Teaching Tools

Looking for some great resources for sharing the faith with kids of all ages?  Me too!

On this page, I keep an updated list of links to posts with activities that I have created that you can use with your kids or in your classrooms.  Check back for new resources, and if you have a specific idea that you are looking for, feel free to leave me a message in the com box.

By request, I have added a grade range next to the activities.  This is certainly not a hard & fast level- I am a huge fan of finding resources and then adapting to the needs of a specific group of kids.  Don't be afraid to look at something and decide how you can use it in a different and unique way to work with your kiddos.

Anything that has an asterisk next to it (*) means that the post contains free printables.  Enjoy!

The Liturgical Year, Sacraments, Mary, Saints, and Fulton Sheen all have their own tabs, so make sure to check them out:
Sacraments and Liturgy: all lessons relating to the seven Sacraments
Celebrating the Church Year: all lessons relating the the Liturgical Seasons of the Church year, as well as some Saint feast days and other special times of the year

Mary & The Saints: Huge collection of Marian activities and list of alphabetized Saint posts.

Teaching with Fulton Sheen: entire curriculum teaching about the Sacraments, Sainthood, Mary, Prayer, and more through the life and teachings of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen


Old Testament Activities:
Structure of the Bible Printables* (4th & up)
Lectio Divina Journaling Prompts for Kids* (Pre & up)

Lectio Divina Journal Starters in Spanish*
Lectio Divina Graphic Organizers* (4th & up)
Lectio Divina Book Marks* (6th & up)
Creation Numbers* (Pre-2nd)
Teaching Tools for the Ten Commandments*(2nd-High School)
Sweeter Than Honey Psalm 119:103* Coloring Pages and Resources
Exodus 14:14 Coloring Page* (The Lord will fight for you...) (2nd & up)
Psalm 68:19 Coloring Page* (Praise the Lord...) (2nd & up)
Psalm 9:2 Coloring Page* (I will give thanks to the Lord) (2nd & up)
Psalm 9:2-I will give thanks bulletin board* (2nd & up)
Psalm 26:4 Coloring Page* (Owl- Your steadfast love is before my eyes...) (2nd & up)
Proverbs 17:17 Coloring Page* (A friend loves at all times) (2nd & up)
Connecting the Passover and the Passion*- A Youth Bible Study (5th & up)
Like Apples of Gold Scripture Printable*- Proverbs 25:11 & 31:26 (2nd & up)
Bible Story Post It Flip Books (6th & up)
Sweeter Than Honey Psalm Coloring Pages
Psalms for August 2017*
Psalms for September 2017*
Psalms for October 2017*
Psalms for November 2017*
Psalms for December 2017*
Psalms for January 2018*

Psalms for February 2018*

Psalms for March 2018*

Psalms for April 2018*

Psalms for May 2018*

New Testament Activities
Sacred Heart of Jesus At-Home VBS* (any age)

Sacred Heart of Jesus Five Day Study (6th-8th Grade)
Teaching Like Jesus: Using the Parables as Inspiration* (any age)
Introduction to the Parables Printables* (4th-adult)
Teaching about the Parables Bible Studies* (4th-adult)
Virtues & Parables* (6th and up)
Printable Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue* (any age)
The Miracles of Jesus Bible Study for kids over seven of Jesus' miracles (2nd-6th)
Built on the Rock* theme and bulletin board (any age)
Built on the Rock: The Bark of St. Peter decorations (any age)
Built on the Rock: Fishers of Men and St. Peter decorations (any age)
Built on the Rock: Printables*- signs, folder covers, coloring page, etc. (any age)
Built on the Rock: Awesome Posters! (any age)
Names of Jesus* colorful craft featuring the names of Jesus (1st-4th)
The Blessed Trinity- Names of God Graphic Organizer* (2nd-8th)
Most Holy Name of Jesus Coloring Page and Poster* (4th-6th)
Beatitudes and Modern Saints Game* (4th and up)
Draw Your Sword Scripture Game* (4th and up)
Armor of God Bookmarks* (1st and up)
Armor of God Folder Cover* (any age)
"Be Soldiers!" Bulletin Board* (any age)
Armor of God Theme Decorations (any age)
Armor of God Boys' Retreat (Pre-6th)
Come as Light (John 12:46) Coloring Page* (2nd & up)
Every Good Gift (James 1:17) Coloring Page* (2nd & up)
Lectio Divina Book Marks* (6th & up)
Bible Story Post It Flip Books (6th & up)
Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Pages* (K-8th)
Holy Family Hearts Coloring Pages and Prayer Cards* (K-8th)

