Sunday, May 6, 2018

Get Low-to-No Prep Symbols of the Holy Spirit Lesson Ideas



Are you looking for low-to-no prep ideas for focusing on the Holy Spirit before Pentecost? 

Perhaps the lesson I did with a once-a-month co-op class I teach will inspire you.

The lesson requires few materials and can work just as well in a classroom as it can with a family!



Welcome and Introduction to the Liturgical Season


After welcoming students, I opened with a simple chat, which hit on these points:


  • What season have we been in in the Church? (Easter)
  • What season came before that? (Lent)
  • How long is Lent? (40 days)  
  • How about Easter (50 days)
  • When does the Easter season end? (on Pentecost)
  • What happened on Pentecost? (The Holy Spirit descended.)
  • Who is the Holy Spirit? (the Third Person of God)


The Pentecost Story


I, then, invited the children to gather around me while I read "The Coming of the Holy Spirit" from The Children's Bible. (If you don't have this books, you could read the Pentecost story from any other Bible here or read about it in The Holy Spirit.)

While reading, I paused to engage the children in making wind blowing sounds and hand gestures, acting out what tongues of fire might look like, etc.  Then, after reading, I asked which signs and symbols of the Holy Spirit they noticed in the story.  Of course, after our sound-effect pauses, they remembered wind and fire!


Signs and Symbols of the Holy Spirit


I, then, asked if anyone knew any other signs or symbols for the Holy Spirit and suggested that we collect at least eight ideas on paper.

To do so, I handed out paper and led the students in folding it in half length-wise, then in half and in half again the other way, so each child ended up with eight rectangles.  Then, I offered markers, colored pencils, and pencils, and, in each rectangle, directed the children to write words and images to represent eight signs and symbols of the spirit.

1. Wind


As the children wrote or drew an image of "wind" in one rectangle, I explained that the original Hebrew and Greek words for "Spirit" can be translated as"wind".  I also suggested that the wind that appeared on Pentecost was reminiscent of the wind that blew over the waters at the beginning of Creation.  Further, I pointed out that the symbol of wind can call to our attention to the Holy Spirit breathing new life into the Church.

2. Fire


Then, we drew "fire" as we talked about how the tongues of fire at Pentecost were reminiscent of the burning bush from which God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai and also of the column of fire that the people of God were led by at night during the Exodus.

As a movement break, we got up and acted out following the column of fire.

We also talked about how fire has a transforming energy and the Holy Spirit can transform us.

3. A Dove


We talked about how the dove is one of the most common symbols of the Holy Spirit and thought of places in the Bible we have heard about doves: A dove signaled the end of the flood in Genesis and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove during Jesus' Baptism.  The dove tends to be a symbol of purity and harmlessness; when we are open to the Spirit, our love for God becomes more pure and our life is filled with less harm (or sin).


4. A Lamp or Rays of Light


We recalled the Easter Vigil and how candles lit up the darkness.  Then, we talked about how just one candle, light, or lamp can bring such a flood of light into a dark place, and, how, when one candle lights another, the darkness fades further and further away. 

We likened this to the Holy Spirit in the role of Enlightener - our source of insight, inspiration, guidance, and direction.

Related, we talked about Rays of Light and
 recalled the Annunciation and how the Holy Spirit came upon Mary.  We looked at images of the Annunciation and saw the rays of light - thinking about how the Holy Spirit sends us rays of light from Heaven.


5. A Cloud


We talked about how clouds provide life-giving water, like the Holy Spirit.  We also noted that clouds frequently in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible - the pillar of cloud that led the Hebrews by day during the Exodus, the cloud when Moses received the Ten Commandments, the cloud when Jesus ascended into Heaven, and more.  Moreover, we chatted about how clouds, in Bibles and religious art, often appear with an image of light - symbolizing God, who is mysterious and hidden, but also luminous and revealing. 


