The Marist Way: Faith Walk
Theme: Exploring spirituality through traditional Catholic art forms and the Stations of the Cross
Grade Level: 11th and 12th grade
Time Frame: 4-6 weeks
Grade Level: 11th and 12th grade
Time Frame: 4-6 weeks
Unit Overview
This unit will explore how spirituality is a way of life demonstrated by virtues and values of the Marist Fathers and Brothers. Marist juniors and seniors will explore the "Marist Way" through the investigation on traditional Catholic art forms. In this unit, students will take on the virtues of the Marist Way and will collaborate with their peers to develop the fourteen Stations of the Cross, which will be placed on the Cross Country trail. In the development of the each station the students will integrate works of art through the creation of mosaic prayer stones and signs representing the Marist Way. The purpose of the Faith Walk is to allow the community to participate in a meditative walk/devotional, which is a reminder of the Cross Jesus carried and died on for our sins. Each station will consist of a bench for reflection, prayer stones, and word of the Marist Way. The first station of the cross will begin at the back of the student parking lot and will end at the meditative area near the tennis courts. The students will reclaim the over grown area and revitalize the space to become an outdoor Chapel. This space will contain benches and a cross for outdoor prayer for all members of the Marist community.
Lesson 1: Understanding The Catholic Church and the Arts
Overview:
Students will engage in conversations about the impact art has had on the Catholic faith. They will research the different art forms used by the Catholic Church to illustrate stories of the bible.
Essential Questions:
Tools and Materials:
Lesson Objectives:
Introduction:
As an introduction to this unit students will watch the following YouTube clip and will discuss the content of the video.
Students will engage in conversations about the impact art has had on the Catholic faith. They will research the different art forms used by the Catholic Church to illustrate stories of the bible.
Essential Questions:
- Why is art so important to the mission of the Church?
- How was art used by the Catholic Church and what was the purpose?
- What was the message they were trying to send and who were they trying to send the message to?
- In what ways did Christians use symbolism?
- What themes are notable in Christian art?
Tools and Materials:
- Research materials
- Catholic imagery
- YouTube
Lesson Objectives:
- Students will watch YouTube clips on Catholic Art.
- Students will discuss how art has played a dominant role in the mission of the church.
- Students will research ways in which the Catholic Church has used art.
- Students will write an essay on how the Catholic Church uses art and will investigate three known artists who have aided the art movement of the Catholic Church.
- Students will work in groups to create Pinboards on Pinterest.
- Students will look at the artwork and will do a general analysis on the works they selected.
- Students will present their findings to the class.
Introduction:
As an introduction to this unit students will watch the following YouTube clip and will discuss the content of the video.
Process:
1. Following the YouTube clip, engage the students in a discussion about the Catholic Church and how the church uses art to promote the mission of the church.
2. Address the essential questions with the students.
3. Have students research Christian art and ways in which artists depict the stories of the bible.
4. Students may work in pairs to create a Pinterest board of Christian artwork. They should pay close attention to detail, noting aesthetic qualities, medium, technique, date, bible depictions, and notes about the artist. Each pair should provide 10 pins with listed detail.
5. For homework, students will independently write a one page paper about their findings.
6. Students will share their Pinboards with the class.
7. In class students will create 3 sketches of the Bible story they picked for their "Making the Connection Writing Assignment." Each sketch should show a degree of variation.
Homework:
Making the Connection Writing Assignment: Students will write a 1 page paper on their research addressing the following inquiries.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the following:
1. Following the YouTube clip, engage the students in a discussion about the Catholic Church and how the church uses art to promote the mission of the church.
2. Address the essential questions with the students.
3. Have students research Christian art and ways in which artists depict the stories of the bible.
4. Students may work in pairs to create a Pinterest board of Christian artwork. They should pay close attention to detail, noting aesthetic qualities, medium, technique, date, bible depictions, and notes about the artist. Each pair should provide 10 pins with listed detail.
5. For homework, students will independently write a one page paper about their findings.
6. Students will share their Pinboards with the class.
7. In class students will create 3 sketches of the Bible story they picked for their "Making the Connection Writing Assignment." Each sketch should show a degree of variation.
Homework:
Making the Connection Writing Assignment: Students will write a 1 page paper on their research addressing the following inquiries.
- Why has the Catholic Church used art to promote their mission?
- In your search of Christian art, what themes did you notice, what words were used, and what was the message that the image was trying to tell?
- What is a Catholic icon and why is it significant to the Catholic Church?
