 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-242-1918Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

The golden sun, Hold arms to front, waist-level, in circle.Begins to rise;Slowly lift circle over head.Bright morning light now fills the skies.Slowly open arms to side, palms up.Look for Jesus! Look and say,Frame eyes with hands.

“Will Jesus come to us today?”Stretch raised arms to front, then fold and cross them over chest.The evening sky grows dark and deep.All the world falls fast asleep.Reverse morning movements: Hold arms to side, bring together over head to form setting sun. Then bring hands together and lay head on them, as on a pillow.Look for Jesus with all your might.Frame eyes with hands.Will Jesus come to us tonight?Stretch raised arms to front, then fold and cross them over chest.

By morning sun Hold arms in circle.Or evening moon,Pillow head on hands.“Look!” says Jesus.Frame eyes.“I’m coming soon.”Cross arms over chest.

PK-WB-AD01-DL-A-Advemt Action Rhyme_Look For Jesus

Advent Action Rhyme: Look for Jesus

Winter • Year B


Children make a group Advent calendar.

Materials:construction paper (purple, blue, violet and rose)scissorsstaplertape or white glue

Directions:•This simple project enables preschoolers to practice beginning cutting skills.•Make available construction paper in Advent shades of purple, blue, violet and rose. Ask

each child to choose a color of construction paper. Show the children how to cut all the way across the paper to make a strip about 1" wide. Do not expect children to make uniform, neat cuts.

•Ask children to continue cutting until they cut one strip for each day of Advent this year. Help the children form the strips into loops. Use a stapler, white glue or tape to join the loops into a paper-link chain.

Explain:•We are getting ready for Christmas during this special time called Advent.•There are (X) days in Advent this year.•For each day of Advent, we can tear off one of these paper strips.•Today we will tear one strip for the first day of Advent.

(Ask a child to tear off one strip.)

PK-WB-AD01-DL-A-Advent Calendar Craft

Advent Calendar Craft

Winter • Year B


More about Today’s Scriptures1st Sunday of Advent

00-WB-AD01-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

Today’s readings call us to watchfulness. Isaiah assures us that God works for those who wait in faithfulness, especially through challenging times. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul affirms his readers for their spiritual gifts, which well equip them for the return of the Lord Jesus. In today’s gospel, Jesus directs us to “keep awake” (v. 37).

Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7

When the exiles returned to their land, they found Israel still desolate and the temple still in

ruins (64:10-12). Their conviction that God desired Israel’s salvation wavered in the face of the immense task of restoration and their own continuing sense of sinfulness and alienation.

The prophet cries out for God’s glory to be manifested as in the past. Sinfulness now bars the people from God’s presence, just as ritual uncleanness barred one from corporate worship. The prophet recognizes the need for a Redeemer, God alone, who would return their hearts to “doing right.”

In the space of a few verses, Isaiah three times reminds God that “you are our father” (63:16; 64:8). He recalls the fatherhood of God in order to stress God’s role as Israel’s begetter, the One that gives life and identity to Israel. The prophet’s use of the title Father also reminds his audience of the permanence of their relation-ship with God. In that relationship rests all their hope.

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Paul adapts the customary introduction of ancient letters and combines the usual greetings, “grace” (Greek) and “peace” (Hebrew). These are more than good wishes. They describe the state of salvation as “grace,” God’s gift, and as “peace,” the harmony of the kingdom of God. Paul also freely applies to Jesus terms used of God in the Old Testament, for example, those who “call on the name of our Lord” (Joel 2:32) and “the day of our Lord” (Isaiah 13:6-9; Amos 5:18).

In the thanksgiving, Paul sets forth the themes of the letter. He gives thanks for the same spiritual gifts, speech and knowledge, that were causing so much division in the Corinthian community. Later in the letter he will deal with the misun-derstanding and misuse of these gifts (chaps. 12 and 14). They are undoubtedly God-given and confirm “the testimony of Christ” (v. 6), Paul’s preaching of the gospel. Here Paul carefully places the Corinthians’ present individualistic use of the gifts into a context of future revelation and shared responsibility in the community.

