Vision for Learning Resources

Background Articles

Are we really teaching religion?
Frank Sheed to teaching sisters on whether their teaching of religion was effective 40 years later 

Some First Principles of Catholic Education
Catholic Education Resource Centre (CERC) article

A Catholic Worldview shapes teaching and learning
Information on Catholic Worldview and education from Broken Bay schools (Australia) 

Catholic Worldview
A very brief description of Catholic Worldview from a parish website 

Educating to Truth, Goodness, and Beauty 

Truth, Beauty, and Goodness
A very short article on these three transcendental properties of being 

Evangelizing through Beauty
Video from Bishop Barron 

C.S. Lewis, Peter Kreeft, and the sequence: truth, goodness, and beauty
Blog entry 

Why Education Matters
Blog entry from a mother, homeschooler, author/speaker (with great humour) on the heart of it 

Is There Such a Thing as Catholic Math?

An Ocean of God’s Love
One version of the legend of the little boy and St. Augustine regarding the mystery of God/Trinity 

Rev. James V. Schall, SJ: A Few Articles/Essays
The priest, philosopher, and professor’s philosophical thoughts and commentary 

Websites – Formation and Resources

FORMED
Subscription service with access to Bishop Barron’s resources (Word on Fire), Augustine Institute programs and more (adult, youth, child, family faith formation resources) 

Ascension Presents
Short video presentations by Father Mike Schmitz on a variety of topics 

C4: Ignite your Catholic Faith
Videos on a wide variety of Faith topics – from Archdiocese of Milwaukee 

Busted Halo
Busted Halo is a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help people understand the Catholic faith, put it into practice in their everyday lives, and share it with others. Our vision is for a more joyful and meaningful experience of Catholicism that positively impacts people’s lives. 

ChurchPOP
ChurchPOP is a Christian culture brand that’s fun, informative, and inspirational. We hope you enjoy it! 

Catholic Online
YouTube channel 

Vatican 

Catholic Encyclopedia (online) 

Catholic Relief Services 
Catholic Social teaching lesson plans 

Catholic Basics 
Loyola Press: Catholic beliefs and practices 

Catholic Social Teaching
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) 

Catholic Teacher Resources 

The Skit Guys 
Christian (not Catholic) presentations on issues of faith, prayer and relationship with Jesus and others 

Pintrest 

Educational Philosophies

Charlotte Mason 
The firm belief that the child is a person and we must educate that whole person, not just his mind. Charlotte Mason education is three-pronged: in her words, “Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life.” 

Choosing Books Like a Connoisseur 
How to choose Charlotte Mason’s “living books” 

The Lost Tools of Learning 
Dorothy Sayers essay suggesting that we presently teach our children everything but how to learn. She proposes that we adopt a suitably modified version of the medieval scholastic curriculum for methodological reasons. 

Bibles

NRSV-CE
New Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition (Lectionary Canada) 

RSV-CE
Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition (ecumenical, often used for academic study) 

NAB
New American Bible (Lectionary USA) 

NJB
New Jerusalem Bible (widest-used English translation outside N.A., Jerusalem Bible UK Lectionary) 

Catechisms

Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 
The universal catechism 

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Pope Benedict’s Q&A format concise catechism 

YOUCAT
Christoph Cardinal Schönborn’s “YOUth CATechism” based on the Compendium, in writing accessible to youth (NOTE: “youth” refers to a European understanding: typically ages 18-35) 

Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Primary – Bibles 

Golden Children’s Bible
a classic “story-Bible” (daily reading – as you would a novel) 

The Bible for Little Ones
Bible stories 

A Child’s Treasury of Bible Stories

The Catholic Bible for Children 

My Favorite Catholic Children’s Bibles
Blog list of children’s Bibles 

Primary – Christian Education 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Level I & II) (Ages 3-6 & 6-9) | CGSUSA | RCAV
We believe that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another particularly before the age of six and that the growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child. Children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship. 

The Religion Teacher
Practical resources and teaching strategies to help religious educators transform the lives of the young people they teach. 

Catholic Kids – Loyola Press 
Teach Catholic kids about the Catholic faith with fun games and prayers 

The Catholic Mom
Articles, activities, printables, and more for your family, classroom or organization 

Catholic Icing
Free catholic crafts and ideas 

Jesus Wonder Animations 
Animated Catholic Bible stories for kids 

Veggie Tales 
Bible Stories and Moral Lessons 

Sophia Sketchpad 
Hand-drawn sketches on a number of topics, including the sacraments 

Cat Chat 
Cat Chat VSB Catholic Sing Along/ Action Songs for Kids 

Primary – Reading Lists 

Honey for a Child’s Heart 
Book: What and why good literature with a reading list K-12 of good, true, and beautiful literature  

The Harp and the Laurel Wreath: Poetry and Dictation for the Classical Curriculum 

Good Books for Catholic Kids
Blog: Has a few great reading lists for different ages 

Read Aloud Revival
Blog: Has a reading list, interviews with authors and illustrators, and resources 

Primary – English Language Arts 

Language of God
Grammar and composition, Levels A-G (Grades 2-8) 

My Very First Catholic Speller 
Reading/spelling work text for Grade 1 (advanced K) 

Little Folks’ Letter Practice 
Reading and writing readiness workbook for Pre-K to K; exposing children to teachings of the faith 

My Catholic Speller 
Phonics based approach to spelling while instilling a love of God and Church, Levels A-E (Grades 1-5) 

Primary – Science 

Behold and See 1-3 
As children begin to discover the astounding world that God created, they at the same time begin to uncover the mysteries of science. Rather than being at odds, these two discoveries issue from one and the same Source. (Grades 1-3) 

Primary – Social Studies 

Explore the Continents 
This hands-on course takes you and your child on a step-by-step exploration of the geography, climate, animals, landmarks, and saints of each of the seven continents. 

Tour a Country: Learning about Other Lands and Peoples
Guides you and your child through different countries which have been selected for their historical, geographical, and cultural features. Your child will be “touring” a country each month and creating a travel brochure for each. (Grade 3-4) 

Our Friends from Other Lands 
The full-color worktext includes stories and country overviews for 27 countries, as well as comprehension questions, an illustrated glossary, and a removable answer key. (Grade 3-4) 

Many Gifts 
From Nelson Publishers: connecting Ontario 1-6 Social Studies with Catholic teachings, focuses on inquiry, social studies thinking concepts, citizenship, and spatial skills in one comprehensive resource 

Stay tuned!