Special Me 1

DRAFT
Religious Education
Archdiocese of Perth
Special Me
Prayer
Pre-Primary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION ONE
Overview ......................................................................................1
Steps of the Process ....................................................................2
Teacher Reflection........................................................................4
Parent Letter ................................................................................5
SECTION TWO
Teacher Background Material ......................................................9
SECTION THREE
Symbols........................................................................................17
Learning Area Outcomes..............................................................18
Key Understandings
Learning Points ............................................................................19
Program of Work ..........................................................................20
SECTION FOUR
Resource Sheets..........................................................................51
SECTION FIVE
Support Material ..........................................................................65
Childrens Literature ............................................................65
Songs and Music ................................................................65
Teacher Resources ............................................................66
Videos ................................................................................66
Acknowledgements ......................................................................67
Section One
Overview
Steps of the Process
Teacher Reflection
Parent Letter
OVERVIEW
As people discover that each person has their own name and is
special in many different ways, this may lead them to wonder
what God, who created our specialness, is like (A1, A2).
When people thing of how different each person is and how
each person is gifted, in their own way they realise that God who
created our specialness must love them very much. Many people
come to realise and celebrate that among the different things
they can discover about God, one is that God loves them (A3).
When people look at the teaching of Jesus, they realise that Jesus
wants people to use their specialness to show love (B1, B2).
Followers of Jesus remember and celebrate Mary who is a special
person in a prayer called the Hail Mary (C1).
Followers of Jesus show others that they are special in many
different ways (C2).
When people continue to use their specialness in a loving way
they are living, as God wants (C3).
Special Me
STEPS OF THE PROCESS
A
WONDERING AT
THE CREATOR
A1
A2
A3
Wondering at experiences of being human

Wondering at the religious meaning of these
experiences
Understanding what these experiences reveal
about the Creator [Attribute]
C
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
C1
C2
C3
Introductory experiences of Catholic life

The person Christ calls the believer to
become
Continuing to wonder at Christian
possibilities
B
THE PROMISE
OF CHRISTIAN
SALVATION
B1
B2
Special Me
Christ models the Christian Promise

Christ empowers to live like him
STEPS OF THE PROCESS

SPECIAL ME
PRE-PRIMARY
A
WONDERING AT THE CREATOR
OF OUR SPECIALNESS
A1
A2
A3
Wondering at being special

Wondering at God who created each person
special
Attribute: God loves us
C
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
C1
C2
C3
Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is

special in a prayer called the Hail Mary
Jesus wants his followers to show others
they are special
Continuing to wonder at our specialness
B
THE PROMISE
OF CHRISTIAN
SALVATION
B1
B2
Jesus teaches that all people are special

Jesus came to show people how to use their
specialness to show love
Special Me
TEACHER REFLECTION
I Have Called You By Your Name
Have you heard of, or listened to, the hymn I Will Never Forget You based on
Isaiah 43?
Take a few moments to reflect upon the passage of Scripture which contains these
words Isaiah 43:1-7.
Allow the mystery of the Word of God to touch you. You have been privileged to
nurture within this pre-primary class the idea that they too are special. God also says
to them I have called you by your name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1-2
And now, thus says Yahweh,
he who created you, Jacob,
who formed you, Israel:
Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name, you are mine.
Should you pass through the waters, I shall be with you:
or through rivers, they will not swallow you up.
Should you walk through fire, you will not suffer,
and the flame will not burn you.
For I am Yahweh, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.
I have given Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
Since I regard you as precious,
since you are honoured and I love you.
I therefore, give people in exchange for you,
and nations in return for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I shall bring your offspring from he east,
and gather you from the west.
To the north I shall say, Give them up!
and in the south, Do not hold them back!
Bring back my sons from far away
and my daughters from the remotest part of the earth,
everyone who bears my name,
whom I have created for my glory,
whom I have formed, whom I have made
Special Me
PARENT LETTER
(insert school letterhead)
Dear
RE: NEXT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UNIT TO BE EXPLORED IN PRE-PRIMARY
Everyone is created special. In the whole world there is no one like each of us. Our own
name and special giftedness helps make each of us one of a kind.
In the coming weeks the children will explore some of the ways we are special and celebrate
God who loves us. They will be introduced to stories of Jesus teaching that all people are
special and how people should use this specialness to show love.
The unit will cover, at the childrens level of understanding, how followers of Jesus can
celebrate Mary through a special prayer called the Hail Mary.
In the final part of the unit the children will identify how followers of Jesus show their
specialness in loving ways.
You could help your child during this unit by, for example:
talking with them about their name and why it was chosen
making a list of the things that make them special
wondering with them about God who made them so special
sharing stories of Jesus show how special everyone is. (Mark 10:15-16)
praying the Hail Mary with your family
Yours sincerely
Special Me
Section Two
Teacher Background Material
TEACHER BACKGROUND MATERIAL

A
WONDERING AT THE CREATOR OF OUR SPECIALNESS

Teacher Note
The purpose of this step is to assist the development of childrens religious awareness. It
aims to help them understand the religious meaning of significant experiences an essential
step for both Evangelisation and New Evangelisation (see Australian Religious Education
Facing the Challenges).
The children should be provided with opportunities to wonder in A1 and A2. They need to
celebrate (rather than merely understand) the related attribute of God in A3.
The basic questions of the human heart to which the following experiences relate are taken
up further in the Year 8-12 Religious Education units.
A1

A1
(Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not
just something, but someone. Catechism 357)
When we look around us, we see many people. There are those at our school and in our
neighbourhood. Sometimes our parents take us to an event where we see many more people.
However, in the whole world, there is no one else like each of us.
Each of us is special. Each of us is so special that our parents have chosen a name just for us.
Our full name, that is Christian name and surname, is special because it tells us, and others
who we are and to which family we belong.
Just as each of us has our own name, we also have our own giftedness because we are special.
We are able to do many things. Some things we can do just like others, such as hop, skip,
jump, laugh, colour in and help. However, whatever we can do is done somewhat differently
from others. This is also what makes us special or one of a kind.
A2
Wondering at God who created each person special

A2
(Created in Gods image and called to know and love him, the person who seeks God discovers
certain ways of coming to know him. Catechism 31)
Teacher Note
The aim here is to encourage children to wonder. This is an important skill for discovering
God through creation [Catechism 32-33].
What is most important at this stage of each unit is that children be given a wondering
activity.
To lead them into the wondering activity, children may need to be reminded that wonder is a
gift God created in people so that they could discover God through everything God has
created.
Wonder causes us to stop, to look, to feel, to smell, to listen or to taste so that we might
better enjoy and understand. Wonder leads us to be curious, which can lead us to explore
and to experiment.
Special Me
It is God who created us different from each other. Each of us is special to God. We are so
special to god that God knows each of us by name [Isaiah 43:1-4]. God knew what each of
our names would be even before our parents first thought of the name they would call us.
We are all special and different. The more we discover about how special we are we may ask
questions such as:
- I wonder why God created each of us special?
- I wonder how big Gods memory is that God knows every person by name when they are
created?
Religious Meaning
One purpose for which God created us different from each other is so that people have
experiences that teach them about God.
Many may ask, I wonder what God, who created us and knows each of us by name, is like?
Teacher Note
The children will offer a variety of answers to this question. The answers of each should be
valued. Teachers should allow the children time to reflect upon and respond to the Wonder
Question in their own ways, before attempting to address the Attribute in A3.
The reflection on the Wonder Question, What must God be like? (A2) and the introduction
of the Attribute (A3), should not take place on the same day.
What follows in A3 is one Attribute of God, which is the focus for this unit. Units across other
year levels will focus upon other Attributes of God.
A3

A3
( Gods very being is love. Catechism 221)

God loves each of us in a special way. This is the reason we are different from each other.
The ways we are different are special signs of Gods love for each of us. They show others too,
that God created each of us different in special ways from anyone else in the whole world.
One possible answer

Among the many possible answers to this question, one answer that many discover is that
God loves us. This is one reason that God has created people so that they will discover and
become close friends with God.
How as a class can we celebrate that God loves us?
THE PROMISE OF CHRISTIAN SALVATION

Teacher Note
From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus proclaimed the arrival, in his own person, of the
Kingdom of God a new and definitive intervention of the saving power of Gods love on
behalf of his creatures.
Special Me
10
In the power of his love, expressed throughout the course of his life, death and resurrection,
Jesus accomplished our salvation.
He:
freed people of sin and the influence of the evil one
brought people to share in Gods own divine life
revealed Gods love and closeness
modelled how to live in a truly human way in response to that love.
Returning to the Father, Jesus sent his Spirit to help people enter fully into the Kingdom of
God so as to live as he lived. For he had promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to his
followers, You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. (cf. Acts 1:8).
Christians experience this power within the Kingdom of God to the extent that they draw
upon the grace of the Risen Lord through the Eucharist, the other sacraments, prayer and
the other ways Jesus taught.
One element of the modelling of Jesus was that he teaches us we are all special (B1). Jesus
came to help people to use their specialness to show love (B2).
The purpose of Step B is to show Jesus as the model of truly human behaviour, and then to
focus upon how the world of the students experience would be different if all accepted his
promise of the power of his Spirit.
B1
Jesus teaches us that all people are special
B1
(Every human life, from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human
person has been willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy God.
Catechism 2319)
Gods Son, whose name is Jesus, taught us that everyone is special. He did so by the stories he
told and by the kind things he did to help many people.
Among all the people he met, Jesus loved children in a special way. One day people brought
some little children to Jesus. His disciples scolded the people and told them to go away. Jesus,
however, told the disciples to let the little children come to him and he blessed them
[Mark 10:13-16].
Teacher Note
At this level it is appropriate to tell bible stories. The emphasis will relate to the childrens life
experiences and the Teacher Background Material provided in this unit. This will avoid
developmentally inappropriate theological insights being presented.
B2
Jesus came to show people how to use their specialness to

show love
(The entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the new commandment of Jesus, to love one
another as he has loved us. Catechism 1970)
B2
Jesus came to show people how to live as God wants. People do this when they try to live
like Jesus.
11
Special Me
If everyone lived like Jesus and used their specialness to show love there would be more:
celebration of ones own and others specialness
awareness of ones own and others specialness
use of their own specialness.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Teacher Note
To experience the Christian Promise requires personal Christian conversion [General
Directory for Catechesis 53].
In the words of Jesus, this means people must [Mark 1:15]:
Repent, and believe the gospel.
Religious Education contributes to their New Evangelisation by helping children to
understand what is involved in repenting and believing. Religious Education needs to help
children discover what exactly faith in Jesus Christ is [General Directory for Catechesis 75].
The following content introduces Pre-Primary children to:
C1
C1
followers of Jesus celebrate Mary in the Hail Mary (C1)
Jesus wants each of his followers to show others they are special (C2).
Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is special in a prayer

called the Hail Mary
(Because of Marys singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the Church loves to
pray in communion with the Virgin Mary . Catechism 2682)
The name of the mother of Jesus is Mary. Mary is a special person. God chose her to be Jesus
mother because God loved Mary very much.
Christians remember God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus when they pray the Hail
Mary. Mary looked after Jesus when he was a boy and helped him to learn many things.
Before he died, Jesus gave his mother Mary to look after all of his followers so Mary is special
to Jesus followers too.
Mary prayed to God. Christians can learn to pray to God like Mary did.
Teacher Note
It is recommended at this level that the children are given exposure to the Hail Mary.
It is not expected that the children memorise the prayer at this level.
Special Me
12
C2
Jesus wants his followers to show others they are special

(By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive.
Catechism 1823)
C2
Just as Christians are special to God, other people are special too.
Christians can show other people that they are special in many ways. Some of these include:
C3
C3
using their name
speaking to them in a friendly and kind manner
letting them join in our games
sharing with them
helping them.

As people discover that each person has their own name and is special in many different
ways, this may lead them to wonder what God who created our specialness, is like
(A1, A2).
When people think of how different each person is and how each person is gifted, in their
own way they realise that God who created our specialness must love them very much. Many
people come to realise and celebrate that among the different things they can discover about
God, one is that God loves them (A3).
When people look at the teaching of Jesus, they realise that Jesus wants people to use their
specialness to show love (A1, B2).
Followers of Jesus remember and celebrate Mary who is a special person in a prayer called the
Hail Mary (C1).
Followers of Jesus show others that they are special in many different ways (C2).
When people continue to use their specialness in loving ways they are living, as God wants.
13
Special Me
Section Three
Symbols
Learning Area Outcomes
Key Understandings
Learning Points
Program of Work
SYMBOLS
Activity Sheet
Book
Cassette Tape
Compact Disc
Music Bag
Prayer
Resource Sheet
Song
Video
17
Special Me
LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES

1.
Students understand that people come to discover God who calls

them through their human experiences of the universe, including
the world around them, and their human heart questionings and
yearnings which can only ever be satisfied by their Creator.
2.
Students understand and give expression to their most basic

human heart experiences in light of the Gospel, through study of
their interests, questions, hopes, anxieties, reflections and
judgements.
3.
Students understand the content of the Christian message, by

relating it to examples drawn from their experiences.
4.
Students understand that God offers salvation through Christ

who models how to live in a truly human way.
5.
Students understand that Catholics are empowered to live like

Jesus as they draw on the power of the Spirit and of the Kingdom
through Church, Sacraments, Scripture, prayer and other ways
Jesus taught.
6.
Students recognise that every good value, attitude or way of doing

things is a sign of Gods presence and influence within culture.
7.
Students know and appreciate the values of Christ and those of

his Gospel as the basis for living out the Christian mission in the
world.
8.
Students demonstrate the skills necessary in order to read and

apply Scripture and to participate in Catholic ritual and prayer.
Special Me
18
KEY UNDERSTANDINGS
LEARNING POINTS
A WONDERING AT THE CREATOR OF OUR SPECIALNESS
A
A1
A1.1
A1.2
Recognises their own name.

