Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 What do you do for Bible? I've tried Jesus our Life, my son was bored with it. I've tried Seton Catechism, my son was bored with that too. I've been reading them a story from the Children's Bible everyday, but their eyes seem to glaze over each time. Is there anything I can do to make Bible time fun? They are not retaining much at this point.:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 I haven't actually used it myself (we use Faith & Life) but I've heard wonderful things about the Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Catholic Mosaic might be a good thing to try as well. That uses picture books to teach about our Faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 I'm subbing to get ideas. Personally, I have not found a Catholic picture Bible with which I am comfortable. For catechism, I just plan on following the Baltimore Catechism because that is what all the HS moms of adult Catholic kids that I know have used, I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it. Also, I don't particularly like it, but many people love Montessori's Catechism of the Good Shepherd. Yes, the Children's Bible that I've been using is the really thick one that I had as a child. The words are just to involved and the kids at 7 and 5 don't have a clue what they mean. I have to stop reading every sentence to explain something. I just lose them halfway into the story.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 I haven't actually used it myself (we use Faith & Life) but I've heard wonderful things about the Montessori-based Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Catholic Mosaic might be a good thing to try as well. That uses picture books to teach about our Faith. Thanks for the links! I'll go check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 We're not Catholic, but we use Grapevine and LOVE it! The kids draw stick figures for each of the verses/stories as we go through them. We are doing NT this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 We're not Catholic, but we use Grapevine and LOVE it! The kids draw stick figures for each of the verses/stories as we go through them. We are doing NT this year. Thanks for the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Yes, the Children's Bible that I've been using is the really thick one that I had as a child. The words are just to involved and the kids at 7 and 5 don't have a clue what they mean. I have to stop reading every sentence to explain something. I just lose them halfway into the story.:tongue_smilie: The Bible I use with my kids in preschool & primary is the Catholic Book of Bible Stories from Zonderkidz. Later I use the Fr. Lovasik St. Joseph Picture Bible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMom2One Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) My suggestions are all based on my own experience in our Christian home, and also as a former Sunday school teacher. This bears saying from the get-go that children will be enthused about any subject that you, as the teacher, are enthused about. Always present the material with a joy and enthusiasm that is engaging and enjoyable for their age level. Your dc are very young, so this should be a special, fun time for you. I would recommend that Bible and a very short time of prayer and life application discussion happen every day, first thing before any other subject. This lays the groundwork for the day, and setting that routine will be important especially at this lower grammar stage. I also recommend that you include a Bible lesson or at least prayer time over the weekend as well. If you don't, they will begin to think of Bible as a school subject rather than an integral, personal part of their daily life. The Bible story should always include pictures, so a children's Bible is perfect. (We like the DK Children's Illustrated Bible a lot.) Feel free to stop and explain things, add personal comments, use voice inflections for changing characters, etc. And if they seem bored at first, keep going anyway. They need to know that this is important and is part of their daily life. Be sure to follow the story with questions that check on their comprehension and lead to better understanding. This keeps them on their toes as you share the daily story. When your oldest is ready for more than this, I heartily recommend the Explorer's Discovery Bible Series. I'm sure others will chime in with some additional resources that will be good too, but I have to share what's worked for us. We have used this curriculum for a few years now and my dd has enjoyed it and become very knowledgeable of the scriptures. Here is one from the series that starts at the beginning, but there are more in the series. (Please note that within the Explorer's studies, Discovery is for grades 3-6 and Quest is for older students.) Anyway, I like this series a lot because it lays out short passages for them, explains meanings and includes vocabulary words, maps and weekly review. These are consumable workbooks. Again -- I'd wait and add it to the routine for your oldest once she is in 3rd grade, yet I'd continue having the family Bible and prayer time even though you add this to her daily work. Last of all, do they see you reading your own Bible? Do they know how important knowing the Bible is to you in your own life? This validates the importance of knowing the Bible and is one of the most critical aspects of passing on your faith. Blessings to you as you explore ways to pour God's truth into the lives of your precious little ones. Lucinda Edited October 31, 2010 by HSMom2One Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 I use several different children's bibles with my kids. I never was 100% satisfied with any of them. I used the Beginner's Bible for when they were really young. However, the cartoons are goofy and it