F3 Folder Lapbook Style Lesson on the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of Jesus. She is a powerful intercessor and as Jesus stated from the cross, she is our mother too. She was born sinless of the Immaculate Conception, and next to Jesus, she is the most perfect example of humanity that God ever created on Earth. She gives nothing less than an awesome example, of how we should live a joyful, obedient and charitable life for love of God. This F3 Folder about the Blessed Virgin Mary is a good way to introduce your child or class to our Holy Mother, the perfectly virtuous life she lead and the powerful intercessor that she is.  

Perfect for use in your homeschool, CCD or religious education class, this resource is designed to build understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in the Church and the Catholic faith. There are five different learning activities and two F3 piece activities that can help you teach or reinforce your lessons on Mother Mary, whether you use a formal curriculum or one that you have put together yourself

Learn more about and download our F3 Folder Lesson on the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessings, Kalei

Our Lady and Astronomers

If you've ever watched the original Iron Chef series from Japan, (we love it even with subtitles,) then you know that exciting moment when the announcer says:  "The Iron Chef has four offerings today," and then we get to see what he has made.  Today I can be a bit like my favourite show and say, "Kalei has two resource offerings today!"

Shell from Thinking Love, No Twaddle has been such a busy little bee and has lots to share with us to pass on to other homeschooling families.

Our Lady

Our first offering today is a poetry lesson based on the poem, "Ballade to Our Lady of Czestochowa" by Hilaire Belloc.  This six page lesson includes the poem and additional notes on Hilaire Belloc, St. Hildagard of Bingen and Our Lady of Czestochowa.  Also included are two beautiful notebooking pages that would be beautiful to copy out the poem or write a bit about Our Lady, St. Hildagard or the author.

 Download this Little Lesson on the Ballade to Our Lady of Czestochowa from Shell's Little Lessons page now.

Astronomers

Our second resource is a Little Lesson on Father Pietro Angelo Secchi SJ, astronomer and sunspot spotter.  This is a seven page resource that highlights another Catholic scientist who lived from 1818-1878.  He made massive steps in forwarding our knowledge of the cosmos while serving as a shining example of steadfast devotion to the faith even in the eyes of political opposition to the church.  The lesson includes a packed text of info including a timeline of the author's life and accomplishments, discussion questions, notebooking sheet and a chance to have some hands-on simple, science fun.

Download this Little Lesson: Father Pietro Secchi SJ, Astronomer and Sunspot Spotter from Shell's science lesson page now.

More resources on the way tomorrow. :)

Blessings,
Kalei

Resources to Help Teach About the Annunciation

Fun resources help children of all ages celebrate the most beautiful event of the Annunciation.

On Friday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation.  In honour of this very special and historical event, many of us will read the Gospel, pray the Hail Mary prayer or even the rosary.  As we reflect on the Virgin's Mary answer to the call of our Lord for obedience, trust, devotion and love, let us too, be willing to say a hope filled, YES, to our call of service to God, our children, and one another.

We have just uploaded a new page to the main resource site that celebrates the Mystery of the Annunciation with lots of resources that you may find helpful to use this week or any week in your little homeschool, Bible study or CCD class. 

Our resource list includes mini-books, notebooking sheets, games, puzzles, learning cards, trading cards and more.  Here are just a few samples. 

We hope you find something useful and enjoyable to help bring understanding of the Annunciation to the hearts and minds of your little learners.

Click HERE to visit our new page - Free Resources to Help Children Learn About the Annunciation.

If you can think of someone else who might be able to benefit from our FREE resources - a fellow homeschooler, a catechist from your parish, or even a friend who is just beginning to ponder homeschooling their children - why not send them on over to see how easy it is to let God permeate our teaching and lessons. :)

Blessings,

Kalei - That Resource Team

Our Lady of Sorrows F3 Piece

Introduce your children to the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, straight from scripture!!

September 15th is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.  Today we offer an F3 Piece on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This activity is a wonderful go-along activity for our Little Lesson on Our Lady of Sorrows by Michelle Scott or any Faith notebooking project, CCD class or feast day celebration.  In order to complete this Flip, Flap, & Fold  Piece, children will need to prepare the pieces, look up some scripture passages and match religious images to the passages and titles.  It is easy to complete and requires scissors, glue, our file, and a Bible.  Older learners could complete this project on their own taking about 30 minutes or so, but it is a nice family activity as well.  This really is a great way to practice using the using the Bible while finding concrete examples of our Catholic Tradition in our Lord's word.

