Lesson Plans

Thank you to Laura Grace, from St. Nicholas Chapel at the Pax River Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, MD for generously sharing her Catholic Religious Education lesson plans and activities.

For individual Sunday Gospel lesson plans and activities, visit our Sunday’s Gospel page.

Please note: Some of our lesson plans contain links to Christian, non-Catholic resources. When preparing your lessons, we urge you to inform yourself on the teachings of the Catholic Church with respect to the Sunday gospel and readings. If you find links in any of the lesson plans which may be counter to the teachings of the Church, please notify lisa@catholicmom.com. These lessons plan helpers are designed to assist you in pulling together creative ideas and activities to supplement your lesson plan, but are not designed to be catechetical in nature. Thank you for your continued prayerful support.

Our lesson plans are provided free of charge and produced by volunteers. Click here to learn how you can support this mission.

Lesson Plans by Topic:

Special Feature: Children’s Liturgy of the Word Planning Tool
Act of Contrition Word Search
Act of Contrition Worksheet
Adam and Eve Lesson Plan
Adam and Eve Crossword
Advent
- Advent/Jesse Tree Activities:
  - Activities from Books
  - Activity Links
  - Coloring
  - Crafts
  - Advent Chains
  - Advent Wreaths
  - Games
  - Puzzles
  - Jesse Tree
- Advent Bingo
- Advent Crossword Puzzle
- Advent True or False Game
- 2008 Prinable Advent Chain – Print out pattern on regular paper for students to color or print out on colored paper. Have students cut into strips. Build your paper chain stapling the strips with a stapler in the correct order. Each day you tear off a piece of the chain that corresponds to the date and do the activity. Before you know it, it will be Christmas day!
All Saints Day Lesson Plan
Anointing of the Sick Worksheet
Apologetics – Catholic Beliefs submitted by Pat, High School Religion Teacher
Ascension Lesson Plan
Ash Wednesday:
- Ash Wednesday Crossword Puzzle
- Ash Wednesday Crossword Puzzle Answers
- Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan
- Ash Wednesday Word Search
Baptism of Jesus File Folder Game:
- Directions – Print out Directions, cut out page, clue on front of file folder
- Game Board – Print out game board and glue on inside of file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make the game more durable.
- Wild Cards – Print Wild Cards out on card stock. Cut out Wild Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make the cards more durable.
Baptism Worksheet
Beatitudes Matching Worksheet
Catechism:
- Introducing the Catechism of the Catholic Church to Children
Catholic Church Crossword Puzzle
Celebrating the Mass Lesson Plans
Christmas Double Puzzle
Christmas:
- Christmas Game – Wise Men Search
- Christmas Lesson Plan
  - Activities and Crafts
  - Coloring
  - Games
  - Lessons
  - Music and Songs
  - Puzzles
  - Quiz
  - Skit
- Birth of Jesus Lesson Plan
- Wise Men Lesson Plan
- Wise Men Fill in the Blanks Worksheet
Confirmation Worksheet
Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Word Jumble
Craft Projects:
- “I Share Windsock” CCD Project by Cheryl Butler
Creation:
- Creation Lesson Plan
- Creation Game: What God Made Bingo
- Creation Worksheet
Daniel and the Lions Lesson Plan
David:
- David and Bathsheba Crossword Puzzle
- David and Bathsheba Word Search Puzzle
- David and Goliath Lesson Plan
Disciples:
- Disciples: Who Is Knocking At My Door?
- Disciples Word Search
- Fishers of Men Lesson Plan
- On the Road to Emmaus Fill in the Blank
Easter Lesson Plan
Easter Quiz
Easter Quiz Answers
Easy Bible Story Questions with Answers
Eucharist – Handout submitted by Pat, High School Religion Teacher
Eucharist Worksheet
Feeding of the 5,000 Word Search
File Folder Games:
- The Golden Rule File Folder Game: Gospel Matthew 18:15-20
  Intro – Jesus wants us to get along with others. That is easier said than done. Do you respect everyone and treat them kindly at all times? During our daily contact with others we can show compassion and generosity by treating them with respect and courtesy. This dignified and respectable behavior that we give to others is part of what Jesus was talking about. Try your best to treat others as you would like to be treated and you will find that it will help you so much in everyday life with getting a long with others. *There are two sets of Game Cards with this game.
  - Directions – Print out Directions and keep inside file folder when not playing game.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
    * Use these Game Cards or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students.
  - True or False Cards – Print out True or False cards out in light yellow card stock.
  - P’s & Q’s Cards – Print P’s or Q’s Cards out in blue card stock
- The Fiery Furnace File Folder Game:
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Question Cards – Print Question Cards out on card stock. Cut out Question Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
  - Flame Tokens – (Use these tokens or make your own). Print out several pages of Tokens on card stock. Cut out Tokens. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- Jesus Is Our Savior File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards – Use these Game Cards or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students.
  - Tokens – Use these tokens or make your own. Print out several pages of tokens out on card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- Liar, liar pants on fire! File Folder Game: Gospel Matthew 21:28-32
  Intro – Do you think your Mom and Dad just want right answers? Or maybe they want you to give right answers and follow through on what you say you¢ll do? Lying is not telling the truth and when you say something and you do not do it, it is a lie. *There are two sets of Game Cards with this game.
  - Directions – Print out Directions and keep inside file folder when not playing game..
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Truth or Lie Game Cards – Print Truth or Lie Game Cards out in light green card stock.
  - Situation Game Cards – Print Situation Game Cards out in light blue card stock.
