Jessica La Delfa S00175461

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Lesson Plan

GRADE

: Stage 3, Year 6

UNIT OF WORK:

DURATION:

6.7 We Celebrate the Sacraments

FIVE LESSONS 30-45 minutes each

Unit Content 2: Marriage

Total: 3 hours

TEACHER BACKGROUND:
In 5.7 students explored the sacrament of Holy Orders. Now they explore the other sacrament at the service of communion: Marriage. Briefly review what students know
about the sacraments at the service of communion. The sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders are no longer referred to as the Sacraments of Vocation. They are
sacraments at the service of communion or in the service of community. The two names are interchangable.
Central to exploring marriage is our covenant relationship with God. Marriage is a covenant between the couple. The prophet Hosea demonstrates clearly the link between
marriage and covenant. God calls us to relationship and God remains faithful to that relationship. In sacred Scripture we see the continuous faithfulness of God in the
history of Israel. The people of Israel continuously break the covenant and are called back by God, the faithful one. The same covenant (and the same dynamic) exists
today between God and people. Marriage symbolises this covenant relationship with God as it is a sign of the life of communion the Church is called to be. Marriage also
symbolises the sacramentality of all right relationships; as human love and friendship can be sacramental signs. Like all covenants, marriage is permanent and is based
on mutual fidelity.
In exploring the sacrament of Marriage students need to look at relationships in general. How do students understand relationships and love? Healthy relationships occur
when people give and receive of each other. There are times of challenge and times when all goes well.
The media can be a powerful influence on students. It has many messages and images about love, relationships and human sexuality. These images and messages can
be positive and/or negative. Explore what is being presented to students and encourage students to be critical of the images and message with which they are presented.
An important question to consider is: do the media support or hinder a healthy understanding of love, relationships, sexuality and images of male and female persons?
How do the media present or not present Christian values of love, relationship and the dignity of the person?
In exploring the sacrament of Marriage, relationships and love in general, pastoral care and sensitivity are needed. Consider what are the marriage and family
experiences of students. For questions and experiences about divorce, separation etc, see information in the Seasons for Growth Program. This unit is not the place to be
making explicit or implicit judgments about relationships, marriage, separation and divorce.
SCRIPTURE BACKROUND:
Hosea 2:20-22 Betrothed with tenderness and love
The prophet Hosea uses the image of married love to describe the love of God for people. These beautifully descriptive words may be used also to describe the ideals of
married love. A love that is in harmony with all creation. A love that is leavened with integrity, that is just, tender and faithful. A love that reflects the love of God and makes
the world a better place simply by its presence. The words of Hosea represent the spirituality of the sacrament of marriage very accurately. Through this sacrament and
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their love, couples come to know God (verse 22).
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: CCC

1210

Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), the Eucharist, Penance, the Anointing of the Sick,
Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing
and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between the stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life.

1661

The sacrament of Matrimony signifies the union of Christ and the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved
his Church; the grace of the sacrament thus perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their indissoluble unity, and sanctifies them on the way to
eternal life (cf Council of Trent: DS 1799).

Syllabus Outcome(s):

Indicators of Learning for this lesson:

Assessment:

C3.2

By the end of this lesson, the students will know:

Formative Assessment strategies:

Observation throughout
activities
Responses to questions during
discussion time

explain rituals and symbols used in the celebration of the

sacrament of Marriage
demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the sacrament
of Marriage

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE:

Hosea 2:20-22 Betrothed with tenderness and love

about the rituals in the Sacrament of

Marriage
about the significance of the Sacrament of
Marriage in the life of the Church

Summative Assessment strategies:

Recording contributions
throughout discussions to
ensure Ss understanding of the
Sacrament of Marriage
Poster on the Sacrament of
Marriage

Resources:

Lesson 1: Smartboard, YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=uq2RDYlOLrs, Worksheet, Religion books, Wedding Photos
Lesson 2: Butchers paper, textas
Lesson 3: Smartboard, Hosea 2:19-23 Scripture passage, Religion Books
Lesson 4: Smartboard, Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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v=w8egctd4UHI, Images of symbols, Computers, Laptops, Microsoft Word

Lesson 5: Computers, Laptops, Printer, Paper, Internet
LESSON SEQUENCE
Teaching Strategies / Learning Experiences:
(How it is taught)
Write detailed steps showing what the teacher will do and what students will do.
Key: T= Teacher, SS= Students

