Second Grade Religion
I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger. (Jn 6:35)
Focus: Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist – In Reconciliation, we express sorrow for our sins and we celebrate God’s forgiveness. In Eucharist, we are nourished with Jesus’ Body and Blood.
The spiritual needs of a second grade student center around a sense of wonder and basic contemplation. Children this age are nearing the stage when they will be able to reflect on and absorb information.
Second graders are incapable of interpreting symbolic language. Descriptive and metaphorical words are often interpreted literally. Therefore, spontaneous prayer will be an important introduction to prayer as conversation.
The second grade student usually views God as a human figure with some of the same physical limitations as humans. Their personal images of God continue to be influenced heavily by parents and other significant adults. Secure, trusting relationships will help children build important foundations for Christian faith.
Creed
1. God – The student will understand that God loves us, even when we
hurt others.
a. Explain how God loves and cares for us, even when we have sinned.
b. Understand that God always forgives us when we are sorry.
c. Recognize that God gave us the Ten Commandments to help us live good lives.
2. Jesus – The student will understand that Jesus brings us God’s
forgiveness.
a. Describe how Jesus is God and human.
b. Explain how Jesus teaches us love and forgiveness.
c. Explain how and why Jesus suffered for us.
d. Describe how Jesus is still present to us.
3. Holy Spirit – The student will understand that the Holy Spirit helps us to
make good choices.
a. Understand that the Holy Spirit is God, the Third Person of the Trinity.
b. Recognize that the Holy Spirit guides and strengthens us.
c. Recognize that the Holy Spirit helps us to choose good instead of evil.
4. Blessed Virgin Mary – The student will grow in his or her understanding
of Mary, the Mother of God.
a. Recognize that Mary is the Mother of Christ as well as our Mother.
b. Explain how we honor Mary on special days and by praying the rosary.
5. Sacred Scripture – The student will recognize the Bible as God’s Word
to His people.
a. Read and listen to Sacred Scripture.
b. Explain how the Bible tells of God’s love for us.
c. Retell stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament.
d. Understand that God speaks to us when the Bible is read at Mass.
e. Retell the story of the Prodigal Son.
f. Tell the story of the Last Supper.
6. Church – The student will pray and sing as a member of God’s family.
a. Participate actively in Mass.
b. Recognize that the Catholic Church celebrates its faith through sacraments.
c. Recognize that the Church gathers at Mass to celebrate the life of Jesus.
d. Plan a Mass.
1. Sacrament Preparation – The student will determine that sacraments are
signs of Jesus’ love.
a. Explain how sacraments are celebrations of Christ’s loving presence in his Church.
b. Recognize that sacraments give us grace.
2. Baptism – The student will understand that in Baptism we share new
life with Jesus.
a. Explain how Baptism enables us to become children of God and members
of His Church.
b. Describe how water, oil, candles, and white garments are used as
symbols.
3. Reconciliation – The student will determine that Reconciliation is a
sacrament that reconciles us with God and with one another.
a. Understand that Reconciliation frees us from our sins.
b. Explain how the sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s
forgiveness.
4. Eucharist – The student will recognize that the Eucharist is a celebration
of our unity in Christ.
a. Explain how the Eucharist was begun by Jesus at the Last Supper as a
sacrificial meal.
b. Understand that in the Eucharist, bread and wine are changed into the
body and blood of Jesus.
c. Recognize that Eucharist is Jesus’ gift of Himself.
1. Christian Response – The student will work to treat others the way
Jesus treated others.
a. Respect ourselves and others (aware that all people are made in God’s
image.
b. Care for those in need.
c. Accept and offer forgiveness.
d. Be a peacemaker in families and among friends.
2. Morality – The student will strive to obey God’s commandments.
a. Recognize that we sin when we choose to do something that is against God’s law.
b. Seek the help of the Holy Spirit to choose what is right.
c. Express sorrow and ask for forgiveness when a sin has been committed.
3. Human Life – The student will understand that God gives the gift of life.
a. Appreciate the different qualities of family members.
b. Recognize that good and bad choices affect others.
c. Develop good health habits.
1. Prayer – The student will listen and talk to God, alone, and with other
members of God’s family.
a. Make the sign of the cross reverently.
b. Pray together as a class, school community, family and church.
c. Pray the Guardian Angel.
d. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
e. Pray the Hail Mary.
f. Pray the Blessing Before Meals.
g. Pray the Glory Be.
h. Offer God thanks and praise.
i. Pray for personal needs and the needs of others.
Pray for the forgiveness of sins. Pr