Wisdom and Wonder · Week 2 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. John Baptist de La Salle
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
A comfortable life
John Baptist de La Salle was born in blank 1, France, on April 30, 1651. He was the oldest child in a wealthy family.
He was a very good student. In blank 2 he became a priest. People expected him to have an important and comfortable life in the Church.
At that time, most poor children in France never went to school. School cost money. Many children spent their days on the streets and never learned to read.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Religious brother | Write your answer |
| Vow | Write your answer |
| Famine | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
A new kind of school
In 1679 John met a man named Adrien Nyel, who wanted to open blank 3 schools for poor boys. John agreed to help. Soon he saw that the teachers needed help too.
He invited the teachers to live in his own home. Later he gave up his important Church job. During a blank 4, he gave his fortune away to feed the hungry.
John and the teachers became the blank 5 of the Christian Schools. They taught in French, the children’s own language, and in classes together. John died on April 7, 1719.
Quick check
Who were John’s schools made for? Circle one.
- A Children of rich nobles
- B Men training to be priests
- C Soldiers in the king’s army
- D Children of poor families
Share it or keep it?
John shared his learning with children who had none. Sort each choice: does it share learning, or keep it for myself? Check one box for each.
| Item | Shares learning | Keeps it for myself |
|---|---|---|
| Showing a classmate how a math app works | ||
| Hiding the answer so only I look smart | ||
| Reading a story to a younger child | ||
| Laughing when someone types slowly | ||
| Explaining a game patiently to a new player | ||
| Refusing to take turns on the class tablet |
Quick check
What did John do with his fortune? Circle one.
- A He built a large palace
- B He fed hungry people
- C He left it to his family
- D He lost it in a fire
Think, pair, share
John used what he had, his learning and his money, to help children learn. Think of one thing you know how to do, on a screen or off. Whom could you teach it to this week?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “One thing I could teach is ...”“I would teach it to ... because ...”“A good teacher is someone who ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
Jesus, our Teacher, thank you for the gift of learning.
Bless our teachers and all who help us grow.
Help us share what we know with patience.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
John Baptist de La Salle was canonized in 1900. In 1950 he was named the patron saint of teachers. His feast day is April 7.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: Thank a teacher this week, out loud or with a note. Then teach one person something you know.