Grade 1 Religion Content

Topic: Creed and Doctrine

  • God created the world.
  • The world is God’s gift to us.
  • God created all people.
  • They are God’s greatest creation.
  • We are all important to God.
  • God gives us special gifts e.g. talents.
  • List some gifts God has given us.
  • God promised to love us always.
  • Animals are part of God’s creation.
  • The Trinity
  • There are Three Persons on One God.
  • The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the three persons of the Blessed Trinity.
  • God sent us his own Son, Jesus.
  • John the Baptist helped people get ready for Jesus.
  • Jesus’ name means “God will save.”
  • Jesus is both human and divine.
  • Jesus’ is God’s greatest gift.
  • God chose Mary to be the mother of his Son.
  • Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
  • Jesus lived in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph.
  • Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are members of the Holy Family.
  • The Holy Family obeyed God and prayed to Him.
  • Joseph is the earthly father of Jesus and protector of Mary.
  • Jesus shared God’s love with all people.
  • Jesus teaches that God watches over us and cares for us.
  • Jesus helped all those in need.
  • Jesus’ followers believed that he was the Son of God.
  • Jesus died and rose.
  • The Church celebrates Jesus’ death and resurrection.
  • The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.
  • The Holy Spirit gives us gifts of peace, strength, and joy.
  • Recognize that the Holy Spirit is God’s presence among us.
  • Mary is the Mother of God.
  • The Church honors Mary.

Topic: Prayer

  • The Sign of the Cross is a prayer to the Blessed Trinity.
  • Jesus showed his followers how to pray.
  • Jesus taught us to pray to the Father as he prayed.
  • We pray the Lord’s Prayer.
  • Express spontaneous prayers, including prayers of praise, thanksgiving, asking (petition) and sorrow.
  • State that “Amen” means “Yes, I believe.”
  • The Holy Spirit helps us to pray.
  • When we sing holy songs with our hearts, we are praying.
  • Write informal prayers.
  • Recite the Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Grace Before Meals, Glory Be, Guardian Angel Prayer, Morning Offering.
  • Recognize that prayers celebrate God’s goodness.
  • Experience prayer using Gospel stories.
  • Demonstrate how we can show reverence and pray with our bodies.

Topic: Moral Formation

  • Ways to say “Yes” to God as Mary did
  • Ways the Holy Spirit helps us
  • Using God’s laws to help us choose what is right
  • Distinguishingbetween right and wrong choices
  • Choices that have positive or negative consequences
  • Difference between doing an action on purpose (sin) and by accident (mistake)
  • Examples of healing words
  • Ways to forgive one another

Topic: Peace and Justice

  • Jesus taught the Great Commandment (moral formation).
  • Jesus taught us to love God, ourselves, and others.
  • Our parish helps many people.
  • Jesus asks us to share His peace.
  • We can make choices as children of God.
  • The saints are close to God.
  • We honor all the saints of the Church (All Saints Day).
  • Describe characteristics of God’s kingdom.
  • We care for and respect God’s kingdom.
  • Participate in community service.
  • Respect others and their property.

Topic: Scripture

  • Gospels are the stories of Jesus.
  • Gospel means “good news.”
  • Some stories tell about Jesus’ life.
  • Annunication is the story of the Angel asking Mary to be the Mother of God.
  • At Christmas, the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus.
  • Jesus taught in the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Jesus invited people to be His followers.
  • Jesus told his followers that he loved and cared for them.
  • Jesus used stories to teach them about God, His Father.
  • Jesus taught us that all people are our neighbors (Good Samaritan).
  • Jesus told us about God’s forgiveness.
  • Many people gathered to welcome and praise Jesus.
  • The risen Jesus visited His followers.
  • The first members of the Church did many things together.
  • On Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to help Jesus’ followers.

Topic: Church

  • The Church praises Jesus all year long (ordinary time).
  • Jesus Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would come to his followers.
  • The Church began on Pentecost.
  • Pentecost is the birthday of the Church.
  • The Holy Spirit was sent to Jesus’ followers.
  • The Holy Spirit helped the Church to grow.
  • The Holy Spirit helps the Church today.
  • The Apostles led and cared for the Church.
  • The bishops lead and care for the Church.
  • The pope leads and cares for the whole Church.
  • The Church serves others.
  • The Church has a special time of waiting (Advent).
  • Our parish is like a family.
  • We gather together to worship.
  • We work together as a parish.
  • The Last Supper was the first Mass.
  • We celebrate what Jesus did and said at the Last Supper at Mass.
  • We use both words and actions at Mass.
  • We join with our parish for the celebration of Mass.
  • The Mass is a celebration.
  • We gather to worship God.
  • We listen to God’s word.
  • Readings at Mass come from the Bible.
  • Recite some of the prayer responses at Mass.
  • The tabernacle contains the Blessed Sacrament.
  • Why we have statues and stained glass windows, in church.
  • Explain use of holy water and candles.
  • Be respectful and show reverence before, during, and after Mass.
  • Catholic Church includes people from around the world.

