Grade 3

Title/theme

Materials

Living in Communion - Make a Gifts of the Holy

Spirit Dove from a Paper Plate
BIG IDEA - At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit poured out
many gifts upon those who were gathered and through
the sacraments of the Church, continues this same
work providing us with the gifts and talents we need to
build the reign of God here on earth.

Pentecost Story (Word Document)

PDF Gifts of the Holy Spirit Activity
1. 7 gift bags
2. Starburst candy
3. Smarties
4. rose petals
5. stick of gum
6. card with AHA written on it
7. pretzels
8. suckers
9. sealed envelopes

White paper plate

Markers
Scissors
Tape
String or ribbon
Yellow Paper

OPTIONAL

Religion Curriculum Expectation

LC2: Understand the importance of Pentecost

and the Holy Spirit in the Churchs life i.e.
communion in spiritual goods.

Plastercine

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

CGE1a -illustrates a basic understanding of the saving
story of our Christian faith;
CGE1c -actively reflects on Gods Word as
communicated through the Hebrew and Christian
scriptures;
CGE1i -integrates faith with life;
CGE2a -listens actively and critically to understand and
learn in light of gospel values;

Guided Questions
1. Why would the Holy Spirit have the disciples speak in different tongues?
2. How would the gift of _______________ given by the Holy Spirit help us to live the way Jesus
wanted us to live?
3. How do we know the Holy Spirit is speaking to us? How do we hear the Holy Spirit?
Teachers and students may develop additional questions to guide their learning inquiry

Learning Goals
At the end of this lesson, students will:
Be able to retell the story of the Pentecost.
Be able to identify the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Be able to explain the importance of the events of the Pentecost in our faith (Our faith calls us to..).

Lesson Plan
1. Read the story of the Pentecost and discuss the events.
2. Introduce the gifts of the Holy Spirit using Gifts of the Holy Spirit Bag Activity. (see PDF Gifts of the
Holy Spirit Activity )

3. Gifts of the Holy Spirit Dove - Start with a regular, cheap paper plate. First, cut it into thirds in big
strips. The outside pieces become the wings, and the middle becomes the body of the dove. Cut the
doves tail and body from the middle section after cutting the wings free. The doves body is easy to
draw because its just shaped like a snowman. Draw the lines you need to cut on the back of the
paper plate. That way, when you flip it over the marker lines wont show. See picture below:

Cut on your lines, and then assemble like a dove with one of the big wings on each side. Secure the wings
on the back of the dove with tape or glue. Draw on some simple feet, a beak, and 2 eyes with markers.

Now you will add the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Have each child cut out 7 tear-drop shapes out of a piece of
construction paper. (Provide a template if needed). Write the gifts of the Holy Spirit on them wisdom,
understanding, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord (wonder and awe), and counsel.

Either punch a hole at the top of each flame or attach ribbon with tape to the back of the flame. Attach string
or ribbon to each flame, and then to the back of the dove. Tape one more piece of string or ribbon on the
back of each wing so you can hang your dove.

OPTIONAL
Use Plastercine to create something that represents one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Assessment

Can the student name the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Explain the events of Pentecost and the importance of these events to our faith.

Grade 3
Title/theme

Materials

Believing Timeline Mural of Marys Life in the Scriptures

BIG IDEA - Because of her obedience to Gods will and her constant
presence with Jesus throughout the entire paschal mystery of his life,
the Creed professes Mary as the first disciple of Christ.

Religion Curriculum Expectation

Word Document Disciple

Words (a set per student)
Brown Paper Bag (1 per
student)
White butcher paper
Optional Activities
Word Document- Mary the
Disciple
Pipe cleaners
beads

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

BL2: Demonstrate an understanding of Mary as

the first disciple and Mother of Church.
BL2.1: Examine a selection of gospel passages
to identify the meaning of disciple and explain
why Marys life is a model of discipleship (Matt.
12:50 the criteria for discipleship; Luke 1:26-38
annunciation Marys obedience to the will of
God; Luke 1:38-45 visitation Mary proclaims
the Good News to Elizabeth who proclaims
Mary as Blessed and Mother of God; Luke 1:4655 Magnificat Mary praises God; Luke 2:49-50
the challenges of Marys discipleship; John
19:25-27 Mary as faithful disciple at the foot of
the Cross; Acts 1:13-14 Mary is one of the
disciples gathered at Pentecost).