Names ways in which each person is special.
A2
Wondering at God who created each person special
A2.1
Expresses wonder at God who created them.
A3
A3.1
Celebrates that God loves us.
B THE PROMISE OF CHRISTIAN SALVATION
B1
B1.1
Identifies that Jesus loved little children.
B2
Jesus came to show people how to use their specialness to show love
B2.1
Names ways people could use their specialness to show love.
C CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
C1
Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is special in a prayer called the

Hail Mary
C1.1
Explores prayer people pray to remember Mary.
C2
Jesus wants his followers to show others they are special
C2.1
Explores ways that they could show other people they are special.
C3
C3.1
Reviews and expresses what they have learned throughout the unit.
19
Special Me
Key Understandings
A
Learning Points
WONDERING AT THE CREATOR OF

OUR SPECIALNESS
Teacher Note
The purpose of this step is to assist the development of
childrens religious awareness. It aims to help them
understand the religious meaning of significant
experiences an essential step for both Evangelisation
and New Evangelisation (see Australian Religious
Education Facing the Challenges).
The children should be provided with opportunities to
wonder in A1 and A2. They need to celebrate (rather
than merely understand) the related attribute of God
in A3.
The basic questions of the human heart to which the
following experiences relate are taken up further in the
Year 8-12 Religious Education units.
A1

(continued )
When we look around us, we see many people. There

are those at our school and in our neighbourhood.
Sometimes our parents take us to an event where we
see many more people. However, in the whole world,
there is no one else like each of us.
Each of us is special. Each of us is so special that our
parents have chosen a name just for us. Our full name,
that is Christian name and surname, is special because
it tells us, and others who we are and to which family
we belong.
Just as each of us has our own name, we also have our
own giftedness because we are special. We are able to
do many things. Some things we can do just like others,
such as hop, skip, jump, laugh, colour in and help.
However, whatever we can do is done somewhat
differently from others. This is also what makes us
special or one of a kind.
Special Me
20
A1.1
Recognises their own name.

(continued )
Suggested Strategies
Support Material
Class Prayer
Teacher Note
Before commencing this unit, invite the parents
to complete My Name with their child.
The responses to Resource Sheet 1 need
to be discussed in a class sharing time
during strategies in A1.1.
a)Each child is given a number of tags upon

which their name is written. They then match
the name tags to every place in the class area
which is labelled with their name, for example,
coat hook, tub, school bag, name badges, hat,
lunch box (if applicable), pieces of work, library
bag, etc. Talk about names being important to
help us identify people and what belongs to
them.
Focus Questions
- Why are our names placed in these places?
- Where else do we think our names should be
placed?
- Where have we seen other peoples names,
especially around the school?
Wonder Questions
- I wonder why we all have names?
- I wonder why we do not all have the same
name?
OR
b)The children trace and decorate a card on
which their name has been written. When
cards of all the children have been completed,
they could be used to:
create a class banner of names and surnames
create a photo display of the class, school,

family or community, for example, parents,
friends, staff, celebrities, etc.
create family name mobiles, for example, the

Jones family
form the central focus for individual name

posters which identify and illustrate the
names of special people and pets in the
childrens lives.
Joy for Living:

Year 1
C.C.D. Publications
My Name Means
Me
A Name Prayer
A candle is lit near a
display of class
names.
The children look at
and trace the letters
of their name.
Invite the children
to listen to Gods
word from Isaiah
43:1-5:
Do not be afraid
I have called you by
your name
You are mine
You are precious in
my eyes
and I love you
I am with you.
The children place
their names into a
special thanking
box or basket.
As they do so, invite
the children to clap
and pray.
Every time I see or
hear my name, I
know that God is
with me.
Thank you, God.
(continued )
21
Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
(continued )
A1
Special Me
(continued )
A1.1 Recognises their own name.
22
Support Material
Class Prayer
Provide opportunities for the children to

distinguish their own name from others.
Wonder Questions
name?
- I wonder why we all have different family
names?
OR
c)In a community circle the children play Guess
Whose Voice. The children close their eyes.
One chosen child touches another child on the
head. This child who has been touched on the
head speaks one or two sentences without
saying their name, for example, I like , I like
to ., etc. When this child is silent the teacher
asks the other children to open their eyes. The
children guess the name of the speaker. (It is
suggested that the speaker puts up their hand as
a decoy).
The child who guesses correctly touches the
head of another child after all eyes are closed.
Discuss with the children that when they
guessed who was speaking each time, they
identified that person by using their name.
The teacher emphasises that people need to
identify others using their names, not just by
pointing.
Lead the children to an awareness that each
child has a special name even though some may
be the same.
Wonder Questions
- I wonder how we can guess who the speaker
is?
- I wonder if God knows me by me voice?
- I wonder if God knows everyones name?
OR
d)The children brainstorm all of the places where
they find their names. Using bubble or block
writing each child decorates their own name
during an activity session. Display these.
(continued )
23
Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
(continued )
A1
( continued)
A1.1 Recognises their own name.
A1.2
Special Me
24
Names ways in which each

person is special.
(continued )
Support Material
Class Prayer
Focus Questions
- Whey are our names displayed in a variety of
places?
- Where else do we think our names should be
placed?
- Where have we seen other peoples names,
especially around the school?
Wonder Questions
name?
Teacher Note
The following Focus Questions and Wonder
Questions could be used with all the strategies
in A1.2.
Focus Questions
-
What is something I enjoy doing?
What is something I find difficult to do?
I Am Special
Meditation
Wonder Questions
-
I wonder if other people find the same things

difficult as I do?
I wonder if other people like the same things

I do?
I wonder if others like the same things I like?
a)The children paint or draw a picture of

themselves in their favourite clothes, doing
something they enjoy.
2a-2b
Precious and Special

Invite the children
to sing Precious and
Special.
Simple actions or
percussion
instruments could be
used to accompany
the words.
They then dictate a caption about themselves,

for example,
I like to .;
I am good at .;
I am special because . or
The best thing about me is ., etc.
OR
25
Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
(continued )
A1
Special Me
(continued )
A1.2 Names ways in which each
person is special.
26
Support Material
b)In a community circle the children take turns to

look in a mirror and chant the rhyme below
with the teacher. The class could provide the
answers to the questions.
Joy for Living:

Kindergarten
C.C.D. Publications
Class Prayer
In the Mirror
Mirror, mirror on the wall

Am I short or am I tall?
Am I thin or am I not?
Is my hair short?
Or in a plait?
Are my eyes bright blue or brown?
Have I a smile?
Or have I a frown?
Question verses could also be included where
the children holding the mirror answer for
themselves, for example, Mirror, mirror tell me
please
Do I like carrots or do I like peas?
Would I rather read or play?
Am I feeling well today?
Whats my favourite colour, too?
Do I have a favourite food?
OR
c)Provide the children with the opportunity to
create and make things, for example, blocks,
clay, playdough, threading beads, painting,
decorating an activity corner etc.
And the Word is

Made Flesh
Lead the children to an awareness that they can

do many things. While we can do similar things
to other people we may often do them
differently. This makes us special. Invite the
children to learn the chorus and, join in the
action song, Just Little Ole Me.
OR
Our God Is Good
M Brown
Just Little Ole Me
Wonder Questions
- I wonder why I sometimes like to do things
differently from other people?
- How did God plan that I would be special?
OR
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Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
( continued)
A1
( continued)
A1.2 Names ways in which each
person is special.
A2
A2.1

special
(continued )
Teacher Note
The aim here is to encourage children to wonder. This
is an important skill for discovering God through
creation [Catechism 32-33].
What is most important at this stage of each unit is that
children be given a wondering activity.
To lead the children into the wondering activity, they
may need to be reminded that wonder is a gift God
created in people so that they could discover God
through everything God has created.
Wonder causes us to stop, to look, to feel, to smell, to
listen or to taste so that we might better enjoy and
understand. Wonder leads us to be curious, which can
lead us to explore and to experiment.
It is God who created us different from each other.