is Protestant so it doesn't have all the books of Bible. Later, I found a Catholic version but that set of kids were more like your kids, bored by it. Here's some other things you can do to liven up learning about the Bible: Wee Sing Bible songs. Lots of these songs reference Bible stories. When you are listening or singing the song take the time to retell the story to your kids. Then when you go to read it from the Bible they'll recognize the story. Veggietales - do the same thing with these when they refer to a Bible story. Jonah, Esther, Rack, Shack and Benny! Other children's video retellings of Bible stories. Jim Weiss has a really nice audio of stories from the Old Testament. A neat thing to do is to have two different Children's Bibles, read the same story and then compare. Ask the kids if they can pick up on any differences. Magnifikids is a magazine for Catholic kids. It lists all the readings for Sunday Masses, so your child can read (or you can read to your child) the different readings from the Old and New Testaments before you go. That way they'll listen better during Mass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0mmaBuck Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 I started using Rod and Staff's Bible Stories to Read and Bible Pictures to Color with DD4 and before I knew it DS8 was requesting a coloring book of his own. From there we branch off into the Zonderkidz Bible mentioned above. We also use VeggieTales as mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 Thank you all for the wonderful ideas! I have much to think about now and will be able to get a plan together for our school week next week, (we're on a week vacation right now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkermamaof4 Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 We're doing Stick Figuring through the Bible. My kids love to color/draw, so this is great and we do it as a family. I bought the download of OT from Grapevine. In addition, we round robin read through a one year Bible for kids. Perfect for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 What about those little St. Joseph Picture books? http://www.catholicshopper.com/products/st_joe_picture_books.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Since your oldest is 7, are you doing sacrament prep this year? If so, I'd say that combined with his regular CCE work is probably enough. I'd focus on getting him ready for First Reconciliation and First Communion because those are fast approaching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danivdp Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 :blush5: DVR'ed EWTN.....The adventures of the New Testament, The Friar or something....I read bible stories out of the yellow picture bible that CHC recommends, but I never realized how much EWTN they watch until my daughter said to me one time during the gospel at mass "Mom, mom!! I saw this story on TV!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just Jenny Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Pray and ask God to place a hunger for His Word in their hearts. He answers! Our Bible study time is simple, we read the Bible one chapter at a time. These are the Bibles we have used: 1. The Big Picture Story Bible. (This is a summary of the message of the Bible, not organized by chapter.) 2. John MacArthur's A Faith to Grow on Bible Both are available on Amazon. We started reading from 1. Now (our kids are 6 and 3) we read a Bible chapter a day from number 2. By God's grace they want to hear more, and ask me all kinds of questions. Best to you, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 What about those little St. Joseph Picture books? http://www.catholicshopper.com/products/st_joe_picture_books.html I will for SURE have to grab those! I have a couple but I didn't know they make so many! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 Since your oldest is 7, are you doing sacrament prep this year? If so, I'd say that combined with his regular CCE work is probably enough. I'd focus on getting him ready for First Reconciliation and First Communion because those are fast approaching. Yes, he will be making it in May. We're doing the First Communion catechism and the Saint Joseph Catechism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siloam Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 What do you do for Bible? I've tried Jesus our Life, my son was bored with it. I've tried Seton Catechism, my son was bored with that too. I've been reading them a story from the Children's Bible everyday, but their eyes seem to glaze over each time. Is there anything I can do to make Bible time fun? They are not retaining much at this point.:confused: We use Bible Study Guide for All Ages. It is a non-denominational inductive approach. Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Kirsten~ Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Thank you for asking this! At the moment, I'm trying to assemble better resources, and there's already been a lot mentioned here that I'll add to my list of ideas! I, too, have heard about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, so I particularly appreciate the link. FWIW, right now we are memorizing one Bible verse per week (and reviewing various prayers). I've chosen the verses, though Hannah of homeschool helps has a great list that helped me jump start that. Once per week we read a saint's story, often from Once Upon a Time Saint Daily, we read from various picture Bibles. I also haven't found a Catholic one that I really like and really engages my girls, but I think The Rhyme Bible Storybook is really good: http://www.amazon.com/Rhyme-Bible-Storybook-Linda-Sattgast/dp/031070197X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qlEnable=1&qid=1288554322&sr=8-1-catcorr&searchContext=031070197X,0310700787,0880708298 We also have 