SUBJECTS: Religion, Language Arts and Math*
GRADES: 4-8

OBJECTIVES:
To improve students interviewing and writing skills.
To increase students appreciation of how the sacraments have enriched the lives of significant people* in their lives.
*Significant people can be parents, relatives, a friend of the family, or any other Catholic adult.

TIME: 30 minutes. Most of this activity will be done as a homework assignment over a week or so. Students will need time to meet with the interviewee and fill in the information on the Fun Fact Sheet.

MATERIALS:
Kid’s Discover America’s Catholic Heritage, “Growing Up Catholic,” pp.53-75
Two sets of Fun Fact Sheets and pencil
Significant adults to interview

ACTIVITIES:
1. Discuss the sacraments with students using the book, Kid’s Discover America’s Catholic Heritage, “Growing Up Catholic,” pp.53-75.
2. Present the Fun Fact Sheet as a tool for them to use while interviewing the significant adults they will choose. Give each students two sheets, one for their notes and for their final copy.
3. Discuss the criteria they will use in choosing significant Catholic people to interview.

EXTENDED ACTIVITIES:
Using a Venn Diagram, * help the student compare and contrast the lives of the two significant adults.
Using a Venn diagram, help the student compare and contrast the life of one of their adults to their life.
Write a story about one, or both, of your adult’s experience of their favorite memory of a sacrament received. Be sure to include good character development, a setting, and detailed description of the event, and significant people in their lives at the time.
Come up with more of your own categories for your Fun Fact Sheet.

Fun Facts Sheet
Full Name:
Birth date:
Place of Birth:
Baptism Date and Place:

Mother’s maiden name:
Mother’s Birth date:
Mother’s Heritage:

Father’s Name:
Father’s Birth date:
Father’s Heritage:

List the sacraments you have received:

Godmother’s name (and relationship if any):
Godfather’s name (and relationship if any):

Favorite childhood Christmas memory:
Favorite childhood Easter memory:

Tell about your First Holy Communion day:

What Saint did you choose for your Confirmation name? Why?

Tell your favorite Bible verse or story:
Favorite Holiday food:
Favorite Holiday custom:
What is your favorite sacrament? Why?
Who is your favorite saint? Why?
Tell something about a favorite church or shrine you have visited:

Explain who or what has helped you to achieve your goals?
What advice you would give me to help me achieve my goals?


Extended Questions:
This Fun Fact Sheet could be extended to include questions that reveal additional information about the person’s life.

Happiest time and why:
Saddest time and why:
Most embarrassing time and why:
From my childhood, I remember:
Three places you have lived:
Favorite place I have lived:
Favorite vacation place and why:
Favorite teacher and why:
Favorite story or book from your childhood and why:
Pets you have had:
Occupation:
Things that you are proud to have accomplished in your life:
Sentence or motto stating your philosophy about how to be successful and happy in life: