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Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Inclusion in Worship
Intermediate Teacher Guide
INTRODUCTION
This lesson shows us that all people
have gifts to share, and when persons
with disabilities have the opportunity to
share these gifts with others, the entire
classroom and the entire parish benefit.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS LESSON
Students will:
-
see the giftedness of all people;
-
include students who are
“differently-abled;”
-
use people-first language;
-
experience how people with
disabilities are able to accomplish
a task; and
-
be familiar with 1 Cor. 12:4-11 as
the basis for inclusive prayer.
PREPARE YOURSELF
Read 1 Cor. 12:4-11, the scriptural basis
for this lesson. Find out any special
needs or challenges that your students
may have by consulting with your
catechetical leader. Think about your
own experiences with disability.
PREPARE MATERIALS
-
prayer table
-
craft supplies for making greeting
cards and bookmarks
-
materials for gift wrap simulation
exercise (see third activity in the
student lesson)
-
materials for gift boxes (see prayer
service)
TEACHING HINTS
Suggested time line (based on a 75-minute class)
Introduction, Life Experience,Sharing...15 Min.
Faith and Scripture... 30 Min.
Activities (choose one or two)... 20 Min.
Prayer Service... 10 Min.
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1. Life Experience: Ask students to
read the story aloud, or read it to
them. Be sure to allow enough
time for full answers to the
questions at the end of the story.
-
2. Faith and Scripture: Read the
Faith and Scripture section with
your class. Ask students about
their personal experiences with
those who are differently-abled –
in school, on sports teams, in the
neighborhood, perhaps at home.
Be sensitive to all answers, laugh
when they aren’t comfortable
discussing certain topics.
-
Emphasize the inclusive love
of Jesus. He saw unique
gifts in each person.
-
Share examples from your
personal life about how
inclusion has made a
positive difference. Point out
that we all have disabilities
such as color blindness,
forgetfulness, weak
eyesight, etc.
-
Discuss methods of
inclusion listed in the student
lesson. Ask children to
suggest additional methods,
and make a list of these on
the chalkboard.
-
Ask the children to write the
“Beatitude of Acceptance”
from page two of the student
lesson on a piece of paper,
decorate it and use it as a
bookmark for their Bible.
-
3. Activities: Choose the one or two
suggested activities from page
three of the student lesson that will
be most helpful to your class. (The
gift wrap exercise will take the
longest because you will want
every child to have a chance to
participate.) Hints: The word
search could be used as a review
for the next class, and the greeting
card could be assigned as
homework.
-
4. Prayer Service: To prepare gift
boxes for each student, glue
mirrors in the lids of small boxes.
Wrap the boxes and the lids
separately so that the lids can be
lifted off. Display the gift boxes on
the prayer table throughout the
class.
Make sure to allow enough time for
the prayer service so students do
not feel rushed or pressured at the
end of class.
Teacher: “Let us pray that all of
our gifts can reflect the healing
love of Jesus in our lives.”
Students: (read aloud 1 Cor.
12:4-11)
Teacher: (pass out gift boxes)
“Inside this box is a special gift.
When you open the box, please
take a moment to thank God for
the gift you find inside.”
Students: (open boxes, see
themselves reflected in mirrors
inside)
Teacher: “Now we will pray for the
gifts we are and can be to others.”
(allow time for student prayers)
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