Selecting a K–8 Catholic religious education program
Guiding K-8 learners through a Catholic religious education means walking with them across a wide span of growth and change. From the first Bible story in kindergarten to thoughtful reflection in middle school, young people grow in faith, understanding, and curiosity. Saint Mary’s Press honors each stage of this journey by engaging students with Scripture-focused lessons and hands-on experiences that truly resonate.
Understanding elementary and middle schoolers
What do K-8 learners need to flourish? Understanding their needs helps schools provide experiences that engage hearts and minds at every stage. Discover! Finding Faith in Life, our K-5 Catholic religious education program, nurtures the curiosity of elementary learners. In middle school, Connect! Bringing Faith to Life supports learners in grades 6-8 as they search for deeper meaning.
Elementary-aged children brim with energy, approaching the world with a readiness to explore. They may ask unexpected questions and offer surprising insights. While they share many traits, each child is a unique individual, bringing distinct gifts and qualities to the classroom.
Explore K-5 traits in more detail in the Discover! Online Director’s Manual.
Middle school is a critical time of identity formation, marked by rapid intellectual, emotional, and moral growth. Those in grades 6–8 begin to think in abstract terms and start forming a personal moral conscience as they seek criteria that make sense to them.
Learn more about the characteristics of grades 6–8 in the Connect! Teacher Tip Sheet.
Scripture at the heart of Catholic religious education
As a Lasallian publisher, Saint Mary’s Press incorporates Saint John Baptiste De La Salle’s wisdom, “Let it be your chief study to put the Gospel into practice,” into all our religious education programs. When Scripture is at the heart, learners build the foundation they need to grow in faith and carry it with them throughout life.
This foundation comes to life when learners can access Bibles that make sense for their age and reading level. Regular use of age-appropriate Bibles promotes biblical literacy and an in-depth familiarity with key Scripture stories throughout the Old and New Testaments, as well as their meaning for us today.
Active learning and a Catholic school curriculum
Active learning through hands-on, meaningful experiences helps learners connect with Scripture, reflect on their own lives, and live their faith every day. At Saint Mary’s Press, our programs go beyond passive methods like lectures or reading.
Think of learning to ride a bike. Once a child masters it, they never forget. It is not because they read about it but because they actually did it. Faith works the same way—the more students live it and practice it, the more it stays with them.
This interactive approach helps students truly understand the lessons while keeping learning fun and engaging. It also makes teaching enjoyable, so both you and your students stay excited about exploring faith together.
Religious education programs for elementary school
Discover! starts in Kindergarten with a Bible story booklet that gently introduces children to the love of Jesus. Teachers guide young learners through engaging stories and activities that spark wonder, planting the seeds of Biblical literacy in an age-appropriate way.
In grades 1–5, students use The Catholic Children’s Bible in every lesson. Meaningful, hands-on activities help them see how Scripture connects to their own lives. This lays a foundation of faith that is both joyful while staying rooted in Catholic teaching.
Throughout the whole series, lessons fill the classroom with energy. This active-learning approach gets students out of their seats to participate in activities that make Scripture feel real and alive.
With a child-centered design, concepts are shared in ways that make sense to students and connect directly to their daily lives. Discussions and activities draw them in, touching their hearts while stimulating their minds.
Rooted in a discover approach, each lesson builds on what children already know and invites them to explore the richness of Catholic teaching, prayer, and practice. Students not only learn about faith, they grow in it to make it a vibrant, personal part of their lives.
Want to bring this joyful approach to religious education to your own classroom?
Religious education programs for middle school
In Connect!, our 3-year Catholic religious education curriculum for all middle school years, students discover how Scripture speaks to their daily lives. They read more deeply, reflect on their own experiences, and grow in faith with every lesson.
The curriculum guides learners through the four pillars of the catechism: the Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Christian Morality and Justice, and Prayer. Each year features lessons that explore key themes and passages from Scripture, using the Bible as the primary text.
Lessons come alive through active learning with hands-on activities and guided discovery that engage both the mind and the heart. Students don’t just learn about their faith—they experience it in ways that stay with them far beyond the classroom.
You’ll also find a full set of digital resources to make teaching easier and more engaging. Downloadable handouts, quizzes, and tests can be customized to fit your classroom, and presentations help you introduce and review key content.
Connect! supports teachers every step of the way with clear guidance and resources so you can feel confident that your students are growing in their understanding and connection to Scripture.
