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3. For children from 11 to 14
The value "friendship"
I. GENERAL THEME 2
Why this theme was
chosen:
The pre-adolescent is sensitive to this particular value, FRIENDSHIP,
considered as an aspect of a spiritual value: GOOD.
Objective: To lead the
pre-adolescent, according to his capacities, to an analysis of the image as a
means of conveying messages and also as an affirmation or denial of values, by
trying to awaken his critical attitude towards the "civilization of the
image", in which he is called to live and in which, in fact, he is already
living. 3
II. DEVELOPMENT
This catechetical
activity is intended to be developed in three stages, each with a specific aim,
but at the same time it should maintain a certain logical unity in keeping with
the general theme.
a) First stage
Objective: to make it
unambiguously clear to young people that THE IMAGE SPEAKS, it conveys a
message.
Method: Direct analysis of two
or three carefully chosen pictures which express or deny the value FRIENDSHIP
(figures to be selected from a collection of photos, etc., previously taken by
the teacher from magazines, etc.).
The figures must be analysed in five steps:
-Look at the image
simply as a picture;
-Look at the image as something to stimulate ideas;
-Look at the expression of the image;
-Observe the effects of the image on oneself;
-Communicate all this to the group (cf. The Audio-visual and Faith, p.
143).
b) Second stage:
Objective: to make the group
clearly aware that THROUGH THE IMAGE PEOPLE AFFIRM OR DENY CERTAIN VALUES.
Method: Divide the youngsters
up into two groups. Ask each of these to make a "poster" with photographs
taken from magazines, newspapers, etc. expressing their ideas of FRIENDSHIP.
The photos used should be numbered. Under the guidance of the teacher the young
people choose which ones they want to use and make their posters. These should
then be displayed and compared, with each group giving its opinion of the other
group's work and, in turn, explaining what they were trying to say with their
own poster.
c) Third stage:
Objective: to make them realize
beyond doubt that in daily life the image has a profound influence on one's own
scale of values and consequently on one's own human and Christian personality.
Method: a critical study of
the value FRIENDSHIP in a comic: 4 How is it affirmed or denied? What
reaction does it usually provoke? What influence does it have on one's life as
a Christian?
Teaching aids:
--Pictures plus
photographs taken from magazines and other publications which the teacher
considers useful and evocative.
--"Notes for the
Teacher" (below), with guidelines and questionnaires to help in the
analysis of the images, the comparison of the posters and the criticism of the
comic.
III. NOTES FOR THE
TEACHER
a) First stage:
1. Guide the adolescents
to carry out the analysis of the pictures following the five steps indicated;
2. Ask two or three
appropriate questions to set them thinking and start interpreting the pictures;
3. Initiate an exchange
of ideas on the pictures, pointing out the most important contributions.
b) Second stage:
1. Watch the groups quietly
as they work, help them if they ask, but never take over;
2. Guide the comparing
of the posters with suitable comments when necessary;
3. Sum up the discussion
for them and make a critico-formative statement on
true Christian friendship.
c) Third stage:
1. Suggest one or two
criteria for the critical analysis of the comic (film, TV programme,
etc.), help them along with a few simple questions suited to their age-level;
2. Join with them in
evaluating the elements or scenes that particularly aroused their attention;
3. Guide them to a value
judgement of their own attitude to friendship as
Christian adolescents, and from this stimulate them to review their lives and
renew their personal commitment.
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