The things they teach kids these days...

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Registered: 03-26-2003
The things they teach kids these days...
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Sun, 01-08-2006 - 6:30pm

Ok, I had to share this. I homeschool for cathecism for Cait and Mike using the same text as our church. Our church is in the process of building and until it is complete church school consists of tons of classrooms in a gymnasium separated by portable walls. A auditory sensitive NIGHTMARE. Add to that social stuff and well it is just easier to homeschool. Plus both were growing to hate it and I am learning why.

Again, we begin doing the lesson and I swear I DONT comprehend the stinking chapters.

This is in the 4th grade text as a definition "Liturgy - the work of the church, the body of christ, of worshipping god". HELLO how is a typical 4th grader supposed to comprehend that, never mind an aspie! another - "Incarnation - the mystery of the son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, becoming truly human while not giving up being devine" WTF? Ok, so reading these I know what they mean because I went to catholic COLLEGE. BUT 4th grade! Aspie! No wonder they don't want to go.

Needless to say I modify and now I have had enough. I am searching for my own curriculum to use with them that is actually written on an age appropriate level.

OYE VEY!

Renee

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Registered: 08-26-2005
Sun, 01-08-2006 - 9:28pm
Renee,
(LOL)
Good luck with that! I grew up in holy Catholic Ireland and still can't make sense of it.
Teresa
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 3:55am
Yo mama, I cracked up at the "oy vey" in the context of catechism. The curriculum sounds like a complete dud. I hope you find something more appropriate.
Avatar for betz67
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 9:54am

whoa! I think those definitions are WAY too vague! I don't quite understand what they mean and I'm an educated grown up! Though-- in some ways I don't love the curriculum my older 2 are using for their confirmation for the UMC either-- it's a little too touchy, feely, spiritually exploratory w/o having as much of the theology that the church was founded on. But, at least it's pretty concrete compared to your examples!

hope you find something that works better!

Betsy

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 1:17pm

Renee,

Even though I'm Catholic, and so is dh...we don't attend mass or belong to a church. We did when we were younger, but dh's job isn't real flexible to really do alot with the church. Too many demands, expectations, mandatory volunteering, etc. It just makes it too impossible for us.

I don't think that Nathan would be able to comprehend it though. Not being able to "see" what the bible or church is discussing, makes it all confusing for him. He has a hard time understanding what is real and what isn't. He already has so much to worry about....no need to give him more to worry about!! lol

Hope you're able to find something that's easier for the kids to understand. The boys did go to a Catholic preschool and learned a little about Jesus. But they kept it pretty simple. I think, in our case (because Nathan is still young), it's better to wait before we discuss it in more detail with Nathan.

Let us know if you find anything that would work well with our kids!

michelle

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 5:04pm

Wow - that is pretty vague...I have no idea how I would try to explain it either, and I have 12 years of developmental catholic education under my belt too. Good luck finding something a little more grade/age appropriate.

Christie (oye vey is right! LOL!)

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Registered: 02-24-2005
Mon, 01-09-2006 - 9:41pm

Yikes. My favorite this year was when Chase and I were studying for a religion test (2nd grade) and there were questions regarding venial and mortal sins. This is how it went:

Mommy(reading off of study guide): Okay Chase, what happens if you die in mortal sin?

Chase(very unaffected): You burn in the eternal fires of hell.

A little strong but to the point I guess. I will say they are actually doing a pretty good job with religion at Chase's school. I'm always worrying that he's not getting it but after a very deep conversation with him the other night my mind is changed on that subject. He and I were discussing how different religions believe different things and I told him that while Muslims and Jews believe in God they don't believe that Jesus is the son of God. He says, "but mommy how can that be, don't they remember that God is Jesus and Jesus is God. And what about the Trinity?" I was really shocked and went on to explain that not all people believe the same. I was impressed that he came back with that so quickly. Hope you find something that works better for you Renee.

Vicky

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Registered: 06-09-2005
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 8:27am

LOL

I got a good chuckle from your post. I went to Catholic grade school and high school, QUITE a while ago.. and I swear these definitions haven't changed much since then! I didn't understand them then, and I still don't. And I thought the DSM-IV section on Aspergers was hard to understand!

I remember the nuns just teaching us to memorize them, word for word, verbatim. No discussion of what they mean, how they affect your life, etc. Just spit them back at them and you'll get the grade.

On a side note, DH and I were both raised catholic, both of us did the whole catholic school thing. We didn't do that for Ryan because a) it's WAY more expensive now then when we went, and b) it wasn't a good fit for Ryan. But if we want him to get the sacraments we will have to start him in CCD classes in the fall. I'm not sure what I want to do.. I'm a little turned off to the catholic church, because of stupid stuff I'm seen them do, locally, not the whole national scandel thing (although that doesn't help), and I'm not that impressed with our parish's CCD instructors. Not looking forward to that decision.

But thanks for the laugh!

Kate

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 9:19am

Renee: LOL - we just had some strange conversations with Jesse (13 aspie) regarding his "literal" understandings of things. He hates communion because well, "YUK - a body??" "How could someone be a Father and a Son at the same time??" etc.

Anyway, I was raised Catholic but DH is Episcopal (sometimes called Catholic light by him....) so that's where we go. I also teach Sunday school for 7-10 year olds. We are using a program that has a neat feature. They have colorful "newsletters" about biblical stories or themes but written in straightforward kid's language without all the "mystery." They are very matter of fact and direct and it works for both Jesse and his cousin (a 9 yr. old aspie) who I have in the class. Here's a link if you want to check them out (i have no idea about cost or anything...) http://www.morehousegroup.com/ecc_detail.htm

Jackie

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 12:45pm

Thanks Jackie, I will check out that site.

On literal, Mike is ok with the whole eucharist thing because I don't think he really comprehends the whole body thing. He just gives me a weird look if I mention it so I kind of skimmed that part hoping he wouldn't do exactly what Jesse did. Either that or he doesn't question the whole concept of it being bread and body at the same time.

However, he will never ever take the wine part because he isn't 21! Makes no difference to him that all the other kids do it. That it is not really "wine" but no difference. If anyone even mentions it he just gives them his weird look and says "I am not 21, and besides it is a drug and I am never doing drugs" Gotta love red ribbon week. I can't have a blooming glass of wine without comments from the peanut gallery.

Renee

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-10-2006 - 1:02pm

I am loving reading everyones experiences with this, their history and thier kids.

My kids have a pretty darn good grasp of our faith at least what I want them to learn about it. Even got complemented by a protestant sunday school teacher at a class they once visited. My kids KICKED TUSH at a bible game they were playing. I think these definitions and adult concepts are really ruining for them a love for thier faith and God. I have to say the vast majority of what they have learned about thier faith they have just learned from going to church and what we have taught at home, not from religous ed in this way.

Maybe I will just nix it all together. I honestly would rather spend that time set aside showing them how to look up a verse in the bible, reading them stories from the bible, or telling them how to follow the missal during mass than waste time frustrating them with a program they don't understand.

I need to get back to that. Honestly, I could care less if they can define "Triduum" but would rather them know about the 3 days when Jesus died and rose again. And truth really be told, I would rather them learn how to do coporal works of mercy (ie volunteer work, helping others) than to spew off what the definition for it is in 1 million big words.

OHHHHH, I just had a good idea. Rather than teaching them cathecism at home, maybe I will take them to do volunteer work in a shelter or similar every 2 weeks. Hmmmm, live it. That would make sense to an aspie now wouldn't it.

Renee

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