CHOICES
REMEMBER REJOICE RENEW
EARLY YEARS
Remember
That some choices
make them happy;
Some choices make
others happy;
What Jesus says about
making choices
Start the session with a moment of quiet reflection. Using the display children
may be able to contribute to the following by use of discussion, role play,
drama, art, cue cards etc.
It may be useful to have a plate with a happy face on one side and a
sad face on the other when reflecting on this.
 Choices that make them and others happy(wt AT2iL1)
 Choices that make them and others unhappy(wt AT2iL1)
 What Jesus says about choosing to be happy
 Jesus’ rule for being happy (wt AT1iiiL1)
 Prayers and hymns they have learned
REJOICE
Celebrate: The children’s new knowledge and understanding that some
choices make them happy, some choices make others happy and what
Jesus says about making choices.
Plan
Decide from all the children have remembered what will be included, share some
refreshment at the end
GATHER

WORD ~ LISTEN
RESPONSE


GOING FORTH

RENEW
The teacher helps each child to make an individual response hold on to and make their own, what
they have understood of their own experience and of the experience of the Church community.
Apply their learning.
How can I make someone happy today?
Some sample ideas
Place an assortment of names in a bag e.g. their own names,
teacher, parent, brother, sister etc. In another bag put ideas on
individual cards of the things that make them and others happy.
(work done during Recognise). Invite different children to draw a
card from both bags e.g. teacher/try my best, parent/carer/give a
smile, john/share my toys. Invite the children to take one of these
ideas and work on it that day. Choose a different idea and person
on different days during the week.
Teacher evaluation: is
ongoing and will inform future
teaching and learning, which will
include assessment for learning
1
CHOICES
REMEMBER REJOICE RENEW
YEAR ONE
Remember
that everyone makes
choices; that their
choices can hurt
others; what God
wants people to
choose
Start the session with a moment of quiet reflection Using the display children
may be able to contribute to the following questions by use of discussion, role
play, drama, art, cue cards etc.





Experience of choices they have made and their feelings about
them [ AT2:i L1]
Question the effects of poor choices on themselves and others
and how they and others felt [ AT2: i L2 ]
Recognise Jesus’ rule for choosing well [ AT1: i & iii L1]
Retell how everyone chooses and what God wants people to
choose [ AT 2: i & iii L2]
Describe the rule Jesus gave and how it is lived out [ AT 2: iii L2]
REJOICE
Celebrate: Choosing well
Plan
Decide from all the children have remembered what will be included, share some
refreshment at the end
GATHER

WORD ~ LISTEN
RESPONSE


GOING FORTH

RENEW
The teacher helps each child to make an individual response hold on to and make their own, what
they have understood of their own experience and of the experience of the Church community.
Apply their learning.
What do I need to do to choose well today?
Some sample ideas
 design a check card ‘how to make a good choice’
Or
 with a partner give each other a situation from life, where
a choice has to be made and ask the other person how
they might make the choice
Teacher evaluation: is
ongoing and will inform future
teaching and learning, which will
include assessment for learning
2
REMEMBER REJOICE RENEW
TWO
Remember
Right choices;
Wrong choices;
What sin is;
How to make a new
start.
CHOICES
Start the session with a moment of quiet reflection. Using the display children
may be able to contribute to the following by use of discussion, role play,
drama, art, cue cards etc.
 Describe times when choices are easy and hard ( AT2iL2)
 Ask and respond to questions about right and wrong choices(AT2iL2)
 Jesus’ rule for choosing well
 How to make a new start (3 simple steps) (AT1iiiL2)
 What to do at the end of each day – say thank-you, say sorry(AT1iiiL2)
 Words and phrases from scripture, prayers and hymns they have learned
REJOICE
Celebrate: The children’s new knowledge and understanding that there
are right and wrong choices; what sin is and choosing a new start.
Plan
Decide from all the children have remembered what will be included, share some
refreshment at the end
GATHER

WORD ~ LISTEN
RESPONSE
GOING FORTH



RENEW
The teacher helps each child to make an individual response hold on to and make their own, what
they have understood of their own experience and of the experience of the Church community.
Apply their learning.
Where do I need to make a new start today?
Some sample ideas
At the end of each day invite each child to examine their own
conscience using the three simple steps:
I have upset...hurt...by...
I am sorry. I say sorry. I am forgiven.
I make up by...
Ask them to actively make amends.
Teacher evaluation: is
ongoing and will inform future
teaching and learning, which will
include assessment for learning
3
REMEMBER REJOICE RENEW
YEARS 3 AND 4
Remember
Choices have
consequences good
and/or bad;
The importance of
thinking about what
they do, say, think,
don’t do;
examination of
conscience.
CHOICES
Start the session with a moment of quiet reflection. Using the display children
may be able to contribute to the following by use of discussion, role play,
drama, art, cue cards etc.
 Talk about choices they have explored and made ( AT2iL4)
 Describe the consequences – good and bad of their
choices(AT2iL2)
 Discuss the importance of examining the consequences of their
actions
 Discuss what helps Christians to choose well and wisely, (prayer,
listening to the Bible, the word of God, examination of
conscience) (AT1iiiL4)
 Discuss the importance of Reconciliation for
Christians(AT1iiiL4)(AT2iL4)
 Make links between some of the stories they have heard and what
Christians believe(AT1iL3)
 Describe the Sacrament of Reconciliation(AT1iiiL4) (AT1iiL4)
REJOICE
Celebrate: The children’s new knowledge and understanding that choices
have consequences, good and bad, and the importance of the
examination of conscience.
Plan
Decide from all the children have remembered what will be included, share some
refreshment at the end
GATHER

WORD ~ LISTEN
RESPONSE
GOING FORTH



RENEW
The teacher helps each child to make an individual response hold on to and make their own, what
they have understood of their own experience and of the experience of the Church community.
Apply their learning.
Next time I have a difficult choice to make, what do I need to
think about, consider (or I will think more carefully about the
consequences)?
Some sample ideas
Put a basket on the focus table. On strips of paper ask the
children to write down something they would consider a difficult
choice. Place all the ideas in the basket. At the end of each day
invite a child to pick one from the basket. Consider the
consequences of dealing with the situation in a variety of ways.
Ask them to consider how they think a Christian would address
the issue and why.
Invite the children to make an act of Contrition.
Teacher evaluation: is
ongoing and will inform future
teaching and learning, which will
include assessment for learning
4
CHOICES
REMEMBER REJOICE RENEW
YEARS FIVE & SIX
Remember
that sometimes they
make wrong choices;
ways of putting things
right; the importance of
acknowledging wrong
choices
Start the session with a moment of quiet reflection. Using the display children
may be able to contribute to the following pointers in a variety of ways: e.g.
discussion, mind / concept mapping, what I know now I didn’t know before, etc.




compare their own and other people’s ideas about why we
sometimes make wrong choices [AT2: ii L3]
Give reason why acknowledging wrong choices and confessing sin
is important for Christians [AT1: iii L3]
Use religious vocabulary to describe and explain the different
steps in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation [AT1: ii
L3]
Explain the story of Onesimus the links with the celebration of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation [AT1: i L4]
REJOICE
Celebrate: Reconciliation
Plan
Decide from all the children have remembered what will be included, share some
refreshment at the end
GATHER

WORD ~ LISTEN
RESPONSE
GOING FORTH
RENEW
The teacher helps each child to make an individual response hold on to and make their own, what
they have understood of their own experience and of the experience of the Church community.
Apply their learning.
Next time I make a choice which is wrong. I will…
Some sample ideas
After a time of quiet reflection offer children the opportunity to
 Write in their journal their own response to the question
And/or
 Have board suitably decorated with the question as a
heading and everyone is invite to write their ideas on a
posit and put it on the board so others can read them.
Teacher evaluation: is
ongoing and will inform future
teaching and learning, which will
include assessment for learning
5
6