The Synthesis of the Mass 

 

Every year I make a new discovery regarding this material

that was not shared in the CGS training.  Several years ago

I discovered that the Chart material listing the different parts of the

Mass were taken from the pages of the Missal for the children.

I first made this discovery when I numbered the parts of

the Mass on the chart because my eyes were having trouble tracking

it and I wanted the children to follow it with me while doing this

work. Then last year I noticed that the numbers on the chart

discussed each page in the Control Notebooks.  The language was

very different on the chart, which is why I never noticed before.  

     Last year and this year I passed out the Control Notebooks to the

children and had them follow with me.  Together we went through 

the Mass, placing the Mass materials on the table.  At the end of

this work, they practiced receiving the unconsecrated host in their

hands.  

     
     Now it makes it so easy to teach the Synthesis of the Mass. 

If only I'd known this from the beginning.  Not only that, it gives

the perfect introduction into creating the Missal and teaching them

the materials they will be using.  The following week I then pass

out the laminated covers to their Missals to include their names

and date.  They really enjoy this work. 

     You can see the Control Notebook

that the boy below is copying.  It

contains graphic pictures of the parts 

of the Mass.  He is copying the words 

of the Priest for the Epiclesis (calling

down the Holy Spirit).

     You can scroll to an earlier posting

of the Synthesis of the Mass to see

the layout of materials used for the

children's work. 

 

     I have decided to paste in the lined paper for the children as that is

the greatest difficulty for them: "gluing them straight."  This program 

captures all five senses which children need to learn.   For example,

the children copy and write seven prayers:  Preparation of the Chalice,

Epiclesis, Elevation of Host and Chalice, Mystery of Faith, Doxology and

the Gesture of Peace, which helps learn these prayers concretely using

their sight and eye-hand coordination.  This is their final work learning 

the Liturgy of the Eucharist after practicing these gestures and prayers 

all year.

    The  Fettuccia

(The Story of Creation)

I have discovered a few important things presenting the Fettuccia, the Italian Ribbon, material over the years.  The children love the work and  the story of Creation.  First, I choose four people who don't usually work together.  Secondly, I give a specific assignment to each child and make a schedule with their names on it in advance before the next request to go outside.  The atrium is situated right in front of a large alley way and I can watch the children from the doorway.  I've shortened the ribbon to fit this area and it's the perfect space to do this work.  These are the assignments for each group:

(1) The First child pulls the wagon outside.

(2) The Second child unrolls the Fettuccia.

(3) The Third child reads from the Creation Book while the others place the wooden symbols on the ribbon timeline as the story unfolds.  

(4) The Fourth child rolls up the Fettucia at the end while others put the wooden symbols back in wagon.  

(5) The Third child also takes the wagon back to the atrium and puts it away.  

You'd be surprised how quiet and serious this work becomes when each child has a responsibility.  Unfortunately they can't do this work in bad weather or in winter, so they know they can only ask me when the weather is good.  They never forget that promise either, so I have my schedule ready.

Another change I've made is that now I only do the Creation Booklet for the children's inside work.  The blue strip art work became too difficult as I'd have to set up folding tables and then take them down at the end of class.  So I haven't done this in five years.  I believe the children get more out of the book anyway as they can read the story.  However, I always have that option.

Also, the small wooden box with wheels was my idea, as it gives me a place to keep these materials under a table in the atrium.  It is pulled by a long thin rope which the children enjoy pulling.  

Refer to an earlier posting of The Fettuccia to see photos of the children in the alley working with this material.