Teaching and living the Catholic Faith isn’t just for Religion class! It should be an integral part of the whole Catholic School experience – from Social Studies to Science to Literature and beyond. But, realistically, how is it possible to do this? Read on for some ideas!
As Bishop David Ricken points out, in his pastoral letter, “Called to be Holy, Fully Engaged, Fully Alive,” Catholic schools are the “diamonds in our own back yard”! They are a tremendous asset, the Bishop continues, “because we have so many contact hours with young people. The values and knowledge of our faith is absorbed not only through an integrated curriculum but by contact with committed Christian teachers and staff in our schools.”
But, how can busy teachers and administrators integrate the faith into every aspect of the educational experience?
Mary Jane Krebbs, PhD., in her recent article, “Bringing the Faith to Life in Every Subject” (published on the Today’s Catholic Teacher Talk website), offers some practical ideas. For instance, she suggests that many good ideas are available in the ECOS (Education Community Opportunity for Stewardship) concept designed in 1972 to infuse national and state curricular mandates into the curriculum. Rather than ADDING new classes or programs, this program Integrates standards into existing curriculum.
“The ECOS template begins with the teacher selecting a unit, listing the concepts taught and the strategies used in this unit, realizing the values/social themes that are present, and creating an integrated strategy that brings the values and intended learning together,” Krebbs explains. For example, she suggests:
- In Social Studies, when exploring the rise of American industry, weave in ideas from Rerum Novarem, the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, addressing the condition of the working class.
- In Science, when teaching plant photosynthesis, infuse concepts from Matthew 13:18-23, the Parable of the Sower.
- For a Literature unit on The Miracle Worker, weave in discussion of pre-Confirmation community service, and how our religion is meant to be lived!
Bringing teachers of the same grade level together to compare strategies and ideas is Invaluable, whenever possible, Krebbs points out.
In summary, each educational unit “provides an opportunity for the teacher to utilize our rich Catholic heritage,” Krebbs enthuses. “In a very real sense, our Catholic-school teachers are tradition-bearers,” she adds.
For more ideas on how to integrate our Catholic Faith into day-to-day lessons, please contact Jane Schueller, diocesan Curriculum and Instruction Director, at 920-272-8284 or email her at jschueller@gbdioc.org today.
What do you think?
What are your impressions of Krebbs’ suggestions?
Do you think that these ideas have value?
What are the main challenges faced by Catholic school teachers today in implementing these suggestions?