100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs, and my 4-year-old really loves the CD. It covers more than the one above though still isn't Catholic: http://www.amazon.com/100-Bible-Stories-Stephen-Elkins/dp/1591452392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288554615&sr=1-1 In searching for a link, I noticed that there are others in the series that I might consider. I just found a nicely illustrated book of Psalms for children, which we're also adding into the mix for now: http://www.amazon.com/Psalms-Young-Children-Marie-helen-Delval/dp/0802853226/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288554751&sr=1-1 Finally, one thing I'm trying to get started is using Catholic Mom's Sunday's Gospel section for the weekly Mass readings. It seems that she posts them in advance, so I'm hoping it will help with retention and understanding of the Gospel to have some related activities and just extra coverage of the readings. Here's the link: http://new.catholicmom.com/faith/sundays-gospel/. HTH! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in AZ Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 We're not Catholic, but we use Grapevine and LOVE it! The kids draw stick figures for each of the verses/stories as we go through them. We are doing NT this year. My dc love this too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjarnold Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 So many good suggestions! I'd also check out Catholic Children's Treasure Box Books, which are sweetly old-fashioned (published in the '50s) and very appealing to young children. Published by TAN Books, you can check them out here: http://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-childrens-treasure-box-c239/ They contain stories of the saints, charming little moral tales, short activity ideas, and more. Tiffany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 Wow! Thanks for all of the great links! Kirsten, I've added all of those books to my cart and will be getting them this week. tjarnold, I'm checking into those box sets and will most likely grab those as well. You can never have enough bible study for kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aludlam Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 We are not Catholic, but hands down our favorite resource is the book Leading Little Ones to God. http://www.amazon.com/Leading-Little-Ones-God-Teachings/dp/0802851207/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1288619873&sr=1-1 hth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oraetstudia Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I read from My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories three times a week and from Amy Welborn's Book of Saints twice a week. My kids use the Faith and Life series in Religious Ed. and we do Little Flowers and Blue Knights once a month. We also like the Catholic Mosaic book that others mentioned and another Bible story book we like is A Family Treasury of Bible Stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlcejb6 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Things we have used in the past and are using now are The big picture storybook bible by David Helm and The Jesus storybook bible. These have been our favorites. I ask them questions and talk with them about it as we go and then we also encourage them to play out the stories that they are learning. I have found that this helps alot with my boys. For chatecism we are using Carine MacKenzie My 1st book of questions and memory verses(two seperate books). We have also used The Gospel for Children by John B Leuzarder. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VA6336 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I really wanted to love the Treasure Box Books, but I glanced through one at the bookstore and wasn't too impressed. The saint was St. Therese and the story was well told with pretty illustrations. However, that was the only part of the book I liked. The activities had nothing to do with Catholicism (I can get a craft book for that) and the other stuff in there just wasn't that impressive. For $5 a piece though, it's not completely wasted money, but it's not the sort of resource I'd use with my DD. It's only St. Therese for the first...7 books? Maybe? Then they switch around to different stories. There are 50 of the books in the complete series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 We do the Apologia series and for my littles Leading Little Ones to God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 We *love* Jeff Cavin's Great Adventure materials... http://biblestudyforcatholics.com/. My little ones are using the Great Adventure for kids, my teens are using the Teen Timeline, and my church uses the adult materials for our Bible Study group. Here's the link specifically to the Great Adventure for Kids. Catholic Mosaic and Magnifikid were both already mentioned by other posters, and I second those recommendations! Catholic Mosaic is a beautiful way to celebrate the liturgical year with kids. Another helpful resource is My Catholic Faith Delivered. They provide online lessons for the Faith and Life books, among others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhappyjoyjoy Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I use Connecting With History in conjunction with SOTW. I'm using Jeff Cavin's Great Adventure Bible Timeline for myself and teaching the Bible stories to my son. He narrates and illustrates each story in a book. I also use the great adventure kids pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted November 3, 2010 Author Share Posted November 3, 2010 Thanks for some more great links! I'm heading to B&N on Thursday and will be sure to pick some of these up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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