Each of us is special to God. We are so special to god
that God knows each of us by name [Isaiah 43:1-4].
God knew what each of our names would be even
before our parents first thought of the name they would
call us.
(continued )
Special Me
28
Expresses wonder at God who

created them.
(continued )
Support Material
Class Prayer
d)On a number of large balloons write actions

such as?
I can hop
I can skip
I can jump
I can roll
I can sing
I can copy a clap beat.
Give each of the children a picture card or a

number. The child with the matching card or
number to the one held up by the teacher
selects a balloon. All the children perform the
action written on the balloon. After all of the
actions have been completed, talk with the
children about how they can do many things.
While they do some things similarly they are
not the same. Each of us is special.
Teacher Note
The following wonder questions could be used
with strategies in A2.1.
Wonder Questions
- Why did God create each of us to be special?
- How does God know all of our names?
- I wonder if God enjoyed creating us?
- I wonder what God, who created us, is like?
a)Share appropriate segments of the story Clive,

Tessa, Rosie and Frank. Talk with the children
about how these characters differ from each
other.
Clive, Tessa, Rosie

and Frank
A Lester
Focus Questions
- Why do you think the characters in the book
like different things?
- What is something you like doing with your
grandfather, grandmother or a parent?
God Knows My
Name
The children name some of the things they like

doing, that are the same as the characters in the
book. Lead the children to wonder what God,
who created us, is like.
Teach the song God Knows My Name.
OR
3
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Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
( continued)
A2
special
We are all special and different. The more we discover
about how special we are we may ask questions such as:
- I wonder how big Gods memory is that God knows
every person by name when they are created?
Many may ask, I wonder what God, who created us and
knows each of us by name, is like?
Teacher Note
The children will offer a variety of answers to this
question. The answers of each should be valued.
Teachers should allow the children time to reflect upon
and respond to the Wonder Question in their own
ways, before attempting to address the Attribute in A3.
The reflection on the Wonder Question, What must
God be like? (A2) and the introduction of the Attribute
(A3), should not take place on the same day.
What follows in A3 is one Attribute of God, which is the
focus for this unit. Units across other year levels will
focus upon other Attributes of God.
Special Me
30
( continued)
A2.1 Expresses wonder at God who
created them.
Support Material
Class Prayer
b)Teach the song God Knows My Name based

on Isaiah 43:1b, 4a (to the tune of Mary had a
little lamb).
The children suggest percussion clapping and
actions that could be added (accompany) to the
story.
Lead the children to wonder that we are each
special to God. God knows each of us
by name.
3
OR
c)In a community circle a ball of wool is rolled,
randomly, from child to child. As a child
catches the ball, the rest of the class name
something special about this person. An adult
scribes this onto a card suitable to create a
badge. Continue until each child is holding a
section of the ball of wool.
Lead the children to an awareness that:
God knows each of them by name
God has created each of them to be special
The badges are put into envelopes marked with

the childrens names. These are delivered to the
class by someone in the school community who
acts as a post person.
Youre Special:
Lesson Three
God Knows Me
Well
Teach the song God Knows My Name.
31
Special Me
Key Understandings
A3
Learning Points
A3.1
(continued )
God loves each of us in a special way. This is the reason

we are different from each other. The ways we are
different are special signs of Gods love for each of us.
They show others too, that God created each of us
different in special ways from anyone else in the whole
world.
We are all special and different. The more we discover
about how special we are we may ask questions such as:
- I wonder how big is Gods memory that he knows
every person by name when they are created?
Special Me
32
Celebrates that God loves us.

(continued )
Support Material
a)Show the children a number of prepared signs

and talk about what they mean. Signs give us a
special message. Talk with the children that we
are signs of Gods love. We are special because
God loves us.
Lead the children to an awareness that we are

like signs. The special message is:
God loves us
During the activity session, the children draw
pictures of people on road sign outlines. These
are attached to popsticks. Holding these signs
the children make a community circle and they
participate in the song, Signs of Love.
OR
Class Prayer
Hello God, I Just

Wanted to Say
p6 (No.4)
W Threlfo
Signs of Love
(Tune: Twinkle,
twinkle little star)
God made you and
God made me
Were as special as
can be
God loves you and
God loves me
We are signs of love
you see
Thank you, thank
you
for your love
that you send from
above.
b)Lead the children to an awareness that God

loves each of us. Each of them is special, one of
a kind. There is only one of them in the school,
neighbourhood, in the whole world.
Prepare on card the message God loves us and
cut it into two jigsaw pieces (it may be
necessary to number each pair so that it is easier
to match each pair). Give each child one piece.
Once the children have found their matching
partner, they talk about the message God loves
us. They then respond to the message through
drawing, dance, mime, percussion etc.
Invite the children to pray the echo prayer,
God Loves Me.
OR
33
God Loves Me
The following echo
prayer could be
accompanied with
hand claps and
percussion
instruments:
God loves you.
God loves me.
Together with God,
that makes three.
Im so special
and so are you
because we know
Gods love is true.
Amen.
Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
( continued)
A3
Special Me
( continued)
A3.1 Celebrates that God loves us.
34
Support Material
Make a Wonderful
Noise
J Miffleton
c)Prior to the lesson, the teacher or a helper

prepares the outline of a large rainbow. This is
cut into seven segments (red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, indigo, violet) that are distributed
to the children in groups of four or five. Each
group paints their segment a designated colour.
Class Prayer
Rainbow Children
Talk to the children about God who loves each

of us in a special way.
The children draw a special picture of
themselves, which is labelled with their name.
This picture is cut around and pasted on to the
ends of their segment of the rainbow. All of the
segments are then joined to create a complete
rainbow upon which is written God Loves Us.
Guess How Much I

Love You
S McBratney
The children gather around the rainbow. They

then point to their picture and say God know
my name, God loves us.
35
Special Me
Key Understandings
B
Learning Points
THE PROMISE OF CHRISTIAN

SALVATION
B1.1
Teacher Note
From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus proclaimed
the arrival, in his own person, of the Kingdom of God
a new and definitive intervention of the saving power of
Gods love on behalf of his creatures.
In the power of his love, expressed throughout the
course of his life, death and resurrection, Jesus
accomplished our salvation.
He:
freed people of sin and the influence of the evil one
brought people to share in Gods own divine life
revealed Gods love and closeness
modelled how to live in a truly human way in
response to that love.
Returning to the Father, Jesus sent his Spirit to help
people enter into the Kingdom of God so as to live as
he lived. For he had promised to send the gift of the
Holy Spirit to his followers, You will receive power when
the Holy Spirit comes on you. (cf. Acts 1:8). Christians
experience this power within the Kingdom of God to the
extent that they draw upon the grace of the Risen Lord
through the Eucharist, the other sacraments, prayer and
the other ways Jesus taught.
One element of the modelling of Jesus was that he
teaches us we are all special (B1). Jesus came to help
people to use their specialness to show love (B2).
The purpose of Step B is to show Jesus as the model
of truly human behaviour, and then to focus upon how
the world of the students experience would be different
if all accepted his promise of the power of his Spirit.
B1
Gods Son, whose name is Jesus, taught us that everyone

is special. He did so by the stories he told and by the
kind things he did to help many people. Among all
the people he met, Jesus loved children in a special
way. One day people brought some little children to
Jesus. His disciples scolded the people and told them to
go away. Jesus, however, told the disciples to let the
little children come to him and he blessed them
[Mark 10:13-16].
Teacher Note
At this level it is appropriate to tell Bible stories. The
emphasis will relate to the childrens life experiences
and the Teacher Background Material provided in this
unit. This will avoid developmentally inappropriate
theological insights being presented.
Special Me
36
Identifies that Jesus loved little

children.
Support Material
a)Tell the story of Jesus and the children [Mark

10:13-16]. Around the large figure of Jesus, the
children attach magazine pictures of children or
childrens faces. Invite the children to suggest a
suitable title.
Class Prayer
Bible Action Songs
Jesus Loves Me,