Topic: Sacraments

  • Jesus celebrated God’s love.
  • We celebrate God’s love.
  • Jesus gave us the sacraments.
  • The Church celebrates seven sacraments.
  • Sacraments are special signs that God is with us.
  • Baptism
  • The Church celebrates new members at Baptism.
  • Baptism welcomes us as children of God and members of the Church.
  • At Baptism we receive God’s life.
  • We say and do special things to celebrate Baptism (explained).
  • Name symbols of Baptism (water, lighted candle, oil, white cloth).
  • In Baptism, we are joined to Jesus and one another.
  • Describe the Baptism ceremony.
  • The Holy Spirit comes to us in Baptism and is always with us.
  • Holy water is a reminder of our Baptism.
  • Jesus is the Light of the World.
  • We receive the light of Christ.
  • Eucharist
  • Jesus shared a special meal with his followers.
  • We celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • Our gifts of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
  • In Eucharist, we become closer to Jesus and one another.
  • Explain why and when they will receive the Eucharist.
  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • God, like the Good Shepherd, is loving and forgiving.
  • God is always ready to forgive us.
  • We celebrate God’s forgiveness.
  • Jesus asks us to forgive others.

Grade 1 Religion Methodology

  • Teacher presentations (on Promethean board)
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Student participation (on whiteboard)
  • Class discussions
  • Liturgies/prayer services
  • Stories
  • Activity-oriented worksheets
  • Jesse Tree

Grade 1 Religion Assessments

  • Teacher observation
  • Teacher created Chapter tests
  • Demonstration of Christian values

Teaching Materials

  • Teacher-made worksheets
  • Clip Art for Celebrations
  • Textbook worksheets
  • Worksheets from websites
  • CD’s
  • Sadlier We Believe Grade One
  • SongTime Kids-Bible Songs
  • SongTime Kids-Sunday School Songs
  • Shine Like a Lighthouse, Tim Janis
  • Books
  • We Believe God Loves Us (textbook)’ Sadlier, 2011
  • Who Made God? Larry Libby, Zonderkidz, 2002
  • This Little Prayer of Mine, Anthony DeStefano, Waterbrook Press, 2010
  • God Gave Us You, Lisa Tawn Bergren, Colorado Springs, 2000
  • God Gave Us Two, Lisa Tawn Bergren, Colorado Springs, 2001
  • If Jesus Walked Beside Me, Jill Roman Lord, Ideals Publishing, 2006
  • The Magpie’s Story, Nick Butterworth, Zondervan Publishing, 1988
  • On the Night You Were Born, Nancy Tillman, Macmillan, 2005
  • Love Me Tender, Tom Browning, Scholastic, 2003
  • The Lord’s Prayer, Rick Warren, Zonerkidz, 2010
  • The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein, Harper Collins, 1964
  • A Good Day, Kevin Henkes, Greenwillow Books, 2007
  • God Shows Us the Way, Dandi MacKall, Standard Publishing, 2006
  • God Gave Us Heaven, Lisa Tawn Bergren, Colorado Springs, 2008
  • Little Rose of Sharon, Nan Gurley, Charlot Victor Publishing. 1998
  • Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You, Nancy Tillman, MacMillan, 2010
  • There Was No Snow On Christmas Eve, Pam Munoz-Ryan, Hyperion Books, 2005
  • A Friend Like You, Tanja Askani, Scholastic, 2009
  • God Gave Us Christmas, Lisa Tawn Bergren, Waterbrook Press, 2006
  • Silent Night, Thomas Kinkade, Harper Collins Publishing, 2006
  • The Friendly Beasts, Tomie dePaola, Scholastic
  • Who Is Coming to Our House?, Joseph Slate, G.P. Putnam, 1988
  • An Angel Came to Nazareth, Anthony Knott, Chronicle Books, 2004
  • The Angel and the Lamb, Sophie Piper, Lion Hudson, 2008
  • On This Special Night, Claire Freedman, Scholastic, 2008
  • The Stable Jesus Was Born, Scholastic, 2000
  • Away in a Manger, Thomas Kinkade, Scholastic, 2005
  • The Gift of a Snowflake, Timothy McMullen, Prospect Hill, 1998
  • The Boy Who Cried Wolf, B.G. Hennessy, Simon & Schuster, 2006
  • The Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton, Scholastic, 1996
  • The Way of the Cross, Sr. Karen Cavanaugh, The Regina Press, 1990
  • Can God See Me in the Dark? Neal Lozano, Attic Studio, 2007
  • Ruby the Copycat, Peggy Rathmann, Scholastic, 1991
  • The Life of Mary for Children, Sr. Karen Cavanaugh, Regina Press, 1996
  • The Hail Mary, Victor Hoagland, The Regina Press, 1997
  • Joseph Had an Overcoat, Sims Taback, Scholastic, 1999
  • All God’s Critters, Bill Staines, Simon & Schuster, 2007
  • It’s Time to Sleep My Love, Eric Metaxas, MacMillan, 2008
  • Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Tomie dePaola, Holiday House, 1995
  • The Rosary for Children, Sr. Karen Cavanaugh, Regina Press, 1996
  • Videos
  • Websites
  • Sadlier Oxford
  • Jesusandkidz.com