Teaching to the Multiple Intelligences in Religious Ed
Teaching to the Multiple Intelligences* (Background info and Rosary Example)
The Mass and Multiple Intelligences*
Smarts Survey*
Saints for all the Smarts*
Prayer and the Multiple Intelligences*
The Mass and the Multiple Intelligences Presentation pdf file

Divine Mercy Activities: 
Year of Mercy Pinterest Board
All the Year of Mercy Ideas in ONE Spot*
Holy Door Activities for the Year of Mercy* (2nd-8th)
Acts of Mercy for Kids Using the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy * (2nd-8th)
Divine Mercy Watercolor Art* (printable coloring page-2nd-6th)
Divine Mercy Melty Bead Craft* (printable pattern and examples-2nd-8th)
Pop Out Divine Mercy Chaplet* (Connection to Reconciliation-2nd-6th)
Review Reconciliation* (Notebooking activity- connection to Divine Mercy-2nd-8th)
Image of Divine Mercy and Reconciliation Lapbook -2nd-8th
Corporal Works of Mercy* (Coloring Pages and Mini Books- K-6th)
Spiritual Works of Mercy* (Coloring Pages and Mini Books- K-6th)
Practical Ideas for the Works of Mercy Checklists* (2nd-8th)
Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly Coloring Pages* (Micah 6:8)2nd-8th
Year of Mercy Bulletin Board Ideas (all ages)
Saints for the Year of Mercy- Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati* (2nd-8th)
Mercy Themed Printables* (K-8th)
Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Pages* (K-8th)
Sacred Heart of Jesus and Anima Christi Prayer Cards* (2nd-8th)

I Believe Activities: (all activities center on The Nicene Creed)
Trinity Mobile* connecting the creed to the Trinity with printable craft (2nd-6th)
Be Wise Owls* (2nd-6th)
We are the Church* (1st-4th)
Creed Tetris Puzzle* (4th-8th)
Word Strategies for the Creed* (4th-8th)
Notebooking for the Creed* (2nd-8th)

Prayer:
Print.Cut.Pray. Prayer Card ebook* (K-8th) Over 100 prayer cards and mini books
Little Prayer Books (K-8th) Storage solution for prayer cards
Favorite Prayers Printable Mini Book* (K-6th)
Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus*(all ages)
Lectio Divina and Resources for Teaching about Racism* (all ages)
Angelus Mini Book* (2nd-6th)
Regina Coeli Mini Book* (2nd-6th)
Memorare Prayer Cards* (2nd-6th)
Guardian Angel and St. Michael Prayer Cards* (K-6th)
Sacred Heart of Jesus and Anima Christi Prayer Cards* (2nd-8th)
Praying for the Pope* (2nd-6th)
All Saints Day Litany Prayer Cards* (2nd-6th)
Morning Offering Prayer Cards* (2nd-6th)
Evening Prayer Cards* (2nd-6th)
Sign of the Cross Mirror  (Pre-2nd)

The Significance of the Sign of the Cross Study* (6th & up)
Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love Printables* (4th & up)
Make a Prayer Jar for Student Petitions (any age)
Prayer Partner Cards*(2nd & up)
St. Joseph Memorare Prayer Cards* (2nd & up)
St. Joseph Color-a-Novena* (2nd & up)
St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer Cards* (2nd & up)
Creating a Faith Corner in Your Home or Classroom (all ages)
Hands of Prayer Coloring Page* (2nd-8th)
PBJ: Praised Be Jesus Prayer Starters* (2nd-6th)
Tactile Prayer Stations (6th & up)
Smash Prayer Journals* (6th & up)
Mini Smash Prayer Journals* (6th & up)
Family Time Puzzle Prayer (any age)
Mini Prayer Shrines (2nd & up)
Good Deed Beads (2nd & up)
Prayer Tree (2nd & up)
Praying the Angelus (2nd & up)
Spiritual Adoption Prayer- links (all ages)
Our Father and Hail Mary Prayer Cards* (K-2nd)

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be Cards in Spanish*
Praying a Holy Hour with ACTS* (2nd & up)
Adoration Book and Resources for Kids * (2nd & up)
ACTS Prayer Lapbook* (2nd & up)
World Mission Rosary* (2nd & up)
Hands-On Rosary Resources (Pre-6th)
Ideas for a Rosary Lapbook  (2nd-6th)

Month of the Rosary Shareable Schedule of Activities* (K-8th)

Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary Watercolor Margin Doodles* (all ages)

Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary Watercolor Margin Doodles* (all ages)

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary Watercolor Margin Doodles* (all ages)

Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary Watercolor Margin Doodles* (all ages)

Prayer for a Time of Pandemic* (7th & up)
St. Augustine Holy Spirit Prayer*(6th & up)
Pop Out Divine Mercy Chaplet* (2nd-6th)
St. Joseph's Hands of Prayer* (2nd & up)
Prayer Experiences Presentation (all ages)