This I Know
Snookles
J Flack
Everybodys
Precious
Alternatively, a number of smaller collages

could be made and displayed as mobiles.
Wonder Question
- I wonder how I am special to Jesus?
OR
b)Tell the story of Jesus and the children [Mark
10:13-16]. Talk about how Jesus showed that
everyone is special by his actions.
Wonder Question
The class create a collage of Jesus. Each child
then draws a self portrait as they would look
when Jesus blessed them. Attach these to the
collage.
OR
c)Tell the story of Jesus and the children [Mark
10:13-16]. The children could make hand prints
around a large figure of Jesus. Scribe the
childrens names underneath their hand prints.
Display the picture and prints under a suitable
title.
Wonder Question
OR
d)Introduce the children to the story of Jesus and
the Little Children [Mark 10:13-16] using echo
pantomime.
Focus Questions
4a-4b
- Did Jesus friends want the children to go to

Jesus?
- What did Jesus say to his friends?
- How did Jesus make the little children feel
welcome?
- How do we know Jesus loved the little
children?
Wonder Question
37
Special Me
Key Understandings
B2
Learning Points
Jesus came to show people how to use their

specialness to show love
Jesus came to show people how to live as God wants.

People are doing this when they try to live like Jesus.
If everyone lived like Jesus and used their specialness to
show love there would be more:
celebration of ones own and others specialness
awareness of ones own and others specialness
use of their own specialness.
Special Me
38
B2.1
Names ways people could use

their specialness to show love.
Support Material
a)Brainstorm special things people can do, for

example, play music, sing, draw, be helpful, etc.
The children choose one of these and complete
a finger painting to illustrate a way people could
use this specialness to show love.
OR
Class Prayer
Petition Prayer
Lord,
Help people to use
their specialness to
show love.
Help them to know
they are special in all
they do.
b)Children think, pair, share different special

things that people can do. They mime one of
these for the class and talk about ways people
could use this special gift to show love.
OR
c)Talk to the children about the many ways
people could use their specialness to show love.
The children suggest ways and these are listed
on the board. Children draw one of these ways
and place it in a class bag labelled People use
their specialness to show love.
39
Specialness Bag
The children place
their pictures from
B2.1(c) into a class
bag labelled
People use their
specialness to show
love. This bag is
placed in the centre
of a community
circle. Invite the
children to quietly
talk to God about
these special gifts.
Special Me
Key Understandings
C
Learning Points
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
C1.1
Teacher Note
To experience the Promise of Christian Salvation
requires personal Christian conversion [General
Directory for Catechesis 53].
In the words of Jesus, this means people must
[Mark 1:15]:
Repent, and believe the gospel.
Religious Education contributes to their New
Evangelisation by helping children to understand what
is involved in repenting and believing. Religious
Education needs to help children discover what exactly
faith in Jesus Christ is [General Directory for
Catechesis 75].
The following content introduces Pre-Primary children
to:
followers of Jesus celebrate Mary in the Hail Mary
(C1)
Jesus wants each of his followers to show others
they are special (C2).
C1
Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is

special in a prayer called the Hail Mary
The name of the mother of Jesus is Mary. Mary is a

special person. God chose her to be Jesus mother
because God loved Mary very much.
Christians remember God chose Mary to be the mother
of Jesus when they pray the Hail Mary. Mary looked
after Jesus when he was a boy and helped him to learn
many things.
Before he died, Jesus gave his mother Mary to look
after all of his followers so Mary is special to Jesus
followers too.
Mary prayed to God. Christians can learn to pray to
God like Mary did.
Teacher Note
It is recommended at this level that the children are
given exposure to the Hail Mary. It is not expected that
the children memorise the prayer at this level.
Special Me
40
Explores prayer people pray to

remember Mary.
Support Material
a)Tell the children the story God Chooses Mary.

Introduce the children to the special prayer we
pray which reminds us of this story The Hail
Mary. The prayer could be displayed in the class.
Talk about how we can pray to God like Mary
did and one way we can do this is through the
prayer Hail Mary.
OR
Class Prayer
A Litany of Mary
Response: Pray for
us.
Mary, mother of
Jesus,
R:
Mary, special lady,
R:
Mary, whom God
loves,
R:
Mary, kind and
loving
R:
Mary, our mother,
R:
Mary, who prayed to
God,
R:
b)Share with the children that Mary was so

special that God chose her to be the mother of
Jesus. The children suggest the different ways
that Mary would have looked after Jesus. Lead
the children to an awareness that Jesus gave his
mother Mary to look after all of us. People
remember Mary in a special prayer called the
Hail Mary. The teacher reads the Hail Mary.
During an activity session the children could
decorate a copy of the prayer Hail Mary with
pictures of Mary looking after Jesus.
OR
c)Invite the children to copy the teachers
movements to accompany the song Hail Mary
(first verse only).
Share with the children that Mary was so
special that God chose her to be the mother of
Jesus. Lead them to an awareness that we can
pray to God like Mary did.
41
Prayer Services for

Young Children
p44
G Schreiber
Marys Lamb
Hi God 2
C Landry
Hail Mary
Special Me
Key Understandings
C2
Learning Points
Jesus wants his followers to show others

they are special
Just as Christians are special to God, other people are

special too.
Christians can show other people that they are special
in many ways. Some of these include:
using their name
speaking to them in a friendly and kind manner
letting them join in our games
sharing with them
helping them.
Special Me
42
C2.1
Explores ways that they could

show other people they are
special.
Support Material
a)The children sponge print a large body outline

in bright colours. Talk with the children about:
the body being bright and colourful to show

that all people are special
we can show others that they are special by

the ways we act towards them.
The class brainstorms ways they could show

other people they are special. These ways are
written on heart templates and attached to the
body outline.
Class Prayer
A Special Prayer
Lord,
I know you made me
special
And others are
special too.
Help me show were
special
In everything I do.
Amen.
A suggested title is Other People Are Special.