6. Water


Of course, when water came up, we talked about how it signifies birth and life, representing the life-giving action of the Holy Spirit at Baptism.  We also recalled many times in the Bible that water is significant - Jesus' Baptism, the water that flowed from Jesus' pierced side and is depicted in the Divine Mercy image, water from the rock, and more


7. Oil


We discussed how Sacred Chrism is used at baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders and how the Oil of the Infirm is used for the sick or injured. We also recalled some of the places in the Bible oil is used - by priests in Hebrew Scriptures consecrated in the power of the Holy Spirit, to consecrate the meeting tent, the Ark of the Covenant, and its furnishings, to make Saul King, to make David kind, etc. We recognized that oil reminds of us the Holy Spirit uniting us with Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One.

8. A Hand or Finger


We talked about how Jesus blessed people and healed the sick by laying hands on them, and, in His name, the apostles did the same.  We also talked about how "It is by the finger of God that Jesus cast out demons". 

We then chatted about how God' s law was written on tablets of stone "by the finger of God" and how, later, the Spirit of the living God wrote, not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

The Holy Spirit is written in our hearts.  The Holy Spirit can bless and guide us. 
 
All of this conversation was presented with leading prompts and questions, drawing the children's ideas out and helping them to make connections.

Since we had some religious art and a picture Bible on hand, we also paged through to related images and stories when appropriate.


Come Holy Spirit, Come


Once we had captured eight signs and symbols of the Holy Spirit on our papers, I asked the children to cut their papers on the folded lines to make cards. As they did so, I asked if anyone had ever heard a prayer to or about the Holy Spirit.  Then, I read the children, Come Holy Spirit, Come:


Come, Holy Spirit, 
fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit
and they shall be created.

And you will renew the face of the earth. 

Lord, 

by the light of the Holy Spirit 

you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit 
help us to relish what is right 
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

I suggested that although this prayer may be a it long for some of them to memorize and pray right away, we can all remember and pray one line from it whenever we need extra strength or guidance - Come, Holy Spirit, come.

Then, to help us remember that very brief prayer, we used two children's sets of cards to play a "Go Fish" game with the signs and symbols of the Holy Spirit, but, instead of saying, "Go Fish", we said, "Come, Holy Spirit, come," when drawing cards from the "fish" pile.

The children loved this!


Holy Spirit Kites


Finally, I asked what happens when we don't let the Holy Spirit into our lives - we get stuck!  However, when we do, when we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we are moved!

To help us remember to let the Holy Spirit move us, we ended out class by making "Holy Spirit Kites".

Basically, we colored and cut out patterns of doves and, then, folded and stapled them into 3-D shapes with wings out (almost like a paper airplane).  We punched a hole in the tail, tied ribbon to it, then, ran around, noticing how when we moved, the kites flew, and remembering:
We must allow ourselves to be moved by the Holy Spirit!

The children loved this activity, too!



Two More Ideas for Kinesthetic Kids!


Because my students had a lot to say when we were drawing out different signs and symbols of the Holy Spirit, then, enjoyed playing the Come Holy Spirit, Come card game and flying their kites so much, we ran out of time before I was able to present two more "on your feet" activities.  Thus, I had to "back pocket" my final two lesson ideas for use in our next class (which will be this month). 

These ideas are ideal for kinesthetic kids that prefer movement activities to drawing/crafting ones.


1. Build a Holy Spirit Teaching Prop


Using their choice of Stackadoos, Picasso Tiles, or SmartMax Build & Learn, challenge small teams of children to build a prop that can be used to teach something or tell a story related to signs and symbols of the Spirit.  (Legos, K'nex, or even recyclables and odds and ends from your craft closet could be used for this challenge, too!)


2. Let the "Holy Spirit" Lead You Through and Obstacle Course


Talk about how life is filled with challenges or obstacles. Then, ask the children to spend 1-2 minutes placing chair and tables around the room to represent obstacles.  


Then, blindfold someone and challenge them to walk across the room without bumping into any obstacles.  Is it hard to do on your own?

Suggest that we do not have to walk alone in life.  If we are open to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will guide us!  

Have another person act as the Holy Spirit for the person with the blindfold, offering verbal commands about where to step right, left, etc.

Take turns being blindfolded and giving guidance to navigate the obstacle course, all the while reminding students of Galatians 5:25: If we live in the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit!


To quiet and center children after these activities, the following prayer would be lovely.  (It can also be used for copywork!)

St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, 
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, 
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, 
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, 
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, 
that I always may be holy.
Amen.



