Presentation on the 2015 Religion Course of Study (K-8) for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Includes a discussion on "religion across the curriculum."
2. Presenter
Mark W. Butler
Bachelor of Arts
Religion, History
Berea College (Berea, KY)
Master of Theological Studies
Church History
M.T.S.O. (Delaware, OH)
Former Religious Education Consultant and Director of
Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Columbus; Former
Education Curator for the Ohio Historical Society
2002 Recipient of the National Catholic Youth Ministry
Award
Currently Director of Religious Education at Holy Spirit
Parish
3. Religion Curriculum
“It is necessary, therefore, that religious
instruction in schools appear as a
scholastic discipline with the same
systematic demands and the same rigor
as other disciplines. It must present the
Christian message and the Christian
event with the same seriousness and the
same depth with which other disciplines
present their knowledge.”
General Directory for Catechesis #73
5. 2015 Religion Course of
Study - Structure
Organized around the six fundamental
“tasks of catechesis”, each of which is
related to an aspect of faith in Christ.
6. 2015 Religion Course of
Study - Structure
Organized around the six fundamental
“tasks of catechesis”, each of which is
related to an aspect of faith in Christ.
Under each task is a series of topics
which represent different aspects of
content within a task.
7. 2015 Religion Course of
Study - Structure
Organized around the six fundamental
“tasks of catechesis”, each of which is
related to an aspect of faith in Christ.
Under each task is a series of topics
which represent different aspects of
content within a task.
Within each topic are content standards
which are the essential knowledge to be
learned at each grade level.
10. Six Fundamental Tasks of
Catechesis
Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith.
Catechesis promotes a knowledge of the
meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments.
11. Six Fundamental Tasks of
Catechesis
Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith.
Catechesis promotes a knowledge of the
meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments.
Catechesis promotes moral formation in Jesus
Christ.
12. Six Fundamental Tasks of
Catechesis
Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith.
Catechesis promotes a knowledge of the
meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments.
Catechesis promotes moral formation in Jesus
Christ.
Catechesis teaches the Christian how to pray
with Christ.
13. Six Fundamental Tasks of
Catechesis
Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith.
Catechesis promotes a knowledge of the
meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments.
Catechesis promotes moral formation in Jesus
Christ.
Catechesis teaches the Christian how to pray
with Christ.
Catechesis prepares the Christian to live in
community and to participate actively in the life
and mission of the Church.
14. Six Fundamental Tasks of
Catechesis
Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith.
Catechesis promotes a knowledge of the
meaning of the Liturgy and the sacraments.
Catechesis promotes moral formation in Jesus
Christ.
Catechesis teaches the Christian how to pray
with Christ.
Catechesis prepares the Christian to live in
community and to participate actively in the life
and mission of the Church.
Catechesis promotes a missionary spirit that
prepares the faithful to be present as Christians in
society.
16. Why base a curriculum
around the six tasks?
“All of these tasks are necessary. As the
vitality of the human body depends on the
proper function of all of its organs, so also
the maturation of the Christian life requires
that it be cultivated in all its dimensions…
When catechesis omits one of these
elements, the Christian faith does not attain
full development.”
General Directory for Catechesis #87
17. Why base a curriculum
around the six tasks?
“All of these tasks are necessary. As the
vitality of the human body depends on the
proper function of all of its organs, so also
the maturation of the Christian life requires
that it be cultivated in all its dimensions…
When catechesis omits one of these
elements, the Christian faith does not attain
full development.”
General Directory for Catechesis #87
“Each task, from its own perspective, realizes
the object of catechesis, and all the tasks
are interdependent.”
National Directory for Catechesis #20
20. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
21. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
22. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
23. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1
Knowledge
of the Faith
24. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2
Knowledge of the
Liturgical Life and
the Sacraments
25. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3
Knowledge of
Moral Formation
26. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
Knowledge
of Prayer
27. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
28. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
What a disciple of Jesus
Christ needs to know.
29. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
30. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
Community Life
5
31. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
Community Life
5
Missionary Spirit
6
32. Four Pillars of the Catechism
TheProfessionofFaith
TheCelebrationofthe
ChristianMystery
LifeinChrist
ChristianPrayer
1 2 3 4
Community Life
5
Missionary Spirit
6
How the disciple lives out
those aspects in daily life.
35. Task I: Knowledge of the Faith
Topics
A. The Person of Jesus
Christ
B. Understand Scripture
36. Task I: Knowledge of the Faith
Topics
A. The Person of Jesus
Christ
B. Understand Scripture
C. Creeds and
Doctrines of the
Church
37. Task I: Knowledge of the Faith
Topics
A. The Person of Jesus
Christ
B. Understand Scripture
C. Creeds and
Doctrines of the
Church
D. Discover the
Church’s Tradition
and Relevance of
Church History
38. Task I: Knowledge of the Faith
Topics
A. The Person of Jesus
Christ
B. Understand Scripture
C. Creeds and
Doctrines of the
Church
D. Discover the
Church’s Tradition
and Relevance of
Church History
E. Christian Thought
and Culture
40. Task II: Knowledge of the Liturgical
Life and the Sacraments
Topics
A.Paschal Mystery
Forms and
Transforms
41. Task II: Knowledge of the Liturgical
Life and the Sacraments
Topics
A.Paschal Mystery
Forms and
Transforms
B. Sacraments
42. Task II: Knowledge of the Liturgical
Life and the Sacraments
Topics
A.Paschal Mystery
Forms and
Transforms
B. Sacraments
C.Liturgical
Catechesis
43. Task II: Knowledge of the Liturgical
Life and the Sacraments
Topics
A.Paschal Mystery
Forms and
Transforms
B. Sacraments
C.Liturgical
Catechesis
D.Dimensions of
Priesthood:
Baptismal and
Ordained
46. Task III: Knowledge of Moral
Formation
Topics
A. Commandment to
Love
B. Ten Commandments
and Beatitudes
47. Task III: Knowledge of Moral
Formation
Topics
A. Commandment to
Love
B. Ten Commandments
and Beatitudes
C. Sin and Grace
48. Task III: Knowledge of Moral
Formation
Topics
A. Commandment to
Love
B. Ten Commandments
and Beatitudes
C. Sin and Grace
D. Conscience
Formation
49. Task III: Knowledge of Moral
Formation
Topics
A. Commandment to
Love
B. Ten Commandments
and Beatitudes
C. Sin and Grace
D. Conscience
Formation
E. Objective Moral
Norms
50. Task III: Knowledge of Moral
Formation
Topics
A. Commandment to
Love
B. Ten Commandments
and Beatitudes
C. Sin and Grace
D. Conscience
Formation
E. Objective Moral
Norms
F. Gospel of Life
51. Task III: Knowledge of Moral
Formation
Topics
A. Commandment to
Love
B. Ten Commandments
and Beatitudes
C. Sin and Grace
D. Conscience
Formation
E. Objective Moral
Norms
F. Gospel of Life
G. Living a Moral Life
59. Task V: Knowledge of Community
Life
Topics
A. Spiritual Growth
B. Relationships and
Responsibilities
60. Task V: Knowledge of Community
Life
Topics
A. Spiritual Growth
B. Relationships and
Responsibilities
C. Marriage and Family
Life – Domestic
Church
61. Task V: Knowledge of Community
Life
Topics
A. Spiritual Growth
B. Relationships and
Responsibilities
C. Marriage and Family
Life – Domestic
Church
D. Faith Communities
62. Task V: Knowledge of Community
Life
Topics
A. Spiritual Growth
B. Relationships and
Responsibilities
C. Marriage and Family
Life – Domestic
Church
D. Faith Communities
E. Nature and Mission of
the Church
63. Task V: Knowledge of Community
Life
Topics
A. Spiritual Growth
B. Relationships and
Responsibilities
C. Marriage and Family
Life – Domestic
Church
D. Faith Communities
E. Nature and Mission of
the Church
F. Ecumenism
66. Task VI: Knowledge of the Missionary
Spirit
Topics
A. Evangelization
B. Vocation/Apostolate
67. Task VI: Knowledge of the Missionary
Spirit
Topics
A. Evangelization
B. Vocation/Apostolate
C. Social Action and
Transformation
68. Task VI: Knowledge of the Missionary
Spirit
Topics
A. Evangelization
B. Vocation/Apostolate
C. Social Action and
Transformation
D. Interreligious
Dialogue
71. Standards
Total number of standards under each topic will
vary from grade to grade.