OR
b)The class brainstorms the different people they
know in the school community. The teacher
scribes these onto cards. The children suggest
ways they can show these people that they are
special. These ideas are scribed onto the back of
the cards.
Each day the class could select a card from the
collection and try to carry out one action to
show that person they are special.
OR
c)Provide opportunities for the children to talk
about someone who is special to them.
Focus Questions
- Who is someone very special to you?
- Why is this person special to you?
- What is something you remember doing with
this special person?
- How can you show this person that you think
they are special?
Encourage the children to create something
during an activity session to give to this person.
43
Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
C3

(continued )
As people discover that each person has their own
name and is special in many different ways, this may
lead them to wonder what God, who created our
specialness, is like (A1, A2).
When people think of how different each person is and
how each person is gifted, in their own way they realise
that God, who created our specialness, must love them
very much. Many people come to realise and celebrate
that among the different things they can discover about
God, one is that God loves them (A3).
When people look at the teaching of Jesus, they realise
that Jesus wants people to use their specialness to show
love (A1, B2).
Followers of Jesus remember and celebrate Mary who is
a special person in a prayer called the Hail Mary (C1).
Followers of Jesus show others that they are special in
many different ways (C2).
When people continue to use their specialness in loving
ways, they are living as God wants.
Special Me
44
C3.1
Reviews and expresses what

they have learned throughout
the unit.
(continued )
Support Material
Teacher Note
Class Prayer
Special Me
(Prayer Service)
Prior to the strategies in C3.1, provide

opportunities for the students to look at work
completed and talk about the understandings
covered in the unit, using the following:
8a-8b
Focus Questions
- What was your favourite piece of work?
- Why did you choose this piece of work?
Bible Action Songs
- What was this piece of work about?
This Little Light of

Mine
- What does this make you think about ways in

which you can use the gift of specialness?
The purpose of the final Focus Question is to
help the children review the ways in which
people can continue to live as Jesus wants.
a) Create or add to the class Loving Board ways

in which people can continue to use the gift of
specialness.
OR
b)The children could review and express what

they have learned through contributing to the
creation of a class:
Talk to God
The following could
be prayed as an echo
prayer.
It is good to talk to
you, God because
you are never too
busy or too tired to
listen.
Help me to
remember that I can
talk to you in my
prayers, anytime,
anywhere, about
anything and you
will always hear me.
Amen.
mural
frieze
billboard (eg. My Favourite Work)
collage
poster
banner
picture book
story book
learning journey book
photograph album (virtual, for example, web

page or traditional photograph album)
mobile
song, etc.
OR
45
Special Me
Key Understandings
Learning Points
( continued)
C3
Special Me
46
( continued)
C3.1 Reviews and expresses what
they have learned throughout
the unit.
Support Material
Class Prayer
c)Take the children to visit a special place, such

as a riverbank, valley or a place related to ways
they can use their specialness to the unit. Each
child selects and draws one things they have
enjoyed. On the back of their pictures the
children or a scribe could write:
Thank you God, for .
The pictures could be used to create mobiles,
which may stimulate further wondering and/or
discussion about specialness.
47
Special Me
Section Four
Resource Sheets
Resource Sheet 1
My Name
Dear Parents
The current unit of work for Religious Education Special
Me explores the topics of specialness and Prayer. One aspect
of being special that is introduced is our name.
Would you kindly complete the questions below with your
child.
What are all of my names?
What is our family name?
Who chose my name?
Am I named after a relative, a friend or another person?
Is there anything more you can tell me about my name?
You may choose to write your responses on the reverse of this
letter as we will have a class sharing time to talk about our
names and the answers to these questions.
Thank you.
Program of Work Reference A1.1
51
Special Me
Resource Sheet 2(a)
Meditation
(An introduction to Discursive or Imaginative Meditation)
What is Discursive Meditation?
Who introduced this form of meditation?
The aim of meditation is to teach children another way to pray. This is a meditation method
based on that of St Ignatius. Children are taught to use their senses to be able to enter a
scripture story, meet Jesus and pray. St Ignatius of Loyola lived in Spain in the 16th century.
He founded the Jesuit order. He experienced Gods presence very strongly in his life, and he
believed that our senses can help us enter into the events of Jesus life. From a better
knowledge and understanding of Jesus, through this type of prayer, people can make Gods
love and Gospel ideals more important (even central) in their lives.
Introducing Younger Children to Meditation: (a suggested format)
It is suggested that meditation is introduced gradually to younger students. The teacher can be
a great model for the students in this prayer form. It may be wiser to begin by practising the
following activities for approximately 30 seconds each day for the first week or so. The steps
(a) (i) which follow, accompany Day 1 to Day 10.
a)
Sit still in a chair feet together, back straight and hands relaxed in your lap or on your
legs. Or lie on your back with your legs long and your arms resting on the floor half way
between you hips and your shoulder
b)
Gently close your eyes. (Suggestion: At this level do not force children to close their
eyes.)
c)
Listen to yourself breathing. Feel your body breathing. (Encourage the children
NOT to change their breathing. Breathe normally.)
d)
Listen for any sounds in the classroom and name them to yourself.
e)
Listen for any sounds outside the classroom and name them to yourself.
f)
In your minds eye (in your head) see a picture of your favourite place. (Before the
children begin to meditate it is better to talk about a favourite or special place they have
enjoyed where they can be quiet. Invite the children to identify this favourite place
beforehand so they are quite clear about it. It may be the beach, a bush setting or in
their backyard. Some children may need assistance here.)
g)
In your minds eye look around your favourite place. Name to yourself the things you
can see.
What colours can you see?
h)
Imagine yourself in your minds eye doing something you are good at.
What is it?
Why do you like doing it?
How do you feel?
i)
Listen for sounds outside. Listen for sounds inside. Feel your chest move up and down as
you breathe. When you are ready, open your eyes.
Special Me
52
Resource Sheet 2b
A Suggested Preparation for Meditation

(for younger children)
Teacher Note:
The following format may be one way of introducing younger students to
meditation. It may be wiser to complete the following sessions initially within
approximately thirty seconds. As the students learn to sit still this time may be
extended to approximately one minute.
Please remember, one minute can be a long time for a student to sit still and
quiet! From approximately Day 5 it may be wiser to move quickly through steps
(a) (f). Once children have moved through to step g then it is often wiser to
omit step g. It is important to always use step (i) in concluding the meditation.
When using Guided Meditation in a unit of work it may be wiser to begin the
Guided Meditation by leading the children quickly through steps (a) (h) before
introducing a specific meditation, for example, a Scripture passage.
This provides an opportunity for the students to settle the move more peacefully
into a meditation on the Scriptural passage.
Day 1.
Introduce steps a, b, c, d.
At the end of the exercise talk

about the elements the
students identified in step (d).
Day 2.
Repeat steps a, b, c, d.
Repeat as per previous step.
Day 3.
Introduce steps a, b, c, d, e.
At the end of the exercise talk

about the elements the
students identified in steps (d)
and (e).
Day 4.
Repeat steps a, b, c, d, e.
Repeat as per previous step.
Day 5.
Introduce steps a, b, c, d, e, f.
(Remember that each child

should know their favourite
place BEFORE they begin.)
Day 6.
Repeat steps a, b, c, d, e, f.
(Invite the students to talk

about, draw or write what they
saw in their minds eye
concerning their favourite
place.)
Day 7.
Introduce steps a, b, c, d, e, f, g.
Day 8.
Repeat steps a, b, c, d, e, f, g.
Day 9.
Introduce steps a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i.
Day 10.
Repeat steps a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i.
53
Special Me
Resource Sheet 3
Precious And Special

