Create a lesson plan based on Use the following or a similar format: Lesson Plan Title:

Grade Level:

Estimated Time:

Theme:

I. Learning Objectives

II. Materials Needed

III. Key Vocabulary

IV. Lesson Procedure

A. Introduction: The Big Game Excitement (10 Minutes)

Hook:

Discussion:

Anticipated answers:

Transition:

B. Direct Instruction: The Story of Big Al and Fr. Joe (15 Minutes)

Use the infographic as your visual aid during this section.

Set the Scene (Top Half of Infographic):

The Conflict:

The Question:

The Shift (Bottom Half of Infographic):

The Main Point:

Examples:

The Resolution:

C. Guided Activity: Temporary vs. Lasting Sort (10 Minutes)

D. Application Activity: Goodness Cheerleaders (15 Minutes)

V. Closing Prayer (5 Minutes)

Lesson Plan: Big Al & Fr. Joe
Bearing the Light: Palm Sunday and Jesus' Example

Estimated Time: 55 Minutes

Theme: The conflict between light (Jesus' love and forgiveness) and darkness (hatred and sadness), and our mission to carry Jesus' light to others, following his example.

I. Learning Objectives

• Understand the key events of Palm Sunday (the contrast between cheering and impending betrayal).
• Define light and darkness as metaphors for love/forgiveness and hatred/sadness, respectively.
• Explain how Jesus' example of light continues despite darkness.
• Identify concrete ways they can "bring the light of Jesus" to others.

II. Materials Needed

• Large print infographic (visual aid, seen in section IV B).
• A candle and lighter.
• A cross.
• Activity C materials: Sorting board (chalkboard/whiteboard) and pre-made sorting cards (see Procedure C).
• Activity D materials: Coloring supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils), and paper (one sheet per small group).

III. Key Vocabulary

• Palm Sunday
• Betrayal
• Forgiveness
• Light (Spiritual/Emotional)
• Darkness (Spiritual/Emotional)
• Compassion
• Humility

IV. Lesson Procedure

A. Introduction: The Big Game Excitement (10 Minutes)

• Hook: Fr. Joe lights a physical candle and places it on a table. Gathering (speaker) asks: "Gathering already whoa why this why a candle because today is called Palm Sunday yeah and we remember the light of Jesus that Shone even in the darkness all around him." (Relight candle).
• Discussion: "Have you ever been super excited about a big arrival or a huge game? What did you do to get ready and celebrate? Tell me about that excitement."
• Anticipated answers: "Cheering, high-fives, wearing team colors, making posters, yelling with my friends, waiting in line."
• Transition: "That's a powerful kind of excitement. Today, we're going to learn about a 'big arrival' in Jerusalem, but it wasn't a game. It was Palm Sunday, and people were very excited, but things were complicated."

B. Direct Instruction: The Story of Big Al and Fr. Joe (15 Minutes) (Use the infographic as your visual aid during this section.)

• Set the Scene (Top Half of Infographic): "Let's look at the top of our infographic. Fr. Joe and Big Al are watching a story. Panel 1: What happens on Palm Sunday? See the crowds with palms cheering, 'Welcome, Jesus!' Some faces look mean. Jesus is riding a little donkey. Panel 2: Despite the cheers, mean people and leaders are trying to put out Jesus' light. They want to hurt him. Scowling faces, words like 'MEAN PEOPLE', 'BETRAYED'. But Jesus stays calm and calm. Fr. Joe lights the candle again. 'There is a light the darkness cannot get rid of!'"
• The Conflict: "Looking at Panel 3: This glowing light beam from Jesus' light to a glowing cross pushes back dark shapes. Darkness tries to block it, but the light is unstoppable. Fr. Joe and Big Al say, 'WHOA!' What is that light, really?" (Wait for answers, then refine: "It's Jesus' love, his forgiveness, and his goodness.")
• The Question: "Looking at Panel 4: We won, right? Jesus' light is here! (Big Al asks: 'What do we do? What do we do or began?') Point to the scowling faces, the crying child, the people alone, 'SAD', 'SCARED' icons. Does darkness still exist? (Gathering: 'So many people bear the light of Jesus for the world but there's still so much hatred and sadness.')"
• The Shift (Bottom Half of Infographic): "Now, look at the bottom. Columns 1 through 5: Our mission is to continue his work! Like Jesus, we bring our light to others. diverse children hold candles/hearts. Column 2 says to 'SHARE MORE' and 'HELP MORE'. A kid giving a snack. Children working together to make things better. Column 3 shows a child trying to make others feel loved, like checking on a lonely friend, inviting them to play, sharing a high-five. Column 4: 'Find ways to make others feel loved! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!' Column 5: Jesus is in our hearts. A light darkness can't touch!"
• The Main Point: "We are 'Goodness Cheerleaders'! It's not about being famous; it's about being humble and helping others. Jesus didn't ride a big fancy horse; he rode a little donkey (Point to comparison in Panel 2 and 3 and the donkey in Panel 1). He wants to show people he cares about them and will help them. So, instead of trying to look impressive, he was gentle and compassionate."
• Examples: "Column 2: Sharing a snack. Inviting someone to join your group. Column 3: Listening when a friend is sad. Helping a teacher. Column 4: Saying 'good job' instead of teasing. Helping someone feel included."
• The Resolution: "Jesus is the best light of all, and he is in our hearts (Point to Column 5). Darkness might still exist (Point to Panel 4), but because Jesus' light is in us, we can comfort others. (Gathering: 'And when we bring the light that's in our heart, it won't take away all the darkness, but they'll know they're not alone. Whoa, Jesus, the best light of all, he's in our hearts.')"

C. Guided Activity: Temporary vs. Lasting Sort (10 Minutes)

• Details: Create two columns on the board: "Temporary Good" and "Lasting Light (Jesus' Way)". Hand out pre-made cards with temporary examples (getting a high score, wearing the right outfit, eating a whole bag of candy, winning a game, getting famous) and lasting light examples (forgiving someone, helping a new student feel welcome, listening with compassion, sharing a secret to help a friend, following a rule even when no one is watching). Ask students to come up and sort them. Discuss why. (e.g., getting famous is temporary; compassion is a lasting light).

D. Application Activity: Goodness Cheerleaders (15 Minutes)

• Details: Fr. Joe gives kids coloring supplies and tells them to work in small groups. "Column 4 in our infographic is called 'Find ways to make others feel loved! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!' and 'GIVE IT A TRY! YOU'LL FIND IT MAKES YOU HAPPY!'. Your mission is to become 'Goodness Cheerleaders'. In your groups, create a simple cheer or chant about bringing light to others. Write it down and illustrate it. You can draw some symbols from the bottom of the infographic (heart, hand, share sign, diverse people). When you're done, we'll perform our cheers. Let's make it a celebration of goodness!"

V. Closing Prayer (5 Minutes)

"Let us pray. Dear Jesus, thank you for being the light of the world and for showing us how to carry that light. Help us, your goodness cheerleaders, to share your love, forgive others, and help those in need. May your light shine brightly through us so others know they are not alone. Amen."