You may also draw inspiration from these posts:



 Celebrate Pentecost with Symbolic Eats

Flashback to 2015


Wednesday, May 2, 2018

This Heroes of History - Milton Hershey Book Review Could Not Have Been More Timely for Us!

{Some links which follow are affiliate ones.}

Who doesn't like chocolate, reading, and inspiration? 

My family enjoyed all three of these things as we reviewed 
Heroes of History- Milton Hershey from YWAM Publishers, a vendor we came to know and love several years ago!



Why We Chose the Milton Hershey Book


When my children and I were given an opportunity to select another YWAM Publishers book for review, we were delighted! We had previously reviewed titles about George Washington, John Adams, and Ben Franklin from their Heroes of History series and had no doubt that we wanted to receive another history biography along with its accompanying Study Guide. Our only problem was deciding which biography to request, because every title in the series looks so interesting!


After some debate, we finally landed on Milton Hershey.

To be honest, none of us had ever thought much about Milton Hershey before besides the fact that he had left the world a legacy of yummy chocolate.  However, as we read the description of Janet and Geoff Benge's book about him, we knew that reading his biography could not be more timely for us! 

Milton Hershey was a man with a
 fourth grade education who overcame adversity and became a famous businessperson and philanthropist.  Our family needed the inspiration of such a man a we faced our own challenges.  


My husband was out of work, my daughter was becoming increasingly discouraged by dyslexia, and all three of my children were wondering how, at their young ages, they might open a business or at least make some money. Thus, reading about a man who was willing to work hard and sacrifice in order to triumph over debt, lack of support, fatigue, and other setbacks while also maintaining a positive and generous spirit seemed perfect for us.


Edified by Milton Hershey's Story


Without question, Milton Hershey grabbed our family's attention right away and kept us turning all of its 191 pages with eager anticipation

We enjoyed the book as a nightly read aloud, and every time we sat down to read just one chapter, we could not resist reading another.  For, prior to reading the book, none of us knew much about Milton Hershey and, as we read, all of us wanted to find out details of his difficult childhood, failed early business attempts, hard-earned later successes, compassionate charity, and persistent spirit. 


We found ourselves edified by the example of Milton Hershey as we immersed ourselves in the book's compelling narrative and well-researched historical depth.  Seriously, the story was replete with examples of resilience, determination, and compassion that my family needed over the past couple of months. 


It also connected to past studies and inspired some new learning in everything from American wars and their effects on the economy, to how to make chocolate, to where different states and countries are, to how creating a single product is often an international process, to what labor disputes and unions were all about, and more.

We appreciated that 
Milton Hershey is:


  • an engaging read aloud (which can also be read alone by late elementary schoolers and up, I'd say)
  • inspiring as you read about how Milton Hershey persevered through struggles and worked hard to succeed and help others
  • consistent in quality to other books in the Heroes of History series.  These books are truly top notch biographies for late elementary school on up or family read alouds.




My children were also inspired to turn our home into candy making test kitchen, experimenting with recipe after recipe to make soft and brittle chocolate candy recipes.  What a riot!

Broaden Your Learning with a Study Guide


The candy making proved a humorous, tasty, and educational diversion for my crew.  With so much stress in our home lately, it was fun for them to pull out ingredients we had and to see what would happen as they mixed, heated, chilled, squeezed, and, ultimately, ate them, all the while alternating their chatter between talking about Milton Hershey's life and planning businesses they might open.




It was only after they did this that I saw in the 
Study Guide that we had received a recipe for making your own chocolate.  It looked wonderful, but, I have to tell the truth: I did not give it to my children.  They were doing so well exploring with their own self-start ideas, I did not want to impede them.

Thus, I only used the the 
Milton Hershey Study Guide casually, asking a few questions from it and bookmarking ideas in my brain for possible future studies.  For, honestly, during this season for my family, simply reading Milton Hershey, chatting about it, allowing my children to make forays into making their own candy, and entertaining their children's future business plans was perfect for us.

In another stage of life, we might appreciate broadening our learning further by using the plethora of ideas in the 
Study Guide, for the resource is definitely a complete one for homeschool families, large groups, and classrooms alike. 

