Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

Lesson Plan
Materials
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Handout A: St. Francis Journal
Teacher Resource: Oil Spill Experiment Instructions (materials listed on
resource page)
Saint Cards
DAY ONE
Warm-Up
A. Allow students to have a show-and-tell time. Ask them to bring in a material possession that
means a lot to them. Give each student an opportunity to talk about the item and why it
matters so much to him or her.
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Adaptation: If bringing in items will not work, ask students either to talk about a material
possession that means a lot to them or to draw a picture of it and then explain in the same
way they would if they had the object in the classroom.
B. After all your students have had a chance to share, ask them the following questions:
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How would you feel if this item were broken, stolen, dirty, or mistreated in some way?
How would you feel if you realized that the person who mistreated it was someone you love
very much? How much more would that hurt you or surprise you?
C. Explain to your students that the earth is something that God loves, much as they love their
special item. We are called to take care of the earth, because we love God and He loves us!
Activity
A. Make and distribute enough copies of Handout A: St. Francis Journal for each student. They
will be using this journal throughout the entire set of lessons.
B. Have your students gather around a table (they should leave their St. Francis Journals at their
desks for now) on which you will perform the experiment explained in Teacher Resource: Oil
Spill Experiment Instructions (page 58 in this guide). Conduct the experiment as outlined.
Formative Assessment
After observing the oil-spill experiment, students should return to their seats to complete the Oil
Spill Experiment (page 50) pages in their St. Francis Journals. Allow students to share their
observations with the class.
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