The Liturgy of the Eucharist Lesson Plan

This is part 2 of a lesson I recently shared: The Liturgy of the Word Lesson Plan. In this short lesson, I wanted to introduce my second grade students to the importance of the words we pray during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and to help them understand the meaning of transubstantiation (without actually introducing the word) as kids.

I. Where the Students Are Now

Do you know what your students know or feel about the lesson you are about to teach? It is an essential question to ask yourself before every lesson. Knowing where the students are at now is essential in knowing where you want them to go. Here is where my students were at related to the Eucharist:

• As children, all the standing, kneeling, sitting doesn’t make sense.
• At the First communion retreat, they did learn about the parts of the mass and their meaning, but only briefly.
• They can’t fully grasp that the bread and wine truly become Jesus’ body and blood

II. Where They Will Be (Lesson Objectives)

• Students will be able to (SWBAT) respond to the prayers during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. 
• SWBAT make connections between caterpillars/butterflies and the bread and wine/body and blood of Christ.
• Students will feel (SWF) united with their other classmates just as the Church is united in communion.

III. How I Will Get Them There (Liturgy of the Eucharist Activities)

1. Bell Work

Review the parts of the Liturgy of the Word. Distribute copies of the “Order of the Mass” handout or have them use their handout pieces from the previews lesson to review the parts of the Liturgy of the Word.

Or, list the various parts of the Liturgy of the Word on the board and have them list them in order on a blank piece of paper. Walk around the room and check answers until they are correct.

When they finished, I asked them to draw a picture of a butterfly on the back (see #3 below).

2. Scripture, Prayer, and Witness

We read St. Luke’s version of the Last Supper, then I led the group in a spontaneous prayer.

Then, I offered a mini-witness talk showing how the Eucharist has made such a profound impact on my life. I shared the story of my initial conversion in high school during a Holy Hour at a summer conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Then I offered the ways in which the Eucharist has made a profound impact on my life.

(Read more about the importance of sharing your testimony with your students.)

3. Hook: Butterflies and Transubstantiation

I brainstormed a few different hooks to share at the beginning of this Liturgy of the Eucharist lesson plan, but kept coming back to butterflies. Butterflies, as most second grad kids know, were once caterpillars. It’s an incredible transformation–miraculous even. It isn’t exactly the same as transubstantiation, but it helps them make the connection.

I had them share their butterfly pictures and asked them these questions:

• Where do butterflies come from? 
• Can anyone explain how they are transformed?
• Did you know that there is a transformation at Mass, too? Can anyone tell me what it is? (Explain it briefly.)
• How is a butterfly’s transformation similar to the transformation at Mass? How is it different?

Bonus: Teach your students the meaning of the term Transubstantiation with this video:

4. Presentation: The Parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist

I wrote the following parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist on the board while the students copied them in their notes in order:

1. Presentation of the Gifts
2. Eucharistic Prayer
3. Our Father
4. Sign of Peace
5. Lamb of God
6. Holy Communion
7. Communion

Obviously, I left a lot out, but I wanted them to remember what they actually do in Mass not just the names of the different parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

5. Practice: Textbook Worksheet

Next, I had them complete a worksheet in their textbooks that asked them to place the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in order and answer some questions about the Mass.

6. Practice: Last Supper File Folder Game

Have you been using the resources over at The Catholic Toolbox. Laura Grace does an incredible job. She has tons of great games to play in class. For this lesson, I used her “Last Supper File Folder Game” to help my students learn the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

I supplemented the game by using flash cards with prayers from The Religion Teacher’s New Roman Missal Student Activity Pack. I liked her questions, but I wanted to meet the lesson objective of “SWBAT respond to the prayers . . .”

IV. How I Know They Got There (Assessment)

Before the end of class, I quizzed the kids on the responses of the Mass. I read the prayers from the New Roman Missal Activity Pack flashcards that they practiced with during the game and had them all respond out loud.

Then, I had them write as many parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist that they could remember, in order, on a sheet of paper before they were dismissed.

*Member Resource: Parts of the Mass Video

Members of The Religion Teacher have access to many classroom videos to supplement their lessons including a Parts of the Mass Video and graphic organizer. Become a member of The Religion Teacher or login to access this and many other catechetical videos to use in class.

(photo credit: beginasyouare)