Curriculum Support for Catholic Schools: Enhancing the Religious Dimension of Catholic Education

Lesson: Dignity of the Human Person

Prepared for a Grade Eight Class-Lidia Guadagnolo

What? (content: knowledge and skills) Learning Expectations:
Religious Education:
- shows a growing understanding of the responsibility that a Catholic Christian has to humanity and to all of God's creation.
- demonstrates a growing sense of responsibility for stewardship of creation.
Drama and Dance:
- effectively interprets and communicates ideas and feelings drawn from a wide variety of pieces and selects and combines complex drama techniques.
- carefully selects appropriate themes that deal with specific situations and that are aimed at a specific audience.
Language Arts (Oral Communication):
- always listens attentively to organize and classify information in order to clarify thinking and to confidently contribute work during both whole class and group situations (e.g., contribute collaboratively in group situations by asking questions and building on the ideas of others). / Why? (greater purpose)Anchor Concept(s):
Respecting every human person as “made in the image of God”.
1. What is human dignity?
2. Exploring themes that allow students to respect and value the gifts of all individuals.
3. Group work, class discussions, and individual reflections.
CGE(s):
CGE1d-Develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic social teaching and acts to promote social responsibility, human solidarity and the common good.
CGE4a Demonstrates a confident and positive sense of self and respect for the dignity and welfare of others
CGE5e Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others
Select the Catholic Theme(s) that best illuminates the identified anchor concept(s).
Catholic Theme: Dignity of the Human Person
Evidence of Learning? (assessment plan)
  1. Observation/Checklist: Group discussions (Oral Communication)
  2. Rubric: Drama Presentations
  3. Rubric/Self-Assessment: Religion Journals

How?(sequence of learning activities)
1)Introduction: (Class Discussion): Ask students what the word dignity means. Using chart paper, write down any words, phrases, and examples that students can think of that relates to the topic. Discuss the words as a class. Read section on the Catechism of the Catholic church “1931: Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that "everyone should look upon his neighbour (without any exception) as 'another self,' above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity." No legislation could by itself do away with the fears, prejudices, and attitudes of pride and selfishness which obstruct the establishment of truly fraternal societies. Such behaviour will cease only through the charity that finds in every man a "neighbour," a brother.”
2)Students will get into groups of four or five. They will read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke:10:25-37) and answer the following questions as a group.
a)What reasons do you think the Priest and Levite might have had for walking past the wounded man?
b)Why do you think the Samaritan stopped to help the man?
c)What lesson do you think Jesus was giving by having the Samaritan exemplify love towards one’s neighbour?
d)Can you give examples from your experience or in society that reflects this parable?
3)Culminating Activity: Students will create a one-two minute scene on a modern day version of this parable to be presented to younger students in the school. Students should have a focus for the scene, a script, props and costumes. The objective is for students to exhibit how to help one’s nieghbour in everyday situations and experiences.
4)In religion journals, students will reflect on what they have learned (questions are adapted from CSFCS website.
a)Can you give an example when the dignity of a person was not lived out?
b)What can you do as a grade eight student to promote the dignity and value of persons in our school?
c)Do you think the scene you chose to show the younger students in our school reflected the lesson that Jesus was teaching in the Parable of The Good Samaritan? How?
Supporting Resources: (content)
Treasure Chest: Story, Drama and Dance/Movement in the Classroom, a curriculum resource for elementary teachers (Toronto District School Board) / Supporting Resources:(Catholic perspective)
Catechism of the Catholic Church(U.S Catholic Church)
Stand By Me(English Canadian Catechetical Series)
Dignity of the Human Person in EOCCC website Curriculum Support for Catholic Schools: Enhancing the Religious Dimension of Catholic Education
Good News Bible (Today’s English Version)


Curriculum Planning Template 1