RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Lesson Plan Format

GRADE :

UNIT OF WORK:

DURATION:

Stage 3

6.4 Confirmation: Celebrating the Gift of the Holy

Spirit Unit Content 4

Five Lessons 30-45 Minutes Each

TEACHER AND SCRIPTURE BACKGROUND:

Teacher Background
Usually the Sacrament of Confirmation is administered within the celebration of the Eucharist. This highlights their relationship as sacraments of initiation. The candidates
and the community, renew their baptismal promises, linking the sacrament to Baptism. Hence within the ceremony, the three sacraments of initiation, Baptism,
Confirmation and Eucharist, are connected.
The Mass is celebrated with the ordinary structure. After the Liturgy of the Word, the Rite of Confirmation begins.
Presentation of the Candidates
Homily
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
The Laying on of Hands
The Anointing with Chrism
General Intercessions
Liturgy of the Eucharist follows.
It is worth exploring the prayers and rituals within the liturgy with the students. They can be found in The Rites Volume 2 (see Resources).
Laying on of Hands: The laying on of hands is a rich ritual going back to the early Church, and the history of Israel. It symbolises the calling of the Holy Spirit. Outside
the seven sacraments the laying on of hands can be used with a blessing. All baptised people can bless.
Anointing:
As with the laying on of hands, anointing is a rich symbol and finds it roots in the biblical tradition. It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and represents
abundance, joy, cleansing, healing, beauty, health and strength. The word Christ means anointed one. As Christians we are anointed and share in the mission of Jesus,
the Christ. We are Christ in our world. Using this ritual symbol with students can be a useful strategy for teaching.
Scripture Background
1 Samuel 16:1-13

David is Anointed

The story of King Davids anointing is quite surprising. God chooses David to be king when he is only a boy - the youngest in his family. King Saul, the current king has
been rejected. God sends Samuel, the last of the judges, to Jesse who is Davids father, to anoint one of his sons as king. All of Jesses sons are brought in except David
who is considered not old enough to be king. Jesse has fine looking sons but God does not choose any of them. Instead God chooses the one no one expected. He
chose David, as king because God does not see as people see; people look at appearances but God looks at the heart (v7).

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: CCC

1242

In the liturgy of the Eastern Churches, the post-baptismal anointing is the sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation). In the Roman liturgy the post-baptismal
anointing announces a second anointing with sacred chrism to be conferred later by the bishop - Confirmation, which will as it were "confirm" and complete the
baptismal anointing.

1293

In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what it signifies and imprints: a spiritual seal.
Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich in meaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses (anointing before and after a bath) and
limbers (the anointing of athletes and wrestlers); oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health, and
strength.

Syllabus Outcome(s):

Indicators of Learning for this lesson:

By the end of this lesson, the students will learn:

L3.1 Willing to accept their call to respond to God in

their lives, examine ways in which the liturgical year
nourishes and challenges them to respond to the
presence of God

outline the main structure of the sacrament of Confirmation

identify the main beliefs expressed in the Nicene Creed

C3.2 Able to value word, symbols and ritual in the

celebration of Catholic belief and traditions, prepare
celebrations using appropriate word, symbol and ritual

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE:
1 Samuel 16:1-13

Assessment:
Formative Assessment
Observe Ss responses and
participation during group
discussions and shared
activities such as creating
posters about the Rite of
Confirmation structures
Summative Assessment
Completed individual
worksheets based on the
Sacrament of Confirmation
and the Venn Diagrams

RESOURCES:
Lesson 1:
Youtube Clip: Confirmation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3MoT_egFI

White board/Markers, A3/Butchers Paper

Lesson 2:
Ritual Structure Worksheet (Appendix A)

Worksheet information from: http://sacramentofconfirmation.weebly.com/confirmation-structure.html

Rectangle piece of material for Curtains Up/Down

Lesson 3:
Holy Spirit Think board http://www.teacherresourcesgalore.com/religious2.htm (Appendix B)

Student Tablets, IWB for Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?

search=1+Corinthians+12

Lesson 4:

Copy of Nicene/Apostles Creed (Appendix C) & Venn Diagram (Appendix D)

Post it Notes, A3 Paper

Lesson 5:
Appendix A: Unjumbling the Rite of Confirmation

LESSON SEQUENCE
Teaching Strategies / Learning Experiences:
(How it is taught)
Write detailed steps showing what the teacher will do and what students will do.

LESSON 1: Introduction

Ss will be instructed to sit on the floor for the introduction of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

T will begin by asking: What are the different types of Sacraments?

Ss are expected to provide the class with the answers (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist,
Reconciliation, Marriage etc.), however if Ss are unsure, the Sacraments can be provided by the T.
T will inform students that for the next five lesson they will be focusing on the Sacrament of
Confirmation. T will write Sacrament of Confirmation on the white board.
Ss will be informed that the youtube clip they are about to watch is about the Sacrament of

STUDENT ASSESSMENT

Confirmation, and that at the end of the clip they will be expected to write a brief summary of notes
about what they have observed and learnt.
T will write keywords on the whiteboard as the youtube clip progresses.

Show youtube clip to students on IWB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3MoT_egFI

Ensure T stops and pauses during the video at certain times to explain ideas:
o 1:10 Who is the Holy Spirit? (If Students are unsure, briefly state that they are One of the three
persons of the Holy Trinity, Writing the Keyword Holy Trinity)
o 3:20 Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit (Seal of Jesus)
o 4:18 What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit? (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude,
Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord) And how can you develop these? (Prayer/Spending
time with God)
At the conclusion of the youtube clip, T will instruct Ss to return to their seats and write a paragraph
based on what they have learnt from the video.
After a given period of time, Ss will return to the floor with the books and complete a shared experience,
sharing their answers with the class individually.
Prompting Questions T will use to gather answers:
o Who is the Holy Spirit?
o What is the Seal of Jesus
o What are some examples of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
o What are some examples of some fruits of the Holy Spirit?

LESSON 2: Ritual Structure

T will instruct Ss to sit quietly on the floor.

Quick revision from the last lesson will commence asking Ss What does the Sacrament of
Confirmation involve? What are some examples of gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit? What is the Seal
of Jesus?
Briefly explain to Ss that the Sacrament of Confirmation has a specific Ritual Structure. T will hand out
the Ritual Structure worksheet to the Ss and explain that they will need to place the right parts in order
(Testing for Prior Knowledge)
Ss will be instructed to complete the activity in groups of 2-3, and continue the work back at their tables.

After the completion of these worksheets, T will instruct Ss to return to the floor and share their answers
correcting their answers as the Ss share.
T will place an A3 copy of the worksheet, still jumbled as students share answers, T will complete a
more correct and larger copy to place up on the classroom. (For future learning preferences)

Formative Assessment
Outcome:
C3.2 Able to value word, symbols and ritual
in the celebration of Catholic belief and
traditions, prepare celebrations using
appropriate word, symbol and ritual
Indicator
outline the main structure of the
sacrament of Confirmation

The right order: Presentation of the Candidates, Homily, Renewal of Baptismal Promises,
Laying on of hands, Naming and anointing with Chrism, Sign of peace
The next activity students will be completing is Curtains Up/Down T will place Ss in groups of 4-5
and allocate a Ritual Structure part. Ss will be given 10 minutes to practice their allocated Ritual
Structure.
At the conclusion of practicing, Ss will be performing each ceremony part in the correct order.
o

To continue testing Ss about their knowledge of the Ritual Structure, T will be asking which group
should go next. At the end of each play, feedback can be provided from each Ss audience.

LESSON 3: The Holy Spirit

Instruct Ss to sit on the floor quietly in front of the IWB next to someone they will not speak to.

Quick review from previous lesson by prompting questions to encourage a brief group discussion.

Display the completed Ritual Structure parts on the whiteboard in front of the classroom to help prompt
ideas and answers.
Prompting Questions include:
o What does the Sacrament of Confirmation involve?
o What are some examples of some fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit?
o Which ceremony part focuses on the importance of Confirmation?
o What does the laying on of hands part involve?
o What is the Chrism?

(If not all Ss were able to perform, T will provide some time during the beginning part of this lesson to
complete the rest of the Curtain Up/Down performances)
T will allocate Ss into pairs and complete The Holy Spirit Thinkboard (Appendix B). Instructions will
include Ss being granted the access of their school tablets for the research of Bible Stories that involve
the Holy Spirit. Each pair will be provided with one handout each. T will then instruct all pairs to return to
their seats in particular groups.
After the allocated time, Ss who have completed the activity will be provided the opportunity to share
their think board (2-3 pairs). Ss will be encouraged to add answers to their think boards as these will be
hung up throughout the classroom.
T will then remind Ss to sit quietly on the floor facing the IWB as T shows 1 Corinthians 12 on the IWB
T will begin reading the first paragraph, then chooses different Ss to read out the rest encourages all
Ss to focus and participate.
At the conclusion of this quick reading activity, All Ss will be instructed by the T to stand in a big circle to
complete the activity Human Knot specific time will be allocated (5-10 minutes) for this activity.

Formative Assessment
Outcome:
C3.2 Able to value word, symbols and ritual
in the celebration of Catholic belief and
traditions, prepare celebrations using
appropriate word, symbol and ritual
Indicator
outline the main structure of the
sacrament of Confirmation

At the conclusion of this activity, T will ask Ss why we might have completed this activity.

Prompting Questions include:

o Are we all working as a team? Individually?
o What type of communication are we using? Verbal?
o What is the importance of communication?
o As a group what are we called, besides a class? (Community etc.)

Explain to Ss the importance of working as a community to spread the good news of Jesus.

LESSON 4: Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Explain to students that creeds are a statement of what we believe as Christians, it is the Profession of
Faith. Begin by asking where we may find the creeds being said, and what two creeds there are.
Next, remind students that there are two different types of creeds, The Apostles and the Nicene Creed
create a venn diagram, stating differences and similarities between the two.
The two creeds will be printed out of A3 paper and placed at the front of the classroom for children to see,
plus each pair will be provided with the two side by side on A4 papers.
On the bottom of the venn diagram, students will write what their beliefs are.

Instruct Ss to sit on the floor quietly, next to someone they will not speak to during the lesson.

Begin lesson with a brief review in regards to Ss knowledge from previous lessons about the
Sacraments of Confirmation.
T will write down Sacrament of Confirmation on the whiteboard in from of the class and ask Ss
individually to write down information or keywords they think relate to this particular Sacrament.
Prompting Questions include:
o Who is the Holy Spirit?
o What is the Seal of Jesus?
o What are some examples of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit?
o What are some parts of the Ritual Structure of the Rite of Confirmation?

T will explain to Ss that the focus of this lesson will be the Renewal of Baptismal Promises Ritual part.

The Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed will be brought up on the IWB and shown to Ss. 2-3 Ss will be
picked to read out each of the creeds.
T will instruct Ss to return to their seats as they receive a copy of the creeds (Appendix C) and to
complete the Venn Diagram (Appendix D) worksheet. (Individual)
At the conclusion of the activity, T will instruct Ss to return to the floor and share their answers. A larger

identify the main beliefs expressed in

the Nicene Creed

copy of the Venn Diagram will be placed on the whiteboard to place answers Ss will be expected to
write their answers on the Venn Diagram.
T will provide each Ss with a post-it note to write down what their personal beliefs are continuing the
theme of Beliefs. Ss will return to their seats, write their beliefs, be instructed to return to the floor and
place post-it notes on a larger A3 paper to hang up in the classroom.

LESSON 5: Anointing with the Chrism

Ss will enter the classroom quietly to the first activity on their tables (One copy per table group) they
will be instructed to Unjumble the parts of the Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
At the completion of this quick review of prior knowledge, Ss will be instructed to return to the floor
facing the front of the classroom. Two-three groups will share their answers, and posters will be hung up
within the classroom.
T will then ask the Ss, What is one of the final parts of the Rite of Confirmation? What does it involve?

Explain to the Ss that they will be able to participate in a practice Anointing with the Chrism!

Each Ss will instructed to say to one another: (Name) Be sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and
the Ss receiving this oil will need to reply with Amen.

Teacher Evaluation Questions: (For All Five Lessons)

1. To what extent did the students achieve the intended learning outcomes?
2. Did the teaching strategies and learning experiences effective enable students to reach expected outcomes?
3. What other teaching strategies and learning experiences could I have used to improve my lessons?
4. Which learning experiences didnt provide as much evidence for improve students work? How may I improve this?
5. Was the timing appropriate during the lessons? If not, how can I improve this?
6. Were the resources used for each lesson appropriate?
7. What other resources can I use in order to enhance learning? Or integrate multiple intelligences?
8. Were the students engaged during most lessons? If not, why?
9. Were students prior knowledge being built upon during each lesson?
10. How else can I integrate Technology into my classroom?

Appendix A: Ritual Structure Worksheet

Information from: http://sacramentofconfirmation.weebly.com/confirmation-structure.html
Each part will be cut out and unjumbled by Ss.

Presentation of the Candidates

Homily

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Laying on of Hands

Naming and anointing with Chrism

Sign of Peace

Appendix B: Holy Spirit Think Board

Symbols

Gifts
and
Fruits

The Holy
Spirit

People who are filled with the Holy Spirit

Bible
Stories

Appendix C: Apostles Creed vs. Nicene Creed

Nicene Creed
Apostles Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten
of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of
very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made.

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was

and born of the virgin Mary.

incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was

was crucified, died, and was buried;

buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;

he descended to hell.

and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father;

The third day he rose again from the dead.

and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead;

He ascended to heaven

whose kingdom shall have no end.

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the
Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge

the holy catholic* church,

one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of

the communion of saints,

the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Appendix D: Venn Diagram

Apostles Creed

Nicene Creed