Lesson Plan using the Poster. If you need more information about the Office of Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Hartford, visit us on the web www.orehartford.org and www.ore-blogs.info

1. Poster Mini-Lesson
This lesson is not designed as a full lesson. It can be part of
a religion class in parish or school settings, an after dinner
sharing and activity in homes, or family or ministry group
preparation for the weekend liturgy.
Step One: Read
Read through the entire lesson & decide which parts and activity you will use
The activity in this mini-lesson focuses on the symbol of the fish but others could be planned that
focus on the cross or water, etc.
Step Two: Print
• Flash Cards of poster elements with teaching notes
• Large Outline of a fish for coloring, journal writing, creating wall or bulletin board display
Step Three: Gather Supplies
• Religious Education Month 2009 Poster
• Crayons, markers, pens
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• CD with soft instrumental music
• i-pod and dock with speakers or CD player
• Bible with passage: Jesus calling the apostles or sending them on mission
(Matthew 9:9, Matthew 10:1-7)
Step Four: Present the Lesson / Lead the Discussion
• Ask children, students, teens or adults what they see in the poster
• List the elements on a piece of paper, white board or newsprint pad
• Depending on how many lessons you plan to prepare, choose which elements and how many you
will work on in this mini-lesson
• Using flash cards or more questions talk about the elements selected by explaining/presenting what
the symbols represent, their history, where we see and/or how we use them, etc.
• Proclaim the selected Bible passage; depending on ages in the group, invite each person to share
how Jesus calls them, what gift Jesus asks them to share, or the people who help them learn about
Jesus and show them how to live as His follower/disciple
• Distribute materials needed for the activity chosen
• Explain the activity with directions appropriate for those in the group
• Play soft background music during the activity
• Conclude by displaying/sharing parts of the completed activity, saying a prayer together or singing
For more resources for celebrating Religious Education Month
visit, www.catholicnh.org

2. Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Cut the following pages in half along the dotted
line. Fold in half to use as flash cards.
Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Symbol for Christian
Greek for fish ICHTHUS: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior
Symbol during persecutions of Early Church
Uniqueness of each one
Each Bears message
Live message within school of fish – community
www.catholicsymbols.org/ichthus-fish
What direction are the fish swimming?
a
How are the fish grouped?
cut here Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Can you see the word Jesus within the body of this fish?
For more resources for celebrating Religious Education Month visit, www.catholicnh.org

3. Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Water
Symbol of Baptism
Death to sin
Life in Christ
Blessing Water
Easter Vigil
Baptismal Rite
Sprinkling Rite in Liturgy
Jesus as Living water
John 4: 4 – 15 (Woman at the Well)
Water – necessity for all life
Holy Water
Church and home
Recalls our baptism
Bless ourselves with water
Sprinkling rite in Liturgy/Mass
Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Cross
Symbol
Marked with at Baptism
Signing of senses in RCIA Rite of Welcome
Start and end prayer
Sign ourselves when enter church
Jesus
Eternal life through death on cross
Paschal Mystery
Called to live this Mystery
Dying and rising to new life throughout our lifetime
Discipleship
Live and serve in shadow of the cross

4. Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Symbol for Christian
Greek for fish ICHTHUS: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior
Symbol during persecutions of Early Church
Uniqueness of each one
Each Bears message
Live message within school of fish – community
www.catholicsymbols.org/ichthus-fish
What direction are the fish swimming?
How are the fish grouped?
Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Can you see the word Jesus within the body of this fish?

5. Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Look closely at this fish what word stands out?
Believe - John 20:24-29
Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Ministering to a Great Multitude - Luke 6:17-19

6. Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:1-11; Luke 6:20-26
Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Blessed are the poor - Luke 12:16-21

7. Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Fish
Within this fish we see music and an Easter lily.
Religious Education Month Poster 2009
Symbols & Notes
Waves of different languages
Pentecost – Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-12
Spirit moving through and within us
Sent to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world
Movement is part of being a disciple – Matthew 10: 1-11
Passing on/Sharing the Word with others
Continuing the mission of Jesus
Living and serving as part of a community

8. Celebrating Religious Education Month