The Catechist's Toolbox: How to Thrive as a Religious Education Teacher

by Joe Paprocki, Doug Hall (Illustrator)

Written specifically for any catechist who is new to the job or has never had any formal training, The Catechist's Toolbox features an invaluable collection of catechetical tips, techniques, methodologies, and advice. Throughout the book, master teacher Joe Paprocki shares the wisdom he has gleaned in two decades as a catechist, high school teacher, and religious educator. Employing the metaphor of a homeowner's toolbox, Paprocki explains how a new catechist is like a do-it-yourself builder who needs the right collection of tools to do the job; he then explains what the tools are, what they can do, and how to use them skillfully and effectively.
  Also available in Spanish! La caja de herramientas del catequista  

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to help Catechists/Religious education teachers effectively reach their students and implement strategies to impart our Catholic faith onto them.
I had the pleasure of seeing the author, Joe Paprocki, in Omaha last year at a conference for Catechists and his warm, friendly and humorous tone was captured in the words and graphics of this book!
Highly recommend for anyone teaching the Catholic faith to the young!

[Carol Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good resource for religious ed. teachers, who are often not people with a teaching degree. It's like a speed course in teaching, paired with the unique considerations of teaching religion: specifically, the Catholic faith. It has some good reminders for veteran teachers, good suggestions for further reading, and ideas to improve the religious practice and development of teachers.

[Elizabeth Tomlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a first-time catechist, this book was invaluable to me.

[Gretchen Schott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for people hesitant to teach. Lots of good ideas and tips. As a learning professional it was a bit elementary for me. Love the guided meditation on a call to holiness and resources in the appendix.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I'm learning something new, it's always good to have a person to guide you through the day to day parts of what you have to do. Usually a book cannot do that. But this does! It has just about everything about teaching a catechism class. Each chapter is a different aspect of teaching: from preparation, through activities, and even discipline problems. I can skim it now, and come back to that part when I need it.

Because I am not trained to teach, I am grateful for this book introducing each subject from a teacher's vantage point. It is a great resource that I draw inspiration from, not just for catechist classes, but for young adult ministry presentations/discussions. It makes me see how I was taught in school differently, and how I can learn from that and apply it to the ministry situation now.

[Andrea Mudd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I'm an experienced teacher and I've been a catechist for ten years now, there was still so much to learn from this book. It helped me to think of some of my teaching habits and how I can do some things differently. I know that after reading this book, I'll be a better teacher of our faith. There is nothing more important than helping a child to know, love and serve Jesus more completely.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very informative with a lot of great tips. I would definitely recommend this to any catechist, even if you have been teaching for many years. I thought it was set out in a very useful format.

[Karen A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for someone starting out as a teacher, let alone a catechist. Tells you exactly what to watch out for and what requires more emphasis. Provides great tips, a book I would recommend to all catechists, not just those who are new.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just as much a crash course of education in general as it is in a Catholic context.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for those that are first time catechists and has helpful tips and advice for practiced catechists. I will use this as a reference for years to come.