Prep

Year Level Description

In Prep, students learn about some Old Testament and New Testament stories that tell of a God of love, the creator of all, the goodness of God’s creation, God’s special relationship with all of creation and God’s plan that people help each other to live safely and happily together, for the good of all.
Students listen to, read and view stories of and about Jesus in the Gospels that tell of Jesus’ life as a Jew, his mother Mary, his friends and family; of Jesus praying and teaching others to pray; of his teachings about love, compassion and forgiveness that challenged people about the way they were living; and of his suffering, death and resurrection. They learn that Christians believe God created people with the freedom to choose between good and bad, right and wrong. They explore examples of times, from familiar texts and their personal experience, when people make these choices.
Students understand that prayer helps believers follow the teachings of Jesus; to live according to God’s plan. They learn about ways in which believers pray, either alone or with others, including the Sign of the Cross and Amen. They observe ways in which believers pray together during special celebrations and rituals that mark important times in the life of believers and in the Church year. They learn about the Church building as a sacred place for believers and the Bible as a sacred book for believers.

Focus Area

Stories of Jesus family

Fertile Question/s:

  • How do hearing the stories of Jesus help us here at St Anthony’s?

Children will listen to and respond to stories about Jesus in the Gospels.  They will share links they make between their own life experiences and events shared with characters from the Bible stories.  Children will hear the Easter story through the Gospels and learn about Jesus message of love and forgiveness.  This is his greatest commandment and children discuss how they can live his message in their lives.

Focus Area

What was life like for Jesus and how was Jesus like us?

Fertile Question/s: 

  • What was like for Jesus and how was Jesus like us?
  • Why do we pray?
  • How do the stories of Jesus help our school community?

Children look at the Bible as a Sacred Text and explore and listen to stories the New Testament, including the birth of Jesus as a way of connecting the scripture with real life by discussing experiences in their own lives.  Children also understand through this process that Jesus lived his life as a Jew and what life was life for him.  Children will also look a different ways of praying including, celebrations and rituals through the year.

Focus Area

How do we know that God loves us?

Fertile Question/s:

  • What is God’s creation and how do we recognise the good in it?
  • God loves us no matter what choices we make – Joseph and his Coat of Many Colours

Children will read Old Testament stories including Joseph and David as a means of connecting scripture to their everyday lives.  Children will read the Creation Story from Genesis and focus on God’s special relationship with us through creation.  Children will also be reminded of God’s greatest commandment to love God, love their neighbours and love themselves.  They discuss and identify times when they have had a choice in how to act.

Focus Area

Preparing for Christmas

Fertile Question/s

  • How does the Church celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas?

Children will look at special times in the lives of believers, eg, Advent and Christmas, Baptism, Easter, etc.  They will look at the symbols and actions to each of these special times.  Children look at the birth of Jesus in Mathew and connect this with their lives as they discuss their thoughts and feelings.  They look at familiar messages.  Children continue to use meditative prayer as a way of connecting to God.

 

Achievement Standard

By the end of Prep, students communicate clearly their ideas, feelings and thoughts about God, the goodness of God’s creation and God’s plan that people help each other to live safely and happily together, for the good of all. They identify connections between some Old Testament stories and their personal experience, including the experience of the goodness of creation. They listen and respond to stories of and about Jesus in the Gospels that tell of Jesus’ life as a Jew, his mother Mary, his friends and family; of Jesus praying and teaching others to pray; and of his suffering, death and resurrection. They recognise Jesus’ teachings about love, compassion and forgiveness that challenged people about the way they were living. They relate examples of people having the freedom to choose between good and bad, right and wrong.

Students understand that prayer helps believers to follow the teachings of Jesus; to live according to God’s plan. They recognise ways in which believers pray either alone or with others, using word, music, action, silence, images, symbols and nature, and participate with respect in a variety of these prayer experiences, including meditative prayer, the Sign of the Cross, and Amen. They describe ways in which believers pray together during special celebrations and rituals that mark important times in the life of believers and in the Church year.