Teaching Religion in November: 5 EasyLesson Plan Ideas!
November Religion Lesson Plan Ideas
As November approaches, Catholic religion teachers have a unique opportunity to engage students in meaningful discussions and activities that deepen their understanding of faith and the liturgical calendar. This month is rich with themes of remembrance, gratitude, and preparation for Advent. Here are the top five things to focus on in your classroom for November Religion Lesson Plans.
Before we think about November…remember, the new church year starts in December!
Buy the Year C Bulletins now and you’ll have an easy religion lesson plan for EVERY Sunday and Holy Day in the next Liturgical year!
1. All Hallow’s Triduum Religion Lesson Plans
Begin the month by exploring the significance of All Saints’ Day. Discuss the lives of various saints, emphasizing their virtues and how students can emulate them. Encourage students to share their favorite saints and what they admire about them.
Following All Saints’ Day, focus on All Souls’ Day. Teach students about the Church’s teaching on purgatory and the importance of praying for the souls of the faithful departed. You can create a memorial wall in the classroom where students can write the names of loved ones they wish to remember in prayer.
This post has a TON of ideas and links to get your kids excited about All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. My favorites are the Hallowtide Triduum skit and the Collaborative All Saints Poster. The skit connects Halloween and all things scary to Catholic teaching and our feast days. The All Saint Poster has a huge set of saints to color, and can be printed with a quote from Saint Catherine of Sienna instead of “All Saints Day” so kids won’t ask to take it down the week after the holiday!
2. Of Course, Lessons On The Importance of Gratitude
Thanksgiving is celebrated in November, making it an ideal time to teach students about the biblical foundations of gratitude. Engage students in activities that foster a spirit of gratitude.
Thank You Cards are always an important part of teaching religion, so I loved to motivate students to be grateful by asking them to compliment a teacher and I’d send an email on the spot sharing their thoughts. If you want to be more formal, these thank-you notes would be a great place to start, or you could use these hilarious Priest appreciation Mad-libs.
Here’s a link to a post about my favorite FREE Thanksgiving craft. It helps to carry the theme of thanksgiving through the whole month of November. I also love that it reminds us all to be thankful for the little things as well as the huge gifts we have been given.
3. The Feast of Christ the King (Last Sunday of Ordinary Time)
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, celebrated on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, marks the end of the liturgical year. It emphasizes Jesus’ cosmic authority over all creation. Established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 as a response to secularism, the feast underscores that Jesus’ kingship is not about earthly power but universal love, mercy, and service. This is an ideal time for teachers to discuss what it means for Jesus to be a servant king.
To teach this, consider starting with a Bible exploration—like John 18:33-37—to show how Jesus described His kingdom as “not of this world.” You might engage students in creating banners with Christian symbols like crowns and the cross. This will help them understand Jesus’ unique kingship. Hands-on activities, such as a small class service project, can reinforce this message. This will give students a chance to practice servant leadership themselves.
A prayer service is another meaningful way to honor Christ’s kingship. Invite students to write their own prayers of adoration, reflecting on Jesus as King of their hearts and lives. Through these activities, students can connect with the profound themes of Christ’s kingship and see His model of leadership as one of love, humility, and sacrifice.
4. So Many Saints for Religion Lesson Plans in November!
November is a wonderful time to teach students about saints, especially since the month begins with the feast of All Saints’ Day. This feast invites Catholics to celebrate the lives of all saints, known and unknown, who have faithfully followed Christ. Teaching about saints throughout November can help students see the diverse ways people have lived out their faith across cultures and historical periods. The saints reflect different virtues, struggles, and missions, providing students with inspiring examples of holiness and courage. Here are some saints celebrated in November that you can introduce to your class. There are reading comprehension packets available for each of the saints below. Kids can read, discuss, and learn about different saints all month!
Saints for November Religion Lesson Plans
- St. Martin de Porres (November 3): Popular across Latin America and among people devoted to social justice, St. Martin de Porres is admired for his humility, care for the sick, and dedication to helping the marginalized.
- St. Leo the Great (November 10): A pope and doctor of the Church, St. Leo is remembered for his writings on the nature of Christ. He’s also remembered for his efforts in defining the teachings of the Church during a time of great theological confusion.
- St. Martin of Tours (November 11): St. Martin is extremely popular, especially in Europe, due to his life of charity and the famous story of him sharing his cloak with a beggar. He is widely venerated as the patron saint of soldiers, horses, and the poor.
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (November 13): Known for her work with Italian immigrants in the United States, St. Frances Cabrini is the first American citizen to be canonized. She is highly popular in the Americas, especially among immigrant communities.
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary (November 17): St. Elizabeth is a beloved figure for her acts of charity and kindness, particularly in Europe. She is often associated with hospitals and charities because of her work caring for the poor and the sick.
- St. Cecilia (November 22): Saint Cecilia, one of the most beloved early Roman martyrs, is celebrated as the patron saint of music and musicians. Known for her deep faith, Cecilia famously sang praises to God even as she faced martyrdom. She has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for centuries. Her feast day is a special time for those in the music ministry or with a love for music. Her story is a powerful example of courage, devotion, and the joyful expression of faith through song.
5. Advent Preparations: Start Prepping with November Religion Lesson Plans
Start introducing the themes of Advent, which begins on December 1st this year. Discuss the meaning of Advent as a time of waiting, preparation, and hope. You can engage students in making Advent wreaths or calendars to help them countdown to Christmas. This Advent Wreath color by number is one of the most popular downloads each year!
New this year, I made an Advent Countdown with daily saints. Throughout the month of December, there is a daily table tent sign with a saint of the day and a Bible verse that will tell the Nativity story throughout the month. I’m so excited to use this with my kids so they have a constant reminder throughout the month of the Nativity stories and the saints in Heaven who celebrated before us!
If you want to start planning early, check out my favorite Advent posts: 10 Advent Lesson Ideas, Advent Bundle, and Advent Wreath Ideas.
What are you teaching for November Religion Lesson Plans?
The new church year starts in December! Buy the Year C Bulletins now. You’ll be ready for EVERY Sunday and Holy Day in the next Liturgical year!
This is also a great time to reach out to your parish. Encourage them to buy the bulletins and print them for the whole church each weekend!
This page has detailed descriptions of the bulletins if they want more information.
November Catholic Kids Bulletin
Enjoy our FREE Printable Catholic Kids Bulletin worksheets, aligning with weekly Mass readings. Immerse your children in the world of coloring pages. They correspond to the Gospel, monthly Mass activities, Psalm handwriting, and entertaining word searches. Navigate through the liturgy order provided in each bulletin to enhance your kids’ Mass experience. You can help them foster a deeper connection to worship. Uncover the intricacies of the Mass structure and delve into Catholic History with engaging coloring pages showcasing saints. Elevate your children’s Catholic education by incorporating our interactive and educational resources into their learning journey.
Have you used Catholic Kids Bulletins before? If you have questions, check here…
November Catholic Kids Bulletin
Noviembre Boletín para Niños Católicos
Mass Bulletins include…
- Ordinary Time
- Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Raphael the Archangel, Saint Gabriel the Archangel
- Saint Therese the Little Flower
- Ordinary Time
- Saint Francis of Assisi
- Saint Jude
These FREE Catholic Mass Bulletin Printables are offered each month in order to help young Catholics learn at Mass. For example, you are welcome to print and share with others. If you can afford it, click Support CKB on the left. You can donate to help pay for the time and effort put into these pages. Thanks!
