Hi - I just got hired to teach fifth grade in a Catholic school, but I'm not Catholic. I will be expected to teach religion and my class will conduct (is that the right word?) the Mass once a month. Does anyone have any hints on how I can seem like I know what I'm doing?
Call the principal and get a copy of the syllabus for starters. Then think about calling the rectory of your local Catholic parish. Make an appointment to talk to a priest; he can fill you in on the symbolism and such. Think about stopping in for a mass or two over the summer to see how things work. Congrats on the job!
As for religion class, be sure to look ahead at the curriculum, and if questions come up, make an appointment with a priest or someone else who could answer your questions. Also, if kids ask questions that you're unsure about, it's perfectly fine to refer them to a priest or someone. You can just tell them, "soandso would be able to give you a better answer than I can, so why don't you discuss that with him."
I went to Catholic school and teach in a Catholic school but if you are not Catholic you do not teach theology. My 3rd grade teacher wasn't Catholic and so we switched rooms for theology. The other 3rd grade teacher taught us theology while my teacher taught the other class science. I would get a copy of the Catechism and invite the priest into to your class for a question and answer session sometime. As far as planning the mass it is pretty simple. The readings are already chosen all you have to do is pick the music, write petitions and assign people to the jobs. Oh, and practice reading them aloud!
Thanks for all your ideas! At this school there is only one fifth grade - 36 strong, and they were testing a 37th when I came for my interview. After doing all my volunteering and student teaching in public schools, I'm looking forward to the change.
Other people have given you excellent advice. I would pick up a book that gives an overview of the faith . Something as basic as Catholic for Dummies would work. Also some great Catholic recourse on the web such as catholic.com A friend of mine was hired by a Catholic school a couple of years ago. She decided to join the Catholic faith after teaching at a Catholic school for two years.
A friend just told me about Catholic for Dummies, too. She got it when she married a Catholic and, although she never officially converted, she now prefers her husband's church to her own. I'll get a copy. Thanks for all your posts!
From my conversation with the principal, it seems there are two components. One is Catholic religion, which at the fifth grade level stresses the sacraments, and the other is Family Life, which includes the biology of reproduction. I'm going to go in on Tuesday and get a copy of any texts they may be using. I know in public school out here, all the major religions are taught in middle school, especially seventh grade, as part of social studies, so I doubt there is any exposure in fifth grade.