Grade 1 Language Arts Content

Topic: Concepts About Print

  • Identifing parts of a book
  • Naming and matching uppercase and lowercase letters
  • Order of the alphabet
  • One-to-one correspondence between oral words and printed words
  • Tracking print (left to right, top to bottom)

Topic: Word Learning

  • Phonemic Awareness
  • Rhyming words
  • Counting syllables in words
  • Identifing initial, final, and medial sounds in spoken words
  • Blending sounds orally or making words
  • Segmenting a word into sounds
  • Decoding and Word Recognition
  • Reading simple one-syllable and high-frequency words
  • Recognizing that spoken words are represented by sounds
  • Knowing sound-letter relationships
  • Decoding consonants, consonant blends, and consonant digraphs
  • Decoding short and long vowels
  • Decoding r-controlled vowels, vowel digraphs, diphthongs, common vowel patterns
  • Words with final –e
  • Two-syllable words
  • Irregularly spelled words
  • Word families
  • Word Structure
  • Decoding base words and inflected ends
  • Decoding plurals
  • Contractions and compound words
  • Decoding words with prefixes and suffixes
  • Recognizing common abbreviations
  • Applying knowledge of sound-letter relationships to decode unfamiliar words
  • Using word structure to decode unfamiliar words
  • Using context to decode unfamiliar words
  • Reading aloud grade level text with fluency
  • Practicing fluency with choral reading, paired reading, etc.
  • Working toward appropriate fluency goals by end of grade
  • Reading regularly and with conprehension
  • Reading silently for increased periods of time
  • Vocabulary/Concept Development
  • Recognizing and understanding selection vocabulary
  • Understanding content-area vocabulary
  • Developing vocabulary through instruction, experiences, reading, listening to text read aloud
  • Using word structure to figure out meanings of words
  • Using context clues to meanings of unfamiliar words
  • Using reference sources to learn word meanings
  • Using picture clues to determine word meanings
  • Using new words in variety of contexts
  • Classifying and categorizing
  • Using abbreviations
  • Using antonyms and synonyms
  • Recognizing prefixes and suffixes
  • Using multiple-meaning words
  • Recognizing compound words
  • Using figurative language and idioms
  • Using descriptive words (adjectives)
  • Using time and order words

Topic: Comprehension

  • Predict and set purpose for reading.
  • Use background knowledge.
  • Use fix-up strategies to resolve difficulties in reading.
  • Use inference.
  • Answer questions before, during, and after reading.
  • Recall and retell stories.
  • Use clues to determine author’s meaning.
  • Use cause/effect, sequence, compare/contrast, description.
  • Identify plot, problem/solution.
  • Use graphic organizers.
  • Determine author’s purpose.
  • Identify facts and details.
  • Draw conclusions, make inferences.
  • Follow directions.
  • Note graphic sources (illustrations, photos, maps, charts, etc.).
  • Identify main idea.
  • Distinguish between realism/fantasy.
  • Recognize sequence of events.
  • Describe essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of a text.
  • Evaluate and critique ideas and text.
  • Draw conclusions and support them with evidence.
  • Make judgments about ideas and text.
  • Make connections (text of self, text to text, text to world).
  • Organize and synthesize ideas and information.

