 2013-14
 The parent meetings are: (all meetings are in room 214 in the school unless otherwise
notified)
 Meeting # 1: Tuesday, October 1st at 7:00 PM (you will receive all your books and
materials for the year this night)
 #2: Monday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM
 #3: Monday, February 10th at 7:00 PM
 #4: Monday, April 7th at 7:00 PM
 May/June: Parents bring the children in to take objective exams at dates to be
determined
 All meetings will be in Room 214 in the school unless you are otherwise notified.
 Our homeschool CCD program requires a commitment from parents to teach the faith
at home on a regular basis (weekly) to their children.
 The children in the homeschool program follow the same curriculum as the children
in the school and regular CCD program.
 Parents receive a teacher's edition that gives them a lesson plan for each
chapter. Parents and children complete one chapter a week at home.
 Parents are required to attend 4 meetings a year with Mrs. Haggerty; parents bring the
child's textbook so that we can determine whether or not the work is being completed
at home.
 At the end of the school year, the children take a standardized religion exam and must
turn in their completed textbooks.












SAMPLE MINUTES OF A TYPICAL MEETING
Synopsis of 3rd Meeting for the year 1/28/2013:
In attendance, 19 families
7 excused absence
We discussed how far along in the books we were: most seem to be averaging chapter 12-14.
We discussed regular Mass attendance and how to make that easier for families.
We discussed upcoming sacramental information for parents of 2nd graders and 5th graders.
We discussed using the supplemental chapters in the book for Lent and Easter.
I had a Lenten handout (about 15 pages long) with ideas for parents. It came from a book
called "The Big Book of Catholic Ideas"
We watched a video from the Alpha series called "Is there more to life than this?" It was very
good and sparked some interesting discussion.
One parent asked a question about how to teach a particular aspect of the faith when you don't
agree with it. It led to some further discussion. I suggested that any time a church teaching
doesn't sit right with you, or makes you question your faith, it is a good opportunity for you to
step back and take some time and effort to study the issue. I suggested that a person take 6
months to a year to use proper Catholic sources to study the "bigger picture" of whatever the
issue is (confession, homosexuality, etc.)
And of course, anyone can call me to discuss a particular or private issue
The Catholic Church, throughout the 20th century, has called
PARENTS the “primary educators” of their children.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms this by stating
the “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of
their children.”
The Archdiocesan homeschool guidelines reflect this.
The parents are their children’s catechists.
Doctrine is the revealed truth
that comes from Jesus Christ
through the Church.
You must always teach the
Catholic faith in union with the
Holy Father and the whole
teaching church.
Teach the (objective) truth of the
faith, not just your opinion!
Otherwise, it is not Catholic!
No family or individual can
remain faithful to the church
apart from communion with the
church.
That is why the Catholic Church
is not a “me and Jesus” church
“I don’t need to go to church with
all those hypocrites; I just go to
my room (the beach, a field) and
pray to Jesus.”
“I don’t need confession, I just tell my sins to
Jesus.”
The People of God (another name for the
Church) are not independent (that is an
American value), but interdependent (a
Christian value).
No Catholic family (or individual) can succeed
apart from communion with the church.
Therefore, it is necessary for all Catholics to be a
part of parish life. – BE the parish (it’s yours!).
That means:
Weekly Mass (no excuses!)
Attend parish events, devotions and talks
Go to confession regularly
Serve the needy: Make a casserole!
Make a “visit” to church, light a candle!
Visit the chapel (adoration)
Give your children a Catholic “culture”
Our homeschool program (as a part of the CCD program) follows
the same Archdiocesan religion guidelines that the Catholic
schools follow.
-note how each year builds on the previous (handout)
-specific grade level guidelines are available online at the
Archdiocesan website:
http://archphila.org/catechetical/resources/resources.htm
Both the school and CCD program use the same religion textbook
series.
Homeschool parents receive a home program guide with lesson
plans for each chapter.
Blest Are We (RCL Benzinger)
Based on the Catechism of the Catholic
Church (built of 4 pillars):
1)What Catholics believe
2) How Catholics worship
3) How Catholics live
4) How Catholics pray
Each unit of the textbook has four
chapters based on these pillars
Every chapter begins with “Family Time”
This emphasizes the importance of family in forming the faith
Formal learning in each chapter is in three teaching steps:
Share:
Chapter theme is introduced through prayer, sharing, story, or activity
Hear and Believe:
scripture story or excerpt from the liturgy
explanation of its meaning
doctrine (beliefs and teaching of the Catholic Church
Sidebars: We Believe – a synopsis of what is being taught
Faith Words – definitions children (we all) should know
Response:
Story that relates how one could act in response to what they just learned.
Then, prayer response.
Prepare
•Set aside as regular time and
place for religion instruction
without distraction
•Set a prayer corner or space in
the home
•Keep all religion learning
materials in one place
A few days before you do the lesson together:
Parent should read the upcoming chapter in the child’s book
Then, read the Home Program Guide for that chapter (2
pages)
“parent background” is helpful for your own learning and
information
Be sure to note the “Focus” or the goals of the lesson (the
lesson in one sentence)
You should be comfortable enough with the “learning
time” that you don’t need to keep referring to it as you
teach
You may want to make your own notes, add your own
questions, insert your own research about the material
Teaching the lesson to your child:
Briefly review the previous week’s chapter (just the
highlights)
Go through the lesson plan in the home program
guide with your child
Go through it step by step: note there are three
main steps
Share: (general theme of the chapter
introduced in various ways: stories,
activity, etc.)
Hear & Believe: (learning through
scripture, liturgy, doctrine)
Respond: (child’s response to the
teaching)
Let your child do the
activity at the end of
the chapter (this will
help you evaluate what
your child has learned)
-- Did your child learn
the goals or the “focus”
of the lesson?
Pray together
Chapter Review: fill in the
blanks, etc. (answer key in
your guide)
Faith in Action: Practical
things you can do with
what you have learned
:
Especially, those related to the chapter you
are teaching: An example:
http://www.blestarewe.com/chapter-reviews
There is a printable activity for each
chapter:
http://www.blestarewe.com/blest-are-weprogram-units/program-units
Plus online games:
http://www.bemydisciples.com/games/faith-walk
Other resources available under “Resources”
Example: tour of a Catholic church:
http://vimeo.com/48907978
:
Children should memorize their
grade level prayers in the parish’s
prayer packet and in the textbook
Crucifixes
Statues
Rosaries
Prayers before and after meals and at
bedtime
Children’s Bible Stories
Give them a medal/wear one yourself
ongoing (from the time of their baptism
onward)
not grade related
Parents receive a supplemental sacrament book
specific sacramental years have some
requirements (grades 2 and 5/6)
•parents should attend required meetings
•children should attend retreats and practices
•child may receive with larger (class) group
(penance/communion/confirmation) or
individually (penance/communion)