Pro-Life:
Spiritual Adoption Prayer Coloring Page* (2nd & up)
Pro Life Video Playlist (5th & up)
Spiritual Adoption* (all ages)
Spiritual Adoption Update Postcards* (all ages)
Touch of Life Fetal Models (all ages)
Culture of Life Studies Program (all ages)

Virtue Formation:
Virtue Graphic Organizer Notes* (4th and up)
The Moral Virtues* Printable coloring notes for the 4 moral virtues (4th and up)
The Theological Virtues* Printable coloring notes for the 3 theological virtues  (4th and up)
Theological Virtue Symbols* Coloring Page (4th and up)
Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Love Printables* (4th and up)
You are a Treasure in Clay* (4th and up)
Virtues & Parables* (6th and up)

Virtues & Saints Bible Study*- 3 guides for the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity
Virtues & Saints Bible Study*- 4 guides for the virtues of Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, and Justice.

Stories & Scripture:
These activities strive to help make the secular holy by taking popular children's story books and connecting them to a story from the Bible, as well as giving ideas for relating to Sacraments, Saints, and prayer.  I think they could be used with kids as young as Preschool or Kindergarten, but also could be successful as discussion starters for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. 
The Kissing Hand & Doubting Thomas*
Click, Clack, Moo & Ask, Seek, Knock*
Stone Soup & The Feeding of the 5000*
The Giving Tree & The Prodigal Son*
Curious George & Zacchaeus*

Editable/Google Classroom Assignments:

Sacred Heart of Jesus Study

Pre/Post Mass Reflection Slides

American Saints Study

Advent Weekly Reflections

O Antiphons Bible Study and Creative Project

Blessed Virgin Mary Scavenger Hunt

Archangels Bible Study

Personal Retreat Plan

Study on The Sacraments of the Eucharist & Holy Orders

Would You Rather Catholic Edition

Saint Scavenger Hunt

Way of Light Easter Bible Study

Pilgrimage Postcards

St. Thomas Aquinas Mini Study

St. John Bosco Mini Study

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mini Study

St. Joseph Mini Study

St. John Vianney Mini Study

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Mini Study

Gifts of the Magi Bible Study*

Bulletin Board & Hallway Decoration Ideas:

Catholic Bulletin Board Collection*

Jesus in the Monstrance Bulletin Boards*

Monthly Devotion Signs* (full color with image)

Saints & Sports*

Saint Yearbook Poster, Bulletin Board Printables, and Student Activity*

Waiting for Jesus Empty Manger Advent Bulletin Board*

Mentors to Saints*

Vocation Bulletin Board*

Sweeter Than Honey Theme Decorations*

I Will Give Thanks to the Lord*
Brown Scapular
Doors to the Sacraments {Baptism}
Catholic Schools Week 2016
Catholic Schools Week 2015
Catholic Schools Week 2014*  (and here is a CSW Thank You Card Printable)*
Built on the Rock*
Fishers of Men & St. Peter 
The Bark of St. Peter
Armor of God Bulletin Board*
Armor of God Decorations
My Soul Does Magnify
The Eucharist*
Year of Mercy/Divine Mercy Bulletin Boards
St. Joseph Shrines*
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati*
Mother Teresa*
Saint "Polaroid" Bulletin Board
Saint Bookshelf Bulletin Board
Lovely Lady Marian Bulletin Board
Various Owl Themed Classroom Bulletin Boards here and here

Pilgrimage Postcards

Other Topics:
Fulton Sheen Activities*
Pope Wanted Posters (3rd-6th) Activities and videos to use during the transition between popes
Praying for the Pope* (2nd-6th)
A Princess Celebration: Teaching Dignity to Girls  (multi age activities)
Write Your Story on My Heart* Narrative Writing Project (4th & up)
Come Thou Font Doodled Lyrics Coloring Page* (2nd & up)
Helping Kids Grieve*

Catechist and Program Formation:
Advice for a New DRE (Crowd sourced post with tips and resources)
Making Secular Movies Holy (all ages)
Using Technology in Religious Ed  (all ages)
Using Video the Right Way in Religious Ed (all ages)
Beginning of the Year Printables*  (student survey and folder labels) (2nd & up)
Creating a Faith Corner in Your Classroom (all ages)
Meaningful Gifts for Students (all ages) 
Advice for Catechists from Pope Francis* (all ages)

