Fourth Class Alive-O Programme

The theme of the fourth class programme is nourishment. The aim of the programme is to nourish or nurture God’s gift of faith. The children are led to a deeper awareness of their experience of nourishment and at the same time towards acknowledgement of God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit – as the source of all nourishment.

The introductory lesson in term 1:
Leads the children to a wider appreciation of creativity in the world that God created. The creation story taken from Genesis 1 helps the children to see the unique power of God in creating the world. There they see what God made is good and that they are made in the image and likeness of God. Through the story of St. Francis the children are helped to consider their own response to the spirit of God in creation

Mary is introduced through the story of the wedding feast in Cana and it is envisaged that this lesson will be done in October, the month of the Rosary, where the joyful and sorrowful mysteries are revised and the glorious mysteries are introduced
There then follows a set of lessons on “Nourished by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God sent Jesus as nourishment and the children are led to consider the many levels at which Jesus nourishes people. Death is also introduced as a topic for the children to discuss and there is a prayer service for the feast of All Saints and All Souls

Two commandments are introduced to the children 1. Love God and 2. Love your neighbour. The children hear the story of the Good Samaritan and through it they hear the understanding of neighbour that Jesus proposes

Christmas time and the children are helped to think of the nourishment that Christmas brings at every level

Term 2 lessons:

The nourishment by the Trinity and lessons on the Sacrament of the anointing of the sick shows the children the ongoing care of sick by the Church and sees it as a continuation of the care of Jesus for the sick

The Church as the Body of Christ helps the children to look at their home parishes and what is required of people in parish life. The children are helped to become more aware as members of the Body of Christ whether at work or play

Lent and reconciliation are introduced as links between Lent and the time Jesus spent in the wilderness after his Baptism

Term 3:

The risen Jesus is reflected post Easter through the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Jesus.

Eucharist is introduced to help the children to come to an understanding of the Mass as sacrifice and there is an opportunity for a class Mass.

The concluding lessons of this term highlight the Old Testament and the Bible as a source of nourishment for Jesus as well as for them.

The lesson on the Holy Spirit helps to explore the nature of the working of the Holy Spirit in the world today.

The story of St. Canaire is introduced to the children with the concept of pilgrimage.

Additional Prayers to be learned in Fourth Class are:

St. Patrick’s Prayer
Paidir d’Iosa
Care for me Lord
We are the Body of Christ
Prayer to the Guardian Angel
Prayer before Playing
Prayer after Playing
Prayer on opening a book
Prayer on closing a book
Prayer on opening a Bible
Prayer on closing a Bible

Bible Stories and Scripture Passages Alive-O 6 (Fourth Class)
In the Beginning, p. 25
Trees (Book of Judges), p. 38
The Parable of the Fig Tree, p. 38
Don’t worry (Matthew), p. 39
The Wedding of Cana, p. 69
The Good Samaritan, p. 99
Life after Death, p. 120
Moses and the Commandments, p. 130
Jesus and the Pharisees, p. 131
The most important Commandment, p. 139
Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem, p.145
Jesus is bron, p.148
Jesus cures the men by the Sheep-Gate, p. 167
Saul and the Lord Jesus, p. 188
The Body of Christ, p. 189
Ishvah’s Story, p. 200
Jesus goes into the Wilderness, p. 221
The Last Supper, p. 252
The Crucifixion, p. 253
Mary Magdalene meets Jesus, p. 266
The Servant’s Task, p. 320
Joseph and his brothers, p. 331

Songs Alive-O 6 Songs (Fourth Class)
Term 1
Gather Round, p. 12
Within God’s Creation, p. 13
Creation, p. 28-29
Celtic Blessing, p. 40
Bless the Lord, p. 55-57
Time and Time Again, p. 58
Mary, Our Mother, p. 72
The Food of Love, p. 84-85
The Apostle’s Creed, p. 86-87
Eat This Bread, p. 100
Ithigí and tAráin Seo, p. 101
Gather Round, p. 110, L. 8
Christ Be Our Light, p. 110-111
The Coud’s Veil, p. 121
Remember Them, p. 122
Sign of the Cross Chant, p. 132
The Neighbour Song, p. 140
Come to the Manger, p. 151
O Little Town of Bethlehem, p. 152
Away in the Manger, p. 153
Oíche Chiúin, p. 154
Silent Night, p. 155

Term 2
Jesus, Be With Me, p. 168
Parish Anthem, p. 178
Christ Be Beside Me, p. 191
I Will Be the Vine, p. 192
Grace Before and After Play, p. 202
We Are the Body of Christ, p. 211-212
Song of Peace, p. 222
Prodigal Son Song, p. 234-235
The King of Love, p. 245
Whatsoever You Do, p. 246, L.8
Sanctus, p. 254, L.9
The Passover Song, p. 255, L.9
Stabat Mater, p. 256, L.9

Term 3
This is the Day, p. 268, L.1
Parish Anthem, p. 291, L.2
Time and Time and Time Again, p. 292
The Apostle’s Creed, p. 293-294
Blessed Be God, p. 295
Ithigí and tArán Seo, p. 296
Eat This Bread, p.297
This is the Day, p. 298
That Wonderful Book, p. 311-312
That Wonderful Book, p. 322-323
The Twelve Tribes, p. 335
That Wonderful Book, p. 336-337
Come Holy Spirit, p.347
Oró Canaire, p. 357-358
Remember Them, p.361
My Shepherd is the Lord, p. 362
We Sing a Song to Brigit, p. 371
Alleluia p. 372
St. Patrick’s Song, p. 376
Queen Margaret, p. 399
Alive-O Mass: Kyrie, p. 400
Gospel Acclamation, p. 402
Doxology/Great Amen, p. 402
The Lord’s Prayer, p. 403
Agnus Dei, p. 404
Mass of Peace: Kyrie, p. 405
Alleluia, p. 405
Holy, Holy, 406
Consecration Acclamation, p. 406
Great Amen, p. 407
Agnus Dei, p. 407

Poems Alive-O 6 (Fourth Class)
Trees, p. 6
The Secret Song, p. 6
Creation, p. 19
Good God, p. 22-23
The Mustard Seed, p. 35
Jesus, the Birds and Francis, p. 45
The Sorrowful Mysteries, p. 63-64
How was the Wedding, p. 69-70
Food, p. 78
The Risen Lord, p. 92-93
The Good Samaritan, p. 94-95
A Letter to Grandad, p. 115-116
Mid-Term Break, p. 116
Us, p. 134
Love of God and Neighbour, p. 137
Give Yourself, p. 271
Joseph’s Multi-Coloured Dream, p. 333-334
St. Canaire and St. Senan, p. 355-356

For information on Doctrine and a full listing of prayers for each class go to the “Doctrine” and “Prayers” sections of the menu.