Catholic Lent and Islamic Ramadan More in Common Than Different

We say Lent, you say Ramadan. But really, my Catholic and Muslim friends, we're more alike that different. Divisiveness between religions saddens God, especially between "sibling" faiths ours. Let's look at the principles and practices of both.



On Mardi Gras, Fat or Shrove Tuesday (observed tomorrow) Catholics feast, using up sweets and fats in the house before Ash Wednesday fasting. Some traditions make pancakes and call it Pancake Day. This symbolic shriving (using up) prefigures the shriving of sin in confession. Ash Wednesday ushers in the penitential season of Lent. Lent anticipates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Read on  Catholic Lent and Islamic Ramadan More Alike Than Different

World Religion Class Studies Jedi, Ignores Pagan, Mythology

I'm big on solidarity with teachers. Being a scrappy union girl, I'll take their part any day over administration. But lazy teaching still irks me. Being certified and unable to find work myself, teachers bungling a job I could do blindfolded colossally peeves me.



Case in point: our daughter's world religion teacher. He taught the major five--Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam. Cursorily and too fast if you ask me--class has only been in session for two months, pock-marked by snow days. Now he has time left, so he polled them on what to end with:  World Religion Teacher Ignores Pagan, Mythology For Jedi

Lessons on Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Russia, Greek Gods, Games

If you can't go to the XXII Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi, Russia, why not learn more about it? February 7-23 As a teacher, mom and former homeschooler, I always look for ways to teach any world event in the classroom. Here are free printable winter Olympics lessons plans. Games, crafts, coloring pages, puzzles, sports-themed worksheets--all you need to explore. There are activities about Russia and the city of Sochi, too. Read on Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, Russian and Greek Lessons. Here's a link I missed adding with printable activities on ancient Greece.

Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day - News - Bubblews

January 27 is Yom HaShoah, or World Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today, Jews around the world honor those lost in the Nazi genocide of World War Two. And we join them in commemorating this most profound loss. The depth and width and breadth of Germany's Third Reich killing machine is too much to imagine.



Those who deny the Holocaust happened, I won't even think about. That monstrous egotism is beyond my ken. But even basically loving people will ask why Jews get to use the term Holocaust, like theirs was the only one. These people then cite other genocides of which sadly there are many. So here are some thoughts on why we commemorate the Jewish Holocaust.   Why Yom HaShoah Jewish World Holocaust Remembrance Day - News - Bubblews

2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games XXII Activities for Kids

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games XXII are being held February 7-23 in Sochi, Russia. The Olympics is international, multicultural; studying the games is a great globetrotting experience. Free Printable Winter Olympics Coloring Pages and Activities Explore the Olympics with these free printable lesson plans.

Chinese New Year 2014 Year of the Horse

Chinese New Year is a ancient and charming festival. Why not explore the color, festivity, fun and pageantry of CNY this year? Chinese New Year 2014 begins on January 31 and celebrates Year of the Horse. Here is a unit with enough lessons for a two week unit. You'll find social studies, literature, writing, art, music, craft and food lessons.  Chinese New Year Lesson Planner and Unit

Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Advent Activities for Kids

Dec. 8 marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic liturgical calendar. As Dec. 8 fell on Sunday, the Church changed the holy day to Monday, Dec. 9. It will not be a holy day of obligation. Catholics believe that the Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin so that she could birth the Messiah, Jesus and honor her on this day. Here are activities for parents and children to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Advent, a Christmas preparatory season during which the feast falls.  Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Advent Activities for Parents and Children