CGE1a -illustrates a basic understanding of the saving

story of our Christian faith;
CGE1c -actively reflects on Gods Word as
communicated through the Hebrew and Christian
scriptures;
CGE1g -understands that ones purpose or call in life
comes from God and strives to discern
and live out this call throughout lifes journey;
CGE2a -listens actively and critically to understand and
learn in light of gospel values;
CGE1i -integrates faith with life;

Guided Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

What words would you use to describe a disciple?

How do I see myself as a disciple?
What was the most surprising thing you learned about Mary?
Explain how Mary is our model of discipleship.

Teachers and students may develop additional questions to guide their learning inquiry

Learning Goals
At the end of this lesson, students will:
Be able to identify scripture stories with Mary.
Identify the characteristics of a disciple.
Explain how Mary is a disciple

Lesson Plan
***This lesson will take a few days.
1. To develop the students understanding of Mary in the scriptures, read some of the following

Scripture stories before you begin this lesson.

In the gospel of Luke, his image of Mary is that Mary is a model of what a follower ought to be.

Luke 1 The Annunciation

Luke 1 Mary Visits her cousin Elizabeth

Luke 2 The Birth Of Marys son Jesus
Mary takes Jesus to the Temple
Mary and Joseph Lose Jesus During a Visit to Jerusalem
Luke 4 Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
Luke 8 The Family of Jesus Visit Him during his ministry

Matthews gospel is written from Josephs point of view.

Matthew 1 The Birth Of Marys son Jesus

Matthew 2 Mary, Joseph and Jesus flee to Egypt
Matthew 12:46 50 The Family of Jesus visit him during his ministry
Matthew 13:53 -58 Jesus is rejected at Nazareth
John shows a woman who is sure of herself and confident.

John 2 Mary and Jesus attending the Wedding at Cana

John 19 Mary witnessed the crucifixion of her son

2. Revisit the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Wedding at Cana. Compare the scriptures with the
following data chart.
Text

Images of Mary

What does it tell you about

discipleship?

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Wedding at Cana

Debrief. As a class, develop a statement that summarizes the characteristics of discipleship

demonstrated in the three texts.
3. Have students complete a Venn Diagram to compare their lives and Marys model of discipleship.

How do you listen and respond to God?

ME

MARY

4. Brown Paper Bag Students are given a list of 20 words pertaining to the qualities of a disciple. The
words are both positive and negative. E.g. scared, loving, brave, giving, leader, trustworthy, teacher,
dishonest, loyal, sad, angry, happy, generous, loud, shy, lonely, understanding, compassionate, fair,
strong. Students cut out the words and sort them into what they perceive as disciple and nondisciple. From their disciple words students choose words that describe themselves. Paste these
onto the outside of the paper bag. Place the other disciple words inside the bag. Take the nondisciple words and in small groups the students discuss why these words dont describe a disciple.
Can you think of a time when this word would describe a disciple? Have students choose one of the
words from inside the bag to develop/work on during a set period of time.
5. Timeline Mural of Marys Life in the Scriptures. Decide as a class which events you will illustrate in
Marys life. Divide the class into groups based on the events chosen. Have each group show their
event with pictures and words. Post the events in order.
Optional

http://loyolapress.com/3-Minute-Retreat-marys-yes.htm?displang=en-US Mary says yes (3 minute retreat)

To make this craft, take your pipe cleaner and add 10 of your beads. Twist the pipe cleaner closed, and
snip off a section at the end. Put your Sacred Heart medal along with your Our Father bead, then twist the
extra piece of pipe cleaner on to make a cross shape for the end. This will also hold your last bead on. If I
were going to make these with a whole class, Id probably go with a version like this:

Assessment

Have students identify scripture stories with Mary.