    *Use these Game Cards or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students.
  - Tokens – Use these tokens or make your own. Print out several pages of tokens out on card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- Random Acts of Kindness File Folder Game -The Gospel of John presents Jesus as saying: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life within you … whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” John 6:53-56. So how does Jesus want us to live? He wants us to treat each other with kindness.
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Tokens - Use these tokens or make your own. Print out several pages of tokens out on card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- 7 Deadly Sins File Folder Game: Gospel Matthew 25:31-46
  - Introduction – Are you without sin? Are you righteous and will you receive eternal life? Or will you go off to eternal punishment? When the Son of Man comes he will separate one from another. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. And the ones on the left will go off to eternal punishment, but the ones on the right who are righteous to eternal life. *Only use the cards that are age appropriate.
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards – Use these questions or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students.
  - Spinner – Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder.
  - Tokens - Use these tokens or make your own. Print out several pages of tokens out on card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- The Seven Sacraments File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Question – Questions for the teacher to use.
  - Sacrament Cards – (Use these cards or make your own). Print out several pages of Sacrament Cards on card stock. Cut out cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- Ten Talents File Folder Game:Gospel Matthew 25:14-30
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards – Use these questions or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
  - Tokens – Use these tokens or make your own. Print out several pages of tokens out on card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- The Unforgiving Servant
  - Directions – Print out Directions and keep inside file folder when not playing game.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - *Use these Game Cards or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students. There are two sets of Game Cards with this game.
  - 70 x 7 Game Cards – Print out 70 x 7 cards out in light yellow card stock.
  - I’m Sorry Game Cards – Print I’m Sorry! Cards out in white card stock.
  - Tokens – Print out tokens on to card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- What did God Make? File Folder Game (Creation)
  - Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last
- What ever happened to good manners at church? File Folder Game
  The file folder game below goes great with the Church and Respect lesson at:
  http://www.dltk-bible.com/old_testament/church_and_respect-index.htm
  - Directions- Print out Directions and keep inside file folder when not playing game.
  - Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards- Use these Game Cards or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students.
  - Game Cards List with Answers- For the teacher to check answers.
- Climb Mount Sinai File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
- Joseph and His Brothers File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards – Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
  - Bags of Grain Token Cards – Make several copies of the Sacks of Grain Token Cards on card stock. Cut out token cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- Leaping Frogs File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
- Moses File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board - Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards - Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- Reconciliation or Ten Commandments File Folder Game:
  - Reconciliation Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Ten Commandments Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, cut around tablets and glue on the inside of the file folder (one tablet on the left and the other on the right). Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards – Use these questions or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students
- Who am I? File Folder Game (about people at church all way up to the Pope)
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Spinner – Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder.
  - Question and Answer Sheet – to check student’s answers
Games – Review Any Subject:
- Are You Smarter than a CCD Teacher Game
- Tic Tac Toe Toss Game – A fun way to review a lesson with your children or student
Good Friday Lesson Plan
Good Samaritan Matchup
Good Samaritan Word Search
Good Shepherd – What Lamb Is Missing?
Hail Mary Puzzle – All you need is some heavy paper and a copy machine. Copy puzzle and have the children glue it on some heavy paper and color. Then have the children cut on the lines to make a puzzle. Have the children put the puzzle together to practice the prayer. Put puzzle pieces in an envelope or zip lock bag.
Hail Mary Worksheet - To find out how well the students know the Hail Mary, have the students fill out the worksheet using the word bank.
Holy Orders Worksheet
Holy Spirit:
- Pentecost Lesson Plan
- Pentecost Double Puzzle – Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number to reveal the message.
- Pentecost Fill in the Blank
- Pentecost Word Jumble
- Fruits of the Holy Spirit Double Puzzle – (CCC 1832) Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number to reveal the message.
- Fruits of the Holy Spirit Word Chop – (CCC 1832) The table below contains words that have been chopped in half. Find the pieces that fit together and write them in the answer area below.
- Fruits of the Holy Spirit Word Search
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit Crossword
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit Double Puzzle – Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number to reveal the message.
