How do I teach my students how to appreciate nature, cultivate a sense of wonder and see God in nature? Well, today, I took my 10th morality class for a short while outside as part of the unit of creation! It was a little chilly, but the sun was out, and the birds chirped away. They meditated on creation using the psalms and their five senses.
For my scripture class, I have wanted to make it more engaging. Teaching the girls about something that was written three thousand years ago and how the Biblical text is still very much relevant requires creating personal experiences.
Out of this desire, I had a prayer activity. I led students in a Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) on a section of the Book of Lamentations in the school’s chapel. Not everyone stayed focused, but a couple of minds and hearts were won over. In reflection of the experience, some students referred back to their Do-Now without me prompting them and asked critical questions about the relationship between God and the Israelites and if their unique bond is still applicable in the present age. This connection was progress!
Between classes, I planned lessons, of course, and looked forward to a nap. When I arrived at my dorm room after a day at Notre Dame Academy, I treated myself to a muffin and headed to bed.
It was a long, busy week, but I hope you enjoyed reading a tidbit of my teaching experience.
P.S. Holy Cross’ spring break was this week, so campus life was pretty much dead.
