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Religious Incentives

Do you use incentives or rewards in your class or homeschool? There are several ways that you can reward kids for doing such as behavior, completing homework, memorizing verses, or other things.

 

In my religious education class (CCD), I use Bible Bucks.  These come in the same amounts that our currency comes in, with a couple extras.  Students can earn Bible Bucks for returning their folder to class each week, doing homework, and other such matters.  Usually about every 3 weeks I let the kids shop in the Gospel Store.

Most of the items in the Gospel Store are things that I purchase at Wal-Mart or Dollar Tree.  I try to find toys and items related to the Bible.  I’ve had items like small stuffed animals such as a whle for Jonah and the Whale or Bible story books.  I price the items for sale by size and the biggest is no more than 5 Bible Bucks and the smallest would be 1 Bible Buck.  I store the pieces in containers that I get at Dollar Tree and tag each bin with the price of that the objects in that bin.

Oriental Trading also has lot of sets of small Chrisitan toys and novelties.  These not only work great in the Gospel Store, but they’re also perfect for the Treasure Chest.

Incentives are a fantastic tool in the classroom or at home to reward the kids.  It encourages them to keep working hard and to be responsible.  It’s always fun to watch them shop in the Gospel Store and in my class, they love to keep up with how many Bible Bucks that they’ve saved.

If you’d like to use the Bible Bucks that I’ve made, please click the image below for more information or just add them to your cart.  Only the bundle is shown below, but it’s a saving of 20% off the individual sets (color/bw)!

 

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my full disclosure policy here.

 

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Christian Halloween Ideas

jack o' lantern with Jesus face photo

It’s the that time of year. The time when kids want to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Yet, many of us want our kids to remember their faith during this time of the year. Well, it can be possible for both to happen!!

Below are several links to free (and a couple paid) ideas and printables to do for Halloween or even use during a Fall Fest, Harvest Party, or any activity!!

jack o lantern of Jesus face

 

Coloring Pages

Candy Corn Reminds Us of Jesus Coloring Page and Poster

Let it Shine Coloring Page

Candy Corn Coloring Page

Finding the Truth in Halloween Coloring Booklet

Shine His Light Coloring Page

“Do Not Fear” Coloring Pages

Crafts

Pumpkin Prayer Craft

Being a Christian is Like Being a Pumpkin Card

Christian Pumpkin Carving for Halloween

The Gospel Pumpkin Printable

Stories, Labels and More

How a Christian is Like a Pumpkin Printable Story

Bible Verse Candy Label Stickers for Halloween

Pumpkin Prayer Sunday School Activity

Christian Halloween Candy Labels

Pumpkin Gospel Halloween Tract

Printable Gospel Tract for Halloween Night

Fear Not! Halloween Sunday School Lesson

Trick or Treat Bible Object Lesson

Christian Halloween Candy Labels

The Pumpkin Prayer Bookmarks and Lesson

Halloween Wall Hanging

Lessons, Units, and Miscel. Printables – Paid

The Pumpkin Prayer Activity Pack by The Treasured Schoolhouse

The Pumpkin Prayer Activity Pack 2 by The Treasured Schoolhouse

The Pumpkin Prayer Coloring Booklets – Christian Halloween by The Treasured Schoolhouse

Halloween Bible Lessons for October, Complete Unit by Julie Faulkner

 

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my full disclosure policy here.

 Books

The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs – This charming story for children illustrates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. In the same way, God’s transforming love can fill each of our hearts with joy and light.

Pumpkin Patch Blessings by Kim Washburn – Pumpkin Patch Blessings celebrates fall and shows little ones there are blessings all around us, especially in the pumpkin patch!

The Pumpkin Gospel:  A Story of a New Start with God by Dr. Mary Manz Simon – This glow-in-the-dark board book can teach your entire family how God changes us into beautiful new creations to shine for Him! 

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano – A very unique pumpkin delivers a special message of tolerance and self-acceptance that’s just right for Halloween…and every day of the year.