Here's what to do:  First cut out all the pieces on the lines as directed in the instructions on each sheet.

Next look up the scripture passages in the Bible.  Match the scripture pieces to the appropriate pictures and glue them onto the proper numbered sorrow piece in their designated spot.

Create the pocket for the completed pieces by folding as indicated on the pocket sheet.  Be careful to fold the flaps all in the same direction and glue only where indicated.

Finish off F3Piece by assembling and gluing piece into folder, notebook, project, or onto cardstock. 

We hope this helps to bring some fun into your day while teaching about some of the most core beliefs and traditions of our rich Catholic Faith.

Click Here to download this F3 Piece Devoted to The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

September Worksheet Packet on Our Lady of Sorrows

New worksheet packet for September gets us ready to learn all about Our Lady of Sorrows

Michelle over at Thinking Love No Twaddle has done it again.  She has put together a lovely worksheet packet to teach us all about Our Lady of Sorrows during the month of September.  We thought we would give you a few days head start to September to make sure you can fit in this neat resource set.

This time Michelle has included so many goodies including a calendar of the month highlighting different saint feast days, an explanation of the Seven Dolors, a colouring sheet, a bit of Latin and more.  There are six sheets in all.

We are so glad that she has so graciously shared her time and energy with us.  May God bless her and her family always.

 

Click Here to download this September Worksheet Packet

Click Here to visit Michelle's page on our website to see all of her homeschool creations that she has shared.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

New Virtue Lesson on Modesty

It's taken a while, but Our Virtue Lesson on Modesty is up and ready to go!

We joyfully offer today's resources which help to promote virtuous living in our children.  Our beloved pastor constantly reminds us about the need for virtuous living in adults but also in children.  It is important for kids to know what is expected of them as Catholics, but it is also so important to give them the tools that they need to meet those expectations.  We hope that Our Virtue Lessons help parents with this sometimes challenging but always rewarding task.

Our newest lesson highlights the virtue of Modesty. This new lesson defines modesty very simply in a way that children (and adults too :) can understand its importance.  We focus on the respect for one's body, skills and thoughts.  This little unit also provides both positive and negative examples of modesty so that children can recognize both good and poor behaviour in themselves and others.  By recognizing the proper behaviour becoming of God's children, they will know how to emulate it and who may serve them as a good example to imitate.  This is so important in a world that seems to draw people farther and farther away from the Lord with it's materialism, self-centeredness and misplaced interests.

We hope you find this lesson fun and helpful - a little spot of brightness in your homeschool day.  We've included the following resources in this lesson:

• Definition sheets with a cut and paste sheet
• Printable prayer reminder card
• Example of good and poor behaviour sheet
• Incentive Chart
• Discussion questions
• Mini reminder posters
• Aesop's fables to help illustrate virtuous behaviour in a printable, online and audio version
• Matching trace copywork for the fables in both print and cursive
• Aesop's Fables Montessori cards
• Bible scripture references for discussion
• Worksheets
• Modesty craft project featuring the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Resources for the study of a few saints associated with Modesty
• Printable reading log bookmark
• Printable Achievement Certificate
• Reading list and more.

Stop by and have a look.  Feel free to drop us a line if you find these lessons helpful for you and your children.  We look forward to adding another virtue shortly.

Click Here to visit Our Virtue Lesson Modesty now.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

June 5 - William-Adolphe Bouguereau Montessori Cards

Oh, if homeschooling were only this peaceful all the time :)

I was totally moved by this painting (at left) that I came across in the Wikicommons gallery the other day.  It was entitled Song of the Angels and it was painted by the French, Academic painter, William-Adolphe Bouguereau.  I thought it was so beautiful that I wanted to see more works from this artist.  I found many more beautiful pieces, which lead me to create this set of six Montessori cards featuring a self-portrait of the artist, three religious pieces and two others. 

Simply print out cards, cut apart, and explore.  We will soon have Learning Cards to help children better explore art through simple guiding questions and exercises.  Visit us daily or subscribe to our blog to keep up with our new daily resources.

Click Here to download the artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau Montessori card set.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 31 - Hail Mary, full of grace!

Feast of the Visitation

Today we celebrate The Visitation on the liturgical calendar.  In this joyful mystery of the rosary, Mary visits Elizabeth and is joyfully greeted by her cousin and the infant, John the Baptist, in her womb.  It is during this visit that the words to the Hail Mary prayer reveal themselves to us.

"Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." Luke 1:42

Our resource today is trace copywork sheets for the Latin version of the Hail Mary Prayer.  Find the Ave Maria prayer in both print and cursive trace styles.

