Grade 4

Knowledge of the Faith: To prepare Christians to know, understand and integrate the foundational beliefs of the Catholic faith through Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and teachings of the Magisterium

Liturgy and Sacraments: To prepare Christians to understand and foster a full, active, and conscious participation in the celebration of the liturgy and Sacraments

Moral Formation in Jesus Christ: To prepare Christians to grow in holiness and make good moral choices by being drawn into a deep personal relationship with Christ

Prayer: To prepare Christians to come into communion with God by learning to pray with Christ

Community Life through Discipleship in the Church: To prepare Christians to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the church

Evangelization and Missionary Spirit To prepare Christians to participate in society as faith-filled disciples and to be able to witness their faith in word and deed

Safe Environment: To help Christians realize that each person deserves to be loved and cared for and can help themselves stay safe

Recognize through revelation that God desires to be in relationship with us

Reflect on God’s revelation and thus come to understand our human desire for God

Explore, understand, and apply Scripture to life through the guidance of the Magisterium

Learn the history of the Catholic Church and its role in the world

Understand the core teachings of the Catholic Church

Understand that the Sacraments which are celebrated by the Church are outward signs of God’s love revealed through the Paschal Mystery of Christ

Know and value the importance of the Sacraments of initiation, including the dignity and responsibility of Baptism, the deepening of grace in Confirmation, and the centrality of the Eucharist

Know and value the importance of the Sacraments of healing – Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick

Know and value the importance of the Sacraments of service to the Church – Marriage and Holy Orders 

Understand that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the life of the Church

Acquire the knowledge, spirituality, and skills which lead to full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgical life of the Church

Develop a moral foundation centered in a virtuous life and properly informed conscience through the teaching of the Catholic Church

Recognize the need for grace to live a moral life and to be faithful to Scriptural values

Recognize and honor the dignity of human life from natural conception to natural death 

 Understand the nature of sin and personal responsibility

Develop a life-long relationship with God through prayer

Know and participate in Catholic prayers

Recognize the importance of the role of Scripture in our prayer life

Actively participate in the life and work of the local and global Church

Grow spiritually as a Church

Cultivate human values and Christian virtues

Recognize and respond to our baptismal call of service according to our vocation in life

Live as disciples of Christ through the knowledge and practice of Catholic social teaching

Give witness to Catholic principles and values in all aspects of daily life

Understand each human being is created in the image and likeness of God

Understand that choices have consequences

Recognize experiences of good and had human relationships and friendships

Differentiate between holy and sinful behavior

Know and retell the story of Salvation History

Relate how God’s creation is a sign of His love for us

Understand that God shares His life with us through the Church

Illustrate choices that show love for God and other people

Describe ways that grace is sharing in God’s life

Know that Scripture is the inspired word of God

Know and retell the New Testament stories of Jesus’ life and mission

Name, locate, and explain the significance of the Pentateuch and Psalms in the Old Testament

Name, locate, and explain the significance of the four Gospels and Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament

Name and understand the Church as the People of God and as the Body of Christ

Demonstrate how the Church has and continues to spread the Good News about Jesus

Identify the Trinity - God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Explain the marks of the Church – one, holy, catholic, and apostolic 

Know the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints are models of discipleship

Demonstrate how God’s mercy and forgiveness is given by Christ through the Church (St. Faustina and Divine mercy)

Know how God’s love and saving power is celebrated and is received in each of the Seven Sacraments

Recognize Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of Baptism (Matt 28:16-20)

Recognize Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of Confirmation (Acts 8:14–17, 9:17, 19:6, Hebrews 6:2)

Recognize Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of Eucharist (Mt 26:26-29,Lk 22: 14-20, Mk 24:22-25, Jn 13:1-15)

Experience Reconciliation

Identify Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Identify Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

Identify Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of Marriage

Identify Scripture stories that illustrate Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of Holy Orders

Explain and understand why the Mass is the greatest expression of prayer for the Church

Understand that the Eucharist, above all the Sacraments is "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the Sacraments tend” (CCC 1374)

Name, locate, and state the purpose of the parts of the Church and Sacramentals

Recite the Ten Commandments and explain how they serve as a guide to us

Summarize the main ideas of the Beatitudes

Explain how grace is a gift from God that helps us be more like Jesus

Name saints and explain how their lives were open to the transforming power of God’s grace

Identify Scripture stories of Jesus modeling respect for the dignity of human life (Luke 4:16-19, Mark 10:46-52)

Give examples of a virtuous life

Apply God’s forgiveness from Scripture to real life situations

Explain and experience “silent” prayer 

Know and pray with the three expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, and contemplative prayer

Pray the appropriate fourth grade prayers

Know what a blessing is and how it confers God’s grace

Retell the stories of how the saints prayed

Recognize the different forms of prayer within the Mass – Adoration, Thanksgiving, Petition, Contrition, Praise

Demonstrate the ability to spend time in quiet reflection on Scriptural passages in the form of Lectio Divina

Name the gifts and talents that God has given you to serve others

Identify the responsibilities of being a Catholic

Participate in ministries of the parish

Explain the role of family and community in helping us live like Jesus

Demonstrate ways that Jesus and the Church help us live Christian lives

Recite and explain Jesus’ law of love: “Love one another as I have loved you”

Explain the role and importance of authority in our lives as Christians

Identify saints who lived out their vocation to marriage, vowed religious life, and ordained life. Examples include:(1) Marriage: St. Gianna Molla, St. Louis and Zelie Martin, St. Margaret of Louis Scotland (2) Religious Life – St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Norbert, St. Francis Xavier (3) Ordained Life – St. John Bosco, St. John Vianney, St. Maximilian Kolbe

List examples of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Name and explain your favorite Gospel stories

Explain why Jesus always has a special love for the poor and give examples

Give examples of how to live your life as a witness to Jesus and the Gospels (eg. charity, stewardship)

Realize that all children are persons of worth and their bodies belong to them

Understand some actions and behaviors are wrong or sinful

Name trusted adults

Explain the importance of reporting abuse and where to go for help if you are abused