STUDENT ASSESSMENT

LESSON 1: Introducing the Sacrament of Marriage (30 mins)

Ss sitting on the floor

To begin the unit of work, the T will revise the concept of sacraments and briefly discuss the seven Sacraments
of the church (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders).
T briefly reviews what the Ss know about the sacraments at the service of communion as the Ss have previously
explored the sacrament of Holy Orders. (Both are Sacraments where the recipients are to devote their lives to the
service of others).T will write the Ss responses on the whiteboard. A Word Wall will also be created with any
tricky words related to the sacrament of marriage e.g. vows, covenant, vocation.
T asks Ss what they know about the sacrament of Marriage.
Think-Pair-Share: T asks Ss to turn to a partner and talk about someone they know personally who has received
the sacrament of Marriage. Ss will have a chance to share to the class.
T will then discuss with Ss either their wedding story or someone they know who has received the sacrament. T
will show Ss pictures from the ceremony they attended.
T will pose the question: Why do people get married? A discussion will take place.

Ss will then watch a YouTube video which outline the sacrament of Marriage in the Catholic Church and complete
the worksheet that accompanies the video (Appendix 2):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq2RDYlOLrs (7:36)
T asks Ss to share their responses from the worksheet and also discuss important points from the video. Once
completed, Ss glue worksheet in Religion books.
To conclude the lesson, T will ask Ss to bring in photos to share of a wedding ceremony they have attended for
the next Religion lesson.
LESSON 2: Relationships (35 mins)
The lesson will begin with Ss sharing with a partner their photos from a wedding they have attended. They will
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discuss what the wedding was like and will have a chance to share to the class. T will create a mind-map on the
board of Ss responses.
T will then discuss with Ss the conditions for having a Catholic Marriage such as: the male and female both must
be baptised Christians & Marriage is a permanent covenant until death.
T will also draw the students attention to the following questions: Who is the minister in this sacrament? (bride
and groom) & What does this sacrament symbolise? (Catholic Education Archdiocese of Sydney, 2010). Ss will
have an opportunity to answer.
Ss will then form groups of 5 and look at relationships in general. They will be given butchers paper and create a
mind-map with the word relationships, writing down what constitutes a relationship, what is needed in a
relationship, who are some people they have a relationship with etc. Ss will be given 15 mins to come up with
their ideas.
Once time is up, Ss will return to the floor and discuss with the class what they have come up with. T should bring
to the Ss attention that central to exploring marriage is our covenant relationship with God as Marriage is a
covenant between the couple (Catholic Education Archdiocese of Sydney, 2010).
Lesson will conclude with a discussion based on relationships in general and how Ss understand relationships
and love, as well as what constitutes a healthy relationship.

LESSON 3: Hosea Passage (30 mins)

T will display the scripture passage Hosea 2:19-23 on the smartboard (Appendix 1)

T will explain to Ss some basic information about the prophet Hosea and his life, also explaining to Ss that
Hoseas marriage resembles Gods relationship with Israel.
T reads the scripture passage
Following the reading, T will asks Ss questions based on the passage. Ss will turn to a partner and share their
thoughts based on the questions.
Questions from 6.7 We Celebrate the Sacraments (Part 2)
- To whom does I refer in the reading?
- What will the Lord do? Why do you think Hosea uses this imagery? Why is it important for rain to fall?
- Is there any condition on this? Why not? (Notice that God does not place a condition on this covenant. God is
ever faithful while Israel is often unfaithful to God).
- What may this passage say about love? What may this passage say about marriage? What may this passage
say about our relationship with God?
- What is Hosea saying about the effects of right relationship?
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Formative Assessment:
Ss responses to questions posed by
the T based on the Hosea Passage.
These will be recorded.

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Link this passage to marriage as a symbol of Gods relationship with the Church.
(Catholic Education Archdiocese of Sydney, 2010, p. 117)
Ss will then be given the remainder of the lesson to develop a prayer in their Religion Books thanking God for
Gods faithfulness and love. T will write a sample prayer on the board, giving Ss an idea on how to develop their
prayer.

