Grade 3 Religious Education Curriculum Overview

GRADE 3 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

LIVING IN COMMUNION
Fundamental Concept: LC1
Living in the Church as members of the Body of Christ
Big Ideas:
-The Church is the People of God, the BodyofChristandthe Temple oftheHolySpirit.
-TheSpiritgathersthe Church asoneinChristand forms itfor mission throughthesacraments, guidesusinourspiritualand moral life,isalwaysandforeverwiththeChurch. (LC1.2)
-TheHolySpiritisthesouloftheBody ofChrist;theSpiritdwellsineachperson andthusintheChurch;throughthe Spirit, Christdwells in the Church.

Overall Expectations LC1:

DemonstrateanunderstandingofthecommunityoftheChurchas thetemple oftheHolySpirit.[CCCnos.683-701; 797-810; 731-747]
KLO:Identifies the good works of people which are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Fundamental Concept: LC2
The Communion of Saints
Big Ideas:
-TheHolySpirit, active and livinginthe Church isthesourceofitslife, of its unityindiversity,andoftherichesofits gifts and charisms.[CCCnos.731-747]
-AtPentecost,theHolySpiritpouredout many gifts upon those who were gatheredandthroughthe sacraments oftheChurch,continues this same work providing uswith the gifts and talentswe need to build the reign of God here on earth. [CCCnos. 731-747]
Overall Expectations LC2:
Understand the importance ofPentecostand theHolySpiritintheChurch’s life i.e.communion in spiritual goods.[CCCnos.949-953]
KLO:Describes how Spiritual gifts help people to continue Jesus’ work on Earth / LIVING IN SOLIDARITY
Fundamental Concept: LS1
We are called to live ourChristian vocation within the human community (i.e.communalnatureofourdignityas human beings)
Big Ideas:
-ThediscipleswereunitedbytheSpiritinone mission and given the ability towitness to Christ; those to whomthey witnesswere gathered by the Spirit throughthe recounting of Christ’s life. (Spirit gives us different gifts – we need each otherto be one whole and healthy community.) [CCC nos. 731-747]
-UnitedwithChristasonebody,weare formed andnourishedbyChristJesusinpreparationforourparticipationinhis mission.

Overall Expectations LS1:

Understand that the Holy Spiritassistsustodevelopandstrengthenourrelationship withJesusandoneanotherthroughour participation in society (i.e. human community/Body of Christ).
[CCC nos. 731-747; 1905-1912]
KLO:Describes how people work together to be the Body of Christ.
Fundamental Concept: LS2
Social Justice TeachingsoftheChurch
Big Ideas:
-SacredScripturerevealsthe transcendent dignityofthe human person,theirequality and differences and the desire of God forhuman solidarity (i.e. justice,peace and harmony within the human community).
-Catholic Social Teaching is founded onthe principle of human dignity; humandignity stems fromGod and is of God becausewe are made in God’s own imageand likeness.
-The two great commandments, love ofGod and love of neighbour, call us topromote thisdignityandequality,torespectdifferencesand to foster solidarity (i.e.material andspiritual friendship) with one another.

Overall Expectations LS2:

Focus: Human dignity
UnderstandthatGodcreatedallpersons in his one image;equal intheir human dignityyetdiverse in their being (i.e. male and female, weakandstrong,diversityofrace, colour,creed, charisms, talents)andthis equality and diversity is toberespected.[CCCnos.356-384; 1934-1938]
KLO:Explains how, being created in God’s image, we are all the same yet different. / PRAYING
Fundamental Concept: PR1
God’s universal call to prayerandour human response
Big Ideas:
-Many of the forms of prayer passed on through the Tradition are found in theprayerlifeofMary,blessingand adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving andpraise.
-Jesus turned to his Father through prayersof praise and petition during his life and is the perfectmodel of a life of prayer.
-Jesustaughthisdiscipleshow to pray to God though his example (i.e. seekingsolitude,humility and confidence,prayingfromthe heart)and by teaching themtheLord’s Prayer (the OurFather).
-AlifeofprayerreflectsacovenantrelationshipwithGodasrevealedinScripture, i.e. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijahwho model this dimension prayer.
Overall Expectations PR1:
Understand how the universalcalltoprayerfromGodis revealedinscriptureinthe OldTestamentandtheNew Testament.
[CCC nos. 2562-2564; 2566-2597]
KLO:Describes how love is expressed for God in prayer, as revealed in scriptures.
Fundamental Concept: PR2
TheWayofPrayer: Forms and Expressions of Prayer
Big Ideas:
-Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) withinthebelievingandprayingChurch,theHolySpiritteachesthechildren of God to Pray. (Common and liturgical prayers oftheChurch.)
-Within the Tradition of Catholic Church, sacred space is used topoint us toChristJesus, the object of our prayers. Through symbols,sacramentals,images,architectureandsilenceweare drawntoChristandthroughprayercommunicatewith God.
Overall Expectations PR2
Understand that the Church teaches andprovides us with guidance as we learn how to pray. [CCC nos. 2623-2625; 2683-2696]
KLO:Describes the many ways that we learn how and what to pray.

