Git ‘r done!

“Stepping up” your effectiveness

The Catechist’s Toolbox

Objective:

Give you tools to increase your effectiveness and make sure your kids get the most from their catechism time.

Sandpaper Scrapers Furniture Polish

Sandpaper: Smooting out Discipline Problems

Rough edges are to be expected, but they must be smoothed out or they could cause some pain.

The role of discipline is to remove any obstacles from an effective learning experience.

“Make smooth the pathways of the Lord.”

Isaiah 40:4, Luke 3:5

Discipline for Disciples

Common Root: “to learn”

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him takes care to chastise him.”

Proverbs 13:24

“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

As a catechist, you are responsible for maintaining discipline so that the

disciples can learn how to follow Jesus.

Identify the improper behavior

Discipline Problems

Examples Things to remember

MinorWavering attention

Distractions

Side-talking

Can wear the catechist and children down over time.

Left unchecked they can erode discipline and lead to more serious problems

ModerateRefusal to participate

Simple mischief

Talking out of turn

Can seriously disrupt the lesson flow.

Can still deal with these without halting the lesson.

Major

Lack of clear directions

leading to chaos.

Sabotage

Dishonesty, disrespect

Can cause the lesson to come to a stop.

Must be dealt with in a calm controlled manner to maintain self-respect for you and the children.

Choose your battles wisely

Select a strategy based on the cause of the improper behavior:

Boredom Immaturity and ego needs (seeking

attention, etc.) Hostility Personality clash Emotional problem (family situation, other

causes)

Tips for maintaining discipline

Don’t PANIC!Avoid interrupting the lessonKeep the kids involved Involve the whole catechist teamRide your eye, use names, move

aroundCheck the seating arrangementsReinforce good behaviorUse a few simple rulesKnow the age group your are

working with

Discipline Do’s and Don’ts

DON’T Don’t send a child out

of the room unattended

Don’t use God as “enforcer”

Avoid being overly tough

Be careful with “touch”

Don’t force a situation where someone has to “lose face”

DO Focus your statements

on the behavior you WANT

Use “I” statements Use positive

reinforcement (way to go, “bumps”)

Maintain everyone’s dignity

Give them a “way out” or a “way back”

Involve the parents early

Use Mrs. M if needed

Remember, catechists and students are ALL disciples!

Scrapers:Getting beneath the Surface

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Jesus asked many great questions

“But who do you say that I am?” “Whose image is this and whose

inscription?” “Did you not know that I must be

in my Father’s house?” “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins

are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Rise and walk’?”

“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?”

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

What were the characteristics of the way Jesus asked a question?

What were the characteristics of the way Jesus asked a question?

Probing: challenged his followersStimulated their thinkingNot simple “yes/no” questions…they

forced someone to take a positionAllowed disciples to evolve their

thinkingMade the lesson more memorableGot below the surface to the “deeper

meaning”Caused His thinking to become part of

themTrained His disciples to ask similar

questions

Strategies for Great QuestionsKeep it simpleKeep it open-endedBe comfortable with the silence…let

them answerPause…then repeatMove and make eye contactAsk the whole group firstPlan your questionsGive positive feedback to those who

answer

Tips for leading discussions

Questions are a great way to lead a discussion:

Go beyond retrieving information…invite thoughts, opinions, feelings

Invite more than one response to a question

Ask for reactions to previous responses

Occasionally, summarize and invite more discussion

Encourage respectful listening

The 4 I’s: Types of questions

Informational

Implicational

Individual

Ideological

• Non-threatening• What is another name

for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?

• Beneath the surface• What is Jesus trying to

tell us in the Beatitudes?

• Thoughts, opinions, feelings

• How can you try to live the Beatitudes?• Speculate – no right / wrong

• What would the world look like if everyone lived the Beatitudes?

Furniture Polish:Polishing Your Technique

All catechists can improve techniques over time

How to polish your technique

Move aroundMake Eye Contact / Ride your EyeVary your voice / paceFacial expressions / body languageKeep a sense of humorListen and observeBalance creativity with samenessSeek feedback / good ideasBe yourself – accentuate your

strengths

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Charity Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness

Generosity Gentleness Faithfulness Modesty Self-control Chastity

Your lessons should have good EFFECT on the children, but…

YOU will also AFFECT the children you teach –

by displaying the Fruits of the Holy Spirit