Welcome to Mary MacKillop Today’s new collection of Teaching Resources!
In responding to the challenge of Reading the Signs of the Times these teaching resources reflect the structure of the See, Judge, Act stages described in Pope John XXIII’s Encyclical Letter Mater et Magistra.
“There are three stages which should normally be followed in the reduction of social principles into practice. First, one reviews the concrete situation; secondly, one forms a judgement on it in the light of these same principles; thirdly, one decides what the circumstances can and should be done to implement these principles. These are the three stages that are usually expressed in the three terms: observe, judge act.” Pope John XXIII, Mater et Magistra, 1961 (# 236)
Each resource begins by focusing on one Catholic Social Teaching. This remains the core theme throughout the unit and is explored through prayer, reflected in the actions of Mary MacKillop and the work of Mary MacKillop Today, and applied in suggested lessons and curriculum perspectives. Finally, it is the call to action in the creation of a fundraising activity.
Saint Mary MacKillop’s words are used to describe the three stages of Judge, See and Do:
- “Believe in the whisperings of God to your own heart” calls us to the focus of Prayer and theological reflection. See and Do are reflected in Mary’s famous quote “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
- “See a need ……” involves two background perspectives, one historical and the other contemporary. In the Footsteps of Mary describes a specific story or era in Mary’s life that deepens understanding of the unit theme. We also See the need by investigating further the work of Mary MacKillop Today, focusing on one of our partnership programmes, in Australia and internationally.
- ….. doing something about it” also involves two approaches, both calls to Act. One is curriculum based in the classroom and the other is an opportunity to engage your students further with a suggested awareness raising campaign and/or fundraising activity. This could be developed to involve the wider school community such as student leaders, parents, grandparents and friends.
All units include learning activities have been developed in line with a particular Learning Area of the Australian Curriculum. Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities enable ideas and skills to be transferred across other curriculum frameworks, disciplines and teaching practices.
Learning Stages and Content Descriptors serve as a guide only. An inclusive classroom can adapt aspects of each unit to incorporate above and below age range abilities and adjust for both simplification and extension of concepts, tasks and actions.
As the year progresses more units will be added and any feedback, requests or suggestions that could be included in the ongoing development of the schools’ section of our website would be most gratefully received. For any assistance with any specific information, photos, lesson plans or curriculum links please don’t hesitate to contact our Global Education Officer.
Click here to access our teaching resources.
