Faithful Strives Slides
Trimester 1 Expectations
St. Angela Merici Parish Catholic School
Called to Lead, Loved by God
Striving to be
Faith-Filled & Active Catholics
How do we live our faith in our classrooms, playground, and homes? Let's explore our three big goals for this trimester together.
Interactive Lesson
Slide 1 of 7
Expectation A Celebrating the Gospel
Living the Good News
Celebrating the Message of the Gospel
The Gospel isn't just an old book we read on Sundays—it is the living "Good News" of Jesus Christ! We celebrate it when we listen during Mass, but we celebrate it even more when we spread joy and love in our actions.
"Go make a difference in the world!"
Every morning we hear the Word. Let's make sure our friends feel the Word through our words.
Class Talkback
What is one piece of "Good News" you can share with a classmate who is feeling sad today?
Tip: Share encouraging words
Tip: Giving a warm smile counts!
Interactive Prompt
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Expectation B Catholic Teachings
Faith Foundations
The Catholic Church has beautiful teachings about human dignity, charity, prayer, and community. Learning these helps us live with purpose!
Today's Term Human Dignity
Every single person is created in the image and likeness of God. No exceptions!
Deepening Our Knowledge
Understanding the Teachings of our Faith
How do we show that we understand Catholic teachings? We do it by actively asking questions in religion class, knowing our prayers, and applying the Golden Rule because we recognize God's presence in all things.
Engaging in Mass sacraments
Treating classmates with respect
Honoring the Saint of the Day
Caring for God's creation
Knowledge Hub
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Expectation C Moral Conscience
The Inner Voice
Building a Strong Moral Conscience
Your conscience is a special gift from God. It is the inner compass through which the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, helping you know what is right and giving you the courage to do it, even when no one is watching.
How do we train our conscience?
By praying daily, listening to teachers and parents, reading God's Word, and making honest choices in difficult situations.
Conscience Check
Think of a time you chose to tell the truth or help a peer, even though it was hard. How did you feel afterward?
True Peace: That quiet, warm feeling you experience is the Holy Spirit confirming a holy decision!
Moral Direction
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Interactive Mission Gospel Role-Playing
Classroom Activity
Mission: Gospel Detectives
Let's put our moral conscience and faith into action! In small groups, you will investigate a modern school-wide scenario, analyze the choices, and role-play the response that reflects a **faith-filled, active Catholic**.
Step 1
Get Your Scenario
Identify the challenge on your Gospel Detectives worksheet.
Step 2
Brainstorm the Response
Plan how to celebrate the Gospel and act morally in that scenario.
Step 3
Act it Out!
Perform a 1-minute skit displaying the faith-filled resolution.
Collaboration
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The Scenarios Choose Your Path
Scenario 1: Playground Whispers
The Whisper Chain
During recess, a group of classmates starts whispering a rumor about a new student who is sitting alone. Everyone around you starts to laugh and pass the rumor along.
Conscience Prompt
How does gossiping run against "Human Dignity"? How can your character break the chain and celebrate the Gospel?
Scenario 2: Unseen Test Answers
The Lost Master Key
While cleaning up after class, you spot the teacher's answer key sitting facedown under a desk. You have a massive test tomorrow, and a photo of this sheet would guarantee an A+.
Conscience Prompt
What is the quiet voice of your moral conscience instructing you to do here? What Catholic teachings are at play?
Analysis Room
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Trimester 1 Commitment Prayer & Action
A Catholic Student's Prayer
"Lord Jesus, help me to live as Your disciple this trimester.
Give me the joy to celebrate Your Gospel message daily,
the curiosity to understand the deep teachings of our beautiful faith,
and the courage to always build a strong moral conscience.
Guide my actions, guard my speech, and fill my heart with your grace.
Amen."
Now, let's open our worksheets and begin planning our group skits!