Click Here to download the Ave Maria trace copywork in print.
Click Here to download the Ave Maria trace copywork in cursive.

Don't forget to pray the Joyful Mysteries today! :)

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 30 - Hail Mary Assignment Sheets

Help organize your learning day with prayer...no kidding. :)

Help keep prayer at the forefront of your family life and homeschool with these inspirational assignment task sheets depicting the Hail Mary in pictures.  These sweet public domain images help remind learners of our Holy Mother as they progress through their learning day.  Sheets are available in light blue, lavender, and gray.  Simply print out, write in the subjects and tasks for your learner.

We hope this uplifts your learning day.

Click Here to download our Hail Mary assignment sheets in light blue.
Click Here to download our Hail Mary assignment sheets in lavender.
Click Here to download our Hail Mary assignment sheets in gray.


Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 29 - Hail Mary Writing Paper for All Ages

Celebrate your faith and evangelize at the same time.

Today we offer a very sweet writing set that is just perfect for notebooking as well as evangelizing!  This set of three different lined sheets is perfect for children or adult alike as it depicts some of the sweetest public domain images of the Hail Mary (in pictorial form) that I have ever seen.  May God bless this artist and other artists who keep the Heart of Mary at the forefront of their talents.

Use these sheets to celebrate your faith when you or your children write thank you notes to others, letters to family members, or even a nice thank you note to your priest or spiritual director.

You can also find these images in a nice little poster set in our resources collection.
Click HERE to download our Hail Mary Writing Paper Set.


Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 28 - From the Heart of Mary - The Greek Alphabet and Symbolism

From the heart of Mary, charity makes itself known.  So too in the sharing of resources for other homeschooling families in this month of our Holy Mother. 

We are happy to present more in the A Little bit of Greek worksheet set generously shared by Thinking Love, No Twaddle. (Find out more about this mom at her blog.)  These resources highlight the Greek Alphabet (3 pages) and the history and meaning of the 3rd century symbol for Christianity incorporating the alpha and omega letters (1 page).  These worksheets are simple, clean, and easy to follow.

Thank you once again to, Thinking Love, No Twaddle! :)

If you would like to help grow our ministry by sharing a resource with others, drop us a line and let us know. We can post your resource, give you full credit, and enable you to reveal your Heart of Mary to other homeschoolers.


Click Here to download worksheets on the Greek Alphabet
Click Here to download worksheet on the Alpha Omega Symbolism

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 27 - Mary Notebooking Sheets

Notebooking is a neat way for children to learn, recall, narrate, and make a keepsake notebook, all at the same time.  Notebooking can be done with younger children provided that they are interested in writing, are comfortable using writing lines and are able to easily recall what they have learned.  Using notebooking as a main source of proof of learning with details, illustrations, and other little goodies begins at around age ten.  Use these sheets to help learners young and old narrate or recall what they have learned about Mary.

Find each of our sets (two samples are shown) with four different line spacings to accommodate any writer.  The sets are available either with a colour picture or with a blank spot for your child to draw or affix a picture of their own.

Click Here to download the Blessed Virgin Mary Notebooking Sheets  - w/pictures provided

Click Here to download the Blessed Virgin Mary Notebooking Sheets - w/space for children to provide or paste in their own pictures.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 26 - Our Lady's Little Garden Helpers

How much do you know about the legendary Ladybug?

Almost everyone has heard about the usefulness of our garden friend, the ladybug. But where did its legendary status come from? Can you believe, centuries ago in Europe. Grape crops were threatened by aphids so farmers began praying to Our Lady for help and intercession. In a short while, a swarm of over 1000 red beetles came and ate up the aphids. They were thought to be a gift from Our Lady and were so called in her honour, Ladybugs.  A gardening story that is sweet and faith-filled.

Today's offering is a simple little maze to help teach children about this garden story. Simply download, print, and play.

Click Here to download Our Lady's Little Helper maze.


Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 25 - Mary Garden Montessori Cards

Here's something to brighten up your learning day - flowers from Our Lady's Garden!

Help children learn about flowers, more specifically flowers that would go into a garden dedicated to the Blessed Mother.  Find the common plant name plus the religious reference as well. 

These are easy to make and fun to use.  Simply print out these cards and cut apart.  Using card stock and then laminating the pieces is always the most durable choice. Once protected they can be taken into the yard, on nature walks, or even to the local garden centre or nursery.


Click Here to download our Mary Garden Montessori card set.

