| Christ Jesus, the Way
Home and Family
What is My Child Learning?: Fourth Grade
Unit 1
Chapter 1 God Speaks
Your child has been exploring the many ways that God is present, caring and speaking to us through the Word, in the beauty of creation, through our family and friends, and through Jesus. Your child is learning to be faithful. God provides for all of creation, from the smallest seed to the greatest human need. Can you recall times when you experienced God's presence and providence in very specific ways?
Chapter 2 In God's Image
Your child is being guided to recognize, develop and share freely the God-given and God-like gifts of youth, strength, kindness and enthusiasm. Human beings are created in God's image and likeness and are free to choose God. God's faithful people respond by acknowledging and sharing their God-given gifts. We are the work of our creator and we honor God with the way we choose to live. "Who you are is God's gift to you; who you choose to become is your gift to God." What choices have you made recently which reflect the work of the Creator?
Chapter 3 God is Faithful
"Covenant" describes the primary mutually faithful relationship between God and God's people. Your child is considering the essential place of this covenant in our lives as Christians, and being invited to become a faithful and contributing member of the covenant. God is faithful to the covenant and calls us to be faithful partners, just as Abraham and Noah were. Have you witnessed God's faithfulness in your life? How are you a faithful covenant partner?
Chapter 4 God's Law
Your child is learning about the Ten Commandments as guidelines or road markers. The commandments are avenues that lead to a strong relationship with God and others. Once again, your child is reflecting on the personal call of a covenant relationship with God. The commandments teach us how to be God's covenant partners. God is ever faithful, all we need to do is to look to God for guidance and God will be there. Does God reign in your life right now? Are you following the guidelines God has set forth for you?
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Unit 2
Chapter 5 Reverence
Your child is learning more about the first commandment to put God above all things. Your child will learn that life may become hectic with activities, family life, games, and school to the point where attention is turned away from God. Your child will discover words and actions that will help him or her to put God first. Your child will also learn about showing reverence to God and all things that relate to God. In your busy life, how do you show your child that you put God above all things?
Chapter 6 I Pray
Your child is exploring the various types of prayer. Your child will learn how these types of prayer can fit into a good prayer life. They are learning about ritual prayers, scriptural prayers, prayers of petition and contrition, vocal prayers and contemplative prayers. Your child will learn that some prayers can be memorized, and others are spontaneous and spoken from the heart. Your child learns that as always, the role model for all prayer is Jesus. How do you encourage a variety of prayer in your family?
Chapter 7 The Lord's Day
Your child is learning that Sunday remembers the death and resurrection of Jesus. Your child learns that Sunday is the day that Catholics celebrate, worship, and join with others in their faith community. Your child will learn that coming to Mass on Sunday and special holy days is a privilege and responsibility as a child of God. Your child is encouraged to help the rest of the family make Sunday a special day of prayer, rest, and good family times. How can you explore different ways to make Sunday a family celebration day?
Chapter 8 The Church Year
Your child is learning about the seasons of the Church year. Your child will learn that the Church year is divided into Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, and Ordinary Time. The seasons of the Church year reflect the mysteries of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. As Christians, your child will know that God's People are called to celebrate these times. What season of the Church year is your favorite? How do you celebrate that time in your home?
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Unit 3
Chapter 9 Family Love Your child is learning about the fourth, sixth and ninth commandments which are guides and safeguards of family life. Your child will learn that the command to honor ones parents is foundational in Christian thought. Your child will learn to the see the Trinity, a community of love reflected in the family. Your child will study the words and actions that solidify and build family. Your child will learn that no matter the size and make up of the family, all families are important in the eyes of God. How have you faced a difficult family experience?
Chapter 10 Choose Life
Your child will explore the meaning of the fifth commandment. Although some aspects of this commandment are too complex for fourth graders, your child may already know of terrorist attacks, school shootings, the care of aging relatives, and even violence in families. Your child will focus on two fifth commandment issues: murder and the kind of anger that leads to hatred.?How have you lived the fifth commandment in your life recently?
