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| Home | |
Grade Two Video Study Guide
Segment
1 | Segment 2 | Segment 3
| Segment 4
Segment 5 | Segment 6 | Segment
7
Segment One:
Bible Songs
Approximately 5 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used to enrich all chapters.
Children sing four songs; lyrics are shown on screen. Song titles are:
- "This Little Light of Mine" (1 1/2 minutes)
- "Alive, Alive" (1 1/4 minutes)
- "Count Your Blessings" (1 1/2 minutes)
- "I've Got Peace Like a River" (1 1/4 minutes)
Music is part of all major religious traditions. The words of Saint Augustine help us to understand why this is so: "When we sing, we pray twice." Singing expresses all human emotions from joy to sadness. It enlivens the human spirit. It brings about a sense of unity and purpose. Most important of all, people love music, especially children. It is a universal language.
Discussion:
- Why is music something that is enjoyed by
all people, everywhere?
- Make the point that some of the songs we sing
at church are centuries old. Ask: What makes some church music so popular,
century after century?
- How can singing help you pray twice?
Segment
Two:
Mrs. Pockets Story: The Clown of God
Approximately 11 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used to supplement chapters 4, 5, 10, 18, and 22.
Background:
Mrs. Pockets reads a story to a small group of first graders. The book
she reads is The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola (Harcourt Brace,
1996). If possible, obtain a copy of The Clown of God from your
local library and reread it to the class. This beautifully illustrated
story is filled with discussion possibilities about using our unique gifts
and talents to honor Jesus.
Discussion:
- What are some of your unique gifts and talents? How do you use these gifts and talents to make people happy? To give glory to God?
- What is your favorite part of this story?
- Set the scene. Have the children pretend they are clowns visiting sick children at the local hospital. Ask: How would you be dressed? What would you do to help the sick children laugh?
Segment Three:
Story of St. Clare: Giving Can Make You Richer
Approximately 9 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used to supplement chapters 5, 18, 19, 20, and 23.
Background:
Brittany has saved the last of the money she needs to buy a new blue coat.
Laura likes the same coat. Along comes Sister Mary Margaret to speak to
the class about her missionary work in Kenya. She shows slides that illustrate
how missionaries help the sick and poor in Kenya. Since the work is so
enormous, Laura asks Sister Margaret if she ever gives up. This sets the
scene for Sister Margaret to tell a story about St. Clare (1193-1253).
After hearing Francis of Assisi speak about poverty, Clare renounced her
family wealth and lived very simply. She founded a community of religious
women dedicated to living the Gospel with a rigorous vow of poverty. We
celebrate the feast day of St. Clare on August 11. This video segment
offers a variety of discussion possibilities on how trusting in God's
love is part of sharing God's love with others.
Discussion:
- What does it mean to care too much about things? How can caring too much about things get in the way of being a good follower of Jesus?
- How does having trust in God's love free us from caring too much about things?
- Who do you know who seems to put God first in his or her life? How can you put God first in your life?
Segment Four:
Bible Songs
Approximately 8 1/2 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used to enrich all chapters. Children sing five songs in different
settings; lyrics are shown on screen. Song titles are:
- "This Is the Day" (2 minutes)
- "Give Me Joy in My Heart" (1 1/2 minutes)
- "This Is My Commandment" (1 1/2 minutes)
- "Lord, I Want to Be a Christian" (2 minutes)
- "God Is So Good" (1 1/2 minutes)
Background:
Besides its aesthetic value, music appeals to children on many levels.
It involves the whole person—body, mind, and heart. It can be expressed
in many forms—words, sounds, body language, dance, and art. The
lyrics we sing can help us understand and remember key religious concepts.
Music can set the mood for prayer, play, quiet reflection, and celebration.
Discussion:
- How does music help you open your heart to God?
- How does singing at Mass help you feel closer to the other people in your church community?
- Set the scene. Have the children imagine they have been appointed by the pastor to choose the music for a special children's Mass. Ask: What songs or hymns would you choose?
Segment Five:
Prayer: The Canticle of the Sun
Approximately 8 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used to supplement Chapter 4.
