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Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Immaculata, PA

"Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed."

Wisdom 6:11

Religion Maintenance Sheets

Purpose:

Vatican II states the purpose of catechesis is "...to foster a faith that is living, conscious and active." As catechists, we know how important it is that our students know the tenets of our Catholic faith so that they can practice a faith that is indeed, living, conscious and active. The religion maintenance sheets were designed with this very purpose in mind. Our core beliefs and traditions as Catholics are the very heart of their design. Knowing that all material in the curriculum is not of equal value, the maintenance sheets focus only on essential elements for each grade level. This core material is then repeated in all of subsequent grade levels. Thus, our students not only know, but master essential elements of our Catholic faith. Use of the religion maintenance sheets will also provide continuity across grade levels and will aide teachers in identifying what must be stressed and what is most essential.

Content, Organization and Use:

There are thirty maintenance sheets per grade for grades three through eight. You may used fifteen per semester or ten per trimester or approximately eight per quarter. There are four sets of five questions per sheet. Depending upon the grade level, some sheets will not have a topic, but a word bank instead. For the upper grades, each set of five is grouped under a specific topic such as the New Testament, Liturgical Year, etc. We suggest using the five question quiz at the start of each religion class before you begin your developmental lesson. One weekly maintenance sheet represents four separate quizzes. The maintenance sheets should never be used for homework, makeup work or outside of the religion class itself. Our goal is to provide immediate feedback to the student regarding their five answers under a specific religious topic.

Before distributing the papers, write the topic on the board and have the students predict five possible questions & answers that could be asked pertaining to the topic. They may brainstorm and discuss the topic with a partner, search for the information in books, charts or posters (any available resources). After a short period of time, desks are cleared and the quiz is distributed. The "quiz" setting has provided the motivation to research the answers before the quiz is distributed. The sheets are collected and the teacher reviews the questions and correct answers with the students. This method provides invaluable feedback to each student and clears up any misconceptions or problems. It also provides the teacher with valuable insights into material that has been mastered and material that needs to be reviewed. A time limit should be established that will allow for accurate completion of the quiz. With practice, this time should be shortened. The maintenance sheet is not to take the place of the developmental lesson for the day. Since the material is repeated often, the students will have another opportunity for mastery.

A grid identifying the various topics is provided should you care to use it. At the end of each week, the students review each incorrect question and mark the space on the grid under the appropriate topic. After a few weeks, the colored grid will allow you and the students to identify weak areas that need attention.

Grading:

When grading the maintenance sheet, remember it is not equivalent to a test. It should be weighted and the grade should never penalize the student's religion mark. In the beginning of the school year, you may want to establish a routine for the taking of the maintenance sheets, and forego the grading of the first few sheets. You also may want to drop the lowest maintenance sheet grade which is reasonable. Remember the content of the maintenance sheets should be material that is previously taught rather than new material.

It is the hope of the I.H.M. religion maintenance sheet committee, that you will see these sheets as a powerful teaching tool for you and a powerful instructional tool for students. In order to gain the most beneficial results from the religion maintenance sheets, we caution you to use them as they were intended to be used

God bless you,

The I.H.M. Maintenance Sheet Committee

We pray for all catechists/teachers and their ministry in the Church.

You are called by God to stir up in our children the deepest longings

of the human heart and point to their fulfillment in the person of

Jesus Christ.