Circle of Grace - Grade 8

Notes and Boardgame of Moral Choices Using the 10 Commandments. Information drawn from the Circle of Grace Program for Grade 8

Lesson Objectives
Young People will be able to: 1. Recognize that Catholic Christians have specific moral values. 2. Identify those values and how they fit into their Circle of Grace. 3. Understand those values and how they can oppose cultural values. 4. Recognize that our understanding of values assists us in keeping appropriate boundaries in our Circle of Grace. 5. Know how to seek help when something unsafe threatens their Circle of Grace.
Take from page 8 of the Circle of Grace program for grade 8

Vocabulary
Value: A principle, standard, or quality considered desirable Morality: The way we put our beliefs into action for good Conscience: The gift from God that helps me to know the difference between right and wrong

Voc. (cont.)
Trust: Being able to count on someone to help me to stay safe within my Circle of Grace Trusted Adult: A grown-up who helps me to stay safe in my Circle of Grace and to respect others within their Circle of Grace Respect: Being kind to others and doing what is best for myself and others because I honor all people as Children of God.

Voc. (cont.)
Circle of Grace: The love and goodness of God that always surrounds me and all others Sexuality: Everything that makes us female or male. This includes feelings, attitudes, values, relationships, and ideas Modesty: The virtue that respects, honors, and protects privacy: the quality of avoiding extremes of emotion, action, dress, and language. Modesty respects my boundaries and the boundaries of others.

What is Circle of Grace?

It is the love and goodness of God which always surrounds us

If Circle of Grace were a household item what would it be? Why?

What is Circle of Grace?

It is the love and goodness of God which always surrounds us The Holy Spirit helps us to remember that we belong to God; we are always in a special, holy place
If the Holy Spirit were an ordinary thing found outside the house, what would it be? Why?

What is Circle of Grace?

If we can remember that we are in our Circle of Grace, with God and surrounded by His love, we will remember to behave with respect for ourselves and others

Commandments vs. Pop Culture

Commandments
I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.

Pop Culture value that may be in conflict with the commandment

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not kill.

Commandments vs. Pop Culture

Commandments Pop Culture

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

10 Commandments Today

Break into six groups, (Commandments 1 & 2 go together) Each group is responsible for reading the sections in their textbook that correspond After reading and brainstorming, each group is to write a two to three scenario of a contemporary violation of the commandment their group is examining 1, 2, & 3 pp. 236-244 4 pp. 246-252 5 pp. 253-264 6 & 9 pp. 265-275 7 & 10 pp. 276-284 8 pp. 285-293

PLAAN

We are all People of God - as such each person deserves respect, ourselves and others As People of God, the Holy Spirit gives us feelings, ideas, memories for us to "listen" to when making choices. To determine the correct course of action ask yourself "does this say 'yes' to what God calls me to be? Do I have a good or bad feeling "leading" me? Remember it is important to take action to project your "circle of grace". DONT REVEAL PERSONAL INFORMATION, NEVER COMENT ON OTHER PEOPLES .... AVOID USAFE SUTIUATION LIKE.... When in any of these situations notify an adult.

Game of Moral Choices

Object: Players move through the board toward the end by answering questions about the Ten Commandments and developing a PLAAN to address issues in contemporary society. Gameplay: The first person to roll two "ones" goes first, then each person takes turns rotating in a clockwise direction. The person to the right of the current player reads the question cards. In a single turn, each player is read a fictitious "situation" presenting a contemporary moral issue. The player must determine which commandment the issue violates AND vocalize a strategy using the steps outlined in the PLAAN process: 1 explain how this situation shows a lack of respect to the People of God, 2 listen to the Holy Spirit within you and identify what your mind and heart tell you about the sinful action, 3 vocalize how/why this action violates the commandment, 4 vocalize how to respectfully and safely deal with the situation, and 5 vocalize what specific authority you should notify. If the player gets the commandment correct, he/she rolls one dice and moves the appropriate number of spaces. If the group (50% or more), not including the current person, accept the players response, he/she rolls one die and moves the appropriate number of spaces. If the player both identifies the commandment and his/her PLAAN is accepted he/she may roll two dice and move the appropriate number of spaces. While moving spaces, players must pause on vocabulary squares before continuing. To continue, a player must state, draw, or act out the meaning of the term in 60 seconds or less before continuing their move. If the player cannot do this, he/she must remain at that square and forfeit the remainder of their turn. Additionally, there are instructions on the gameboard which increase the challenge. Players landing on the "sin" square must roll one die and move backward the appropriate number of spaces. Players landing on the "virtue" square roll one die and move forward the appropriate number of squares. If you move ahead or behind and land on a "special" square DO NOT follow the directions on that square, simply let your piece remain there. There are also "advance ahead" arrows for players landing on those squares.

Student Assignment
1. Complete the "10 Commandments and Pop Culture Chart", showing those situations or values compete with Christian Morality. 2. Create 10 fictitious situations, one for each commandment, highlighting a contemporary value or situation. For example: A middle school student, wanting to fit in tries to show off infront of friends by making fun of their parents. (4th Commandment) 1. Neatly print or type each situation on a game card.

Practice Vocabulary on Quizlet