Have students identify the characteristics of a disciple.
Explain how Mary is a disciple.

Grade 3
Title/theme

Materials

Celebrating Liturgical Calendar Spinning Wheel and

Saint Mobile

BIG IDEA - The Church sets aside special days to

celebrate the memory of Mary the Mother of God and
the Saints who have witnessed in their lives to the
Paschal Mystery of Christ.

Religion Curriculum Expectation

CL3: Understand that the Church has
established special days and seasons to
celebrate the life of Christ and the mystery of his
presence (i.e. Lords Day, liturgical seasons,
feasts, and memorials with a focus on Advent
and Christmas).
CL3.2: Explain how and why particular days,
various seasons and feast/saints days
throughout the Liturgical Year of the Church are
celebrated (i.e. Sunday/the Lords day
celebration of the Eucharist, activities such as
Sabbath rest, leisure and recreation; Advent and
Christmas colours, images, rituals and cultural
practices which express faith; Feast days All
Saints Day, Easter Vigil with the Litany of
Saints).

PDF Liturgical Wheel Activity

brad (paper fastener)
Folder Saints Templates
cardstock
5 index cards (per student)
string

OPTIONAL
PDF - Holy Days in the Church cards
Word Document Trivia Questions
Jeopardy Template PowerPoint

Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

CGE1a -illustrates a basic understanding of the saving

story of our Christian faith;
CGE2b -reads, understands and uses written materials
effectively;
CGE2c -presents information and ideas clearly and
honestly and with sensitivity to others;

Guided Questions
1. How is our church year like a calendar year? How is it different?
2. Can you find a relationship between the Church season and the colour that is used to represent it?
3. Which day is the most important in our faith and why?
4. How do you become a saint?
Teachers and students may develop additional questions to guide their learning inquiry

Learning Goals
At the end of this lesson, students will:
Be able to identify the different seasons in the church year.
Be able to identify Easter as the most important day in our faith.
Be able to identify information about their saint.
Be able to explain why their saint was named a saint

Lesson Plan
1. Liturgical Calendar Spinning Wheel
Background Information
Green: Ordinary Time
Red: Pentecost, Good Friday, Palm Sunday
Violet/Purple: Ash Wednesday, Lent, Advent
White: Christmas, Mary Mother of God, Epiphany, Saint Joseph, Holy
Thursday, Easter Vigil, Easter, Ascension, Corpus Christi, Trinity
Sunday, Assumption, All Saints Day, Immaculate Conception,
Christ the
King
Purple, White, and Red: Holy Week
White and Red: Triduum

Each season that is revealed has a symbol to represent the Liturgical season.
While the bottom slice spins to reveal a picture and a word or 2 about that Liturgical season, the top window
rotates to tell the name of the season.
Have students colour the pictures. When theyre finished, cut them out with scissors. Cut out the view-finder
hole as well.
To assemble, connect with a brad (paper fastener) in the middle. There are circles to indicate where they go.
If you dont have any brads, you can use a small piece of pipe cleaner. Just stick it through, and pinch it over
on itself to hold the circles together, but so they can still spin. You can also have the students decorate the
front of their wheels with their own pictures.
2. Saint MobileHave students choose a saint to research. Have them focus on why they were made a saint. Give
each student a picture of the saint they chose on cardstock. Have them colour and then cut out the
saint. On five blank index cards (you can cut these in half to make them smaller) have the students
write 5 things about the saint on the index cards. To make a simple mobile attach the saint to a long
piece of string and hang the five index cards below it in a line.
*You can also have the students make a saint craft and hang the index cards below it.

