After further conversations we agreed that our goals to define prayer is going to be an ongoing process throughout this learning journey we are on.
It was interesting to hear what other classes are doing in their prayer sessions, giving me additional ideas to trial to help make prayer more meaningful to the children in my class.
Lots of discussion was had on the schools prayer bell - is it meaningful or forced - maybe its the time of the bell that is a problem - being in the middle of an activity - has the time got history/significance that we don't really understand - tradition. It is a huge area so surveying the staff looks like a great way to start to again ensure that any changes are meaningful to those involved. It is going to be interesting were this leads us!!!
3 comments:
The historical background to a Midday bell is that the traditional catholic prayer, the Angelus was always prayed at midday. When aI was a young child at school the bell was always rung at 12 by students and I always wanted to be old enough to ring it.
The Angelus was a time to pray through Mary, a prayer focused on Mary.
Phil
Another reason we have the midday bell is to offer a quiet time in the busy day. A short space to just reflect on our day... to be thankful for the many gifts we are a given. We need to teach and guide the students to value quiet moments to thank God. may be a few leading questions to help them would be great. Keep asking questions and listening!
Thankyou Phil and Gary for your insights. I think it is important for me as the teacher as well as for the students to know the meaning behind experiences implemented so that the experiences are meaningful to those involved. That is my focus here - to assist in making prayer meaningful to those involved. I like how Gary referred to the 12 O'Clock bell as another opportunity to "let God in" and how Toni said at briefing it gives children time out from their busy day for meditation / reflection. Children may focus on prayer more at diiferent times of the day (whole school morning prayer / morning class prayer /12 O'Clock prayer). The focus is on that we are providing a range of opportunities for children to talk to God throughout each day. Now the challenge is HOW to implement prayer at this time???? I will head back to the children themselves for ideas as they have been a great source of information and ideas so far.
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