Faith and Life series

Religious_studiesAll Grades

Faith and Life Series: Comprehensive Catholic Religious Education

The Faith and Life series is a popular Catholic religious education curriculum spanning grades 1-8 that provides systematic instruction in Catholic doctrine, scripture, and tradition. Each grade level follows a logical progression with comprehensive teacher's manuals, though streamlined Family Guides offer an alternative for home instruction.

Best for

Catholic homeschooling families or schools seeking systematic, doctrinally sound religious education with comprehensive teacher support materials

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 1 neutral

Direct InstructionStrength

The comprehensive teacher's manuals provide structured, four-day lesson presentations with detailed teaching guidance, background information, and clear instructional sequences. The Family Guides offer simplified but still systematic six-step lesson plans.

Teacher manuals described as containing 'excellent teaching ideas, expansions on topics, background information' with 'four-day presentations and a review,' while Family Guides provide structured 'six steps' for each lesson

Historical ContextStrength

The curriculum includes substantial historical content, particularly Old Testament stories, Church history, and development of Catholic tradition. Upper grades specifically address Church history, structure, and the historical progression of salvation.

Grade 4 provides 'overview of salvation history,' grade 8 covers 'Church's history, structure, and functions,' and teacher manuals include 'tidbits on Church history and Catholic tradition'

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

Each student text concludes with vocabulary words and complete definitions, ensuring students learn essential religious terminology. The systematic approach suggests explicit vocabulary instruction throughout.

Reviewer specifically notes 'Each text ends with prayers to memorize and vocabulary words with complete definitions'

Theological KnowledgeStrength

The series builds systematic Catholic doctrine across grade levels, covering Trinity, sacraments, commandments, Church history, and salvation in age-appropriate progression. Each level reinforces core concepts while introducing new theological content appropriate to developmental level.

Detailed grade-by-grade breakdown shows systematic coverage from basics like Trinity and salvation in first grade to complex topics like grace, virtue, and Church structure in upper grades, with Baltimore Catechism questions included for memorization

Primary Text EngagementStrength

The curriculum requires both Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church to be on hand, with cross-references to these primary sources throughout lessons. Bible passages are integrated into each lesson's opening and students read pertinent scripture related to lesson topics.

Reviewer notes 'cross-references to the Bible and The Catechism of the Catholic Church, so you should have both books on hand' and describes Bible passages being read in each lesson

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The teacher's manuals are described as comprehensive resources with extensive background information, teaching strategies, and supplementary content that support effective instruction. However, formal professional development programs are not mentioned.

Reviewer calls teacher manuals 'goldmines of information' with 'background information, prayers, brief biographies of saints, tidbits on Church history' that 'truly provide a thorough religious education'

Review Sources

cathyduffy

Cathy Duffy

Key Facts
GradesAll Grades
SubjectReligious_studies
PedagogyNot specified
Pricing$8.68 at Amazon.com | $4.71 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $10.20 at Amazon.com | $1.28 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $8.95 at Amazon.com | $1.99 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $28.00 at Amazon.com | $2.03 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $6.00 at Amazon.com | $6.00 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $6.15 at Amazon.com | $6.15 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $6.32 at Amazon.com | $4.09 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $6.43 at Amazon.com | $5.63 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $1.62 at Amazon.com | $1.62 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace | $6.91 at Amazon.com | $5.00 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: cathyduffy, homeschoolcom