September 29, 2011

Activities/goals for the day:

- Prayer/Seek Ye First

- The Philippine National Anthem

- Religion

Learn about Michaelmas – the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and the other Archangels Gabriel and Raphael. 

Feast Day: September 29

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are called “saints” because they are holy. But they are different from the rest of the saints because they were not human but spirits.

They are angels and the word “angel” means Messenger of God. Angels who deliver messages of lesser importance are just called Angels; and those who proclaim important messages are called Archangels. They are our protectors and we know something about each of the three Archangels from the Bible.

- SHOW PICTURE OF ST. MICHAEL (COLOR IT AFTER THE EXPLANATION)

Michael’s name means “who is like God?” St. Michael is mentioned in three books of the Bible: Daniel, Revelation and the Letter of Jude. In the book of Revelation or the Apocalypse, chapter 12:7-9, we read of a great war that went on in heaven.

Michael and his angels battled with Satan (or the fallen angel Lucifer). Michael who was the leader of God’s army became the champion of loyalty to God.

We can ask St. Michael to make us strong in our love for Jesus and in our practice of the Catholic religion.

- SHOW PICTURE OF ST. GABRIEL (COLOR IT AFTER THE EXPLANATION)

Gabriel’s name means “the power of God.” He is mentioned in the book of Daniel and more importantly in Luke’s Gospel.

This archangel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of our Savior. Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he and St. Elizabeth would have a son and call him John.

Gabriel is the announcer, the communicator of the Good News. We can ask him to help us be good communicators as he was.

- SHOW PICTURE OF ST. RAPHAEL (COLOR IT AFTER THE EXPLANATION)

Raphael’s name means “God has healed.” We read the touching story of Raphael’s role in the Bible’s book of Tobit. He was also the Angel mentioned in John 5:1-4 as the power behind the healing at the sheep pool.

He brought protection and healing to the blind Tobit. At the very end of the journey, when all was completed, Raphael revealed his true identity. He called himself one of the seven who stands before God’s throne.

We can ask St. Raphael to protect us in our travels, even for short journeys, like going to school. We can also ask him to help when illness strikes us or someone we love.

- Color the picture of the 3 archangels

- Color the picture of St. Michael defeating the devil and say the prayer (repeat after Lola/Lolo).

Resources:

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/0929_raphael.asp

http://www.chcweb.com/catalog/files/StMichael.PDF

http://tiredtwang.blogspot.com/2008/09/archangel-coloring-pages.html

September 15, 2011

Activities/Goals for the day:

- Morning Prayers and Read-aloud time with Papa

- To Lolo and Lola’s “homeschool”

AT LOLO and LOLA’s HOMESCHOOL:

- Prayer/Song “Seek Ye First” – no need for video, sing the song with made-up actions

- National Anthem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8KzNosN77s&feature=related

- Action song: Filipino video - Ako ay may lobo 

- Filipino: Filipino sa Makabagong Panahon by Wizard Publishing House (P247 at National Bookstore) – pages 31-36

Magkatulad at Magkaiba (Same and Different)

- Follow-up activity: Look for objects around the house na magkatulad at magkaiba (that are same and different). E.g. they LOOK the same, or could be of the same COLOR (review previous lessons on mga kulay here: Like parehong kulay rosas (both are colored pink), etc.)

- Practice reading with Sing, Spell, Read and Write Reader 1

- Art: Look at the picture of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, which we celebrate today. (What feast do we celebrate today? Answer: Our Lady of Sorrows. Yesterday what did we celebrate? Answer: The Triumph of the Cross).

Explain briefly the Seven Sorrows of Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 
4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

Follow-up activity:

1. Ask: “What does “sorrow” mean?” - Example answer: Being sad

2. Ask: “What are the times when we feel sad? What are the times when we make God sad?”

3. Say: “Whenever we feel sad, or angry, we should offer it up to Jesus on the Cross and ask Him to help us. Mama Mary was sad many times too, but God helped her. He will also help us.”

- End with prayer: Hail Mary

September 14, 2011

Activities for the day:

- Prayer/Song “Seek Ye First” (with video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmIbpmYvkU0)

- National Anthem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8KzNosN77s&feature=related

- Action song: Filipino video - Ako ay may lobo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q–B-9o45cM

- Focus on writing practice: Letters with curved lines

- Incorporation of Catholic ideas - C is for Christ, G is for God, O is for Omnipotent I tried to explain what “omnipotent” means – how God is ever-powerful! hehe. To emphasize the G for God, we sang Don Moen’s “God is Good” in between writing drills

- Christian Living and Education/Religion: Explanation of the Feast of Triumph of the Holy Cross (ideas from here)

- LOTS of PLAYTIME outside with cousins