LESSON 4: Love (45 mins)

T will write on board what is love?
In pairs, Ss will brainstorm endings to the sentence starter Love is & Love is not
Ss will share their responses and they will be written on the board.
T will pose the question, As Christians who are we called to love? Ss share their responses
T will then revise with Ss what constitutes a Catholic Marriage. Responses may include:
- That the Catholic Sacrament of marriage is instituted by the couple with the Priest as a witness.
- That the two main purposes of a Catholic marriage are to honour each other and to be open to having
children.
- That the couple must come freely to the marriage with the promises of being faithful to each other throughout
the good times and difficult times.
T will then show Ss snippets of a Youtube video of a Catholic Wedding ceremony service, pointing out the
different parts of the ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8egctd4UHI (14:55)
T will discuss major symbols and rituals used in wedding ceremonies. T displays photos of the symbols on
smartboard whilst discussing them e.g.
- Rings
- Vows
- White wedding dress
- Bouquet of flowers
T explains to S that they will now design an A4 poster in pairs using Microsoft Word on a computer or laptop
which gives an overview of the Sacrament of marriage using both words and images. The poster should describe
what Marriage is and include some of the major symbols and rituals used in Marriage. It should incorporate
content learned throughout the unit.
Ss will be given the remainder of the lesson to work on designing their poster.
LESSON 5: Sacrament of Marriage Presentations (40 mins)
Short discussion on the sacrament of marriage as a Sacrament of service.
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Summative Assessment:
The poster students develop on the
Sacrament of Marriage will be used

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T reminds Ss that the sacrament of marriage is categorised as a sacrament of service. T asks Ss, who is It
serving? Possible responses could include:
- The couple is serving the church by fulfilling its wish of a lifelong union and also their promise to raise children in
the way of the church.
- The couple is serving one another by promising to stand by each other throughout the good times and the bad.
- The couple is living out the sacrament and therefore fulfilling their Catholic identity.
Ss will be given the remainder of the lesson to work on their posters, which will be displayed around the
classroom once completed.
10 minutes before the end of the lesson, Ss will present their posters to the class.
TEACHER EVALUATION OF LESSONS TAUGHT
1. Did the students achieve the intended learning outcomes?
2. Did I create an engaging unit which catered for different learning styles and abilities?
3. Were the students engaged throughout the lessons?
4. Did I build on the students prior knowledge?
5. How did I incorporate ICT to support learning?
6. Did I create a positive learning environment where students felt comfortable to contribute and participate?
7. Which resources did I use which engaged the students and supported learning?
8. Did I differentiate for various learning abilities throughout lessons?
9. Did I provide enough support for students?
10. If I taught this again, what might I do differently?
11. Could the lessons have been developed further?

as an assessment as it evaluates
what they have learnt throughout
the unit.

Jessica La Delfa S00175461

Jessica La Delfa S00175461

References
Bustedhalovideo. (2011, November 10). Sacraments 101: Matrimony (why make it Catholic) [Video file].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq2RDYlOLrs
Catholic Education Diocese of Sydney. (2006). K-6 Religious Education Curriculum. Retrieved from
http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/Religion/RE/Pages/Home.aspx
Catholic Education Archdiocese of Sydney. (2010). Religious Education Curriculum. Unit 6.7 We Celebrate
the sacraments (Part 2). Retrieved from
http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/Religion/RE/recurr/Forms/AllItems.aspx
Wedding Ideas Video. (2013, August 30). Catholic Church Wedding Ceremony [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8egctd4UHI

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Appendix 1
Hosea 2:19-23 (NRSV)
19
And I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in
steadfast love, and in mercy. 20 I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the LORD.
21

On that day I will answer, says the LORD,

I will answer the heavens
and they shall answer the earth;
22
and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and they shall answer Jezreel;[a]
23
and I will sow him[b] for myself in the land.
And I will have pity on Lo-ruhamah,[c]
and I will say to Lo-ammi,[d] You are my people;
and he shall say, You are my God.

Appendix 2
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YouTube Video- Sacraments 101: Matrimony (Why make it Catholic)

Name:_____________

1. Marriage is a Vocation
What does this mean?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. Circle the correct answer:
Marriage is permanent/not permanent.
3. A civil Marriage is:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4. Couples preparing to get married meet with the Priest or staff
_______________________________ months before the wedding.
5. What is Marriage preparation?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
6. Who are the ministers of the sacrament of Marriage?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
7. Marriage is
P___________ ,

F____________

&

F____________

8. What are the two important purposes of Marriage?

9. Are children a requirement of a Catholic Marriage?

YES / NO

10. Extra notes:

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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