Background:
The "Canticle of the Sun" is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226).
A canticle is a poem or hymn of praise. St. Francis wrote the "Canticle
of the Sun" as a hymn of praise to God. He so strongly believed that all
of creation reflects God's love that he called the sun his brother, the
moon and stars his sister, and the earth our mother. Creation filled him
with joy and love. That is why St. Francis is the patron saint of the
environment and those who work to protect the environment. His feast day
is celebrated on October 4.
Discussion:
- What do you consider the most beautiful gift of creation? How do you give praise and thanks to God for that gift?
- What does the glory of creation tell you about God?
- What does the "Canticle of the Sun" tell you about respecting and caring for the environment?
Segment
Six:
The Visual Bible ™: The Lost Sheep
Approximately 2 1/2 minutes.
Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Luke 15:1-7.
Text reference:
Can be used to supplement chapters 1, 10, 13, and 14.
Background:
In the opening scene, Father Timothy talks about Jesus' love for us. Jesus
always looks for us and makes us feel that we belong to his special family.
Discussion:
- What are some groups you belong to?
- What is it about these groups that makes you feel that you really belong and are special?
- What are some things that make you feel lonely?
- What are some things that make you feel loved?
The image of a shepherd runs through the Old and New Testaments: for instance, Abraham, Moses, and David were shepherds. In the New Testament, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The closeness between a shepherd and his sheep symbolizes the closeness between Jesus and his followers. Jesus will do anything, even lay down his life, for the sake of his followers.
More Discussion:
- What does this parable have to say about the love of a shepherd for his sheep?
- Do you think it is wise to leave ninety-nine sheep and go off to look for one lost sheep? What does this tell us about Jesus' love for us?
- What does it mean to you that God will always care for you?
The Visual Bible™: The Call of the First Disciples
Approximately 3 minutes.
Text reference:
Can be used to supplement chapters 5 and 10.
Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Mark 1:16-20.
Background:
Father Timothy's introduction to this biblical scene is very brief. He simply says Jesus wants us to belong to his special family. He wants us to be his disciples.
Discussion:
- What made the first disciples respond so quickly to Jesus' invitation to follow him?
- What can you do to be alert to the call to follow Jesus?
- What is your definition of the word disciple?
- What are the qualities of a good disciple?
The Visual Bible™: Blessing of the Children
Approximately 2 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapter 18.
Bible reference:
On-location reenactment of Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16.
Discussion:
- Why was Jesus so interested in children?
- Why were children so interested in meeting Jesus?
- Jesus told the crowd, "If you want to enter God's kingdom, become like a child." What do you think these words mean?
- In the closing scene, Father Timothy stressed the point that the one place we know we belong is with Jesus. He will always be our friend. What are some of the things you do to build your friendship with Jesus?
- Set the scene: Have the children pretend that they are introducing one of their best friends to Jesus. Ask: What words would you use to introduce Jesus to your friend? What words would you use to introduce your friend to Jesus?
Segment Seven:
The Visual Bible™: The Lord's Supper
Approximately 6 minutes.
Text reference:
Chapter 16 and 17.
Bible reference:
Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:22-26.
Background:
Father Timothy is obviously excited about family meals. It's how his family
prepares for and celebrates special occasions. It's how his family shares
stories and fun.
Discussion:
- What are some special occasions that your family celebrates?
- How does your family prepare for these special occasions?
- What do you like best about special family celebrations? What do you do to help prepare for these celebrations?
Passover is the most important feast in the Jewish tradition. It commemorates the passage of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the new land God promised them. Jesus shared his final meal with the disciples during Passover. We call this meal the Last Supper. When we celebrate Mass, we do what Jesus and his disciples did at the Last Supper. We share in the Body and Blood of Christ.
More Discussion:
- While giving the disciples his Body and Blood, what did Jesus ask his disciples to do?
- Why does Jesus ask us to remember and celebrate his life, death, and resurrection in the Eucharist?
- Have the children discuss this statement: When we celebrate Eucharist, we are at our best.
- Why is preparing for First Communion so important?