(to the tune of Frr Jacques Traditional)
1. I am special, I am special.
I am me, I am me.
No-one else is like me.
No one else is like me.
Im just me, Im just me.
2. I am special, I am special.
God know me, God knows me.
God is always with me.
God is always with me.
God loves me, God loves me.
3. You are special, you are special.
You are you, you are you.
No-one else is like you.
No-one else is like you.
Youre just you, youre just you.
4. You are special, you are special.
God knows you, God knows you.
God is always with you.
God is always with you.
God loves you, God loves you.
5. Were all special, were all special.
God loves us, God loves us.
Gods the one who made us.
We are very precious.
God loves us, God loves us.
Special Me
God Knows My Name

(based on Isaiah 43:1b, 4a)
(to the tune of Mary had a Little Lamb
traditional)
I have called you by your name

by your name
by your name
I have called you by your name
And know you are mine said God.
(add quickly) (in a whisper)
You are precious in my eyes
in my eyes
in my eyes
you are precious in my eyes
And I know your name said God.
(add quickly) (in a whisper)
God created me you see
me you see
me you see
God create me you see
And God knows my name.
There is only one of me
one of me
one of me
There is only one of me
And God loves me so.
I wonder what God is like?
God is like
God is like
I wonder what God is like
The God who created me.
54 Program of Work Reference A2.1(a),(b)&(c)
Resource Sheet 4a
i ld
C h re n
s a nd
u
s
Je
Lit tl
e
e
th
(based on Mark 10:13-16)

(an echo pantomime)
The teacher or leader simultaneously says the words and performs the action. The children
then repeat (echo) the words and actions of the teacher or leader.
1.
This is the story of Jesus and the little children.

Open imaginary book
2.
One day many people

both hands sweep forward and out
3.
were bringing little children to Jesus.

bring arms in, one palm on another
4.
The disciples were not happy.

shake index finger
5.
They told the people

point index finger
6.
to take the children away.

sweep right arm out
7.
But Jesus said to the disciples,

index finger pointing upwards
8.
Do not stop them.

hand stop signal
Program of Work Reference B1.1(d)
55
Special Me
Resource Sheet 4b
9.
For the kingdom of God

both hands stretch upwards
10. belongs to people like this.

bring arms down around in arc
11. Anyone who does not welcome
shake index finger
12. a little child
point to right
13. cannot enter
shake index finger
14. the kingdom of God.
both hands stretch upwards
15. Jesus placed his hands on the children
hands out, palms downwards as blessing
16. and he blessed them.
join hands in prayer
17. And this is the story of Jesus and the little children
close imaginary book.
Special Me
56
Program of Work Reference B1.1(d)
Resource Sheet 5
God Chooses Mary

(based on Luke 1:26-38)
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a little town in Galilee, called Nazareth. The angel had
a message for a young girl named Mary. Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph.
He said to her, Rejoice! You are loved by God. The Lord is with you! Mary was confused. She
did not know who the angel was or what he was talking about.
The angel reassured her saying Mary, do not be frightened, God loves you very much. God
loves you so much that God has chosen you to be the mother of Gods Son. You are going to
have a baby whom you must name Jesus. He will be called the Son of God. He will be a great
King forever and ever.
Mary asked, But how can this be?
The angel answered, Nothing is impossible to God. The Holy Spirit will come to you and the
power of God will cover you. Because of this, the baby will be holy.
Mary said, I am a servant of God. Let everything happen as you have said.
And the angel left her.
Program of Work Reference C1.1(a)
57
Special Me
Resource Sheet 6
Hail M ar y
1.
Hail Mary,
both arms sprayed outwards
2.
full of grace,
lift both arms upwards
3.
the Lord is with you;

join hands as in prayer position
4.
blessed are you among women,

hand sweep right
5.
and blessed is the fruit of your womb,

hand sweep left
6.
Jesus.
hands cupped together in front of body, lower head.
7.
Holy Mary,
hands raised, palms upwards at sides
8.
mother of God,
cradling motion
9.
pray for us sinners now

hand raised, palms upwards, head bowed
10. and at the hour of our death.

hands crossed over chest, face looking up
11. Amen
hands joined head bowed
Special Me
58
Program of Work Reference C1.1(c)
Resource Sheet 7
Loving Board
E
Create a class bulletin board to display ways the class can continue to try to:
eir bodie
e th
s
Us
elings
ss fe
e
r
xp
Celebrate
U se m e m ory
Care for living
and non-living
things
ei
lov
ow
Sh
s
ilie
fam
Belong to
communities
Use the gift o
e
lov
Wait
New life
ecialness to
r sp
sh
ou
o
Co
mm
un
ica
te
fe
f li
lov
Us
Program of Work Reference C3.1(a)
59
Special Me
Resource Sheet 8a
Special Me
(a prayer service)
In the middle of a community circle place a simple prayer focus, for example,
on a cloth place a crucifix, a bible and a candle.
Invite each child to bring a flower (preferably) or a small object that is special
to them, to place at the prayer focus.
Introduction:
Talk with the children about the work they have

been doing during the unit of work, Special Me.
Remind them that each of them is special. Each of
them is like a flower. While some of their flowers is
special to God because God created each one. We
are even more special than these flowers. We are
special to God because God created each of us and
God loves us.
Invite the children to move in groups to place their
flower or object at the prayer focus.
Gathering Song:
Just Little Ole Me from Our God Is Good by

M Brown or another appropriate song.
Speaker 1
We remember that we are special.
Speaker 2
God made us.
Speaker 3
God loves us.
Speaker 4
We can love God, too.
Speaker 5
We can love God and others by what we do and say.
Speaker 6
We can pray to God.
Special Me
60
Program of Work Reference C3.1
Resource Sheet 8b
Speaker 7
God will help us.
Song:
Precious and Special (Resource Sheet 3)
Sharing:
Invite some of the children to share something they

enjoyed doing during this unit of work.
Gospel:
Tell the story of Jesus and the Children

[Mark 10:13-16]
Spontaneous Prayer:
Allow the children the opportunity to pray silent or

shared spontaneous prayers.
A suitable beginning could be I am special
because .. Thank you God.
Prayerful Movement:
Invite the children to pray the Hail Mary as an