In it, you'll find:



  • Key Quotes (which would work well for memorization or copywork)
  • Display Corner ideas (which would work well for strewing, for focus for a book club, or for a book presentation)
  • Chapter Questions (which drew from for casual chats, but which could be used for formal discussion or writing exercises)
  • Ideas for Essay and Research Topics (which could deepen student learning)
  • Creative Writing Prompts (which extend student's imagination)
  • Suggestions for Hands-On Projects (which are great for all ages)
  • Field Trip Ideas (both the kind you go on and the kind that come to your classroom)
  • Terms/Vocabulary (to highlight new words)
  • Geographical Questions and Mapping (to give context to where the story takes place)
  • a Timeline (which helps place the story in history)
  • a Books and Resources Appendix (which is always fabulous for finding quality books, websites, and more)

In other words, no matter what your homeschool style is or how old your students are, you can likely find something in the Study Guide to expand your learning!


What the Children Had to Say


Even though it has been a couple of weeks since my family finished reading Milton Hershey, we continue to talk about the story and to relate it to our own lives.  It has been so apropos to my husband' job loss and search, my children's desire to make money, my daughter's reading and writing struggles, and all of our need to stay positive as we persevere through challenges. 

The book has also reminded us of how one kindness can beget another and how a generous spirit builds community. 




The book has staying power!  
When I asked my 7-year-old for thoughts about it for this review, he said:


I liked Milton Hershey.  When we were reading it, I wanted to keep going each time. 
Some things I learned about Milton Hershey are: 
  • He made a chocolate bar, but also made a sugar company.
  • He had many businesses and some failed.
  • He had great persistence!
Milton Hershey went through so many failures, but kept doing what he wanted to do and succeeded!

More than one since reading the book, he has compared people in our home to Milton Hershey, Milton's mom, or Milton' Dad, indicating a need for each of us to persevere, help, encourage, or work instead of just dreaming.





.My 10-year-old had this to say:



I really enjoyed this book about Milton Hershey.  I did not really know much about him before I read this book, and I think it is perfect for learning all about him. 
What I found was fun to do was to look at the picture on the cover and guess what each part of it was about, and, then, as I read, to figure out what each piece of the illustration was about.
For example, on the cover, it has a cow.  I thought, What does a cow have to do with Milton Hershey?  I thought it was for milk chocolate, but I also learned that one of Milton Hershey's successful businesses after failures was because of his caramels, and he used milk in them.  So, that's what I figured out the cow was for.  It reminds me of how Milton Hershey persevered until he found successful things.
The Hershey's Kiss illustration has a funny story that goes with it.  In his early businesses, his mom wrapped candy for him.  Once he had an exploding success, she still wanted to help, so she protested until he sent her Kisses to wrap.  He just did not bother to tell her that he just could not actually sell those because they were not wrapped in the factory.  This showed how much he cared for his mother and her wishes.
There is a picture of Milton Hershey standing in front of a really big building with two children. I thought it was his factory and the kids were his.  Through reading the book, I learned that Milton Hershey never had children.  He wanted them, so he opened a school for boys who did not have fathers.  He also built a whole town!  He was so into his business.  he cared for his employees and others. H was compassionate!
I would recommend this book to all people, because it is a fun and entertaining book.

My daughter was wholly taken in by the book as a story of a charitable and dedicated man's life and an inspiration to create chocolate and, more recently, to build a chicken business dream.  It has been fun witnessing her reactions to the story.





My 12-year-old had this to say about the book:



Milton Hershey is good.  I learned a lot from it.  Before reading it, I did not know Milton Hershey once owned a huge caramel company, and that caramels were originally made with paraffin, not milk.  I also did not know how many businesses he had before the chocolate one.  He was persistent!
I also learned that Milton Hershey started a school for fatherless boys.  He had no children of his own and wanted to help other children.
Milton Hershey was a charitable person.  He was kind to the boys in his school, to his family, and to his employees.  Obviously, he gave the boys an education.  He also gave them a home - a good home.  He gave his family good houses when he had the money to do so, let his mother wrap Kisses even though he could not sell them, and kept loving his father even though his father did not make the smartest choices.  Milton Hershey gave his employees good homes with electricity and built them beautiful towns.  He was a generous man and reading about him taught me generosity. 
I like the way Milton Hershey's story was told by the authors because it started at one point, returned to an earlier time, and then went forward through Milton Hershey's whole life. They end chapters on cliff hangers usually and the titles of each chapter make you want to keep reading. 
I would recommend this book to others.  It would be good to read when you are really down, because Milton Hershey was in bad situations and got out of them to become a successful candymaker and virtuous man.