- Give three types of Catholic art forms; define each art form and the purpose behind it.
- What types of Catholic art were you most interested in? What techniques did you learn about?
- If you were going to create your own Christian artwork, what Bible story would you tell and what medium would you use? Explain.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the following:
- Class Participation/Presentation
- Research
- Completed Pinboard
- Making the Connection Writing Assignment
Lesson 2: Transforming a Story into an Art Form - Connecting to the Marist Way
Overview:
Students will investigate the Stations of the Cross through a short documentary by Catholic Focus. Students will work together to create designs and symbols for each station. Students will divide into groups to create a pattern for their station. There are fourteen total stations. The students will also use the words of the Marist Way to create mosaic signs to hang on the trees throughout the trails.
Essential Questions:
Lesson Objectives:
Students will watch the documentary on the Stations of the Cross by Catholic Focus.
Stations of the Cross:
Students will investigate the Stations of the Cross through a short documentary by Catholic Focus. Students will work together to create designs and symbols for each station. Students will divide into groups to create a pattern for their station. There are fourteen total stations. The students will also use the words of the Marist Way to create mosaic signs to hang on the trees throughout the trails.
Essential Questions:
- What do the Stations of the Cross mean to you? What station connects to you most?
- How do the Stations of the Cross connect to the school and the Marist Way?
- In what ways can we represent the stages of the Cross using symbolism?
- In what ways will this Faith Walk help to spread the mission of the school?
- What can we do to make this a valuable experience for the people who visit our school?
- How will the Faith Walk promote spirituality? Do you think art will aid in the experience?
- Stages of the Cross
- Symbolism
- Faith Walk
- Mission
- Mosaic
- Drawing Paper
- Markers/ Colored Pencils
- Scissors
- Outdoor cement
- Letter tiles/beads
- Stained glass/ out plates
- Tile Nippers
- Large stepping stones (14)
- Grout
- Goggles
- Sponge
- Craft Stick
- Paper Towels
- Q-tips
- Windex
- Outdoor Sealant
Lesson Objectives:
- Students will watch a documentary and will discuss the meanings of the Stations of the Cross.
- Students will address the spiritual connects between the Stations of the Cross to the mission of the school.
- Students will collaborate with their peers to design and create the stations of the cross.
- Students will design the prayer stones for each Station of the Cross.
- Students will create tree signs with the Marist Way words.
- Students will plan how they want their art to be displayed on the trail.
Students will watch the documentary on the Stations of the Cross by Catholic Focus.
Stations of the Cross:
- Jesus is condemned to death
- Jesus carries His cross
- Jesus falls the first time
- Jesus meets His mother
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross
- Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
- Jesus falls the second time
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
- Jesus falls the third time
- Jesus is stripped of his garments
- Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
- Jesus dies on the cross
- Jesus is taken down from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
- Jesus is laid in the tomb
Process:
1. Students will watch the Stations of the Cross YouTube Clip.
2. Students will map out the locations for each station along the cross country trail.
3. Students will divide into groups and will research examples of Catholic mosaics. They will pin examples of the Stations of the Cross to their Pinboards.
4. Through collaboration they will develop ideas for ways of designing their assigned station.
5. Students will finalize their design by sketching drawing of their station location and how they will landscape the space around their stepping stone.
6. Students will learn techniques of how to create a mosaic.
7. In their groups they will use these techniques to create their stepping stone.
8. When complete the students will stage their stones along the trail.
9. In addition to the stepping stones, each group will develop a mosaic using the Marist Way words. Students should create their sign to resemble traditional Catholic art. These signs will be mounted on the trees along the trail
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the following:
Class Participation
Research
Group Collaboration
Pinboards
1. Students will watch the Stations of the Cross YouTube Clip.
2. Students will map out the locations for each station along the cross country trail.
3. Students will divide into groups and will research examples of Catholic mosaics. They will pin examples of the Stations of the Cross to their Pinboards.
4. Through collaboration they will develop ideas for ways of designing their assigned station.
5. Students will finalize their design by sketching drawing of their station location and how they will landscape the space around their stepping stone.
6. Students will learn techniques of how to create a mosaic.
7. In their groups they will use these techniques to create their stepping stone.
8. When complete the students will stage their stones along the trail.
9. In addition to the stepping stones, each group will develop a mosaic using the Marist Way words. Students should create their sign to resemble traditional Catholic art. These signs will be mounted on the trees along the trail
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on the following:
Class Participation
Research
Group Collaboration
Pinboards
Resources: