Curriculum

CURRICULUM

1.1 CLASS ACTIVITIES

The purpose of our curriculum and classroom teaching is multifold and goes beyond textbook based instruction. A multitude of activities are emphasized and encouraged: learning and participating in different church activities, praying at home, participating in Ward prayers, learning the different prayers, reading the Bible, learning about the lives of the saints, etc. Students from 10 through 12 are encouraged to attend discernment camps, youth retreats, community services activities, this includes attending missionary works, and volunteering at shelters or soup kitchen.

Each class must be a minimum of one hour in duration. Below is an example of how a class can be structured.

• Opening prayer
• Take Attendance
• Review material from last class (including prayers that students are supposed to learn by heart, any homework given, any other questions that they may have)
• Learning of any Catholic prayers by by-heart
• Quiz competitions, based on assignments, Bible readings etc.
• Instruction based on the textbook
• Read a short biography of a saint and his/her virtues
• Read the Sunday readings in the class (specifically the gospel and epistles) 
• Closing prayer.

1.2 SEMESTER

The year will be divided into two semesters. Each semester consists of approximately 15 Sundays.

1.3 TIME

Teaching hours should be at a minimum one hour every Sunday. Holy Qurbana and Classes for Sunday School children should be arranged based on the needs of each parish/mission.

Catechism classes should not be cancelled for any reason other than an inclement weather or emergency. Parishes should not schedule meetings, conferences, or activities related to other ministries during Sunday School time.

1.4 SYLLABUS

1. Textbooks: Every parish and mission must teach the Syro-Malabar Faith Formation Commission published and Synod approved textbook series named “On the Path of Salvation”, from Kindergarten through 12^th grade.
2. Catholic Faith: Each class must teach a series of prayers, beliefs, teachings, and practices each year. By the time the student complete 12^th grade, all those identified below are learned. Even if the requirement is to learn some of these at a certain class, it could be asked in any exam at a higher-level class. For example, if the student learns a certain prayer at 4^th grade, the 7^th grade question paper may ask the student to write those prayers during the exam. Below are a list of prayers/beliefs/teachings/practices that the students are advised to memorize.

1.5 TEXTBOOKS

The Sunday School programs within the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese must use the Syro-Malabar Synod approved textbook as their main teaching tool.

1.6 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Children should be aware and have general knowledge of the Catholic Church and its activities. For example: Pope, Bishops, Canonization of new Saints etc. Teachers should prepare these kind of general knowledge questions based on where the children are in relation to the student’s knowledge.

1.7 SAINTS

Each one of us are called to Holiness. Children need to know of how they can model their lives after the Saints. The best way to enable such modeling is to introduce the children at a young age to the lives of Saints. There are many books available about Saints based on the child’s ability to grasp. From grades 1-12, teachers should introduce at least 4 Saints a year. Two saints each semester.

1.8 SUPPLEMENTARY TOPICS

The diocese is developing supplemental topics in addition to our current Syro-Malabar textbooks. Diocesan team is preparing these Supplementary Topics and will make it available for grades 8-12. Through this effort the diocese aims to help our catechists’ additional resources for the students in essential faith related subjects based on the North American context. A committee is assisting the diocese with this effort. The team is selecting supplementary topics including videos, links, and articles, PowerPoint presentations, talking points etc. that helps teachers to teach each topic with ease in their own classes. These resources will be available on the diocesan website. The supplementary topics focus on contemporary issues facing the students in the United States. For example: relativism, abortion, gay marriage etc.

1.9 BIBLE

For every student’s individual prayer life, Bible reading, and study must be encouraged from a young age. At a minimum, the students should start reading the Bible from 4^th grade onwards. Children should participate in the Diocesan Bible Quiz, Dei Verbum. Syllabus should focus in such a way that children read the entire New Testament prior to graduating from 12^th grade.

1.10 CLASS BY CLASS OVERVIEW

(Click here for the document with the Prayers)

1.10.1 Pre-School & Kindergarten

Parents have the responsibility to teach the children when they start talking about our faith. Children should start coming to the church and must familiarize the surroundings and environment way before they start Pre-school or Kindergarten. This will help them to easily adjust to the Church and class environment. It will be difficult for a child to adapt easily when he or she never been to the church prior. Exams should be conducted as oral.

1.10.2 Grades 1-7

1.10.3 Grades 8-12

Grade 8 onwards children must have knowledge of all the prayers listed from Grade 1-7 and the additional prayers listed below.

1.11 EXAMS, TESTS & GRADING

The Question Board will assist the diocese with the preparation of mid-term and final examination questions and answers. The test questions and answers will be shared from the diocese and the other categories will be graded at church/mission level. The total grade for the academic year shall be based on the categories provided in the table below. Click here for the complete details regarding the grading.

1.12 FINAL GRADES

A final grade for each student could be awarded as follows. Awards may be given to those who receive the highest grade and the second highest grade.

1.13 CERTIFICATE

A Diploma certificate will be issued from the diocese for those who completes 12^th grade, signed by the Bishop and the Diocesan Director of Faith Formation.