Mark 13:33-37

Chapter 13 of Mark is known as the “little Apocalypse.” The Greek word apokalypsis means revelation, disclosure or uncovering. Such writing usually comes out of tribulation, which is interpreted through signs and symbols to disclose the unseen reality of God’s presence and purpose beneath the appearance of disaster.

Jesus’ terse parable about the deputized servants who await the master’s return urges us to live in that balance between keen anticipation and faithful obedience. The former without the latter may lead to idleness and a neglect of service.

“A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.”

—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Winter • Year B


An unwavering commitment to responsibilities without an eager hope may result in feelings of drudgery and despair or spiritual and moral lassitude. The final word to all is: “Keep awake!”

ReflectionWhen Jesus warns us to be constantly alert, we might take that ominously, as though some distant, punitive deity is waiting eagerly to pounce on our slightest mistake. But we can think of this gospel more positively.

Our news reports are filled with pictures of families awaiting the return of spouses, offspring, siblings and parents from war in Iraq or Afghanistan. When the buses roll in, sometimes at odd hours of the night, gyms are packed with welcome banners and fluttering flags. As each beloved soldier emerges, families and friends explode with joy. The same phenomenon occurs at airports. Observe the faces scanning each arriving passenger, then see them light up as a familiar, beloved figure emerges into the waiting area.


More about Today’s Scriptures1st Sunday of Advent

00-WB-AD01-SB-C-More about Today_s Scriptures

Winter • Year B


Gospel Story:Look for Jesus

The golden sun begins to rise;Bright morning light now fills the skies.Look for Jesus! Look and say, “Will Jesus come to us today?”

The evening sky grows dark and deep.All the world falls fast asleep.Look for Jesus with all your might.Will Jesus come to us tonight?

“By morning sun or evening moon, Look!” says Jesus. “I’m coming soon.”

PK-WB-AD01-DL-C-Gospel Story_Look for Jesus

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CreChe Cut-OutsUse our figures to make a simple creche set for classroom use.

Materialsten 2" wooden blocks or five 4½" cardboard tubes from bathroom tissuecraft sawscissorsglue

Directions:• If you choose cardboard tubes, use the craft saw to cut them in half, making ten tubes,

each 2¼" long• Use scissors to cut out the ten creche figures.• Glue each figure around a cardboard tube or wooden block.

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Winter • Year B


Preventive Discipline

PK-WB-AD01-DL-A-Preventive Discipline

The best way to handle discipline is proactively through prevention. Practice preventive discipline with your group by:• adapting the session to the learning needs and learning styles of your group members. • including activities that appeal to every kind of learner. •finding extra helping hands. Helpers don’t have to be grown-ups: older children and

teenagers can lead a craft project, play with a child bursting with energy or listen to a child feeling sad.

• allowing children to freely choose many of their activities. When you gather for group activities, if a child decides to continue playing alone, we think you’ll have more success if you don’t press the child to join the group. That sends a clear message that you are issuing invitations instead of orders.

• telegraphing expectations, and behavioral limits well ahead of time, rather than in response to “negative behavior.”

•offering plenty of “choices you can live with” for children at this age who are busy practicing mastery and control. Use choice questions like, “Would you like to clean up now, or in 2 minutes? Would you like to sit on my left, or on my right for story time?” “Would you like to help pass out the snack, or help me pour the juice?”

•making time for plenty of free play for each child.•being aware of what you are communicating “nonverbally.” If you say “It’s time to get ready

for prayer time” but you really are thinking “Nobody is listening to me, I’ve completely lost control,” children will hear the difference, and respond to the latter message. Attend to your own needs in order to insure that your words match your nonverbal message.

• encouraging children to “use their words” for conflict resolution instead of hitting.•modeling for children the behaviors you want to see and “catching them doing something

right.”

Documents

session essentials - St. John the Evangelist Catholic Churchof the Advent songs found in today’s music. Children might also “point to the purple” in the room, showing such objects