Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

Lesson Plan
Materials
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Handout A: Madonna with
Child Look and Learn
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Handout D: The Guardian Angels
Teacher Resource: God Is
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Handout B: Madonna with
Love Puzzle Template
Child Coloring Page
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Handout E: God Is Love
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Handout C: The Banjo
Lesson Look and Learn
DAY ONE
Warm-Up
A. Have the class stand and make the Sign of the Cross, saying the words together slowly.
B. Lead students in ten minutes of stretching and easy calisthenics. As you do each exercise
together, do a call and response along the following lines:
C. Stand with arms raised high, then bend and touch toes. You say, “God loves me and He gave me
ten…” Students respond “Toes!”
D. Extend arms to the sides, wiggling fingers. You say, “God loves me and He gave me ten…”
students respond, “Fingers!”
E. Crouch down in a squat four or five times. Point to your knees as you do so. You say, “God loves
me and He gave me two…” Students respond, “Knees!” And so forth.
Activity
A. Have students get into a circle. Using the class angel to moderate discussion, go around the
circle giving each student a few moments to tell the class about someone or something they
love. Encourage students to say two different things: first, who or what it is they love, and
second, one way they show their love.
B. Ask for a show of hands for how many students mentioned someone in their families.
C. Discuss with students how our families are a sign of God, who is the Blessed Trinity. God is a
communion of Persons — an unbreakable bond of life-giving love. Our families are unbreakable
bonds! Your parents love you even when you disobey. The love of our families gives us a taste of
what God’s love is like. His love is even greater — His love is the greatest thing in the universe!
D. Wrap up the discussion by connecting the exercises you did together a few moments ago to the
way we show love. God created our bodies, and everything He made is good. We use our bodies
to show love to our family — Mothers carry their babies in their womb, they nurse their babies,
both parents feed their babies, change diapers, tuck them in at night, give hugs, reassuring pats,
and so forth. Have students raise their hands and list other ways they use their bodies to show
love. In addition to the ideas student generate, you could add:
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