Hello Parents and Families,

**Info about the retreat is at the bottom of this post**

We had a wonderful class yesterday. Our class is really full of thoughtful, smart 2nd graders!

We discussed how we all have to make choices throughout the day. Some of these choices might be more difficult to make than others. Each of us was given a problem (scenario) and we had to decide if it was an easy choice or a hard choice to make. We also talked about how temptation might turn us away from the "right" choice.

Here are a few of the examples we talked about:
   
     Do you want an apple or a banana for your lunch?
   
     Your teacher is teaching a math lesson. Your friend is telling you a joke. Do you move away from your friend or do you laugh at the joke. 

     Some kids on the playground are making mean jokes about one of your classmates. Do you make a mean joke or do you walk away?

First we talked about our problems with a partner, then we each shared our problem and talked about whether it was an easy choice or hard choice to make. We talked about how some choices might  hurt others or make someone sad. Those are the choices that might be harder to make than others. Other choices do not hurt anyone and we thought that those are the choices that are easy to make. We also talked about how Jesus would want us the always make the right choices even if they are hard ones to make. Each of us then placed our "problem" on the chart.

We are very proud of our chart and the decisions we made about our "problems"

The book we read is called "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig. We really loved how Justin made some caring choices and helped Brian turn from black and white to color. 

At the end of class we filled out our Exit Ticket and put it on the poster for next class. 

A few Notes:

1. We have moved from the big purple room to the last room on the left. The last room on the left is the same room we were in last year. It has a carpet on the floor and it is a warmer room. I think we will be more comfortable in it. 

2. There is a Reconciliation Retreat on Saturday, November 8th from 10pm to 1pm

Please respond to Rose Savallo via her email rose.savallo@stedwardsny.org

She needs to know how many people will be coming (your 2nd grader plus at least one adult), if you need child care for any younger sibling and the age of the child who needs the child care. 

Please email her as soon as you know you will or will not be attending!

See you at our next class on Sunday November 16th!

Miss G.

Preview: October 26th class

Hello Parents and Families, 

I hope everyone is looking forward to class this afternoon!

For our class this week we will be talking about making good choices and relating it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

We will be discussing what it means to make an easy choice as opposed to a hard choice and how that affects us in our daily lives. 

Miss G.

October 12

Hello Parents and Families,

We had a lovely class this afternoon. We talked about what a good friend is and does. We also talked about how you need to "be" a good friend to have a good friend. 

Today we read the book "Making Friends is an Art!" By Julia Cook.

Today your child brought home a printed Snowman Handout. We discussed in class how sometimes we might do something that in our head we know we shouldn't but we are tempted to do it anyhow. We talked about how every time your child does something that they know is wrong they can make one mark on the snowman. Over time, the snowman will stay white or have marks placed on it and it will become a visual reminder to your child about the choices that he or she is making. 

If you could help your child find someplace in your home to put his/her snowman. I should be a place that they will see it every day as a reminder. It does not have to be out in the open for the whole family to see, it can be a private place like on their night stand or dresser in their bedroom. And please bring it back to our next class. 

Today you also received a First Holy Communion Handout. This handout will give you choices about the day and time for your child to receive First Holy Communion. I would love to have our whole class receive First Holy Communion on the same day. The two Saturday choices are May 9th and May 16th. It would be wonderful if our whole class could make their First Holy Communion on 

Saturday, May 16th

Please let me know if this is a possibility for your family. 

It was a great class!! We are looking forward to next class!!

Sunday, October 26th at 12:30 to 1:30

See you in 2 weeks!

Miss G.

Preview: October 12th class

Hello Parents and Families, 

I hope everyone had a great week!

For our class this week we will be talking about Friendship and relating it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

We will be discussing what it means to be a good friend, how we treat our friends and how we want to be treated. We will also be talking about what we can do if we are treated unkindly or if we treat someone unkindly. 

We will have a "Take Home" Activity this week. So, after class look for the Snowman!

Miss G.

October 5th - First Class

Hello Parents and Families,

We had a great first 2nd Grade Class today. It was exciting to see all our sweet students (and parents) again!

When the children arrived they had a fun time looking at the photo of themselves on their Baptism Day and talking about it with their friends.

We began by writing down on post-its what we want to learn this year! Many of us want to learn about First Holy Communion. Others want to learn about Mary, the Holy Family and Jesus/God.

Then we discussed the sacraments. The one we have already received, Baptism and the two we will be receiving this year, Reconciliation and Holy Communion. 

Next we talked a little bit about rules for our class for the year. We read "Do Unto Otters" by Laurie Keller. 

And we made rules for our class. 

Lastly, we watched the "Safe Environment" movie. It is the same movie that we watched last year. At the end of the movie we talked a little bit about it with Miss Rose and let the children ask questions. 

It was a great class!! We are looking forward to next class!!

Sunday, October 12th at 12:30 to 1:30

See you next week!

Miss G.

Preview: October 5th Class

Hello Parents and Families, 

For our first class we will be:

Getting Reacquainted

Discussing Baptism, Reconciliation and Holy Communion

Creating our Class Rules Together

Watching the "Safe Environment" movie

It's going to be a fun class...see you there!

Miss G.

Welcome to 2nd Grade Faith Formation

Hi Parents and Families,

Welcome back to your child's 2nd Grade Year of Faith Formation at St. Edwards. 
Erica and I are so excited to be back teaching your children. We have so many wonderful things planned for this year. 

This year we will be using this blog in lieu of the newsletter that we have previously used to keep you informed about our class. 

I have the calendar of days listed here on this blog for you to check and I will be updating it when necessary. You can find the dates if you click on the link above my photo on the top right of this blog. I will also be posting any upcoming retreats or special days that you might need to know about. 

Primarily, I will be using this blog to keep you informed on how our classes are going; what we are doing during our class time along with some photos. 

You may always reach me at my email missgiebel@gmail or through Rose in the Faith Formation Office. If you have any questions please let me know. 

I hope you will enjoy reading this blog and using it to share with your child the things he or she will be learning this year in Faith Formation class. I'm looking forward to a fun and exciting year with your child!

Miss G.

2014/2015 Calendar of Classes

Sundays at 12:30 to 1:30

October 5, 2014
October 12, 2014
October 26, 2014

November 16, 2014
November 30, 2014

December 7, 2014 

January 4, 2015
January 18, 2015

February 1, 2015
February 8, 2015
February 22, 2015

March 8, 2015
March 22, 2015
March 29, 2015

April 12, 2015

May 31, 2015 Our First Holy Communion Celebration Party **approved**