Grade 3 Religious Education Curriculum Overview

2.

BELIEVING
Fundamental Concept: BL1
God’s Self-Revelation in the person of Jesus Christ,Sacred Scripture and Tradition
Big Ideas:
-Sacred Scripture revealsthe presence oftheHolySpiritwiththeFatheratthemoment of Creation, with the chosenpeople of the Old Testament and asinseparable fromJesus in their mission tothe world; the Father isthe source andorigin of the whole divinity.
-The“Fatherandthe Son” arerevealedbythe“HolySpirit”whowassentfromtheFatherandtheSonto remain with theChurchforever.[CCCnos.243-267;687-780]
OverallExpectations BL1:
Demonstrateanunderstandingthatthe“Fatherand the Son”are revealed bythe“Holy Spirit” who was sent fromthe Father andthe Son to remain with the Church forever.[CCC nos. 243-267; 687-780]
KLO: Explains how the Holy Spirit is revealed through Bible stories and scriptures.
Fundamental Concept: BL2
The Creed as a Summary of Catholic BeliefandaProfessionofFaith
Big Ideas:
-Becauseofher obedience toGod’swilland her constantpresence with Jesusthroughouttheentirepaschal mystery ofhislife,theCreedprofessesMaryasthefirst disciple of Christ.
-Because Mary is theMother of God and Christ Jesusisthe head oftheBodyofChrist, Jesus offered her to us as the Mother of the Church.
OverallExpectationsBL2:
DemonstrateanunderstandingofMaryas the first disciple and Mother of Church. [CCC nos. 963-970]
KLO: Explains how Mary, the Mother of the Church, is a role model who helps people to follow God’s will.
Fundamental Concept: BL3
In God’s Plan of Salvation Christ foundedthe Church as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
Big Ideas:
-The mission oftheChurchgiventoallthe faithful, sendsusforthtospreadtheGood News to all people of the world through action,wordanddeedandtounitethemwithChrist,“Go therefore and make disciplesof all nations, baptizing theminthe name of the Father and of the Son and oftheHolySpirit, teaching themtoobserveallthatIhave commanded you.”(Mt.28:19-20;cf.Mk.16:15-16)
OverallExpectationsBL3:
DemonstrateanunderstandingoftheChurch as a community formed by the missionthatitreceivedfromChrist(i.e.toannouncetheGoodNews– to evangelize through thewitnessofholiness,teachingandofservice to others as Jesusdid).[CCCnos.535-570;687-780]
KLO:Describes what followers of Jesus do to teach others and carry out His mission. / CELEBRATING
Fundamental Concept: CL1
The Seven Sacraments of the Church
Big Ideas:
-Theother sacraments pointtothe Eucharist astheir purpose orend.Baptismenablesustoreceivethe Eucharist; Confirmation perfects the Christian so that hisfaithintheEucharistmay remain strong; PenanceandAnointingoftheSickcleanse the soul fromweakness and sin and prepare it for the reception of theEucharist; Holy Orders ordains thepriests necessary toconsecrateandoffertheEucharist;andMatrimony is the earthlysign ofthepurposeoftheEucharist,tounitethe faithful withChristin selfless love.
-Through the sacramental action of the priesti.e.wordsand symbols, inthecelebrationsoftheSeven Sacraments, the HolySpiritpoursouttheGraceofGodto sustain us in living a holy and virtuous life.
-Throughthe Sacraments ofInitiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), thebaptized becomemembers of the Body ofChrist.TheyarestrengthenedintheirwitnessofChrist,in forming thecommunity of the Church andin the participationof its mission in the world.
OverallExpectations CL1:
Focus:all sacraments pointtotheEucharist
UnderstandthattheChurchcelebrates sacraments which transformour lives, strengthen usand initiate us into thecommunity ofthe Church; all sacraments point to the Eucharist astheir purpose and end.
[CCC nos. 1113-1134; 1322-1344]
KLO:Identifies how the sacraments are gifts from God to transform and strengthen our faith journey.
Fundamental Concept: CL2
TheMassisthesourceand summitofChristian life
Big Ideas:
-Atthe Passover meal oftheLast Supper, Jesus instituted theMassandcommanded, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
-In the narrative of the baptismof Jesus,his transfiguration andresurrection, theHolySpirit makes usawareofthepresence and divinity of God and of his Son,Jesus Christ; the Pentecost narrative reveals theactive presence oftheSpirit–God’s gift of divine grace to the Church.
-Holy Spirit strengthens the Church in faithtorealizethereal presence of Godin thebreadand wine ofthe Eucharist andawakensin its members the desire to act justlyandtoofferprayersofthanksgivingand praise toGodourFather for the gift ofsalvation.
OverallExpectations CL2:
Understand that in the celebration of the Eucharist, Christ ispresentbythe power ofHiswordandSpiritandourbelief in faith.
[CCC nos.1337-1344; 1373-1381]
KLO:Explains that Jesus Christ is present in the Mass through the Holy Spirit. / LIVING A MORAL LIFE
Fundamental Concept: ML1
ChristianMoralityasalivingresponseofour human vocationtolifeintheSpiritasrevealedbyreason,the Scriptures and Tradition
Big Ideas:
-Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments into two, “Love the Lord your God withall your heart and with all yoursoul and with all your mind…Love your neighbouras yourself.”
(Matt. 22:37-40)