Chapter 11 A Generous Spirit
Your child will learn about generosity of the spirit, but he or she will learn that this first begins with a prohibition: God’s people are commanded to avoid stealing and desiring the possessions of others. Fourth graders know that should not steal or cheat, but they need help understanding what it means to covet. Your child will expand the meaning of the seventh and tenth commandment to include taking care of?his or her possessions and all that is shared with others. Do the seventh and tenth commandments challenge you?
Chapter 12 Telling the Truth
Your child will learn that being truthful is a struggle and that honesty is a virtue worth cultivating. Fourth graders may need help in overcoming reasons to avoid truth telling, such as personal embarrassment and unwillingness to be seen as tattlers. Because your child is in the process of building friendships he or she may very well know the devastation of betrayal. Have you struggled with the truth recently??
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Unit 4
Chapter 13 The Reign of God
Your child will learn about the concept of the "reign of God". To explain this, your child will be asked to imagine the "best life ever." Your child will learn that the best life ever is a life with and in God. Your child will learn that the kindness he or she sees in people and in the world give him or her hints of that "best life." Your child will learn that with God's help your child too can help bring about the kingdom. Have you wondered how one person can make a difference?
Chapter 14 The Church Teaches
Your child will learn that the Church gathers and orders itself to continue the work of Jesus today. Your child is discovering that he or she has some skills that others lack, and vice versa. Your child will begin to learn to be grateful for his or her strengths and abilities and to rejoice in the strength of others. How has the Church been a guiding light in your life?
Chapter 15 The Church Serves
Your child will learn that the Church is called to share the work of Jesus. Your child will learn that this call is our vocation as people of God. This chapter helps your child grow in the understanding that all people, including your child, have a vocation here and now. This chapter will help your child value him or herself as a baptized Christian called to discipleship. How do you answer God's call?
Chapter 16 Life Forever
Your child may have already had some experience, real or vicarious, of loss. It may have been the loss of a family member, friends or pets. In moments of loss, children look to faith and the example of the people around them. Your child will begin to understand that death is a permanent separation but in Jesus' resurrection, we are promised eternal life. What have you been taught about death and new life?
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Unit 5
Chapter 17 The Greatest Celebration
The celebration of the Eucharist follows Jesus’ command to “do this in memory of me.” In this chapter, your child is learning that liturgy, or public worship together, is the Church’s greatest work. Through our actions together at Mass, Jesus continues to live and be present among us. Your child is deepening his or her understanding and appreciation of the Church’s work. How do you experience Jesus’ presence at Mass?
Chapter 18 Initiation
The sacraments of initiation, which are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, welcome, strengthen, and nourish members of the Catholic community. Your child is learning about catechumens, those people who are preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church by intense prayer and study. Can you remember stories of your own baptism, First Communion and Confirmation that you could share with your child?
Chapter 19 Celebrating the Eucharist
This chapter is helping your child better understand the Eucharist or the Mass. He or she is learning to describe what happens during Mass, to understand its order and how it unfolds, and learning how to better respond in word and song to the various parts of the Mass. How do you think you can better respond at Mass?
Chapter 20 Reconciliation
The sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of forgiveness. It provides a return to oneness with God that has been lost through wrongdoing. In this chapter, your child is learning about the elements of the Rite of Reconciliation. And your child is learning that he or she must be forgiving just as God forgives. Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive?
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Unit 6
Chapter 21 Be Happy!
In this chapter your child has been given a simple introduction to each of the Beatitudes that Jesus presented in his Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes teach followers how to be like Jesus and they describe how to be happy on earth and for all eternity. Which of the Beatitudes is your favorite?
Chapter 22 Trust in God
In this chapter your child is further exploring the Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” He or she is learning about trusting God and about being trustworthy. How do you put your trust in God?
Chapter 23 Getting Busy
In this chapter your child is studying the virtue of compassion. Compassionate people refuse to bully even when they have the power to do so. Your child is learning to recognize the value and reward of being merciful and gentle. In what ways do you show mercy and compassion for others?
Chapter 24 Bring Peace
Peace is one of the results of justice, and being just is the work of individuals and communities. In this final chapter, your child is learning to recognize and work for justice within his or her own relationships. He or she is also being encouraged to be a peacemaker and a person of prayer. Does peace reign in your life?
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