OPTIONAL
1. The Holy Days in the Church cards. (Use as a reference).
2. Trivia Game See Jeopardy Template PowerPoint

Assessment
Have students identify the different seasons in the church year.
Have students identify the most important day in our faith.
Have students identify information about their saint.
Have students explain why their saint was named a saint.

Grade 3
Other Faith Fair Lesson Ideas (total of 7 follow)
#1 Believing - Make a picture book of bible stories to share with a Kindergarten Class

Big Idea - The mission of the Church given to all the faithful, sends us forth to spread the Good News to all
people of the world through action, word and deed and to unite them with Christ, Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
BL3: Demonstrate an understanding of the Church as a community formed by the mission that it received
from Christ (i.e. to announce the Good News to evangelize through the witness of holiness, teaching and
of service to others as Jesus did).
BL3.2: Give examples of how the Church, like a sacrament makes Christ present through its witness (e.g.
service to those in need; outreach programs to the young, elderly, sick and poor; celebrations of prayer and
times of retreat, Catholic school religion classes, parish sacramental preparation programs, etc.).
1. Review the characteristics of a picture book for kindergarten students.
2. Brainstorm a list of bible stories.
3. Have each student chose a bible story. Then have plan out how the story can be presented in book
form. i.e. How many pages?
4. Write and illustrate the book.
5. Share with a kindergarten class.

#2 Believing Stained Glass Window

BIG IDEA - The "Father and the Son" are revealed by the "Holy Spirit" who was sent from the Father and the
Son to remain with the Church forever.
BL1: Demonstrate an understanding that the "Father and the Son" are revealed by the "Holy Spirit" who was
sent from the Father and the Son to remain with the Church forever.
BL1.1: Articulate an understanding of the eternal origin of the Holy Spirit as revealed in Sacred Scripture (i.e.
Father as the source and origin of the whole divinity John 8:42; John 15:26; Rom. 5:5; Creation and the
presence of the Spirit Gen. 1:26, 2:7, 3:22).
BL1.2: Identify and explain what specific Gospel narratives reveal about the relationship of the Holy Spirit
with God the Father, Jesus and the Church (e.g. John 14:15-17, 25-26; John 15:20-26; John 16:7-8, 13-15;
Romans 8:26).
Materials:

Templates (in Folder - Stained Glass Activity)

construction paper in a variety of different colors

Children can use the template pieces provided or they can use their imagination and design their
own. There are five different templates to pick from (cross, fish, dove, flame, or Trinity ring).

Instructions:

Print out templates of your choice.

Create the stained glass window background:

o

Cut out an archway shape from blue construction paper or use the template provided.

Cut out random rectangular shapes from multiple colors of construction paper.

Glue the pieces all over the window to give it a stained glass look.

Cut out the shape from your chosen template or make your own. Trace the shape onto black
construction paper.

Glue it to the center of the window.

# 3 Living a Moral Life

(1)Make a board/trivia game based on the ten commandments.
(2) Create modern day posters to represent the commandments.
Big Idea - Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments into two, Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind Love your neighbour as yourself. (Matt. 22:37-40)
ML1: Demonstrate an understanding of how God teaches us to be good and to reflect this goodness in our
actions (i.e. Moral Law revealed in Scripture e.g. Old Law Ten Commandments, New Law Law of the
Gospel).
ML1.1: Retell Gospel narratives that demonstrate the importance of fulfilling Gods law of love, i.e. Love of
God and Love of Neighbour, (e.g. Lk. 18:18-23 the rich young man; Matt. 22:34-40 the Pharisees asking
Jesus about the greatest commandment) and explain the importance of obedience to this law in striving to
live a moral life and in seeking eternal life.
ML1.2: Identify through the Old Testament passages (Ex. 20:2-17; Deut 5:6-21) how God reveals the Ten
Commandments, and in the New Testament gospels the two commandments that Jesus gave as a summary
of the Ten Commandments of the Decalogue.
ML1.3: Explain how receiving and following instructions demonstrates our need for help and benefits us (i.e.
brings us happiness, helps us to be good, etc.) and use examples to illustrate how obeying the Ten
Commandments strengthens our relationship with God (i.e. Commandments 1-3) and with others (i.e.

