Daniel Pezzola, a graduate of the Catholic University of America, takes an active role as a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church council. Daniel Pezzola recently started working to increase the enjoyment level and popularity of the church's religious education program.
To keep children engaged in religious education, a teacher needs to make sure they remain active. Younger children should have something to do, like a themed coloring sheet or puzzle, as soon as they enter the classroom. This focus on participation should continue throughout the lesson, both in periods of discussion and in the context of hands-on activities.
Students tend to enjoy making things, so an arts and crafts activity based on the lesson will likely prove popular. Children's love for creating and drawing can also extend to blackboard use, and teachers can leverage this fondness by having the students write prayer intentions or other elements of the lesson on the board. Teachers should ensure that all children who want a turn get one; this is true for discussion and verbal sharing, as well.
As in any class, some students in religious education will participate willingly, while others are more reticent. Teachers need to show that they see and care about all students, and calling on everyone equally is an effective way to do this. A teacher can also lead a whole-class activity, such as a show-and-tell of religious objects from home, to demonstrate that each student has something to contribute.
Show-and-tell also serves the purpose of connecting religious education with home and family. One approach is to have a class mascot that goes home each week with one child, who documents the mascot's participation in home, school, and church. Teachers can also hand out small reminders, such as prayer cards, at the end of class for students to share with their families.