-The Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount,particularlythe Beatitudes andtheTraditionaresourcesofinstruction for moral conduct i.e. forlivingthe Christianlife.

OverallExpectations ML1:

Demonstrate an understanding ofhow God teaches us tobe good and to reflect thisgoodnessinouractions(i.e.Moral Law – revealed in Scripture e.g. Old Law – TenCommandments, New Law – Law of the Gospel). [CCC nos. 1949-1986; 2052-2082]
KLO:Explains how the Commandments teach us to love God and others.
Fundamental Concept: ML2
Freedomand Responsibility, Reason, Conscience, and Conscience Formation
Big Ideas:
-God has created human persons withfree willand reason (the ability to choose todo what is good or what is not good).
-All human actionshaveconsequencesforwhichweareresponsibleandthatshouldbe considered when making a moral decision.
OverallExpectationsML2:
Demonstrate an understanding ofthegiftoffreedomand responsibility thatwehaveinthechoicesthatwe make intryingto live a good Christian moral life. [CCC nos. 1730-1748]
KLO:Explains the concept of free will and how choices affect our relationships.
Fundamental Concept: ML3
Grace, Virtue, HolinessandSinandForgiveness
Big Ideas:
-Sin is any act which goesagainst the will ofGodand destroysorweakenscharityin the hearts of human persons.
-“Mortal sindestroyscharityintheheartof human persons through a graveviolation of God's law; it turns man away fromGod, who is his ultimate end andhis beatitude, by preferring an inferior good tohim.” [CCC no.1855]
-Avenialsinisanactofdisobediencethat,inalesserwaythan mortal sin,doesnotobservethemorallaworonethat disobeys the moral law in agrave matter, butwithouttheknowledgeand consentof the one acting; itweakens our relationshipwithGodbutdoesnotremoveGod’s Grace fromour lives. [CCC nos. 1855-1863]
-Sin can only be overcome by first acknowledging our need and askingfor God’sforgiveness,acceptingGod’sgraceandlivingintheHolySpirit.

Grade 3 Religious Education Curriculum Overview3.

CELEBRATING
Fundamental Concept: CL3
TheCelebrationsofthe Church’s Liturgical Year
Big Ideas:
-The Liturgical Year of the Church celebrates God’s planof salvation revealed intheLife,Death,andResurrectionofJesus i.e. Paschal Mysteryrecorded inScripture.
-The Liturgicalseasons are marked by specific rituals, prayers, signs, images andcolours which have developed throughoutthe Tradition of the Church and which havebecomepartofourexperienceoffaithinChristas expressed intheyearly lifeof the Church.
-The Church sets asidespecial days tocelebrate the memory ofMarytheMotherofGodandtheSaintswhohavewitnessedin their livestothe Paschal Mystery ofChrist.
OverallExpectations CL3:
Understand that the Church has established special days and seasonsto celebrate thelife ofChrist and the mystery ofhis presence(i.e. Lord’s Day, liturgicalseasons,feasts,and memorials withafocusonAdventand Christmas). [CCC nos. 1091-1112; 1163-1171;1204-1209]
KLO:Explains the meaning of the symbols, colours and traditions of the special days and seasons that celebrate the life of Jesus Christ. / LIVING A MORAL LIFE
OverallExpectations ML3:
Demonstrate anunderstandingofthe nature ofsinandour human capacitytochooseto commit actions which do not show love forGodorneighbour(i.e.personalsin,andsocial sin). [CCC nos. 1846-1876]
KLO:Explains the meaning of sin and describes how we can reconcile and restore relationships.

Reference: Ontario Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document for Religious Education.May 2016