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Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the
Life is the Catholic Religion curriculum our students in the
seventh
grade study. The program is centered on a new approach found in the teachings of
the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II. Based solidly on Sacred
Scripture, the approach stresses the dignity of each individual as a person created in the
image and likeness of God.
Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the
Life has as its emphasis
four
key truths of the Catholic Faith: God, Creation, Christ, and the Commandments.
These key truths form the unifying element of the lessons. The material in each lesson
revolves around fundamentals of our Faith stated in terms the students can understand and
remember.
Lord, Give Me Eternal Life
and
Christ with Us Now and Always
are programs that make up our Catholic religion curriculum for our students in
the eighth grade. These programs are also centered on a new approach
found in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and Pope John Paul II.
Based
solidly on Sacred Scripture, the approach stresses the dignity of each individual as a
person created in the image and likeness of God.
Both the Lord, Give Me Eternal Life
and the
Christ with Us Now and
Always programs emphasize two key truths of the Catholic
Faith: Grace and the Sacraments. These key truths form the unifying element of
the lessons. The material in each lesson revolves around fundamentals of our Faith stated
in terms that the students can understand and remember.
 LITERATURE
7th graders
are currently working on
historical fiction that
deals directly with the
Holocaust. They are just
beginning the book
The Devil’s Arithmetic,
which brings out Jewish
family life during the
1940’s and also the reality
of the concentration camps.
They are also working to
complete a research paper on
a topic of their choice with
regards to World War II.
8th graders
are beginning the year with
a mythology unit and are
learning about Mt. Olympus
and the god and goddesses
that reside there. They
will read several nature
myths and compare and
contrast different versions
of the same story. By using
handouts, the paperback book
about mythology, and the
text, they will have access
to lots of information about
both greek and roman myths.
They also will put together
a project that follows the
good vs. evil theme and
present that to the class.
 MATH 
7th Graders begin the year with a review of the 4 operations with
whole numbers and decimals. New concepts include complex fractions, writing equations with
variables and integers, and consumer math with percents. We will expand on their knowledge
of area and volume to include solid figures and introduce probability.
8th Graders will work in the same areas as 7th graders with a larger
emphasis on pre-algebra skills including writing and solving algebraic sentences and
expressions. New skills include trigonometric ratios and positive and negative exponents.
The Algebra course taught at St. Joseph School is equivalent to
Algebra 1-2 taught at Pius X. As 8th graders they learn the basics, as well as: linear
sentences, lines, slope, polynomials, parabolas and quadratic equations.
 SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies 7 is a basic survey
course in world geography, history, and
culture. Emphasis is placed on the
increasingly geopolitical nature of our
world today and the inter-connectedness
of peoples of this new century, as well
as appreciation for differing cultures.
Students familiarize themselves with the
achievements of many civilizations. In
addition to time spent on the Egyptians,
Greeks, and Romans, we also study the
history and culture of the Middle East,
selected African countries, and China,
as well as several significant world
events of the 20th century.
In summary, students familiarize
themselves with the achievements of many
civilizations, and gain a deeper
appreciation of cultural and
environmental difference around the
world.
American History 8 is a basic survey
course in U.S. history. We begin our
study by examining the conditions in
Europe during the Middle Ages that led,
both directly and indirectly, to the Age
of Exploration. We analyze the effects
of these explorations on the ten million
people that lived in the Americas at
this time. We examine the “New World”
legacies of Spain, France and England,
and the subsequent evolution of colonial
America and its unique characteristics.
Following these initial units, we
concentrate on the American Revolution
focusing on the leadership of George
Washington. We then “travel”
chronologically thru American history
while emphasizing certain key events and
the cause and effect nature of these
events. In October we begin our unit on
the U.S.military which culminates on
Veterans Day. I hope to instill in
your students a deep appreciation for
the achievements of the many who
sacrificed so much for the freedoms we
enjoy today.
 JUNIOR HIGH SCIENCE 
7th grade students study Life Science, and we always look forward to dissecting later in the year.
In the 8th grade, the students study Earth
Science. A yearly favorite is our
Space
Station Project.
Students may also choose to take Chemistry
and Physics as an elective class.
Another exciting Science event is the
Science Fair, which takes place during Catholic Schools Week!
The
clip art on this page is from:
"Clip art licensed from
the Clip Art Gallery
on DiscoverySchool.com"
Discovery
Clip Art
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