Sample Activities
What kinds of activities can be found in the HCA Around the World Program? Here are a few samples of what you will find in the Program Guide:
Peace Flag
Grades K-3
Materials: white paper (8.5” x 11”), crayons or paint, drinking straws, tape or glue
Explain: Ask children to imagine that they are going to visit their ATW country as members of a special delegation representing their school/parish. Their mission is to meet with other children and talk with them about Jesus’ message of love and peace.
Do: Ask children to design flags for the visit. The flags should represenet something about themselves, their faith and their families, and their school/parish. After creating their flags, children can tape or paste drinking straws to one end. Post the flags around the classroom and encourage children to talk about their designs.
Jesus Is Special
Grades 2-5
Materials: pens, pencils, looseleaf paper
Do: Ask students to list on a piece of looseleaf paper three qualities that make Jesus a special person (i.e., He died on the Cross for us; He teaches us the way to God; He loves us always). Then, tell students they are going to be missionaries to one another. Ask student to read their lists aloud, starting with the sentence, “I want you to know about Jesus because…”
Guide Me!
Grades 6-8
Materials: globe, atlas, access to the Internet, pens, pencils and drawing paper, poster board or lined paper
Explain: Tell children they are going to make either an atlas or “pilgrimage guide.”
Do (Atlas): Assign each student or a group of students the name of a country located on the continent in which your selected ATW country is located. Provide each student or group with a large piece of drawing paper or poster board. Ask students or groups to create a map of their assigned country showing major cities, natural features and landmarks. Ask them to include a fact box on each map with standard information, such as size, population, climate, etc. Hang the maps around the room to create a “Class Atlas.”
Do (Pilgrimage Guide): Form groups to develop such a guide for Catholics who wish to make a spiritual pilgrimage to the ATW country they are studying. The guide should include landmarks, religious festivals, historical information, etc., as well as practical travel information (i.e., cost of meals, hotels, taxi cabs, etc.). As students to highlight information about missionaries, missionary orders, missionary saints and historical churches associated with that country. (Refer students to Internet sites that you have previewed or suggest they visit their school library to conduct their research.) Ask students to compose a prayer for travelers that could be included in the guide.
Getting Started
The HCA Around the World Program, as well as individual materials, can be ordered through the 2010-2011 HCA Order Form.
HCA AROUND THE WORLD PROGRAM - $10
HCA AROUND THE WORLD MAP - $2
HCA AROUND THE WORLD GLOBE COIN BANKS - $5
Up to 25 additional globes may be ordered for every one complete program ordered
HCA AROUND THE WORLD POLLY PASSPORTS - $1
Includes 100 Polly stickers
Special Events and Pictures
HCA Around the World, a geography-based mission education program, has been updated, expanded, and redesigned to better meet the needs of elementary schools, religious education programs, and families. HCA Around the World includes a Program Guide with activities, ideas and prayer service, two full-color maps, a globe coin bank, and a series of flag decals representing countries in which the Church receives assistance from HCA to help children. To further enhance this program, Polly Parrot Passports and Polly stickers are also available.