Saint Gerald Catholic Church
The Curriculum in Grades 1-8


Grade 1 -- Basic Catholic prayers and beliefs.
  • Basic Catholic prayers
  • The story of Creation
  • The story of the First Sin
  • The Blessed Trinity
  • The life of Jesus
  • The followers of Jesus
  • The Easter Story
  • Living in a Parish
  • The Sacraments
  • Forgiveness
  • Learning about the Last Supper
  • The celebration of the Eucharist
  • The Season of Lent
  • A Child's Way of the Cross
  • Learning about the Church Year
  • The Feast of All Saints
  • Mary and the Saints; St. Francis of Assisi; St. Patrick
Grade 2 -- First Reconciliation and First Communion
  • A review of prayers learned in Grade 1
  • Reviewing the Ten Commandments 
  • Following the Ten Commandments
  • Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Learning the Act of Contrition
  • Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Learning about the Last Supper
  • Gathering for the Celebration of the Eucharist
  • Learning about the Liturgy of the Word
  • Learning about the Liturgy of the Eucharist
  • Receiving First Communion
  • Preparing for the Season of Lent
  • Celebrating the Stations of the Cross
  • Reviewing Bible stories:  Creation to Moses
  • Reviewing stories about Jesus:  the Nativity; the Kingdom of God; the miracles of Jesus; the story of the Prodigal Son; the story of Zacchaeus; the Last Supper, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Grade 3 -- Basic Catholic prayers and beliefs.
  • A review of prayers learned in Grade 1 and Grade 2
  • How the Church began 
  • The Four Marks of the Church 
  • How the Church Prays 
  • The Parish, Our home
  • The Sacraments
  • Celebrating the Eucharist:  The Mass
  • Celebrating Penance and Reconciliation
  • Celebrating the Stations of the Cross
  • Mary, the rosary, and the Communion of Saints 
  • Scripture stories from the New Testament:  The Christmas and Easter stories;  Jesus' Baptism; Jesus' teaching and healing (Jesus calms the waters; the feeding of 5,000; the story of the Good Samaritan; the parables of the Sower; the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son; Jesus meets Bartimaeous and Zacchaeus). 
Grade 4 --The Ten Commandments
  • A review of basic Catholic prayers
  • The story of the Good Samaritan:  the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy 
  • Sin in our world: venial sin, mortal sin, and social sin 
  • Our conscience, our guide 
  • Reviewing how to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation 
  • Learning and studying the 10 Commandments 
  • How we grow in holiness:  the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Seven Sacraments
  • Reviewing the stories of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus 
Grade 5 -- The Seven Sacraments .
  • A review of basic Catholic prayers 
  • A review of the Ten Commandments 
  • Studying the Sacraments of Initiation:  Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist 
  • Studying the Sacraments of Healing:  Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick 
  • Studying the Sacraments of Service:  Matrimony and Holy Orders 
  • The Priesthood of the Laity:  How we are called to Live as Jesus' Disciples 
  • The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy 
  • Learning about Mother Teresa of Calcutta 
  • Understanding the Liturgical Year:  Ordinary Time; Advent; Christmas; Lent; the Easter Triduum 
Grade 6 -- The Bible; Jesus and the New Testament 
  • A review of basic Catholic prayers 
  • A review of the Seven Sacraments
  • A review of the Ten Commandments  
  • Learning the Precepts of the Church
  • Learning what the Bible is 
  • The Creation and Fall:  Original Sin 
  • Our Longing for God, God's Revelation to us, and God's covenants 
  • Old Testament background to the New Testament 
  • The mystery of the Incarnation 
  • Learning how the New Testament was written 
  • Jesus and John the Baptist
  • The Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Jesus in the Desert
  • Jesus' Message:  God's Reign is here
  • Jesus and His ministry in Galilee
  • Biblical archeology
  • The Paschal Mystery:  Jesus' death and resurrection
  • The Liturgical Year:  Ordinary Time; Advent, Christmas; Lent; the Easter Triduum
  • Holy Week:  Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday
  • The Resurrection, Christian funerals and Life Everlasting
  • The Preaching of St. Peter
  • The ministry of St. Paul
  • Martyrs in the Church:  St. Valentine and Father Maximilian Kolbe

Grade 7 -- Level I Confirmation -- A study of basic Catholic belief

Grade 8 -- Level II Confirmation -- Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

 

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