Topic: Literary Response and Analysis

  • Identify types of print materials (books, poems, signs, labels).
  • Recognize characteristics of a variety of genre.
  • Distinguish common forms of literature.
  • Identify characteristics of literary texts (drama, fantasy traditional tales).
  • Identify characteristics of nonfictions texts (biography, interviews, etc.).
  • Identify characteristics of poetry and song.
  • Recognize and describe traits of characters.
  • Analyze characters’ relationships, points of view.
  • Identify plot (beginning, middle, end).
  • Identify goal and solution to problem.
  • Identify setting.
  • Compare and contrast characters, events, and settings.
  • Identify speaker or narrator in a selection.
  • Identify imagery and sensory words.
  • Recognize poetic elements.
  • Distinguish roles of author and illustrator.
  • Recognize author’s and illustrator’s craft or style.
  • Recollect and write about books.
  • Ask and answer questions about text.
  • Write about what is read.
  • Use evidence to support opinions.
  • Offer observations in response to text.
  • Show interest in books and reading.
  • Choose text by drawing on personal interests.
  • Read variety of narrative and expository texts.
  • Read from wide variety of genres (fairy tales, folk tales, etc.).
  • Read independently.
  • Establish familiarity with a topic.
  • Comprehend basic plots of classic tales from around the world.
  • Compare/contrast tales from different cultures.
  • Develop attitudes to interact with diverse groups/cultures.
  • Connect experiences with those of other cultures.
  • Compare language and oral traditions.
  • Recognize themes that cross cultures.

Topic: Writing

  • Write uppercase and lowercase letters.
  • Print name and other important words.
  • Write using pictures and some phonetically spelled words.
  • Write consonant-vowel-consonant words.
  • Dictate stories for others to write.
  • Create own written text.
  • Write left to right; top to bottom.
  • Participate in shared and interactive writing (research, opinion, etc.).
  • State clear purpose and maintain focus.
  • Use sensory details and examples.
  • Delete extraneous information.
  • Use graphic organizers to group ideas.
  • Write coherent paragraphs that develop a central idea.
  • Use transitions to connect sentences.
  • Organize ideas in chronological order.
  • Develop individual tone/style.
  • Use clear, precise language.
  • Use vivid words.
  • Use sensory details, imagery, characterization.
  • Use word walls, dictionary, or thesaurus.
  • Combine, elaborate, and vary sentences.
  • Write topic sentence and support with facts and details, concluding sentence.
  • Use correct word order.
  • Use correct spelling and grammar; capitalize and punctuate correctly.
  • Connect sentence fragments.
  • Prewrite using various strategies.
  • Develop first drafts; revise drafts, edit and proofread, publish own work.
  • Write narratives and expository texts.
  • Write descriptive and persuasive texts.
  • Write notes and letters.
  • Write poems and opinion pieces.
  • Write on daily basis, write independently.
  • Use writing as tool for learning.
  • Gain increasing control of penmanship.
  • Write legibly (letter size, form, sentence spacing).
  • Write numerals.

Topic: Written/Oral English Language

  • Correct word order in sentences.
  • Recognize declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative sentences.
  • Recognize complete and incomplete, simple and complex sentences.
  • Recognizes dates and commas.
  • Identify parts of sentences.
  • Identify fragments and run-on sentences.
  • Combine and rearrange sentences.
  • Transition and conjunctions to connect ideas.
  • Recognizes nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions.
  • Use subject-verb agreement.
  • Use pronoun agreement/referents.
  • Spell independently consonants, vowels, blends, digraphs, diphthongs, silent letters.
  • Spell base words with inflections, prefixes, suffixes.
  • Spell possessives, contractions, and compound words.
  • Spell high-frequency irregular words.
  • Spell frequency misspelled words.

Topic: Listening and Speaking

  • Listen to a variety of presentations attentively and politely.
  • Listen for enjoyment, to expand vocabulary, to obtain information, and follow oral directions.
  • Listen to answer questions and solve problems.
  • Listen to identify and analyze musical elements of literary language.
  • Connect prior experiences to those of speaker.
  • Speak clearly, accurately, and fluently.
  • Speak with command of standard English conventions.
  • Speak to ask and answer questions; give directions.
  • Communicate needs, share ideas.
  • Participate in discussions; express an opinion.
  • Use appropriate verbal and nonverbal elements.

Topic: Research Skills

  • Recognize and use charts/tables, diagrams, graphs, illustrations, maps, signs.
  • Identify parts of book to locate information.
  • Use alphabetical order.
  • Use reference sources (picture dictionary, encyclopedia, magazine, newspaper, technology).
  • Choose and evaluate appropriate reference sources.

Grade 1 Language Arts Methodology