During the first weeks of school, we focus on creating community, teaching procedures, and setting expectations. Whether in Catholic school or Sunday School, it’s also vital to set behavior expectations for celebrating Mass together in order to give students the opportunity to spend meaningful time with Jesus, free of distractions and disruptions.
Read below for a few tips for how to set behavior expectations for Catholic School Mass this year.
Begin with a Class Meeting
Ask students why we go to Mass. Talk about how we are there to be close to Jesus, to show Him reverence, and to participate in the Holy Eucharist. Explain how we show love for God by the way we use our bodies and listen to His Word throughout the Mass. Ask students to give examples of how we can show respect to someone, for example, by listening closely, paying attention, sitting up straight, etc.
Model and Practice Beforehand
If you are able, take your class to visit your school’s church or chapel before they go to Mass. Model for students the appropriate way to genuflect/bow, sit in the pews, kneel, fold our hands, use the hymnals, etc. After the teacher models each action, give students time to practice it on their own. Be generous with praise and acknowledging when they do a good job!
If you are unable to visit the sanctuary before you go to Mass together, considering setting up a “Church” in your classroom by moving desks and setting up student chairs in lines like pews.
Mass Buddies
Consider pairing your class with an older grade for Mass times. Let younger children sit with their “Mass Buddy” each week after the older grade’s teacher has set expectations for how students can set a good example for younger kids.
Get Familiar with Hymns
Find out which songs will be sung during weekly Mass. Either practice singing the songs with your students, or simply have them play in the background during quiet worktime, so they can learn them and confidently participate in singing when they hear them in Mass!
Learn the Vocabulary
Throughout the year, continue to teach your students more about the Mass: the parts of the liturgy, the origins of Mass in scripture, and the vocabulary of things they see there. Find even more activities and games to learn terms using during the Mass HERE.
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“This is an amazing resource! Our whole family learned about the different mass articles- including my preschooler. This provided a hands-on, fun, and engaging way to learn more about the mass. Thanks so much!”
Looking for more Catholic lesson plans to use throughout the year with PreK-1st grade? Learn more about my Easy Readers for Catholic Kids HERE!
As always, be sure you are following Loubird Creations for the latest resources to help engage your students in the Catholic classroom!