echo prayer or as a movement accompanied by Hail
Mary, from Hi God 2 by C Landry.
Closing Song:
Everybodys Precious from Snookles by J Flack.
Program of Work Reference C3.1
61
Special Me
Section Five
Support Material
Childrens Literature
Songs and Music
Teacher Resources
Videos
Acknowledgements
SUPPORT MATERIAL
Childrens Literature
Bartlett, A. (1997). Eric the Reindeer, Hodder Childrens Books, London.
Bradman, T. & Amstutz, A. (1996). Just Us Three, Harper Collins Publishers, London.
Burmingham, J. (1989). Granpa, Cape, London.
Foreman, M. (1981). Panda and the Odd Lion, Hamilton, London.
Gelman, R. (1975). The Me I Am, Macmillan, New York.
Knowles, S. & Clement, R. (1997). Edward the Emu, Harper Collins Publishers, Pymble,
New South Wales.
Kraus, R. (1974). Milton the Early Riser, Hamilton, London.
Kraus, R. (1972). Leo the Late Bloomer, Hamilton, London.
LeSieg, T. (1975). Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog?, Collins and Harvill, London.
LeSieg, T. (1967). I Wish that I Had Duck Feet, Collins and Harvill, London.
Lester, A. (1997). Celeste Sails to Spain, Hodder Childrens Books Australia, Rydalmere,
New South Wales.
Lester, A. (1997). Clive, Tessa, Rosie and Frank, Hodder Childrens Books Australia, Rydalmere,
New South Wales.
Lionni, L. (1991). Matthews Dream, Andersen Press, London.
Martin, D. & Heap, S. (1996). Little Chicken Chicken, Walker Books, London.
McBratney, S. (1994). Guess How Much I Love You, Walker Books, London.
Palmer, P. (1977). Liking Myself, Impact, San Luis Obispo, California.
Parkes, B. & Smith, J. (1987). The Ugly Duckling, Methuen Australian, North Ryde,
New South Wales.
Ross, T. (1976). Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Andersen Press, London.
Sadler, M. (1984). Its Not Easy Being a Bunny, Collins, Glasgow.
Simon, N. (1979). Why Am I Different?, Whitman, Chicago.
Tangen, R. (1981). Michael, Lion Publishing, Tring.
Wells, R. (1996). Shy Charles, Collins, London.
Whatley, B. (1996). I Wanna Be Famous, Harper Collins Publishers, Sydney, New South Wales.
White, J. (1978). Janet at School, Black, London.
Zelonky, J. (1992). My Best Friend Moved Away, Raintree Stack-Vaughn, Austin, Texas.
Songs and Music

Brown, M. (1986). Just Little Ole Me, Our God Is Good, Emmaus Productions, Thornleigh,
New South Wales.
Burgess, M. (1982). A World Full of Gifts, Songs for Children of the Kingdom, Dove
Communications, Blackburn, Victoria.
65
Special Me
C.C.D. Publications. (1988). In the Mirror, Joy for Living: Kindergarten, Sydney, New South Wales.
C.C.D. Publications. (1976). Im So Glad, Sing for Joy, My Name Means Me, Joy for Living:
Year 1, Sydney, New South Wales.
Chapman, G. (1984). I Am Me and No-one Else, Songs and Prayers Together, London.
Downie, E. (1992). Wherever You Are, Storymakers Tape 1, Collins Dove, Blackburn, Victoria.
Flack, J. (1987). I Want to Be Gentle, Everybodys Precious, Snookles, Just Life (Australia),
Alphington, Victoria.
Flack, J. (1987). Welcome, Mugwumps and Important Things, Just Life (Australia), Alphington,
Victoria.
Joint Board of Christian Education. (1991). Its So Good to Be Me, Our Father, God Gives
Songs for Kids Book 3, Melbourne, Victoria.
Joint Board of Christian Education. (1990). Thank You that I Am Me, Thank You, Father, The
Butterfly Song, God Gives Songs for Kids Book 1, Melbourne, Victoria.
Landry, C. (1995). Hail Mary, Hi God 2, North American Liturgy Resources, Phoenix, Arizona.
Lillenas Publishing. (1981). You Are Special, Songs to Grow On, Kansas City, Missouri.
Lillenas Publishing. (1980). Theres No-one Exactly Like Me, The Butterfly Song, Songs of God and
Me for Primaries, Kansas City, Missouri.
Miffleton, J. (1978). Rainbow Children, To Give Thanks, Make a Wonderful Noise, World Library
Publications, Chicago, Illinois.
Scripture Union Australia. (1993). I Have a Name, God Love You Just the Way You Are, Special,
Gospelling to the Beat, Fitzroy, Victoria.
Smith, R. (1987). I Have a Name, Isnt it Good, Group Media Productions, Homebush,
New South Wales.
Teacher Resources
Threlfo, W. (1993). Hello God, I Just Wanted to Say , Marist Publishing, Drummoyne,
New South Wales.
Schreiber, G. (1993). Prayer Services for Young Children, Twenty-Third Publications, Mystic,
Connecticut.
Videos
And the Word is Made Flesh
Bible Action Songs (Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, This Little Light of Mine)
Gerbert: Im Glad Im Me
Gerbert: Little Ones Belong to Him (self esteem)
Millions of Cats
The Ugly Duckling
Youre Special: Lesson Three (God Knows Me Well)
Special Me
66
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Permission to use materials for non-commercial, educational purposes is gratefully acknowledged to:
Quotations from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for Australia 1994
St Pauls, Strathfield, Australia/Libreria Editrice Vaticana, used with permission.
Quotations from the New Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1985 by Darton, Longman and
Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
Quotations from the Good News Bible, published and copyright 1988 by The Bible Society in
Australia Limited.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Rite of Confirmation, Rite of Blessing of Oils, Rite of
Consecrating the Chrism 1972, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL);
excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal 1973, ICEL; excerpts from the English
translation of Rite of Penance 1974, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of Eucharistic Prayer
for Masses with Children 1975, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of A Book of Prayers
1982, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of Book of Blessings 1988, ICEL.
All rights reserved.
Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright. However, should any infringement have
occurred, the publishers tender their apologies and invite copyright owners to contact them.
67
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DRAFT

STEPS OF THE PROCESS

Wondering at experiences of being human

Introductory experiences of Catholic life

Christ models the Christian Promise

STEPS OF THE PROCESS

Wondering at being special

Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is

Jesus teaches that all people are special

making a list of the things that make them special

wondering with them about God who made them so special

praying the Hail Mary with your family

Teacher Background Material

TEACHER BACKGROUND MATERIAL

WONDERING AT THE CREATOR OF OUR SPECIALNESS

Wondering at being special

Wondering at God who created each person special

Attribute: God loves us

( Gods very being is love. Catechism 221)

One possible answer

THE PROMISE OF CHRISTIAN SALVATION

freed people of sin and the influence of the evil one

brought people to share in Gods own divine life

revealed Gods love and closeness

modelled how to live in a truly human way in response to that love.

Jesus teaches us that all people are special

Jesus came to show people how to use their specialness to

celebration of ones own and others specialness

awareness of ones own and others specialness

use of their own specialness.

followers of Jesus celebrate Mary in the Hail Mary (C1)

Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is special in a prayer

Jesus wants his followers to show others they are special

using their name

speaking to them in a friendly and kind manner

letting them join in our games

sharing with them

Continuing to wonder at our specialness

LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES

Students understand that people come to discover God who calls

Students understand and give expression to their most basic

Students understand the content of the Christian message, by

Students understand that God offers salvation through Christ

Students understand that Catholics are empowered to live like

Students recognise that every good value, attitude or way of doing

Students know and appreciate the values of Christ and those of

Students demonstrate the skills necessary in order to read and

Wondering at being special

Recognises their own name.

Wondering at God who created each person special

Expresses wonder at God who created them.

Attribute: God loves us

Celebrates that God loves us.

B THE PROMISE OF CHRISTIAN SALVATION

Jesus teaches us that all people are special

Identifies that Jesus loved little children.

Names ways people could use their specialness to show love.

Followers of Jesus celebrate Mary who is special in a prayer called the

Explores prayer people pray to remember Mary.

Jesus wants his followers to show others they are special

Continuing to wonder at our specialness

WONDERING AT THE CREATOR OF