Do your students know they are in a Catholic classroom the moment they walk through the door?
There are many ways to increase your classroom’s Catholic Identity from the moment your students walk through the door. The key is to make sure elements of your classroom are not just decorative, but interactive. Check out ideas below for ways to engage your students in their faith and peak their curiosity to find out more about our Church’s traditions.
Holy Water Font
Place a holy water font right next to the door of your classroom. Be sure to go over best practices for using holy water during the first week of school. Remind students that each time we bless ourselves with holy water, we are reminded of our Baptism.
“Chalk” the Door
Some families write a blessing each year in their home, on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) sometimes known as “Chalking the Door”. Traditionally, either a priest or the father of a family will write in chalk above the front door 20+C+M+B+20, representing the new year and the wise men’s first names.
In your classroom, you could write this blessing over your classroom door with chalk (or even on a piece of paper). This will hopefully spark curiosity that will lead to an opportunity for a spontaneous lesson, especially if your students don’t have this tradition in their own homes. Then, as you learn about Epiphany after the New Year, you can change the blessing to the next year together as a class.
Doorway Prayer
Teach your students to pray every time they walk through the door. Help them make it a habit by practicing together. It should be something short, that they can say easily without blocking the door. Perhaps, “Bless me, Lord” or “Thank you, Jesus, for this day”.
Door Decor
Use the space on your door to enhance the theme of your school or classroom. You can change it with each unit of study or season, or leave up your classroom’s theme all year. Have students participate by creating decorations, small writing prompts or crafts to go with your theme.
Surround Your Students with the Saints
Using Catholic Saints in various ways throughout your classroom is a great way to spark students’ curiosity to find out more about them! I especially love the saint pillows from Meyer Market Designs on Etsy. These would be beautiful in your classroom reading corner.
For more Catholic Saints Back to School products, check out the Future Saints Welcome Tags and Classroom Decor and Management Bundles at my TpT store.
Want more ideas for incorporating Catholic Identity in the classroom? Be sure to read 7 Tips for Creating a Catholic Prayer Table!
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