· Web viewAmy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Illustrated by Margaux Meganck. ISBN-13. 9780664262754. BOOK DESCRIPTION: “A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden

Catholic Education Week 2021: Nurturing HopeSowing Seeds of GratitudeDAY 2: Tuesday

Suggested Grade Level:KINDERGARTEN

BOOK TITLE: The Marvelous Mustard Seed

AUTHOR andILLUSTRATOR:

Amy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg SassoIllustrated by Margaux Meganck

ISBN-13 9780664262754

BOOK DESCRIPTION:“A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden. It is an itty-bitty seed. It isn’t anything very special – yet.”-Back of book

MATERIALS:-Seeds or bulbs for flowers (if available)-Acorns (one for each child, if possible)-Mustard seeds (from Bulk Barn – one for each child and others to plant)-Magnifying glass-Pot-Soil-Trowel-Prepared mustard (regular and/or Dijon)

LEARNING GOALS: We will use the processes and skills of an inquiry

stance (example. questioning, planning, predicting, observing and communicating).

We will demonstrate a sense of identity and a positive self-image.

CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:OCSGE: I have a voice. I have ideas. I care. I am a believer.

Catholic Social Teaching: Human Dignity, Rights and Responsibilities, Stewardship

R.E. Curriculum: Overall Religious Expectations BL 3, ML 1, 2, LC 1, LS 2, LS 4

Make connections to learning that has taken place earlier in the year. If you have prior learning from earlier in the year, use that as the jumping off point. The lesson is just an example of what could be done.

MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:Kindergarten Program OE 1, OE 3,OE 4, OE 6, OE 13

Religion as related to the four “frames” BE/SRWB/DLMB/PSI

MINDS ON (Before) Approximately 20 minutes PAUSE & PONDERBegin with prayer:

Read one of the first three Gospel accounts listed under PAUSE & PONDER. Then pray:

Jesus,Help us to grow to be our fullest self, like the mustard seed grows to be a tree.Amen.

Gospel reading of Mustard SeedMatthew 13:31-32Mark 4:30-32Luke 13:18-19Matthew 17:20Luke 17:6

A parable is a story that teaches a lesson. It was a way that Jesus taught his disciples. This story is based on the parable of the Mustard Seed that Jesus taught.

Success CriteriaWe will learn what a parable is.We will learn that Jesus used parables to teach people.We will look at mustard seeds.We will plant a mustard seed to watch it grow.

Have you ever seen a seed, a flower seed? Looking at the front of the book, have you ever

seen a mustard seed? Does anyone here like mustard on their hot dog or

hamburger?

In the back of the book it shows the background behind the word “parable.” The word “parable” comes from two Greek words: para – as in parallel – means to put something side by side; balo means to cast or to throw. Thus a parable casts two images side by side. When we look at the connection between what happens in the story and what happens in our own lives, we begin to see new things. A parable asks us to think about very important matters: our relationships with others, our place in the world, how we can be better people. A parable can challenge us to see that there is more to life than we had imagined.

ACTION (During) Approximately 20 minutes

PAUSE & PONDER

Read the story to the class. Listen to what the students say as you read the story.

Hand out a mustard seed to each child. Give them an opportunity to look at it. Ask the students,

Do you believe that the seed can grow into a tree? Do you ever feel like a mustard seed? Are you the

smallest person in your family?

Are there new words you can hear in the story, like:Itty-bittyTeeny-weenyHumongousColossalKingdom of God

CONSOLIDATION (After) Approximately 20-30 minutes

PAUSE & PONDER

You can set up centres to do the consolidation.

Centre 1Compare the size of the acorn, flower seeds and the mustard seed. Have a magnifying glass(es) so students can look at the seeds with them.

Centre 2Plant as a class, a few seeds in a pot and put it in a place where it will have sunlight on it.

Centre 3Have mustard that can be put on hot dogs and hamburgers on the table. Ask the students to try to figure out how the seed becomes mustard that we use to eat. Write down guesses.

