Esther Locascio

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Creation Story Class Activity

Last Sunday my class of sixth grade religious education students learned about the creation story from the Book of Genesis. To reinforce this lesson, I gave the students a 10-15 minute class activity based on an idea I got from a handout the teacher gave us in catechism classes I attended with my kids earlier this year. The handout was a visual of the creation story as found in "A Father Who Keeps His Promises," by Scott Hahn.

Esther's Days of Creation Activity

As you can see from the photo, the students were to draw, color, or use decorative stickers to indicate God's creation over a seven-day period in a compartmentalized house. I gave the students some stickers I'd purchased at the dollar store, but most were extras not needed to make Giftigami Boxes (http://www.estherlocascio.com). The numbers indicate the day of creation, and Day 7 (Sabbath) could have stickers or drawings of recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, photography, dance, or church-related stickers such as crosses and angels.

Band Competition

Our family has been blessed with musical talent. We presently have two children in the high school band, and we're proud as can be of the accomplishments this hard working group of students and their directors has earned. Here they are preparing to compete at their first band competition of the year at my alma mater, East Central High School.

2011 Hornet Invitational Marching Competition

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Religious Card Craft

With a nifty little change to the decorative cards in my previous post, you can make small gifts for seniors in a retirement home, sick children in the hospital, the terminally ill in hospice, etc. I made these with my son's girl friend in mind. She's in basic training for eight weeks and doesn't have any contact with the civilian world, other than letters or the occasional phone call.


Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ

Instructions:
1. Trace outline of oval template onto craft felt fabric and cut.
2. Place a small amount of polyester pillow stuffing in the middle of backside of card.
3. Apply a thin layer of glue around backside of card where tissue and card meet.
4. Press felt onto backside of card.
5. On the front, apply a thin layer of glitter glue around the oval where the tissue and card meet.


Backside of religious craft

Cards in the Mail

Around the holidays, we usually get beautiful cards in the mail from various religious groups asking for

donations, a few of which we support. I've created a fun way to use the cards we don't need.

Instructions:

1. Make oval template from poster board, use to trace and cut figures from cards.

2. Cut a thin strip of metallic tissue paper (about 1/2" wide and 18" long) for each card oval.

3. Fold the strips of tissue to form accordian pleats.

4. Apply glue to edge of each oval card and press pleated tissue onto it.

5. Go to http://www.estherlocascio.com to learn how to make a Giftigami Box.

6. Glue decorated oval card to lid of box.

Religious-themed Giftigami Box

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Back to School

The summer break will be over for us this week. Classes at the high school began Monday for Sarah and Matt. Remy's first day of his last year in college began today, and Chris flies to Oklahoma City on Friday before heading back to the seminary the next morning.

Things will be quieter at home during the day, but I expect the level of school-related activities evenings and weekends to rise. For example, band activities include 10+ football games and 9+ band contests/festivals/performances, all before the Christmas break. Then there's the work Chuck and I will do as Co-Treasurers of the band boosters this school year. Yes, a husband and wife team now manage the budget for a band booster organization!

We may be busy now, but our time raising kids is winding down. I'll be teaching religious education classes next month and hopefully, for years to come, after being away from it for several years. I'm looking forward to using my gifts of teaching, writing, and crafting to lead young people closer to God as I enter the next phase of my life.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Silly Bands for Christians

My copy of RTJ's Creative Catechist arrived in the mail last week! It's a great magazine for religious education teachers, who will be back in the classroom next month. An article I wrote for a game using "Faith Bands," the Christian version of Silly Bands, appears in this September issue.

Here's another game using Faith Bands(TM) for kids ages 8 and above. It's a simple 10-20 minute activity that promotes visual learning, reinforces biblical teachings, and requires team cooperation. Players may sit on the floor or stand behind a table.

Classroom set-up: Floor mat or table for each team.

Supplies needed: Two or more packs of Faith Bands bracelets (12 per pack, 1 pack per team).

Object: Be the first team to arrange your set of 12 Faith Bands bracelets in the order pictured on the reference guide in the pack.

Rules:

1. Divide the class into teams consisting of three to four players.

2. Ask your students to provide the meaning of the symbol associated with each of the 12 Faith Bands bracelets in the pack.

3. Empty pack of Faith Bands bracelets in a heap, one heap for each team.

4. Distribute reference guides, one for each team.

5. Teacher announces start of game.

6. Team members assemble Faith Bands bracelets from heap in order pictured on reference guide.

7. Game ends with first team to finish.

8. Team placing the most bracelets in the correct order pictured on the reference guide wins.