Assessment

Essay 70% + Classroom Participation 10% + Attendance 10% + Short Reflections based on required reading 10%

Module Aims

To introduce students to topics that are relevant in the teaching of religious education in the classes in the first four years of the primary schools under the Catholic Patronage. Central to this module is the Grow in Love programme, which is the Religious Education programme used in primary school under Catholic patronage on the island of Ireland. The student will be introduced to the programme, its aim and objectives and how is it taught in class. The topic of the Spirituality of the Child is introduced to the students as a way to assist in their preparation for teaching religious education. They are also introduced to the topic of teaching in a multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic classroom and how children of other faiths and none are included in the class. Finally, there is some initial work done on sacramental preparation.

Indicative Syllabus

• The Spirituality of the Child.
• Grow in Love programme.
• Shared Christian Praxis as the foundation for religious education and catechetical pedagogy.
• Principles of Lesson Planning and Practical Application.
• Teaching a Multi-Religious Class
• Sacramental Preparation in First and Second Classes

Learning Outcomes

• — MIMLO01: Demonstrate a knowledge of the aims, objectives, and pedagogical methodology of the Grow in Love programme.
• — MIMLO02: Integrate the aims and rationale of lesson planning in religious education based on the material in the Grow in Love programme in the junior classes.
• — MIMLO0 3: Display knowledge of the current themes and theories in the spirituality of the child and successfully integrate those theories in class preparation and classroom management.
• — MIMLO04: Display knowledge of the current theories of multi-cultural education and the inter-religious lessons contained in the Grow in Love programme.
• — MIMLO05: Be familiar with aspects of the preparation and teaching of sacraments in particular those celebrated in Second Class – First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

Bibliography

• — David Hay & Rebecca Nye (1998) The Spirit of the Child
• — Rebecca Nye 2009 Childrens Spirituality
• — Liebschner (1992) A Childs Work (Freedom and Play in Froebel)
• — Irish Council for Catechetics (2015) Catholic Primary Schools in a Changing Ireland
• — Irish Council for Catechetics (2015) Grow in Love (Primary School Religious Education Programme)
• — Congregation for the Clergy (2022) General Catechetical Directory
• — Articles coming from Journals in the areas of Religious Education and Catechetics.
• — Atkins, Peter & Rosemary Atkins (2006) Prayer Bytes: Everyday Prayers for Young People (Dublin: Veritas)
• — Harmon, Maurice & Elaine Mahon (2013) Prayer Assemblies for Primary Schools (Dublin: Veritas)
• — Hone, Ed & Roisin Coll (2011) All Together: Creative Prayer with Children (Dublin: Veritas)