Blessings,


That Resource Team

May 24 - Have a little fun with our Mother Mary word search

Have a little fun today!  Do a word search to find words associated with our Mother Mary. 

Our family loves doing word searches.  We thought, why not make one about Mary in her month.  Words can be found in any direction and the file includes an answer sheet as well.  This puzzle can be a little difficult for very young learners although we have tried to keep the font as large as possible.  Simply print and play.  This resource can also be used in CCD classes for fun review or to start a discussion about the virtuous life of the Blessed Virgin.

Enjoy! 

Click Here to download our Mother Mary Word Search game.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 23 - Mother Mary Poetry and Prayer Bookmark

We love to multi-task.  Actually that isn't true, we multi-task out of necessity...lol.  When we create resources we try to utilize multi-subject learning as much as possible to keep our learners enthusiastic and engaged.  We have found through our experience, that many times our children will become overwhelmed with a larger quantity of learning tasks which in turn reduces the joy and fun in learning.  So we try to be creative not only in our approach to teaching and learning but also in the materials we create around our faith.

Today we share our new My Mother Bookmark resource.  Look at the learning possibilities in this little resource:

1. This resource displays a beautiful image of our Holy Mother exposing her Immaculate Heart.
2. This piece uses Victorian era graphics with flowers suitable for a Mary Garden (Roses and Sweet Peas).
3. It teaches The Memorare prayer.
4. It provides an opportunity for a child to write an acrostic poem about Mary, mothers, or their own mother.
5. Oh yes, it's also a bookmark. :)

This resource is simple to use - just print, cut apart, fold and glue.  There are two per page and they can easily be laminated to create a nice little keepsake for years to come.

Click Here to download our Mother Mary Bookmark.

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 22 - Hail Mary Prayer in Latin Put it in Order Game

One of our favourite games for home as well as CCD use has just been made into a Latin version.

As year round learners, we are always creating and using resources in our effort to prevent backsliding.  The study of Latin is one of those subjects that you definitely don't want to lose any ground on over breaks or the summer.  We have just begun converting some of our resources into Latin.  We thought it only fitting to begin with the prayer of our Holy Mother, Mary.

Find our popular download of the Put it in Order - Hail Mary game in Latin.  Available in both colour and black and white, this colour scheme matches its original English counterpart as well.  This makes it even more useful for mix and match games.

Click Here to download the Latin version of the Hail Mary Put it in Order Game (colour)
Click Here to download the Latin version of the Hail Mary Put it in Order Game (B/W)

Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 21 - Mary in the Holy Family

Let's meet Jesus' Family

Mary is part of Holy Family - Jesus' family.  Along with Saint Joseph and her son, our Lord, Jesus, Mary completes the most loving, safe, and best example of the immediate family unit. 

Young learners usually need to learn about family relationships somewhere between Kindie and Gr.2, dependent on where you live.  We created this worksheet to help teach our children about the Holy Family, Jesus' family, while reinforcing familial relationships and practicing handwriting skills.

We thought that we should show our children that they have a lot in common with Jesus' family and so they should feel proud to be Catholic and feel even closer to our saviour.


Click Here to download Jesus' Family worksheet.


Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 20 - A Little Latin with our Holy Mother

Let's learn a little Latin.

Here is another wonderful classical language worksheet contribution from Thinking Love, No Twaddle.  This is a cute gentle little Latin worksheet combo pack that teaches young scholars about Mary, more specifically Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) and Our Lady of Peking.

Many children as well as adults are not too familiar with Stella Maris or Our Lady of Peking (China), so this is a great way to introduce children to these lesser known titles and images of Our Lady.

Thanks again to Thinking Love, No Twaddle for her generous contribution.

Click Here to download A Little Latin worksheet combo set


Blessings,

That Resource Team

May 19 - Mary Garden Math Game

Are you planting a Mary Garden this year?  If so, you might choose to put some roses for Our Lady in it.  You may even need to buy a flat of twelve seedlings or baby rose plants to put in your garden.  Voila - the premise of our math game!

Help young learners practice addition facts to twelve with this very simple game based around the theme of creating a Mary Garden in your own backyard.  Two to four players is ideal although any number could play.  Simply print out the file - one game board and set of playing pieces per player is required.  Cut apart pieces and gather two dice.  Roll the dice and put a flower onto your flat.  If the number is already filled in from a previous turn, the turn is skipped.  The first to fill their flat with flowers to plant in their Mary Garden is the winner.

Mary Garden Math playing board (left) and playing pieces (right).

Click Here to download our Mary Garden Math Game

That Resource Team