What happens in the Level I atrium?
We begin the year by learning about this special room called the atrium and how to walk, talk and treat the materials and each other while we are together in this room. Materials focusing on ‘practical life’ skills, e.g. pouring water or sweeping, are presented to the children. These exercises are of great interest to them, and as they repeat these exercises the children gain control of their bodies. Eventually, this self-control translates into the ability to sit in silence, and to pray!
Presentations follow the liturgical year: infancy narratives are presented in Advent, the Last Supper in Lent, the Empty Tomb in the Easter season. Other 3-6 materials include articles of the Mass, geography works exploring the land of Israel at the time of Jesus, gestures of the Mass and of Baptism, and other work. Cavaletti and Gobbi found that the parable that resonates most deeply with children this age is the parable of the Good Shepherd. This image is lifted up often and the children take time to enjoy the great love the Good Shepherd has for each one of them.
I am the Good Shepherd, I know mine and mine know me. -John 10
What happens in the Level III atrium?
Level III centers on the part of Salvation History involving the Peoples of God, including a timeline of the history of the Jewish People. Sacraments are studied in depth, as well as all the prayers of the Mass. Typology is used to reflect on several Old Testament stories: Creation, the Fall, the Flood, the lives of Abraham and Moses. Mediations on Reconciliation, the moral life, and the life of the prophets are received. The children learn more about Parousia—the moment Jesus returns and “God will be all in all”—and what they can do to prepare for this time. 9-12 year olds are “children of hope” and want Jesus to come to us NOW!