Adoration "Out of the mouth of babes..."

ADORATION

We have been preparing our hearts for Adoration and during this wonderful season of Advent the students decided that they were truly ready for the beauty and reverence that Adoration holds. We went to Adoration for the first time as a class after many months of preparation. Each student genuflected on both knees, had a seat, and took a few moments with Jesus. Some students prayed others listened but all together everyone felt the beauty and Grace of God.

After Adoration we came back to class and the students wrote a reflection on what they felt in Adoration. Each year I am truly touched with how close to God the students are. Here are some of the beautiful writing responses that I read.

"When I just go in I felt cold but a second later Jesus' love warmed me up to Heaven. I thanked him for everything I had and asked him to help me in school". -Jack

"I felt that Jesus and God and Mary were in my heart. I was praying to God and Mary and Jesus about Jesus dying for us and I was thanking Mary about her saying she would have Jesus. I was thanking God for making us." -Alexa

"I said I am thankful for my friends and the poor that have no money and no mom and dad and the people that have no food or houses." -Kennedy

"I felt like I was an angel of God. It was great! I was peaceful. I asked for forgiveness. It was beautiful!" -Clare

"I felt Jesus in my heart. I thanked Jesus for my family. I asked for help in school. I love you Jesus!" -Isaac

"I was thankful for all my friends. I need help for balance. It felt really good." -John

"I felt like God was in my heart. I felt like I was happy and he said good work." -Cecily

"Thank you for the world. It feels like I am with another person. It was so calm." -Thomas

"I was praying Hail Mary and Our Father. I felt so good. I asked him for help in math and I was praying for everyone in Heaven. I love Mary and Jesus and God and the Saints." -Alex

"I felt happy. I asked him to help me with my sins. I thanked him for this day and prayed the Rosary."

"He made everything ...thank you God for helping me. I felt happy." -Lauren

"I felt very happy. I prayed for the sick and the poor. I said the Hail Mary and the name of the Name of the Father and to the son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen" -Callahan

"In Adoration I prayed to Jesus." -Jacob

"I asked God for nobody to have sin. I felt shocked." -Thomas

"I felt warm and different. I thanked God for all of my friends. I asked God for help. I felt baby Jesus in my heart." -Reaghan

"I felt good. I thanked God for helping me. I loved the monstrance. Can you help my question?" -Dylan

"I felt loved, peace, hope, calm, good, great, Holy, and happy. I thanked for all my friends. I asked for help because I need help to not move." Joe

"I thanked Jesus for the earth. I want all mom and dads to never get sick or headaches. I felt like I was in Heaven. I love you so much Jesus." Mackenzie

December 2011

"Jesus is the reason for the season..."

We dove right into our wonderful season of Advent filled with the joy of waiting and preparing our hearts for Jesus.  Each day we add more good deeds to our Advent journal that we will put under the tree on Christmas Eve as our gift to Jesus.  Today's good deed was to spend the day without complaining... you never really know how difficult this is until you try to do without.  What a wonderful way to show God  much we appreciate the wonderful world God has created for us. 

This week in religion we learned that the Christmas tree reminds people of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.  It also reminds people of the Cross upon which Jesus died to save us from sin.  We decorate the tree with symbols of Christmas to remind us of the story of Christmas. 

Today is the Feast Day of St. Nicholas.  We had a very special guest come into the classrooms today...ST. NICHOLAS!!  The students learned this week all about St. Nicholas (Santa Claus).  Ask your child who he is the patron saint of...?

The students had a great time taking turns acting out parts of a play this week!   We love plays and reading out loud...

TIMED math sprints

Our first graders are doing a great job with math computation.  Keep up the flash card practice at home!!

LITERACY LEARNING CENTERS

The creation station was enjoyed as students made shadow puppets and wrote a "how to". 

Using a globe, the students discussed where in the world it was night compared to where we live.  They wrote all about it!  Way to go super writers!

In spelling center the students practiced spelling boxes using the academic vocabulary (small, tall and descending letters). 

During word work center the students worked on syllables.  They pieced together words and counted the syllables.  They all recorded the answers on their worksheets.