Centre 4Draw a picture of the mustard seed. Tape the mustard seed

beside the tree you’ve drawn, so you can tell your family the story of the mustard seed.ORDraw a picture of what Heaven looks like. Jesus told the parable to help his followers to know what the “Kingdom of God” looked like. The Kingdom of God is Heaven.

What do you think Heaven looks like?

Centre 5Make a chart to see which students like mustard that we eat as a condiment and those who do not.

Centre 6What do you think these words mean? Have a large piece of chart paper on the centre with the words big and little written at the top.Have the words teeny-weeny, itty-bitty, humongous and colossal written on separate pieces of paper. Invite the students to put the four individual words under the big or little part of the chart.If you are able, ask them why they think the words are under big or little (they may infer because of how the words were used in the story).


Suggested Grade Level:PRIMARY

BOOK TITLE: Watch it Grow


Barbara Reid

ISBN-13 9781443175593

BOOK DESCRIPTION:Wonderful plasticine illustrations and text, outline the life cycle of a monarch butterfly, a sunflower, and an oak tree.

MATERIALS:-Sunflower seeds (one for each child and others to plant)-Magnifying glass-Pot-Soil-Trowel-Pictures of monarch butterflies, or, if possible, live butterflies

LEARNING GOALS: We will use the processes and skills of an inquiry

stance (example. questioning, planning, predicting, observing and communicating).

We will investigate the world around us and identify life cycles and growth everywhere.

We will reflect on our gratitude for the gifts that God gives.

CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities, Stewardship of Creation


Make connections to learning in Family Life and the Easter season (death to life and the resurrection of Jesus).

MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:Science curriculum “Understanding Life Systems”http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf


Language 1.3 comprehension, 1.6 extending and understanding, 2.7 visual aids


In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, we give you thanks for your goodness.Thank you for giving us your love that lasts forever.Thank you for our world which is alive with your gifts.

Be sure to incorporate time for students to visualize the gifts of creation.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/scientec18currb.pdf



We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.Amen.Watch the video and listen to “Thank You, God for the Gifts of Creation.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PeMBFccmn8

Then pray,

Jesus,Help us to grow with hearts of gratitude for the beauty of creation.Amen.

Ask the students to close their eyes and think about all the gifts of creation that surround us. It is a miracle that as we sit here learning, the world is bursting with the new growth of spring.


PAUSE & PONDER

Read the story to the class. Listen to what the students say as you read the story. Pause before each section and review what the students have heard.

What did you hear about how a monarch butterfly grows?

Create a comparison chart with the students on chart paper or White Board.

Beginning of Life Middle Stage of Life

Final Cycle of Life

A seedAn eggAn acorn

How does growth happen?

Grade 1 can draw each stage.Grade 2 can fill in the chart.Grade 3 can write sentence about each stage.

ActivityTake a small container. Using your small shovel or large spoon, fill the container ¾ full of potting soil. Take a bean seed and push it down into the middle of the pot. Cover it again with soil and add some water.

Are there new words you can hear in the story, like:CaterpillarCentimetersChrysalisSunflowerTadpoleHatchSproutAcornShootSeedling

What will our plants need to grow?

CONSOLIDATION (After) Approximately 5 minutes PAUSE & PONDERAs the days pass, write in your journal about the growth of your bean plant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PeMBFccmn8

How long does it take for the shoot to burst through the soil?


Suggested Grade Level:JUNIOR

BOOK TITLE: The Great Kapok Tree


Lynne Cherry

ISBN-13 9780152026141

BOOK DESCRIPTION:This beautifully illustrated book is the story of a man who goes into the Rainforest to cut down a tree. The various species of the forest whisper in his ear and tell him why they need the tree. This book illustrates the web of life within the Rainforest and the interdependent nature of God’s creation.

MATERIALS:-Computers/Chrome Books-Access to internet for research

LEARNING GOALS: We will use our comprehension skills to appreciate

the interconnected web of life. We will appreciate the interdependent relationships

within the natural environment in Ontario.CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:OCSGE: 1g, 2b, 3a, 7f

Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities, Stewardship of Creation, Solidarity



MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:Social Studies Curriculum A1.3, A1.1, A2.5





Lord, we give you thanks for your goodness.Thank you for giving us your love that lasts forever.We are grateful for the earth which you have created.It provides us with so much that we need to live.Amen.

