Family Activities: Lent

Two weeks ago we had family activities. Family Activities are a time when students from K- 8th grade (2 students from each grade level) come together to learn about our faith and make a craft. This time we talked about Lent. The students made  "Lent in a Bag"  and they made a Lent poster with their family group. 

This is what I typed on the purple paper that was glued to the back of the paper bag:

Lent in a Bag:  

Sand:

The sand represents the 40 days that Jesus spent walking in the desert.

Luke 4:1-13

Rock:

While in the desert, the Devil tempted Jesus to transform stone into bread. Jesus resisted the temptation and said, “The scripture says, 'Man cannot live on bread alone.'”

Luke 4:1-4

Shell:

The season of Lent is a time in which converts to our faith are prepared for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). Jesus began his ministry after his baptism.

Luke 3:21-22

Human Figure:

This figure reminds us that Jesus was a man like us. He understands us and knows that we are capable of doing great things with our lives. We need to take care of each other and treat others the way we want to be treated.

John 13:1-17

Candle:

Lent begins in the dark of winter and ends in the light of spring. The candle represents Jesus' resurrection and the light that he brings to the world.

Luke 24:1-12

(Sorry, I couldn't get this picture to rotate.)

Lent Poster:
Draw a line across the paper and put on a blue tape cross.

 Write Pray, Fast, Give on the poster.

 The kids put their fingerprints on the poster with purple ink.

Carefully remove the tape cross.

St. Joseph

Last Friday, we did a family activity about St. Joseph. I found this activity on the website Catholic Inspired. I modified it so that we could do the activity for 230 kids and only spend $85.00.  I got sandpaper at Home Depot. I bought a large bottle of Mod Podge at Michaels craft store and divided it up into 18 baby food jars. I bought 2" scrabble tiles at Joann's. I printed the pictures off of the internet.

First, the students sanded the writing off of the scrabble tile. Next, the students trimmed the picture of St. Joseph. Then, the students wrote St. Joseph on the wood. Last, the students used Mod Podge to glue the picture of St. Joseph onto the wood tile. Here is the finished product. It is not quite dry yet. The Mod Podge dries completely clear.

Priest Paper Doll

Every first Friday of the month, one class goes to chapel Mass and the other classes go to Family Activities. Family Activities are when two students from each grade level meet in one classroom to do an activity together. Last week we made priest paper dolls to teach the students about the vestments that a priest wears (alb, cincture, stole, chasuble, and surplice). The picture below shows how to layer the vestments onto the paper doll.

Here is the finished paper doll.

The students had a hard time cutting around the tabs, but they were all able to complete the project. If you would like the pattern, please leave a comment and I will email it to you.