As you can see, Milton Hershey's generous spirit and ability to rise above circumstances captured his attention, as did the way Janet and Geoff Benge wrote the biography! 

All three of my children, my husband, and I found 
Milton Hershey an outstanding read aloud with well-researched history and highlights of virtue strong throughout.  The booked proved to be as good - if not even better - than other Heroes of History books we have read and we are happy we chose to make it a part of recent life and leaning.

I truly have not found a series of biographies that engages my children more than 
Heroes of History and cannot recommend this particular Milton Hershey book and the series it comes from enough!


As an aside for religious readers:  Milton was a Mennonite and his wife was Catholic,so the book does discuss religion in context, depicting strict and more luke-warm individuals of faith.  It also mentions how some members of Milton's family were not thrilled at first that he was planning to marry a Catholic woman.  However, there is nothing that I found offensive in its treatment of any faith, and, in fact, I think people of all faiths will appreciate strong examples of Christian charity in the book.

Learn More




Heroes of History- Milton Hershey
 is available at 
YWAM Publishing for $7.50 (as opposed to its typical $9.99 cover price).  It is one of the many bestselling biographies written for children in the Heroes of History and Christian Heroes Series.

Our family has enjoyed reviewing these other titles from the series, too:









There are 40+ books in the Christian Heroes series, which cover the time period from the 1700's through the 1960's and 20+ books in the Heroes of History series.  Titles can be purchased individually, in five-book sets, or in complete sets through 
YWAM Publishing.


Downloadable unit study guides are also available at YWAM Publishing.



YWAM Publishing Review


One hundred families read and reviewed different YWAM Publishing titles from the Heroes of History and Christian Heroes series.  See what each Review Crew family had to say.


YWAM Publishing Review



Christian & History Heroes {YWAM Publishing Reviews} 
 
Christian Heroes {YWAM Publishing Review} 

YWAM Publishing can be found at FacebookTwitterPinterest, and on their own blog.


If you are looking for well-written biographies that are as engaging as they are inspiring, check out Heroes of History !

Crew Disclaimer

Sunday, April 29, 2018

4 Things to Take Home from a Retreat

This weekend I did something I've never done since becoming a Mom: I went away on a retreat: the first annual Catholics Online retreat hosted at the picturesque Mount St. Mary's Abbey, home of a beautiful community of Cisterican nuns and the delicious Trappistine Quality Candy they make.



training happy hearts


At the end of the retreat, as I sat quietly for a moment in one of the beautifully appointed, yet oh so comfortable, sitting rooms of the McMahon Retreat House, I looked across the room and saw this vignette.


Peace




Immediately, my eyes were drawn to a statue of Mary that reached out to me from a corner table.  I gazed at it for some moments and, then, closed my eyes seeing Mama Mary - so pure, so gentle, hands folded in prayer, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she emanated peace.  

I thought to myself how lucky we all are to have Mary, our Mother, Queen of Heaven, praying for us, doling out graces, compelling us to model after her ready “yes” and her abundant love. 
I recognized how Our Lady guides me in my own motherhood and how important it is for me, as a mother, to take quiet moments like the one I was in the midst of to allow myself to be refreshed, basking in God’s divine love.

I knew one gift I would leave the retreat with - peace.


Sacrifice




My eyes then fell to a light that sat below the statue of Mary: a simple one with a cross design that reminded me of Christ and his sacrifice for us while also pointing my thoughts towards the Resurrection. Jesus Christ gone for the cross, risen, and loving us for all eternity.  

In gratitude I sat, thanking God for his mercy and for the hope he offers to each of us every single day if we just turn towards him.  I also thought of the enormous sacrifice he made for us and the small sacrifices my family made which allowed me to go on the retreat.

I wondered what sacrifices I might be called to make in the coming week - and knew I was going home with a heart welling to make them.

