Frequently Asked Questions about the Gospel Doodle Notes:
What ages is this book for?
The book is designed to be pretty open-ended as far as age or grade level, but it's ideal for grades 5-9. You can go outside that range if your younger student(s) may be ready for it, or if your older teens may enjoy this format, (which many of them still do).
What is Cycle A/B/C? Which book do I need this year if I want to match the Sunday Gospels that we hear at mass?
The Sunday Gospels that we hear at mass are rotated through three years in a pattern. We hear a lot of Matthew's Gospel in year "A," a lot of Mark's in year "B," and a lot of Luke's in year "C." Then, the cycle repeats. The pages will match the Gospel that kids hear at mass as long as you use the book for Cycle A during a year that follows Cycle A (every third year). This book is structured around the Catholic liturgical calendar. You can find the calendar on the USCCB website. The liturgical year begins when Advent starts. The book for Cycle A will be perfect for Fall 2022 through Fall 2023. Cycle A will happen again starting in Advent 2025, 2028, and so on, every three years. Cycle B will begin for Advent of 2023. Choose the book that fits the cycle of the church year that you plan to be in when you use it. Remember that you can use pages whenever you wish, though, even if it does not match the Gospel that happens to be read at mass. That way, you won't waste pages if your school year or learning plan does not quite match up. It's always ok to study Gospels from other cycles!
Do we have to have bibles to go along with this?
No, you can use the USCCB website for the text of the Gospels. There are reminders and links within the book to help you to do that. You're welcome to use your own bible if you prefer, though. It's nice to have some version of the Gospel nearby as a reference as you work on these pages. Depending on the page, you'll have to answer questions, find quotes, and get creative with the content. So read the Gospel before starting a page, and then keep it handy nearby.
How do we teach with these pages?
First, read the Gospel together. The citation for the reading is on every single page to make this easy. Once you have read the Gospel out loud together, one of the best ways to use the doodle note method is to do a teacher model. The easiest way to do this is to project/display a blank copy of the same doodle page that students have in front of them. Then, complete your “teacher copy" as you give notes. You can expand past it and add more notes on the board, talk through the lesson, and lecture as you normally would. Even if you keep your note page "bare bones" and just fill in the blanks, your main job is to talk and model the concept and examples, just as you normally would. Students will have plenty of time to embellish their pages while you talk about the Gospel and explain more. They can also discuss it in small groups. It can also be helpful to show completed samples to help inspire your students, at least the first few days until they get comfortable with the artistic aspect. You can save your own colored samples as you go, or collect a few student samples from previous years if you’d like. We’ve included a couple samples here and there to get you and your students inspired. We recommend that you review all the directions on a page with the students before they begin. Sometimes they have to write or draw things in specific places. The goal is to help connect the visuals to the words in a way that helps them reflect, learn, and remember. In any extra time, encourage students to include additional relevant doodles in the margins based on parts of the Scripture that strike them, or copy a line in creative lettering if it’s something that they want to remember or pray about later.
Is this only for Catholic schools/families, or for all Christians?
The content of the Gospels is valuable and relevant for all Christians, so you may want to give this book a try if you follow Jesus and study the Gospels. Most of the reflections would be perfect. However, the sequence in this book is structured around the Catholic liturgical year, and you'll want to be aware that there are a couple of pages that do have Catholic-specific content.
How long does it take to do this each week?
Completing the page for each week can take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the students. Some like to work even longer, and really embellish their pages with lots of color and creativity, but often we encourage those kids to do that afterward so that the others can move on to the next activity that is planned for the day. Pages are included for each Sunday Gospel as well as the Gospels for the Holy Days of Obligation.
Is this a set of a lot of similar pages in a repeating format like a bible journaling template?
No, each page is completely different! Each Gospel doodle note sheet in this book has a unique customized layout just for that day. The interactive aspects, prompts, tasks, and reflections are also new & different on each page. Each Gospel page contains what is most relevant to that particular lesson from Jesus to help students internalize it into their own lives. They will get to enjoy a completely unique, custom page for every single Sunday Gospel. Nothing is repetitive, so they won't get tired of it! They get a new, unique creative page each time.
Can we use it in day school, or is it best for Sunday Schools?
It's perfect for either! If you do it on Sunday (in a faith formation class or at home), the Gospel will be fresh in their minds. But if you do it during the week at school, it's a wonderful reminder for Monday or a sneak peek of the Gospel if you choose to do it on Fridays. It works really well in either setting. We recommend this for parents at home, catechists in Sunday School, and teachers in Catholic school classrooms.
What are doodle notes?
"Doodle notes" are a unique visual note-taking method with built-in features that increase focus and memory by taking advantage of a collection of brain research, including Dual Coding Theory. Doodling has been proven to activate the brain's pathways just enough to keep it from daydreaming, without distracting from the learning at hand! The doodle note strategy integrates both hemispheres of the student brain and helps maximize focus, learning, and retention of the lesson material. Doodle notes include visual memory triggers to help information make it into long-term memory. They also offer a variety of interactive tasks and a graphic layout that allows for plenty of creativity. The blend of graphic and linguistic input allows student brains to make more neural connections, therefore boosting retention of the lesson. You can learn more about the doodle note method and grab some free materials to help you get started with visual note-taking at doodlenotes.org
What if my students don't like to color?
Sometimes you'll have a few students who don't enjoy the creative aspect as much as others do. But it's still great for their brains. This format helps them to reflect, focus, and internalize the information in a way that they remember. The good news is, they will still get those benefits if they do the minimum. As long as they complete the written information, color-code and/or do any purposeful sketching/coloring/doodling, it is usually ok to let them chill out on the additional embellishing. The content is built into the pages either way. Encourage reflection, and require certain aspects to be completed, such as the information, answers, and connections on the page.
Can I do this at home with my own kids?
Absolutely! This is a wonderful way for children or teens and their parents to have a relaxing, approachable reflection time together. It's scripture study in a less overwhelming format. Sit down and color side-by-side, either in the same book, or with a copy for each of you. You'll love this time together, and you'll be fueling your souls and nourishing their relationships with Jesus along with your own. The discussions will come naturally! (But we have also included a teacher/parent guide with additional discussion questions and background information to help support you.)
What is the difference between the two purchasing options?
The ebook (PDF) version is for teachers who will print the pages and make copies to distribute. A purchase of the downloadable PDF includes one teacher license that allows the teacher to print and copy pages for their students. The paperback books, on the other hand are licensed per student, so you'll need to purchase one book per student if you go with the paperback option. The paperback books cannot be copied. More information about the two different purchasing options is available on the home page.
Can I see the full table of contents or a sample up close?
Absolutely. Just enter your email here and we will send over a sample file so you can take a closer look.
Can I get the book for my school with a purchase order?
Sure, no problem. If you are interested in the PDF version, email [email protected] with the details and let us know how many teacher licenses you need. We can provide a quote as well if you need one. If you want the paperback books, your PO will go through Barnes and Noble instead since they do the checkout and shipping for the hard copies. Feel free to email with any questions.
What is the best way to buy this as a gift for a friend, godchild, or relative?
This is a wonderful gift for a loved one who has just received a sacrament, or for your nieces and nephews or godchildren. If you are buying for just one child or teen, the single paperback book is the best option. It's an affordable choice for people who need just one book.
The book is designed to be pretty open-ended as far as age or grade level, but it's ideal for grades 5-9. You can go outside that range if your younger student(s) may be ready for it, or if your older teens may enjoy this format, (which many of them still do).
What is Cycle A/B/C? Which book do I need this year if I want to match the Sunday Gospels that we hear at mass?
The Sunday Gospels that we hear at mass are rotated through three years in a pattern. We hear a lot of Matthew's Gospel in year "A," a lot of Mark's in year "B," and a lot of Luke's in year "C." Then, the cycle repeats. The pages will match the Gospel that kids hear at mass as long as you use the book for Cycle A during a year that follows Cycle A (every third year). This book is structured around the Catholic liturgical calendar. You can find the calendar on the USCCB website. The liturgical year begins when Advent starts. The book for Cycle A will be perfect for Fall 2022 through Fall 2023. Cycle A will happen again starting in Advent 2025, 2028, and so on, every three years. Cycle B will begin for Advent of 2023. Choose the book that fits the cycle of the church year that you plan to be in when you use it. Remember that you can use pages whenever you wish, though, even if it does not match the Gospel that happens to be read at mass. That way, you won't waste pages if your school year or learning plan does not quite match up. It's always ok to study Gospels from other cycles!
Do we have to have bibles to go along with this?
No, you can use the USCCB website for the text of the Gospels. There are reminders and links within the book to help you to do that. You're welcome to use your own bible if you prefer, though. It's nice to have some version of the Gospel nearby as a reference as you work on these pages. Depending on the page, you'll have to answer questions, find quotes, and get creative with the content. So read the Gospel before starting a page, and then keep it handy nearby.
How do we teach with these pages?
First, read the Gospel together. The citation for the reading is on every single page to make this easy. Once you have read the Gospel out loud together, one of the best ways to use the doodle note method is to do a teacher model. The easiest way to do this is to project/display a blank copy of the same doodle page that students have in front of them. Then, complete your “teacher copy" as you give notes. You can expand past it and add more notes on the board, talk through the lesson, and lecture as you normally would. Even if you keep your note page "bare bones" and just fill in the blanks, your main job is to talk and model the concept and examples, just as you normally would. Students will have plenty of time to embellish their pages while you talk about the Gospel and explain more. They can also discuss it in small groups. It can also be helpful to show completed samples to help inspire your students, at least the first few days until they get comfortable with the artistic aspect. You can save your own colored samples as you go, or collect a few student samples from previous years if you’d like. We’ve included a couple samples here and there to get you and your students inspired. We recommend that you review all the directions on a page with the students before they begin. Sometimes they have to write or draw things in specific places. The goal is to help connect the visuals to the words in a way that helps them reflect, learn, and remember. In any extra time, encourage students to include additional relevant doodles in the margins based on parts of the Scripture that strike them, or copy a line in creative lettering if it’s something that they want to remember or pray about later.
Is this only for Catholic schools/families, or for all Christians?
The content of the Gospels is valuable and relevant for all Christians, so you may want to give this book a try if you follow Jesus and study the Gospels. Most of the reflections would be perfect. However, the sequence in this book is structured around the Catholic liturgical year, and you'll want to be aware that there are a couple of pages that do have Catholic-specific content.
How long does it take to do this each week?
Completing the page for each week can take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the students. Some like to work even longer, and really embellish their pages with lots of color and creativity, but often we encourage those kids to do that afterward so that the others can move on to the next activity that is planned for the day. Pages are included for each Sunday Gospel as well as the Gospels for the Holy Days of Obligation.
Is this a set of a lot of similar pages in a repeating format like a bible journaling template?
No, each page is completely different! Each Gospel doodle note sheet in this book has a unique customized layout just for that day. The interactive aspects, prompts, tasks, and reflections are also new & different on each page. Each Gospel page contains what is most relevant to that particular lesson from Jesus to help students internalize it into their own lives. They will get to enjoy a completely unique, custom page for every single Sunday Gospel. Nothing is repetitive, so they won't get tired of it! They get a new, unique creative page each time.
Can we use it in day school, or is it best for Sunday Schools?
It's perfect for either! If you do it on Sunday (in a faith formation class or at home), the Gospel will be fresh in their minds. But if you do it during the week at school, it's a wonderful reminder for Monday or a sneak peek of the Gospel if you choose to do it on Fridays. It works really well in either setting. We recommend this for parents at home, catechists in Sunday School, and teachers in Catholic school classrooms.
What are doodle notes?
"Doodle notes" are a unique visual note-taking method with built-in features that increase focus and memory by taking advantage of a collection of brain research, including Dual Coding Theory. Doodling has been proven to activate the brain's pathways just enough to keep it from daydreaming, without distracting from the learning at hand! The doodle note strategy integrates both hemispheres of the student brain and helps maximize focus, learning, and retention of the lesson material. Doodle notes include visual memory triggers to help information make it into long-term memory. They also offer a variety of interactive tasks and a graphic layout that allows for plenty of creativity. The blend of graphic and linguistic input allows student brains to make more neural connections, therefore boosting retention of the lesson. You can learn more about the doodle note method and grab some free materials to help you get started with visual note-taking at doodlenotes.org
What if my students don't like to color?
Sometimes you'll have a few students who don't enjoy the creative aspect as much as others do. But it's still great for their brains. This format helps them to reflect, focus, and internalize the information in a way that they remember. The good news is, they will still get those benefits if they do the minimum. As long as they complete the written information, color-code and/or do any purposeful sketching/coloring/doodling, it is usually ok to let them chill out on the additional embellishing. The content is built into the pages either way. Encourage reflection, and require certain aspects to be completed, such as the information, answers, and connections on the page.
Can I do this at home with my own kids?
Absolutely! This is a wonderful way for children or teens and their parents to have a relaxing, approachable reflection time together. It's scripture study in a less overwhelming format. Sit down and color side-by-side, either in the same book, or with a copy for each of you. You'll love this time together, and you'll be fueling your souls and nourishing their relationships with Jesus along with your own. The discussions will come naturally! (But we have also included a teacher/parent guide with additional discussion questions and background information to help support you.)
What is the difference between the two purchasing options?
The ebook (PDF) version is for teachers who will print the pages and make copies to distribute. A purchase of the downloadable PDF includes one teacher license that allows the teacher to print and copy pages for their students. The paperback books, on the other hand are licensed per student, so you'll need to purchase one book per student if you go with the paperback option. The paperback books cannot be copied. More information about the two different purchasing options is available on the home page.
Can I see the full table of contents or a sample up close?
Absolutely. Just enter your email here and we will send over a sample file so you can take a closer look.
Can I get the book for my school with a purchase order?
Sure, no problem. If you are interested in the PDF version, email [email protected] with the details and let us know how many teacher licenses you need. We can provide a quote as well if you need one. If you want the paperback books, your PO will go through Barnes and Noble instead since they do the checkout and shipping for the hard copies. Feel free to email with any questions.
What is the best way to buy this as a gift for a friend, godchild, or relative?
This is a wonderful gift for a loved one who has just received a sacrament, or for your nieces and nephews or godchildren. If you are buying for just one child or teen, the single paperback book is the best option. It's an affordable choice for people who need just one book.