Depending on the focus of the grade, some
topics will have a greater emphasis in different
grade levels.
72. Standards
Total number of standards under each topic will
vary from grade to grade.
Depending on the focus of the grade, some
topics will have a greater emphasis in different
grade levels.
Since some concepts are not introduced until
later, several topics in the lower grades have no
content standards.
73. Standards
Total number of standards under each topic will
vary from grade to grade.
Depending on the focus of the grade, some
topics will have a greater emphasis in different
grade levels.
Since some concepts are not introduced until
later, several topics in the lower grades have no
content standards.
Some standards build upon or expand upon
content in other topics.
74. Standards
Total number of standards under each topic will
vary from grade to grade.
Depending on the focus of the grade, some
topics will have a greater emphasis in different
grade levels.
Since some concepts are not introduced until
later, several topics in the lower grades have no
content standards.
Some standards build upon or expand upon
content in other topics.
The content standards’ clarity and progression
through the grades makes them coherent and
manageable. Their focus on essential concepts
allows for instruction with greater rigor.
76. Standards
Content standards contain references to the
Catechism of the Catholic Church which can
elaborate on the content statement.
77. Standards
Content standards contain references to the
Catechism of the Catholic Church which can
elaborate on the content statement.
Some standards reference Sacred Scripture or
Magisterial Documents.
78. Standards
Content standards contain references to the
Catechism of the Catholic Church which can
elaborate on the content statement.
Some standards reference Sacred Scripture or
Magisterial Documents.
Standards were written using language to
complement standards-based assessments.
79. Standards
Content standards contain references to the
Catechism of the Catholic Church which can
elaborate on the content statement.
Some standards reference Sacred Scripture or
Magisterial Documents.
Standards were written using language to
complement standards-based assessments.
There is one curriculum for both Catholic
elementary schools and parish schools of religion.
There are no unique benchmarks for parish
programs.
99. Learning Progression
I. Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith
B. Understand Scripture
P. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book.
100. Learning Progression
I. Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith
B. Understand Scripture
P. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book.
K. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book that tells us about God.
101. Learning Progression
I. Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith
B. Understand Scripture
P. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book.
K. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book that tells us about God.
1. I. B. 1. Identify the Bible as the inspired word of
God.
102. Learning Progression
I. Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith
B. Understand Scripture
P. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book.
K. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book that tells us about God.
1. I. B. 1. Identify the Bible as the inspired word of
God.
2. I. B. 1. Identify the two main parts of the Bible:
the Old Testament and the New Testament.
103. Learning Progression
I. Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith
B. Understand Scripture
P. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book.
K. I. B. 1. Recognize the Bible as a holy and
special book that tells us about God.
1. I. B. 1. Identify the Bible as the inspired word of
God.
2. I. B. 1. Identify the two main parts of the Bible:
the Old Testament and the New Testament.
3. I. B. 1. Identify “testament” or “covenant” as a
special promise made by God to his people.
106. Resources
Textbooks and publisher
resources
Pastor, Principal,
Teachers, and Parish
Catechetical Leader
107. Resources
Textbooks and publisher
resources
Pastor, Principal,
Teachers, and Parish
Catechetical Leader
Catechism of the
Catholic Church and
complimentary texts
108. Resources
Textbooks and publisher
resources
Pastor, Principal,
Teachers, and Parish
Catechetical Leader
Catechism of the
Catholic Church and
complimentary texts
Diocesan Certification
109. Resources
Textbooks and publisher
resources
Pastor, Principal,
Teachers, and Parish
Catechetical Leader
Catechism of the
Catholic Church and
complimentary texts
Diocesan Certification
Diocesan Media Center
110. Resources
Textbooks and publisher
resources
Pastor, Principal,
Teachers, and Parish
Catechetical Leader
Catechism of the
Catholic Church and
complimentary texts.
Diocesan Certification
Diocesan Media Center
Articles, Conferences
and Retreats
111. Resources
Textbooks and publisher
resources
Pastor, Principal,
Teachers, and Parish
Catechetical Leader
Catechism of the
Catholic Church and
complimentary texts.
Diocesan Certification
Diocesan Media Center
Articles, Conferences
and Retreats
Look!
112. Religion Across the
Curriculum
“[Religious instruction] should not be an
accessory alongside [other] disciplines,
but rather it should engage in a
necessary inter-disciplinary dialogue...
Through inter-disciplinary dialogue
religious instruction in schools underpins,
activates, develops and completes the
educational activity of the school.”
General Directory for Catechesis #73
Look for opportunities with every lesson.
113. Science
How God can be
known with certainty
through creation
Catholic teaching on
evolution
Issues in bioethics
Reproduction within
marriage
114. Health and Physical
Education
Remembering that
our bodies are the
“temple of the Holy
Spirit”
Importance of
abstinence in a
healthy lifestyle
Learning about
cooperation and fair
play
Respecting their
bodies and the
bodies of others
115. English Language Arts
Use Sacred Scripture
to build reading
literature skills
Review worship aides
as informational texts
Have students write
prayers and
reflections
Have students give
oral presentations on
religious topics
116. Visual Arts
Study Christian art
through history
Study Christian art
across cultures
Analyze films with
religious themes
Create a short film of
a Scripture story
117. Music
Study sacred music
throughout history
Study sacred music
from different
cultures
Analyze secular
music through the
ears of faith
Learn the hymns sung
at liturgies
118. Mathematics
Analyze the
proportions of
religious structures
Use pie graphs and
charts to illustrate
facts about a social
justice issue
Learn about
labyrinths, their
history, purpose and
how to make one
Explore
mathematical
relationships in God’s
creation
119. Social Studies
Explore the Church’s
role and influence in
various historical eras
Study parish churches
and documents as
primary sources
Learn about popular
hymns and devotions
when studying a
country
Review Catholic Social
Teaching when
studying government
and economics
120. The Light of Faith in Every
Room
“From the first moment that a
student sets foot in a Catholic
school, he or she ought to have
the impression of entering a new
environment, one illumined by the
light of faith, and having its own
unique characteristics.”
The Religious Dimension of Education in
a Catholic School #25
128. Being
You must
continue to
grow as a
person, a
believer and as
a disciple.
You cannot give
what you do not have.
You cannot rely on
memory.
129. Links
Office of Religious Education
http://www.cdeducation.org/ReligiousEducation
Download the Course of Study, Diocesan Media Center,
Information on Catechist Certification, etc.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org
Online versions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
the New American Bible, various resources.
The Holy See
http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
Online versions of the General Director for Catechesis,
and a wide assortment magisterial documents.
130. Lord God,
source of all wisdom and knowledge,
you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us
and to proclaim his message of faith, hope, and
love to all nations.
In your goodness
bless our brothers and sisters
who have offered themselves as teachers for your
Church.
Strengthen them with your gifts,
that they may teach by word and by example
the truth that comes from you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you.