Pentecost and the Beginning of the Church: A Lapbook Study
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Pentecost and the birthday of the Church is next week, on June 8th! It is always a great celebration here and a perfect opportunity to review the historical foundation of our Church. Back in late March, as I was working on the Liturgical Year post for April, I mentioned that I would like to create a Lapbook focused on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. Well, here it is!
Pentecost and the Beginning of the Church Lapbook
This lapbook has come to fruition looking a little different than what I originally had in mind and I love it! Instead of just a focus on the Holy Spirit and Pentecost, we will also be focusing on the Acts of the Apostles and the beginning of the Church. I decided to include the Acts of the Apostles and the Apostles’ Creed since I started including a special focus on the Apostles in the May Liturgical Year post. In our homeschool we are also shifting gear a little bit as we are entering our summer rhythm. With all these different elements under one flap it creates a solid and complete overview of the historical foundation of the Church.
A family affair
This study of the early Church is designed for the whole family. I have created it to fit our family’s needs and right now that includes an age range from 4 to 17. The books are meant to be read-aloud and discussed together. I am not sure if we will create one family lapbook or if each child will create her own lapbook. That will be something we decide together at the beginning of the study.
Supplies
Here is a small supply list to help you have everything on hand to create your Pentecost lapbook:
- File folder(s) One to two file folders, dependending if you will add the Apostles ID cards to your lapbook or keep them separate. If not using the Apostles ID cards, I would recommend a red file folder, otherwise the basic tan one would work nicely.
- White cardstock and printing paper. You will want to print the cover on cardstock.
- Scissors
- Glue stick (white glue has a tendency to make everything floppy and untidy)
- Tape, both regular and double sided
- Coloring pencils, markers and pens
Booklist
I have carefully selected each book. Each of them is an easy, pleasant read-aloud or read on your own. This unit is meant to be completed as a family, therefore I would encourage you to read-aloud each book. See more details below. Each book is accessible for all ages from 0 to 100.
- The Holy Ghost, our Greatest Friend, He Loves us Best by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O.P.
- The Apostles’ Creed by Inos Biffi, illustrated by Franco Vignazia
- The First Christians: The Acts of the Apostles for Children, by Marigold Hunt
- The Illustrated Acts of the Apostles for Children by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard (Comic book version)
The study
I need to keep it simple as we have a busy summer ahead, so I will be sticking to a very basic format. However, there are no limits of how in-depth one could go down rabbit trails (I am trying not to do that… for now).
The week before Pentecost
We will read Chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles. Each child will be able to narrate back, both through text and illustrations, this chapter. We will also read Chapter 5, p.22-24 in The Holy Ghost, our Greatest Friend, He Loves us Best by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O.P. In this chapter Fr. Paul O’Sullivan gives a rapid description of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit as well as the importance of the Beatitudes. Since we just read the entire book in April this will help us bring our notes to life. We will complete all 3 activities related to these elements for our lapbook. The instructions for each are included in the lapbook itself.
The weeks after pentecost
We will start our study of the Acts of the Apostles and the Apostles’ Creed. I am planning on this study taking us 4 to 5 weeks at most. We will be reading one chapter a day of The First Christians: The Acts of the Apostles for Children by Marigold Hunt. With twelve chapters that should take us just about 4 to 5 weeks. We will be reading The Apostles’ Creed by Inos Biffi daily as well, 2 pages a day, they are very short. Each child will be able to pick and choose their favorite comic book layout (included in the lapbook download) to narrate via comic book style their understanding of the Apostles’ Creed. Since we will be only reading one to two small parts of the Creed a day this will remain manageable and enjoyable. One comic block per part of the Creed is ideal. The Acts of the Apostles is our main read-aloud and is more for enjoyment. I will not be requiring narrations on it. We will however summarize the previous day’s reading before starting on the next chapter.
Holy Trinity
As I have a 4yo in my homeschool I want to bring back the basics, and since Pentecost is all about the Holy Spirit, it makes introducing the Holy Trinity, formally to her, a breeze. We will discuss that it is a mystery and therefore we will never really understand it. A very simple discussion will be sufficient for this and she will be the one making the Holy Trinity component of the lapbook.
Sign of the Cross
Similar to the Holy Trinity, this is a good introduction to the simplest and easiest prayer to the Holy Trinity: the Sign of the Cross. Reiterating its importance and the necessity for reverence in regards to this prayer and the gestures that accompany it will be a good reminder for the older kids. This will be introduced right after Pentecost as well, within the first week. Then for the next few weeks our focus will be solely on the Acts and the Creed.
This makes for a simple catechesis unit for our summer learning. We retain more when there are less distractions and a deeper focus on the topic. Simple is always best.
I hope and pray that you enjoy this lapbook and that it helps your family grow in their faith.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Love,
Mattie