Growth



Finally, my eyes moved towards a vase of flowers.  On the vase was painted a simple blooming branch with a yellow-bellied, orange-capped bird on it – open mouthed,  singing with the glory of God, echoing with delight at all the Creator blesses us with.

As beautiful as the birdsong I was hearing in mind was were the flowers that burst with joy from the mouth of vase.  Some were just budding, others were open in their full glory.  Each held individual interest and - together - their collective beauty was striking.

As I gazed at the flowers, I thought of each of the speakers and participants of the retreat weekend that I had been blessed to spend time with throughout the weekend.  Each brought unique talent or stories to share; each had made sacrifices to be a part of the retreat; and, all, I prayed, would be returning home filled with a renewed spirit to balance home life and a desire to go out into the world sharing talents serving the Lord through joyful and consistent work. 

Then, I thought about the individuals I was going home to – my children and my husband.  Each growing with unique gifts.  Each inviting me to grow as a wife and mother.

Chocolate





With the gifts of internal peace, a willingness to sacrifice, and a desire to grow tucked into my heart, I left the sitting room of the McMahon House and went to rejoin others for the final hour of our retreat.  Then, as I put my things in my minivan to take home, I made sure to tuck in some physical gifts, too - chocolate!

The nuns at the the abbey make the most delicious chocolate which can buy in their gift shop or order online to enjoy. My children have already devoured all the chocolate I brought home!

Peace, sacrifice, growth... chocolate!  These are all gifts I brought home from my weekend retreat.  What gifts have you received this weekend and what can you gift forward?
 <

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Get a FREE Printable Holy Eucharist Game Set!



If you've got children preparing for First Holy Communion this year or ones who are studying the Eucharist, this simple Holy Eucharist Bingo/Game Cards/Copywork set might be a help to you.

{Martianne Stanger/Training Happy Hearts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.}

I made this free printable to go along with the glossary in a beautiful book called 
The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist,.  However, the game set can be used on its own, too.
The first page of the set contains 16 pictures from Wikipedia Commons which represent different words related to the Eucharist and Mass.  The second page has 16 corresponding words on it, typed in a font that uses primary lines so children can easily use the words as copywork.





To play Bingo with the set, have children cut out the cards and put them into four random rows of four.  Then, call out the words an have the children turn their cards over until someone get a Bingo line of turned over cards.

To play Go Fish or Memory Match have children cut out the picture and word cards and, if desired, affix them to cardstock so they won't be see-through, then play the games as usual.

To play Two Finger Touch lay all picture cards face up and have children race to touch with two fingers whatever card you describe.  For example, if you said, "I see a picture of the sacrament which washes away original sin and makes us children of God and members of His family, the Church,"  children would race to touch the picture of Baptism.


Be aware that some of the pictures could represent more than one word, so it might be good to print out a "key" set of cards that you do not cut apart.

Enjoy this FREE printable, and, if you have an extra copy of 
The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist laying around, please consider selling it or gifting it to me!  I'd love to own my own copy!



Earlier this year, a friend lent me her copy of The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist and I have found that the book truly is a treasure - but, unfortunately, one that is no longer in print, and, therefore, not inexpensive enough for my family to purchase at this time.

In 
The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist, a caterpillar named Gloriana is transformed when she is introduced to the wondrous events that surround the Eucharist.  As children hear her story, they are reminded of Baptism, God's love, Adoration, stories of Jesus, and more all while learning about the mystery of love found in the Sacrifice of the Mass and in receiving and adoring the Holy Eucharist.

Expressive illustrations and well-written text (in both English and Spanish) draw readers and listeners into the parable, which, in turn, focuses on the heart of the Mass - the Eucharist!

The book, of course, is perfect for children preparing for First Holy Communion - like my little guy and some of his friend are doing - but it is also wonderful for older children. I shared it with children I am teaching in a co-op class this year, who are ages 3-8, who all enjoyed it.  My 10 and 12 year old like it, too.

We used the free printable I am sharing today to review concepts after reading The Little Caterpillar that Finds Jesus: A Parable of the Eucharist in co-op class I've been teaching.  The children all had a lot of fun with it, and one of the moms from co-op was also psyched I had used a copywork font for the words so she could extend learning at home.  I hope you are just as pleased with this free printable!

Enjoy helping children learn about the Holy Eucharist through play!

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