SUBJECTS: Art and Religion
GRADES LEVELS: 2-8

OBJECTIVES:
To increase knowledge of saints, miracles and symbols.
To show the value of working together.
TIME: 45 minutes to design puzzle
(More time will be needed for each student to research his or her saint.)

MATERIALS:
Background Information: Kids Explore America’s Catholic Heritage, pages 38-52
Two strips of bulletin board paper or poster board the same size
(Make the paper the size you want the finished product.)
Scissors
Pencils and markers
Resources for information on saints

Preparation before class: In this activity the class will make one large puzzle with each student drawing his favorite saint on a puzzle piece. Take one of the pieces of bulletin board paper and draw the puzzle pieces in black marker on the paper. Make one piece for each student. Number the top of each piece in pencil. If you want to make putting the puzzle together simpler, you can lay the second sheet of paper on top of the first and trace the pieces to make lines on the bottom paper. Cut out puzzle pieces from one sheet to give to the students.

ACTIVITIES:
Share your favorite saint with the class. Show them a drawing you made and some of the things you put on the edge to remind you of the saint. You might want to read a short story of a saint from Kids Explore America’s Catholic Heritage. These stories are a good length for using in class.
Give each student his or her puzzle piece and explain they are to illustrate a saint (could be the name they chose for confirmation)and share some things they want people to know about them. Students will need time to do research at home, in the library or in class.
Remind students to leave room within the illustrations for short titles.
You could print names of Saints on the pieces for students or type labels for them to use. This helps the puzzle look more uniform.
Request volunteers to tell their saint’s story and glue it in place. Continue until the puzzle is complete.

EXTENSION: Have the students brainstorm a list of American saints. Then, check your list against the American Saints listed in Kids Explore America’s Catholic Heritage. This list is current as of 2002.