 

 

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Church Bulletins for Kids

Are you looking for bulletins for children?  If so, I think I have some items that can help you.  All of these can be used for homework, mass activity, children’s church bulletin, and more!  I have purchased and used all these books in my class or in my daughter’s class.  If you’re interested in any of the books, just click on the cover to see more about it.

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my full disclosure policy here.

The Liturgy of the Word with Children

This book is by Katie Thompson and covers Years A, B, and C for the liturgical cycle.  It is geared toward ages 5-8.  There are 392 pages in this book and it also includes a music CD.  For each mass, there are 2 pages.  One has the gospel and reflection, then the second page is an activity for the gospel.

Step by Step

This book is by Katie Thompson and goes along with the gospels for every Sunday of the three-year Lectionary.  Also included are major feasts of the liturgical year.  The sheets are for ages 4-7.  There is 376 pages.  The activity sheets are double-sided with pictures to color and complete, drawing activities, and simple puzzles.  They can be used to to produce a children s newsletter or include them in the parish newsletter or magazine; use them in religion classes, parish groups, or at school.  It has a companion book, Footprints in Faith.

Footprints in Faith

This book is by Katie Thompson and is a companion to Step by Step.  This book is for ages 7-12 and is for every Sunday of the three-year Lectionary cycle.  It also includes major feasts of the liturgical year.  There are 376 pages in this book.  Each sheet is double-sided and includes pictures and number puzzles, word games, quizzes and codes.  They are great for are ideal for use by catechists, teachers, group leaders, and parents for religion classes, parish groups, or at school.

The Complete Children’s Liturgy Book: Liturgies of the Word for Years A, B, C

This book is by Katie Thompson and includes 344 pages.  For each mass, there are 2 pages.  The first page includes an introduction, a “sorry prayer”, the gospel reading for the day, points for discussion, an activity, and a closing prayer.  The second page is the activity for that gospel.  This book covers Years A, B, and C for the liturgical cycle.

I have all the books shown above. I do not own the ones below, but I plan on purchasing them or feel that they’re relevant to this subject. Because I don’t own them, I can’t speak for the quality or exactly what’s included other than the description.

The Complete Children’s Liturgy Book

This book is by Katie Thompson and Jennifer Carter.  It is a comprehensive program for every Sunday of the Lectionary.  The book contains 350 pages.  I think that this is an earlier version of The Complete Children’s Liturgy Book listed above.

Another great source is Catholic Kids Bulletin.  They offer a bulletin for mass each week.  Do you have a favorite source or activity to keep kids busy during mass or to do as homework when they attend mass?  If so, please share it in the comments!

 

 

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Fashion for Back to School

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my full disclosure policy here.

 

It’s time to head back to school and fashion is always at the top of the list for students and teachers. Check out some of the retro and modern styles at….

Right now, teachers (and students) can get 25% off a purchase of $100 or more.  They have so many great fashion necessities that you’ll want to fill your cart!!  Just head on over to ModCloth and check out the deals when you click….

Style is now in session! Teachers get 25% off $100+ purchases at ModCloth

Please note that you will be asked to verify you’re a teacher to receive this discount.

 

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Behind the Scenes and Changes

I wanted to give everyone an update on what’s happening around The Treasured Schoolhouse.  I know I keep disappearing, but there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.  Well, and then there’s just life!!

I’ve been trying to make some changes around here that would be good for you and for me.  I want things to be easy for you all to access and for me to make it available to you.  I love being able to get my materials out there and I’ve been feeling a bit restricted in doing that.

First and foremost, I’ve been getting resources uploaded to my Shop.  I’m finally at 50+ items.  I still have a long way to go, but there’s finally a variety in there and now it can continue to grow.  If you haven’t done so yet, please click here to check out the Shop.  Remember, I take requests so if there’s anything that you need, just let me know.

I’ve set up an affiliate program for the Shop.  If you have a blog or site, you can earn money by linking to my Shop.  If you’re interested, just click on the “Shop Affiliates” tab to learn more.  In short, if you link to my shop by posting a text link, logo, or banner on your blog or site, you can earn 25% from every sale made from people clicking on it (if they make a purchase).  What a way to make a little extra money!!  This tab may eventually move, but it’ll always be available, so just look in the page menu for it if you don’t see it immediately.

I’m also trying to trim line the blog a little bit.  I was starting to feel it was cluttered and hard to navigate.  I’ve gotten rid of several things and moved a couple others.  I will continue to work on this so that it’s easier for you to find your way around The Treasured Schoolhouse

I haven’t forgotten about the Subscriber Freebie either.  I just completed it, although it felt like I was never going to get done.  Although I’d love to give you one a month, I know that’s just not going to be possible.  I will offer as many as I can though.  So, keep an eye out for the new Subscriber Freebie to be posted.  Remember, the only way that you can get access to this is by subscribing to the newsletter.  It only comes out when there’s a new blog post, so you won’t be receiving a ton of e-mails!!

Another thing that I’ve done is gone through and made notes of items that were listed in blog posts and added an “Add to Cart” button if it’s listed in the Shop.  If it’s not in the Shop yet, I made a note for myself and added it to my “to do” list to fix up the resource and try to get it listed in the Shop.  That way, you’ll no longer have to look around for those materials.

I’m also trying to work on my social media game.  If you don’t follow The Treasured Schoolhouse on social media, you should!!  I try to fit in a little personal, along with a little work.  I also am working on offering a freebie here or there for followers on social media and that will be the only way to get it….and it’ll be for a limited time.  All my social media icons are in the right hand column, so follow me on one….or all of them….or just your favorite!!

So as you can tell, there has been quite a bit going on behind the scenes.  Not all of it is visible, but it’s a growing process.  I hope that all these changes are things that you will enjoy as you read my blog and visit the Shop.  We can grow and change together!!

 

 

 

 

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Objects in Church and for Mass

This week, we worked on what’s inside the church. Next week, we’ll go tour the church and Father will have items for mass set-up for the kids. This all leads up to the week after when we attend mass for Ash Wednesday. I do lots of prep because of many of the kids, this is the first or only time attending mass, especially for the little ones.

I start by talking about the things that they can see outside and as they walk into the church. This is a great book for discussing the different objects in church….

I then discuss several objects with them.  We do a fun activity of matching items that we’d see in church or not see in church.  Sometimes they circle the items or color the items that they see in church.  This time, we drew a line from the object to the church.

You could also simply place an “X” through items not found in church.

Next, we work on tracing the names of some of the objects in church.

Finally, we do a cut and paste activity. I had them color the church and then they were told to color the objects that they would find in the church. We should have cut them out and then glued them onto the church, but we ran out of time!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find the pages that we worked on in the What’s Inside the Church Worksheet Pack in my shop.

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You can also see my new expanded pack, What’s Inside the Church 2 Worksheet & More Pack for older kids to learn about the objects in church and used during mass and it’s exclusive to my shop.  

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If you use coupon code CHURCH, you can take 25% off those 2 printables!

 

 

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NOTE:  This post contains affiliate links and if you click on any of them and make a purchase, I will make a small commission.

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The August Bundle

I know that some of you have to love fonts as much as I do!!  Well, if you do, The August Bundle is now available at The Hungry JPEG.
August Bundle - 1

This bundle is packed with lots of goodies and it’s only $29.  It’s available until the end of August, so it is a limited time deal.  Oh, and you can get 10% off if you Tweet about it!!

Here’s just some of what’s included in The August Bundle….

August Bundle - 2

If you want to check out The August Bundle….or any of the other great fonts, graphics, photos, and more at The Hungry JPEG, just click here.
 

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NOTE:  This post contains affiliate links and if you click on any of them and make a purchase, I will make a small commission.