Commandments 4-10).
ACTIVITY
Songs - The Ten Commandment Rap by: ZMAC
The Ten Commandment Boogie by: GO FISH
1. Go through the 10 commandments. Explain that the first three are about loving God and the
others are about loving your neighbour. Under each commandment have the students put it in
their own words (i.e. what that commandment means for them).
2. Choose one of the following.
(1)Make a board/trivia game based on the ten commandments.
(2) Create modern day posters to represent the commandments.

#4 Celebrating PowerPoint explaining the events of the Last Supper

BIG IDEA - At the Passover meal of the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Mass and commanded, "Do this in
remembrance of me."
CL2: Understand that in the celebration of the Eucharist, Christ is present by the power of His word and
Spirit and our belief in faith.
1. Read the gospel story of the Last Supper from the bible.
2. Invite students to reflect and share on the following:

I wonder how the disciples felt when they shared this special meal with Jesus.
I wonder how Peter and John felt about getting the special meal ready for Jesus and their friends.
I wonder what Jesus and his disciples talked about at the Last Supper.
I wonder how the disciples felt about being all together with Jesus to share this special meal.
Discuss the food they may have eaten, what they might have spoken about, what hymn they may
have sung.
Have you seen some of the actions that Jesus did in the Last Supper story at Mass?

3. Read the gospel again and this time have the students pretend that they are a disciple at the table with
Jesus. Have them visualize what they see, hear, smell, feel and taste. Have students Think-Pair-Share
their thinking.
4. Make a visual link to the Eucharist by then changing the Last Supper scene into a Mass setting by
moving the disciples to form the congregation, in front of the table/altar, leaving Jesus behind the altar
and placing a board with a cross on it behind the altar. Discuss with students what the scene now looks
like and how each component comes together in Mass the Priest is Jesus and he uses the same
actions and words Jesus did, we call the table an altar, the people who go to Mass (the community) are
the disciples celebrating together. Discuss with students what they see, hear, taste, feel and smell at
Mass.

Follow Up Role Play/Skit.

Record the skit.
OR
Take photographs of the skit and have students use the photographs to create a PowerPoint
Presentation.

# 5 Living in Solidarity Create a Superhero

BIG IDEA - Sacred Scripture reveals the transcendent dignity of the human person, their equality and
differences and the desire of God for human solidarity (i.e. justice, peace and harmony within the human
community).
LS2: Focus: Human dignity
Understand that God created all persons in his one image; equal in their human dignity yet diverse in their
being (i.e. male and female, weak and strong, diversity of race, colour, creed, charisms, talents) and this
equality and diversity is to be respected.
LS2.3: Describe ways that all human beings are equal (i.e. personal human dignity) and also are created
with differences (i.e. male and female, race, ethnicity, etc.) and identify ways that we can demonstrate our
appreciation and respect for this diversity (e.g. inclusion of all, sharing what we have with the less fortunate,
caring for the sick and elderly, asking questions about a persons unique characteristics with respect,
respecting ideas and beliefs that are different from our own).
Materials

PDF - Picture of a Teddy Bear

PDF Teddy Bear Activity Instructions
People Tags (1 for every 4 students)

ACTIVITY - TEDDY BEAR ACTIVITY (TOOLS FOR LIFE)

1. Hand out a picture of a teddy bear to each student.
2. Follow the instructions given in the PDF.
3. Discuss how even though we are all different in ways, we are still the same.
ACTVIVITY GIFT CHOICES
1. Prepare the lesson by printing one copy of the People Tags page for every four students. Cut up
the page so that there are 4 people cards (Uncle Frederick, Aunt Mina, etc.), 8 object cards
(dictionary, clock, etc.), and 4 fact cards in each set.
2. Divide students into groups of four. Give each group a set of 4 people cards and 8 object cards.
Do not give out the fact cards yet.
3. Tell students to imagine they are doing holiday shopping for 4 relatives:
o Uncle Frederick, a motorcycle rider
o Aunt Mina, a librarian
o Cousin Wei, a Navy recruit
o Great-Aunt Keesha, a senior citizen
4. Ask students to choose a gift for each relative from the 8 object cards.