Psalm 136:1-9

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Closing PrayerGracious God,We are ever grateful for all of the gifts that surround us. Help us to always live with a spirit of gratitude and inspire us to spread it to others.


Amen.

Today we are going to read from a very specific area in the world. Who can share what they know about the Amazon Rainforest?

Allow students to share some of their incidental knowledge about the Rainforest. Some may have heard the book before. Discourage them from telling the whole story before you start reading.


PAUSE & PONDER

Read The Great Kapok Tree with the students or refer to the YouTube reading link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Teb-_jTyI

Let’s identify the flora (plants) and fauna (animals) that we

What message are the animals trying to get to the man?

Students can share their answers out loud, or you can prepare a padlet where they can write about their


encounter in the story.

The story reminds us that there is a delicate balance in nature and that all species rely on each other for survival.

Can you think of an example from the story of an animal who needs the kapok tree for survival?

Why is this story a message of hope? How can the man show his gratitude when he

leaves the forest?

favourite animals from the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi49odbvuIg (padlet)


PAUSE & PONDER

Like the Amazon Rainforest, Canada has its own unique ecosystem of animals and plant life. Honouring the balance of the creation that has been gifted to us by God is a way to nurture our gratitude and sows seeds of thankfulness.

Hinterland Who’s Who is a Canadian website with a lot of information on Canadian ecosystems and animals. This is the link to information about the little brown bat:

https://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/mammals/little-brown-bat.html

Imagine the story of The Great Kapok Tree in the Canadian forest.

What would be the animals that the tree cutter would encounter?

Write your own version of The Great Kapok Tree. What tree would you put in the title of your story? Which animals would come to whisper in the man’s ear?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi49odbvuIg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi49odbvuIg


Suggested Grade Level:INTERMEDIATE

BOOK TITLE: The Great Kapok Tree


Lynne Cherry

ISBN-13 9780152026141

BOOK DESCRIPTION:This beautifully illustrated book is the story of a man who goes into the Rainforest to cut down a tree. The various species of the forest whisper in his ear and tell him why they need the tree. This book illustrates the web of life within the Rainforest and the interdependent nature of God’s creation.

MATERIALS:-Computers/Chrome Books-Access to internet for research

LEARNING GOALS: We will use our comprehension skills to appreciate

the interconnected web of life. We will appreciate the interdependent relationships

within the natural environment in Ontario.CATHOLIC CONNECTIONS:OCSGE: 1g, 2b, 3a, 7f

Catholic Social Teaching: Rights and Responsibilities, Stewardship of Creation, Solidarity



MINISTRY CURRICULUM LINKS:Social Studies Curriculum A1.3, A1.1, A2.5





Lord, we give you thanks for your goodness.Thank you for giving us your love that lasts forever.We are grateful for the earth which you have created.

It provides us with so much that we need to live.Amen.

Psalm 136:1-9

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Closing PrayerGracious God,We are ever grateful for all of the gifts that surround us. Help us to always live with a spirit of gratitude and inspire us to spread it to others.


Amen.

Today we are going to read from a very specific area in the world. Who can share what they know about the Amazon Rainforest?

Allow students to share some of their incidental knowledge about the Rainforest. Some may have heard the book before. Discourage them from telling the whole story before you start reading.


PAUSE & PONDER

Read The Great Kapok Tree with the students or refer to the YouTube reading link here:


How has the author heightened the reader’s awareness of the flora and fauna of the Amazon Rainforest?



PAUSE & PONDER

There are many environmental heroes around the world who are a voice for the environment.

Pope Francis is a voice. He wrote about how we need to care for God’s creation in his encyclical, Laudato Si’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Lz7dmn1eM

Create a list of ten things we can do to change our ways to protect God’s creation (students can also create a Google slideshow or PowerPoint to share their ideas).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Lz7dmn1eM

Documents

· Web viewAmy-Jill Levine & Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Illustrated by Margaux Meganck. ISBN-13. 9780664262754. BOOK DESCRIPTION: “A child plants a mustard seed in an empty garden