Parent Involvement:
50 Ways to Pray with Your Kids in 5 Minutes or Less* (all ages)
Happy the Home intro* and coloring page (all ages)
Using Parent Newsletters* -CCD or a Catholic School Classroom ideas (all ages)
Let the Kids be the Teachers* -hosting programs that the parents will attend (all ages)
Traveling Family Shrines*- Encouraging prayer at home, St. Maximilian Kolbe example (all ages)
Traveling Family Shrines*- Encouraging prayer at home, Marian example (all ages)
Praying for your students' families*- using the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (all ages)
School-to-Home Activity Bags (all ages)
Ten Ways to Encourage Parent Involvement* (all ages)
Little Saint Adventures Catholic Kids App* (Pre-4th)

Faith in Core Content:
Those of us who teach at a Catholic school or homeschool know how precious few the minutes of the school day are.  There never seems to be enough time to cover the material in every subject, foster inquiry and individual interests, and incorporate our faith.  My favorite technique for maximizing the time that I spend with my students is to teach cross-curricular whenever possible.

This section shares some of the lessons that I have taught that have shared the faith not as a straight religion lesson, but as the part of other core content covered in subjects such as reading, writing, art, etc.

Folk Tales, Fables, Fairy Tales, & Faith: A Literature Unit*
Two week unit of independent book studies and read alouds teach kids how to find evidence of Christ, good vs. evil, the reward of virtue, etc. in these stories.

Write Your Story on My Heart: Narrative Writing Project*
Helping Kids Find God in Their Daily Lives-Project instructions, topic ideas, and graphic organizers.
Click here for ideas for binding student books, which is how we "published" our project.
And here are Five Faith Filled Art Projects, all which match one of the topics in the Write Your Story on My Heart project.
1. Mixed Media Sacrament Art
2. Finding God in Nature Art
3. Word Cloud Art
4. Black Out Poetry Art
5. Finish the Picture Art

St. Maximilian Kolbe Unit*: including literature, art, writing, research, spelling, and religion instruction.  More St. Max activities here.  Ideas for a traveling St. Max shrine here.

Preparing Kids to Receive the Brown Scapular*: Cross curricular unit with religion, reading, writing, spelling, as well as ideas for celebrating.

Journal Writing/Discussion/Quick Check Strategies: (and here and here.)  

Using topics like the Saints and the virtues.

Shrinking Summaries Writing Strategy: Using Easter as a writing topic.

Graffiti Walls as a Teaching Tool

Using Graffiti Walls to Teach About the Sacraments

Book Tabbing: A pacing guide for independent reading

Principal Appreciation Day Gift Idea-Word Cloud

Principal Appreciation Day Gift Idea-Thank You Banner

General School Stuff:

First Day of School Signs*

Saint Trading Card Reward System
Creating a Faith Corner in Your Classroom
School Silent Auctions- Chalkboard Table Idea
Beginning of the School Year Printables *
Summer Retreat Goal Setting
Annual and Daily Lesson Plan Printables*
Using Parent Newsletters
Tour My Classroom Fall 2012 (the before here) 
Tour My Classroom Fall 2013
Tour My Classroom Fall 2014
Tour My Classroom Fall 2016
Editable Google Classroom Assignment Collection

Youth Group Lessons & Ideas:

Lessons:
Built on the Rock Object Lesson
Discussion Guide for the Movie Noah
Leadership: Josiah and St. Peter
Integrity: Ruth and St. Therese
Heroism: Esther and St. Bernadette 
Surrender: St. Paul and St. Francis
Discipleship: Mary 
Trust: Daniel and John XXIII
Advent Today
Third Roman Missal Youth Handbook
Pro Life
Tactile Prayer Stations 
Connecting the Passover and the Passion
Lent Youth Group Videos, Links, and Lessons
Debunking Resurrection Theories
Lectio Divina Book Marks*
Who Do You Follow?  Using technology to know, love and serve God
Bible Story Post It Flip Books
Mentors to Saints

Games:
Beach Ball Icebreakers
Christian Concert Scavenger Hunt 
Wacky Biblical Skits
Hike Photo Scavenger Hunt

Other Topics:
Fulton Sheen Activities
Spiritual Adoption
Touch of Life Fetal Models
Spiritual Adoption Update Postcards
Using a Multiple Intelligence Approach to Religious Education
Making Secular Movies Holy
Using Technology in Religious Ed  

Study Series:

Virtues & Saints Bible Study*- 3 guides for the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity
Virtues & Saints Bible Study*- 4 guides for the virtues of Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude, and Justice.

The Way of Light Adult (or Teen) Seven Part Bible Study*

Women of the Resurrection Adult (or Teen) Seven Part Bible Study* (with coloring pages!)

The Cafeteria is Closed Series- Overview
Unfortunately, I never finished blogging about this awesome series, but I am happy to share all of the resources, printables, and prayer cards with you here.

Thoughts on my successes and failures leading a Youth Group