Grace & Departure
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Gospel Detectives Worksheet
Trimester 1 Expectation Activity
Gospel Detectives
Name:
Date:
Grade:
Our Mission: Catholic students strive to be faith-filled, active Catholics by (A) Celebrating the Gospel message, (B) Understanding Catholic teachings, and (C) Building a strong moral conscience. Use this guide to plan your role-play scene!
1 Select Your Detective Case
Case #1: Whispers
A group is passing rumors about a quiet new classmate on the playground.
Focus: Dignity & Gospel Joy
Case #2: Secret Key
You discover the answers to tomorrow's test lying facedown under a desk.
Focus: Honesty & Grace
Case #3: Group exclusion
Friends lock someone out of an online group chat and make unkind jokes.
Focus: Love & Friendship
2 Gospel Action Plan (Group Work)
Which case did your team choose?
Team Members / Characters:
What is the "moral challenge" or conflict in this scenario?
Identify the temptation or difficult situation:
The Faith-Filled Resolution (Your Script Plan):
How does your character step in and apply Jesus' teachings?
Connection Check: How does this act build a strong moral conscience?
Trimester 1 Expected Behaviors Project Page 1 of 2
Personal Examination & Commitment
My Faith-Filled Response
Reflecting on My Moral Conscience
The catechism teaches that our conscience is God's voice in our heart. Read the question below and write your thoughtful, personal response with at least 3-4 complete sentences.
How can you actively prepare yourself to make moral, honest decisions even when friends might be pressuring you to do the opposite? Mention prayer, teachings, or saintly examples you know.
My Trimester 1 Action Plan
How will you show teachers and peers you are striving to be an active Catholic? Check the items you commit to practicing daily:
Celebrating: Welcoming classmates who are sitting by themselves during recess or lunch.
Understanding: Actively participating, singing, and reverently listening during liturgies and Mass.
Building Conscience: Admitting when I make a mistake and apologizing with genuine integrity.
Holy Service: Using my gifts, talents, and words to build up others rather than tearing them down.
Faithful Strives Teacher Guide
Teacher-Facing Lesson Plan
Faithful Strives Teacher Guide
Trimester 1 Launch Recommended Time: 45 Min
Lesson Objectives
This lesson introduces the Trimester 1 school-wide expectations. Students will learn what it means to be faith-filled, active Catholics in everyday school scenarios by modeling gospel values, practicing moral discernment, and making personal action pledges.
Theological Foundation (CCC 1776): Conscience is man’s most secret core and sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths.
Suggested Pacing
1. Presentation & Prep 10 Min
2. Group Brainstorm 10 Min
3. Skit Showdown 15 Min
4. Reflection & Pledge 10 Min
Interactive Slide Discussion Guide
A. Celebrating the Gospel
Prompt: Why is smiling, including others, and speaking kindly considered "Good News"?
Key Point: Evangelization starts with daily charity, joy, and mercy.
B. Catholic Teachings
Prompt: What is "human dignity" and how does God view everyone?
Key Point: We are made in God's image, so we respect and care for every person.
C. Strong Moral Conscience
Prompt: How does conscience feel when making choices?
Key Point: Holy Spirit speaks quietly. Reflection, prayer, and truth heal moral doubts.
Role-Play Facilitation Tips
Group Sizing: Group students in 3-4 members. Assign roles: Detective Lead (coordinates), Scripter (writes), Actors (role-play).
Classroom Management: Emphasize that the role-play should focus on the Active Catholic response rather than the conflict itself. Keep skits under 90 seconds. Ask: "Which expectation was modeled best?"
Student Evaluation Rubric
| Criterion | Needs Support (1 pt) | Striving (2 pts) | Faith-Filled (3 pts) |
|---|
| Participation | Disengaged from planning or role-playing. | Participated but needed prompts to stay focused on resolution. | Engaged, creative, collaborated beautifully with team. |
| Faith Connection | Did not link scenario to A, B, or C goals. | Connected skit to a moral response, but lacked details. | Clearly identified how choice celebrates or respects Catholic teachings. |
