The Gatekeeper
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II October 4, 2011 - Level 2, Issue 01 |
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| Dear CGS Level II Parent | 
Welcome to the new year of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. All of our Level II catechists have worked in CGS before, although two (Liz Bloomer and Anne Edwards) are switching into Level II from Level I last year (they got promoted?!). We welcome Susan McColgan back to CGS after a number of years' "sabbatical." And of course, we welcome Kate Lynch, St. Teresa's new Director of Religious Education. Please introduce yourself to Kate and your catechists face-to-face.
We know parents are the first and best teachers of faith to their children. So, it is very important that you feel connected to your child's experience and supported as you do the important faith-formation work of a parent. The newsletters will provide information about the presentations your child receives and will give you ideas on how to extend their work and learning beyond Atrium. This year we will continue providing opportunities for parents to join their child's catechetical experience in the hopes of building more community and social connections. The invitation will begin with a communal mass in November. Please keep reading regularly to know when you are invited to join us.
We pray for much growth for all of us - children, parents, and catechists - in the year ahead. Peace, The Level II catechist team: Liza Bloomer on Tuesday Barb McHugh and Erin Walsh on Thursday Jane Ott, Susan McColgan, and Anne Edwards on Sundayand Lina Hilko (editor)
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Who Is the Level II Child?
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The Levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd follow Montessori methods. Each level strives to provide an environment and presentations that are developmentally appropriate and nourishing. So, it can help to know a little about the 6-9 year old stage, even though each child is unique. These are some general "rules of thumb."
Social
- Increasing development of social skills; development of true friendships
- Desire to fit in and be accepted
- Developing ability to imagine what it's like to be another person; relate to others
- Begin to have an understanding of rules; have a desire to figure out the rules
- Emphasis on "sticking to the rules" can lead to conflict in play or the appearance of tattling
Intellectual
- Typically very excited by and interested in the outside world
- Thinking and cognitive processing, though, is very subject to emotions and self-esteem
- Have become better at understanding the concept of time
- Open to cosmic education which looks at the whole universe, all history, including a sense of being connected to all things in the universe
Physical
- Put a lot of focus on developing physical skills, such as riding a two-wheel bike; dribbling, throwing, hitting, or catching a ball well; balancing or doing gymnastic moves
- Like to move; become restless and wiggle
Wonder
- Wonder about the world around them
- Likely to ask why
- Interested in cause-and-effect, for example figuring out rules, distinguishing right and wrong, or wondering what happens after a person dies
As you read about presentations in future newsletters, you will see that Level II presentations nourish the 6-9 child's interests and needs. You may also get a sense of how this age can have a harder time in the Atrium than the other two levels.
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The Bible
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In our first session, Level II children will talk generally about the Bible. This is important because Catechesis of the Good Shepherd uses the Bible as its "text book." Children, over their time in Level II, should become able to find passages in their own Bible.
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Walk the Talk
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The main goal of these newsletters is to help parents connect with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Just as there are unique newsletters for each catechesis Level, there is unique advice given to parents by Level because the children's sensitivities, interests, and abilities differ.
The articles on parental connection for Level III are entitled "Continued Conversation," based on one parent's comment that the newsletter, "... will enable us to continue conversations at home." The 9-12 children are at a very conversational stage. Level III works tend to revolve around research, reading and writing. There are few manipulatives. But there is a lot of debate and discussion.
The "stay connected" articles for Level I are entitled "Feed My Sheep." Level I presentations are not very conversational. The 3-6 child is still developing speech and vocabulary. Nearly all the work in Level I is manipulative. Materials exist to provide the 3-6 child, who often cannot yet read or write, the means to continue reflecting on the presentations. So, the parent can support their Level I child through activities much more so than through conversation. "Feed My Sheep" underscores action over conversation.
Level II is very clearly a transition zone between Level I and Level III. Level II is like an estuary, the area where a freshwater river flows into a saltwater sea. Wikipedia says that: "Estuaries are often associated with high levels of biological diversity." That sounds about right. Level II is full of bio-diversity. It has readers and non-readers, writers and non-writers. It has children who are still quite satisfied to work with manipulatives and still crave repetition. And it has children that are ready to "move on." Providing, managing, and sustaining a meaningful work environment in Level II is generally far more challenging than either of the other Levels. Must be the bio-diversity.
It may come as no surprise that parents of a Level II child best support the child through a mix of hands-on activity (Level I involvement) and conversational wondering (Level III involvement). Hence the title "Walk the Talk" for articles suggesting parental connections.
For example, relating to the presentation on the Bible, parents might want to consider how they use a Bible at home in the course of the year. Your child hears at Atrium or at mass that the Word of God is a light unto our path. Is it a light in your home? Or is it hidden away? If so, consider how you could use it, hands-on, just a little more. Can the Bible play a greater role in your family this year during Advent or Lent?
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Is It I, Lord?
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St. Teresa's is still in need of assistant catechists. Our greatest need is a second adult in Level II (6-9 years old) on Tuesdays (4:30-6PM). We think we need a second adult in Level III (9-12 years old) on Thursdays (4:30-6PM). And we could use a third adult in Level I on Sundays (10:30-11:45AM). Lastly, we are starting a new teen program (7th-9th grade) that has a variety of new needs. Please consider whether God is calling to you.
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Please provide comments about this newsletter to Lina Hilko, the editor, at LHilko@aol.com and/or Kate Lynch, St. Teresa's Director of Religious Education, at kolynchdre@gmail.com.
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