5. Then, after a few minutes, ask students:

o Who gave Uncle Frederick the leather jacket? Cousin Wei the tattoo? Great-Aunt
Keesha the rocking chair?
o How did you decide who would get each gift?
o How did labels like "motorcycle rider" and "senior citizen" influence your choices?
6. Pass out the fact cards and give students time to use this information in making their final gift
choices.
Discussion - After students have finished deciding on gifts, ask the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

What were the final gift choices you made, and why?
How did the new information change your gift choices?
What happens when we rely too much on labels?
If you had to choose a gift for someone you didn't know well, what could you do to make a good
choice?
5. If someone new joined our class and we wanted to make that person feel welcome, what could
we do?
6. Are there any other times when it would help to learn more about someone before making a
judgment?
Lesson Plan
1. Read or watch the video If the World Were a Village by David J. Smith. Use information from the
book/video and recall Grade 2 Social Studies Communities Around the World. In groups create a list
of things that everybody has and only some people have. Discuss the fairness. Is that what God
wants in Gods plan? What would have to change? Come back together and consolidate the thinking.
2. Have students use themselves as a model and create a superhero. Have them think about the
following: What would you do in the world to make sure all people have what they need?
OPTIONAL - Create a wall of social justice. Have students write/record what they did to promote social
justice in their school and community. (e.g. Helping the neighbour bring in their groceries, helping a younger
class log onto the computers or get ready for recess)

# 6 Praying Mural of the Our Father

BIG IDEA - Jesus taught his disciples how to pray to God though his example (i.e. seeking solitude, humility
and confidence, praying from the heart) and by teaching them the Lords Prayer (the Our Father).
PR1: Understand how the universal call to prayer from God is revealed in scripture in the Old Testament
and the New Testament.
PR1.2: Examine a selected Gospel passages to unfold what Jesus taught us about how we are to pray to
the Father and link this to how he continues to teach us through the common prayers and liturgies of the
Church, i.e. Eucharist, the Lords Prayer.
Materials

Word Document Our Father Skit

Mural paper

ACTIVITIES
1. Our Father Skit Choose 2 students to present.
2. Mural of the Our Father Divide up the Our Father into sections. Split up the class into groups and
have each group illustrate a section.

# 7 Praying Create a collage portraying Jesus in different ways (words and images) and then create
a prayer that is based on the image/word that is most important to them

Big Idea - Within the Tradition of Catholic Church, sacred space is used to point us to Christ Jesus, the
object of our prayers. Through symbols, sacramentals, images, architecture and silence we are drawn to
Christ and through prayer communicate with God.

PR2: Understand that the Church teaches and provides us with guidance as we learn how to pray.
PR2.1: Use a variety of strategies (art, symbols, drama and gestures, planning and participation in
communal prayer, etc.) to express the importance of sacred space for prayer and liturgy (shrine, places of
pilgrimage, monasteries, prayer centre in school or home and especially the church which is the privileged
place for the celebration liturgy and Eucharist); and the meaning of some of the traditional and liturgical
prayers of the Church (e.g. Hail Mary; the Our Father; the Prayer of St. Francis; the Act of Contrition; Glory
Be; Holy, Holy, Holy; Memorial Acclamation; Lamb of God; Apostles Creed).
Materials computer and Internet access
1. Brainstorm words that describe who Jesus is (e.g. the shepherd, teacher, healer, etc.).
2. Explain what a collage is.
3. Have the students go to the Internet. Have students cut and paste images that represent Jesus onto
a Word Document. They could add word art or phrases that represent Jesus.
4. Have students chose an image that speaks to them and create a prayer.