Saint Andrew Elementary students celebrate Easter

Intermountain Catholic

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Sharon Rasmussen's kindergarten class learns the song ?Sing for Joy, Alleluia.? They are learning the true meaning of Easter through song, coloring pictures, and class projects. They learned Easter is more than the Easter bunny.IC photo by Christine Young

RIVERTON — "Sing for joy, Alleluia, Easter is here," sang Sharon Rasmussen’s kindergarten class at Saint Andrew Elementary School in Riverton, as they prepared for the Triduum and Easter April 8.

The kindergarten class then did an Easter project using plastic eggs to learn the true meaning of Easter called "The 12 Days of Easter."

Across the hall Mary Andreason’s first grade class was gathered around a table on which was a basket of bread and grapes, a cross of the crucified Jesus, and a lit candle. They were learning about the Last Supper and the Triduum.

"When was the first time Jesus took bread and wine, and why does he do this," asked Andreason.

Jaime Duenus said at the Last Supper Jesus asked us to remember him. The bread represents his body.

"The grapes represent the blood of Christ," said Maria.

"We have the bread and grapes, showing what Jesus did at the Last Supper," said Andreason. "We also have the cross because…

Carter said, "Because Jesus gave his life for us."

"Why would he do that for us? Why would he die for us?" asked Andreason.

"Because he loves us," said a student.

"He did not really want to die, but he was willing to because he loves us," said Andreason. "And what does the candle represent?"

A student answered the light, because Jesus is our light.

The students then went back to their seats to color papers containing circles and crosses. The circles had on them a cross, a candle, bread, and grapes. They cut out the items and glued them on purple paper to make mobiles.

"Why do we glue them on purple paper," asked Andreason.

Donald Gallager said, "Purple is the color of penance. Penance is forgiveness of our sins by Jesus and God."

Kiely Rasmussen said "We shouldn’t forget what Jesus did for us because he died on the cross for us."

"We have been talking about the three days of the Triduum, so they could understand how serious this is," said Andreason. "In their minds Easter is the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, fancy dresses, and that type of thing. So we are trying to learn that these three days are very solemn and very serious, and trying to learn what God gave up for us. The mobiles are reminders of what the three days of the Triduum are all about. The bread represents the body, the grapes represent Jesus’ blood, and the cross represents how Jesus died for us."

Rasmussen made an Easter basket to communicate to her kindergarten students the significance of Easter. The eggs each had an item inside to tell the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus as well as a Bible verse.

Rasmussen has 24 students, so she did this exercise two days in a row so each student would have an opportunity to open an egg and tell the class what was inside.

Ally opened egg 12, which had an animal cracker signifying the body of Christ. The Bible verse was Luke 22:19-20, "He broke the bread, gave it to them and said, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’"

Mason opened egg 11 which had a feather inside. In Luke 22:34, Peter would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed.

Elias opened egg 10 containing a rope. Elias said they tied it around Jesus.

Jacob opened egg nine which had a silver coin. Kevin said, "Judas pretended to be Jesus’ friend but he wasn’t really his friend, and he took him to the police."

Dominic opened egg eight which had a tiny twig signifying the crown of thorns. "They made Jesus wear a crown of thorns on his head," said Dominic.

Deanna opened egg seven containing a small piece of sponge. "The sponge is for water," said Deanna.

Elias said, "Jesus couldn’t drink water because his hands were nailed to the cross."

Alex opened egg six containing dice. Ruben said, "They used them to divide his clothes."

Kristina opened egg five which had a piece of wood inside. Rasmussen said it was a piece of Jesus’ cross on which he was crucified.

Rachel opened egg four which had a piece of torn curtain. Rasmussen told the students the curtain was put on Jesus when he died.

Lauren opened egg three which had a piece of linen cloth inside. Lauren said, "It was a piece of Jesus’ clothing they put on him before he went in the tomb."

Grace opened egg three which contained a stone. Rasmussen read, "Early in the morning, when it was dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb of Jesus. She saw the stone had been rolled away."

Ruben opened egg number one and it was empty. Kristen said, "Jesus went to heaven."