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit Word Search
Holy Spirit File Folder Game:
- Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
- Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
- Game Cards – Use these questions or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students
Holy Thursday Lesson Plan
Holy Trinity:
- Holy Trinity Lesson Plan
- Holy Trinity Game – Holy Trinity Ring Toss
- Holy Trinity Crossword
- Holy Trinity Word Jumble
- Holy Trinity Word Search
- The Holy Trinity file folder game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last. (2 Game Boards to choose from – Game Board 1, Game Board 2).
  - Question Cards – Print Question Cards out on card stock. Cut out Question Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Use only the cards that reflect your student’s abilities.
  - Shamrock Tokens – (Use these tokens or make your own). Print out several pages of Shamrock Tokens on card stock. Cut out Shamrock Tokens. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
  - Spinner – Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder.
Holy Week Lesson Plan
Jesus:
- Birth of Jesus Lesson Plan
- Jesus as a Boy Game
- Jesus is Baptized Lesson Plan
- Baptism of Jesus File Folder Game:
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut out page, clue on front of file folder
  - Game Board – Print out game board and glue on inside of file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make the game more durable.
  - Wild Cards – Print Wild Cards out on card stock. Cut out Wild Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make the cards more durable.
- Jesus Is Our Savior File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Game Cards – Use these Game Cards or make your own. Print Game Cards out on card stock. Cut out Game Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Only use the questions that are age appropriate for your students.
  - Tokens – Use these tokens or make your own. Print out several pages of tokens out on card stock. Cut out and laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- Resist the Temptation File Folder Game(For Matthew 4:1-11)
  - Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last. (2 Game Boards to choose from).
  - Temptation Cards- Print Temptation Cards out on card stock. Cut out Temptation Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- The Good Shepherd Lesson Plan
- The Good Samaritan Lesson Plan
- The Unforgiving Servant Lesson Plan
- Loaves and Fishes Lesson Plan
- Zacchaeus/Forgiving Lesson Plan
- Jesus – Jesus Basketball
- Jesus in the Temple Lesson Plan
- Jesus is Baptized Word Search
- Fishers of Men Lesson Plan
- Temptaion of Jesus Lesson Plan
- Sermon on the Mount Lesson Plan
- On the Road to Emmaus Fill in the Blank
- Road to Emmaus Game – Directions – How to play the game. Question Cards - Print Question Cards out on card stock. Cut out Question Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last. Questions and Answer Sheet – For the teacher to check answers.
Jonah and the Whales Lesson Plan
Joseph and His Wonderful Coat Lesson Plan
Lent:
- Ash Wednesday:
  - Ash Wednesday Crossword Puzzle
  - Ash Wednesday Crossword Puzzle Answers
  - Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan
  - Ash Wednesday Word Search
- Easter Quiz
- Easter Quiz Answers
- Lent Eggs Project
- Lent Lesson Plan
- Lent Crossword Puzzle
- Lent Word Search Puzzle
- Journey Through Lent Game
  - Directions: Print directions and questions for the game. Print “Cube Signs”, cut out and glue on die.
- How Much Do You Know About Lent (True or False Quiz)
- How Much Do You Know About Lent (Quiz Answers)
- Garden of Gethsemane, Judas, Peter
- Stations of the Cross Bingo
- Stations of the Cross Lesson Plan
- Stations of the Cross File Folder Game
  - Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board - Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  - Station of the Cross Questions - Use these or make your own.
  - Spinner - Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder
- Stations of the Cross Word Jumble
- Resist the Temptation File Folder Game(For Matthew 4:1-11)
  - Directions- Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  - Game Board- Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last. (2 Game Boards to choose from).
  - Temptation Cards- Print Temptation Cards out on card stock. Cut out Temptation Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last
- Palm Sunday Lesson Plan
- Palm/Passion Sunday Word Jumble
- Palm/Passion Sunday Worksheet – fill in the blanks with a word from below
- Holy Week Lesson Plan
- Holy Week Quiz
- Holy Week Quiz Answers
- Holy Week Worksheet
- Holy Week Worksheet- The following days of Holy Week are in the wrong order. Number them so they are in the right order. Then draw a line to what happened on that day.
- Easter Triduum Lesson Plan
- Holy Thursday Lesson Plan
- Holy Thursday Worksheet – fill in the blanks with a word from below
- Good Friday Lesson Plan
- Good Friday Worksheet – fill in the blanks with a word from below
- Easter Lesson Plan
- Easter Match Up Worksheet – Match the words in the first column to the best available answer in the second column
- Holy Week File Folder Game:
  Directions – Print out Directions, cut it out, and glue on front of file folder.
  Game Board – Print out Game Board, trim, and glue on the inside of the file folder. Make sure the directions are on the front of the file folder. Laminate or cover file folder with clear contact paper to make it last.
  Holy Week Questions – Use these questions or make your own. Use only the questions that reflect your student’s abilities.
  Spinner - Make spinner according to the directions. Keep inside file folder.
- Holy Week Spin the Bottle Game:
  Holy Week Spin the Bottle Game - directions
  Holy Week Spin the Bottle Question Cards - Print Question Cards out on card stock. Cut out Question Cards. Laminate or cover with clear contact paper to make them last.
- “Lenten Helper” – help the kids focus on doing one good deed per day – Contributed by Erin R., Denver, CO (print the “Lenten Helper” and trim 2/5 inches off the bottom and fold according to directions.
Liturgy/Mass: