I am new to filling out the form for the lesson plan this week. It will be my first week next week. I am taking over for the lady who left. I am very happy to teach the 7th graders but I am a bit frustrated because the chapter I am starting with is a review chapter (Chapter 9) and I don't know how to really tackel it since I don't know what the 7th graders know. If this makes sense. Any suggestions of jumping into a grade midway through?

Catholicgirl,

I hear you: mid-year transitions are always difficult, both for the new catechist and for the students.

There are a couple of ways you might handle this situation.

I might start by spending the first part of the session getting to know the group, and beginning to build relationships with them. Engage in a few getting to know you activities. (This is one fo the best things you can do the first few weeks you spend with them.... build a solid relationship.)

As a part of this getting to know you, you can informally get a sense of what they have been doing so far this year. You might ask them outright: what are some of the things you have learned so far this year? what haqve you been talking about? Or you could be creative about it: ask students to create a quiz for one another, or have everyone create two or three Jeopardy-esque questions and then actually play.

While the year is in swing, you might approach it as you would approach the beginning of a new year. You're a different catechist than they've had: you have your own style, and your own expectations. 7th grade students are old enough to know that every "teacher" has his/her own style. Give them an overview of your expectations, but allow them to be involved in the process.

Hope this helps!

I'd do this:

Hello, I'm Catholicgirl, your new teacher. I don't know anyone's name yet, but we'll get acquainted over the next few class meetings.

I understand the chapter for tonight's class is Chapter 9, a review chapter. So let's review. No looking in the book, put the books down.

I see the first topic in the chapter is X. Let's see...you, the boy in the back, what's your name? Timmy. Thanks, Timmy. Timmy, tell me something about X.

I dunno.

Ok, how about you, honorary daughter, what's your name? Susie. Susie, what do you know about X?

Well...it's thus and so.

Yes, good....can anyone add to that? No? Then let me add X1, X2 and X3. Any questions? Yes?

Catholicgirl, why X2? That's a good question. What's your name? Bill. Bill, I'm new to the class, and I'm not sure what the answer is. I tell you what, I'll find an answer for next week, and tell you then. Any more on X? No? Alright, our next review topic is Y.......I need a braveheart to tell me something about Y....

etc.