Academics and Curriculum

Archdiocese of Detroit Standards

Anchor Texts

• Handwriting without Tears: Young Fives - Kindergarten
• Zoo Phonics/Plaid Phonics (Intensive Phonics Instruction): Young Fives - Kindergarten
• Benchmark Advance (Science of Reading philosophy): Young Fives - 3rd Grade
• Lucy Caulkins Units of Study (Reading & Writing): 3rd - 6th Grade
• Literature Anthology: 7th - 8th Grade
• Sadlier Grammar & Vocabulary Workshop: 3rd-8th Grade

Other Resources

Online Learning Tool: IXL

Online Learning Tool: RazKids

Literacy Skills:

• Literacy Skills: Understanding that letters can form words, identifies own name in print, uses clues from pictures to infer/predict; understands books have an author and an illustrator
• Alphabet awareness: identification of all upper and lowercase letters
• Phonemic awareness: production of all letter sounds, identification and production of rhyming words, identification and discrimination of syllables in words
• Comprehension: Retells a story in sequence and can answer wh-questions (who, what, where, when, why) in relation to a story

Writing Skills Emphasized:

• Drawing and written form to express ideas (in response to writing prompts and uses scribbles, mock writing, string of letters, initial/final sounds, sound spelling, etc)
• Formation of letters: writes first and last name

Vocal Skills:

• Use of expressive language to communicate for a variety of purposes
• Use of receptive language to show comprehension of language
• Follows multiple step directions
• Development of more complex vocabulary and seeks meaning for new words
• Displays appropriate social (pragmatic) language with peers and teachers

Using two core base programs, students form foundational skills needed for scaffolding reading and writing.

Handwriting without Tears:

• Students practice letter formation and reinforces the alphabetic principle

• Practices ensures automatic recall of symbols for sounds, facilitation knowledge transfer as they grow

• Gives explicit, systematic instruction through child-friendly methods

• Provides hands-on tools that build vocabulary and alphabet knowledge prior to learning writing

• Involves multi-sensory activities

• Research-based curriculum based on the Science of Reading

Zoo Phonics:

• Multi-sensory Language Arts Program is a kinesthetic, multi-modal approach to learning based on phonics and phonemic awareness.

• The principle understanding, memory, utilization and transference to all areas of the reading, spelling and writing process in a playful and concrete manner.

• Uses a “phono” (hearing), “oral” (speaking), “visual” (seeing), “kinesthetic” (moving), and tactile (touching)—whole brain approach.

• Uses animals drawn in the shapes of the letters for ease in memory. A related body movement is given for each letter.

  • This concrete approach cements the sounds to the shapes of the letters.

• Lowercase letters and their sounds are taught first (needed 95% of the time in text), capital letters and letter names are taught later.

Phonics & Alphabet Identification

• Recognizing and naming all letters, both uppercase and lowercase

• Actively connecting each letter to its corresponding sound

Phonological Awareness & Syllables

• The ability to manipulate sounds in words, including rhyming and identifying syllables

High Frequency Words & Word Families

• Site word recognition–learning to quickly recognize high-frequency words like "the," "and," "a" without sounding them out

• Recognizing a group of words that share a common pattern, meaning, or spelling feature through activities such as rhyming and playing with words that sound a like to develop phonological awareness

Literature & Informational Text

• Interactive reading which engages students to point out key ideas and details

• Encouraging children to retell basic story elements after reading

• Learning fiction vs. nonfiction

Print Concepts

• Understanding how print works, like reading left to right, top to bottom

• Supporting early reading by physically following the text with a finger

Reading Groups

• Once students have mastered the phonological awareness of sounds and can begin to decode, leveled readers are introduced to apply reading skills.

Writing

• Students practice their fine motor skills to form letters in combination with drawing to create short sentences.

In first grade, students build upon their kindergarten foundational skills. In second grade, students enhance and later master all foundational skills to the next level.

Phonological Awareness, Phonics & High Frequency Words

• Understanding the sounds in words, including clapping syllables, identifying rhyming words, and isolating sounds within words.

• Learning high-frequency words that are often irregular and need to be memorized by sight.

• Recognizing letter sounds and their combinations to sound out words, including short vowels, consonant blends, and digraphs.

Vocabulary Development

• Expanding vocabulary by learning new words through context clues and picture support.

Fluency

• Reading smoothly and accurately with appropriate expression

Comprehension

• Identifying the main idea: Understanding the central topic of a story

• Sequencing events: Putting story events in order

• Making predictions: Guessing what might happen next in a story

• Asking questions: Formulating questions about the text to deepen understanding

Literature & Informational Text:

• Literary text include poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction

• Informational texts include expository, persuasive, and procedural

Reading Groups

• Students are grouped at similar achievement levels to provide guided instruction in reading where students apply the science of reading skills.

Writing

• Students build up to writing multiple complete sentences to write a paragraph or more

In 3rd and 4th grade, students are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. They learning to go deeper into the meaning of what they read. They are also learning to utilize their skills more and more independently with less adult guidance and support.

Character Study (3rd)/ Interpreting Characters (4th)

• Observe characters and sharpen their skills in interpretation

• Study the complexity of characters and explore themes

Book Clubs

• Work in clubs to gather, synthesize and organize information

• Historical fiction exploration (4th)--practice reading analytically and synthesizing complicating narratives

Text Structure

• Exploring the differences between the structures of literature and informational texts (fiction and nonfiction books, poetry, articles, and even online research)

• Examples include points of views and cause and effect.

Writing, Grammar & Vocabulary

• Use the writing process to help produce a variety of coherent, organized writing pieces.

• Writing opinion, narrative, persuasive, and informative pieces that correlate with reading genres and themes

• Participate in weekly writing practice to improve both writing stamina and confidence.

• Focus on the conventions of standard English grammar working on sentence structure, parts of speech, and the application of both written and spoken language.

• Spelling and vocabulary skills focus on patterns over memorization.

Presentation of Knowledge

• Students use a large variety of speaking and listening skills to present their knowledge and understanding of topics learned. This may include book reports, class presentations, speeches, video recordings, readers theater etc.

Students hone their intellectual independence and see themselves as readers.

The Core Units are:

• Interpretation Book Clubs: Analyzing Themes, students draw on a repertoire of ways for reading closely, noticing how story elements interact, understanding how different authors develop the same theme, and comparing and contrasting texts that develop a similar theme.
• Tackling Complexity: Moving Up Levels of Nonfiction, children investigate the ways nonfiction texts are becoming more complex, and they learn strategies to tackle these new challenges. This unit emphasizes the strong foundational skills, such as fluency, orienting to texts, and word solving, that are required to read complex nonfiction.
• Fantasy and Social Issues Book Clubs: The Magic of Themes and Symbols, students work in clubs to become deeply immersed in the fantasy genre and further develop higher-level thinking skills to study how authors develop characters and themes over time. They think metaphorically as well as analytically, explore the quests and themes within and across their novels, and consider the implications of conflicts, themes, and lessons learned.

In Writing our Core Units are:

• Narrative Craft: helps students deliberately use their knowledge of narrative craft to make their personal narratives more thematic.
• Research Reports: students draw inspiration and understanding from mentor texts, primary and secondary sources, to write focused research reports that engage and teach readers.
• Research-Based Argument Essay: fifth graders learn to build powerful arguments that convincingly balance evidence and analysis to persuade readers to action.
• Grammar: Students master grade-appropriate conventions of standard English through instruction with models, ample practice, and immediate application of skills.
• Vocabulary: Students learn best practices in the area of grade appropriate vocabulary development and skills through contextual learning and direct instruction of specific vocabulary words.

Sadlier Connect is used for Vocabulary instruction and Grammar for Writing helps encourage proper grammar usage.

The Junior High ELA course challenges all of the foundational elementary reading and writing skills that students have learned so far.

Students will:

• Develop formal writing skills

• Foster critical skills in engaging literary texts

• Increase their exposure to literature

• Demonstrate an understanding of English grammar in written language and spoken language

• Have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to create through essays, presentations, and student-led discussions

• Learn through group work that will emphasize communication skills and develop the practice of working efficiently and effectively with peers

Anchor Texts

• KinderMath: Young Fives
• Eureka Math: K-6
• Sadlier Fundamentals of Algebra: For Advanced 6 and Math 7
• Sadlier Foundations of Algebra: For Pre-Algebra
• *Geometry and Algebra I utilize combined texts

Other Resources

Online Learning Tool: IXL

At the PreK level, student math skills focus on early childhood cognitive development.

This includes:

• Identifying colors, shapes, numbers

• Rote counting 1-25

• 1 to 1 correspondence

• Quantitative counting

• Classifying, sorting, and comparing items based on a common quality (such as colors, shapes, sizes)

• Copying, extending, creating patterns

• Understanding spatial relationships

• Demonstrating an understanding of basic addition & subtraction with manipulatives

• Understanding positional terms

Students continue to build upon their foundational skills learned in PreK.

• Counting to 100
• Recognizing and writing numbers up to 30
• Counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s
• Compare sets of objects using the terms more, less, same and equal
• Copy and create simple repeating patterns
• Recognize and name 2D and 3D shapes
• Put shapes together to make designs, pictures, and larger shapes

In Kindergarten, the "big ideas" primarily focus on developing a strong foundation in basic skills, all while building a solid understanding of comparing quantities and simple addition/subtraction concepts through hands-on manipulation and visual representation.

Key "big ideas" include:

Number Sense:

• Counting to 10 and beyond, identifying numerals, and understanding the relationship between quantity and number symbol.

• Comparing sets of objects using terms like "more," "less," and "same".

• Recognizing and composing small numbers (up to 5) using manipulatives.

Geometry:

• Identifying and naming basic 2D shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).

• Exploring positional words like "up," "down," "left," "right," "in front," and "behind".

Measurement:

• Comparing the length of objects using terms like "longer" and "shorter".

• Exploring concepts of capacity (full, empty, half full)

Operations (Early Concepts):

• Adding and subtracting small quantities through concrete manipulation and visual representation.

• Understanding the concept of "part-whole" relationships with small sets

Other Important Aspects:

Concrete to abstract learning:

• Students heavily rely on manipulatives and visual representations to understand concepts before moving to abstract symbols.

Focus on fluency:

• Regular practice with counting and number recognition activities to build fluency.

In 1st and 2nd grade, the “big ideas” primarily focus on developing a strong foundation and then applying math to real-world situations through problem solving. 2nd grade explores the same overall topic areas, but with increasing complexity and fluency.

Key “big ideas” include:

• Number Sense, Place Value & Comparison

  • Understanding the value of each digit in a number

  • Comparing numbers based on place value

• Addition & Subtraction and then later Multiplication & Division

  • Fluently adding and subtracting numbers

  • Beginning understanding of multiplying and dividing numbers (2nd)

  • Using strategies like making tens, number bonds, and related facts

• Geometric Concepts

  • Identifying, classifying, assigning attributes of various shapes including understanding basic spatial relationships

  • Using a coordinate system

• Measurement & Data

  • Using standard units to find measurements

  • Telling time

  • Using data in basic graphs

• Word Problem Solving

  • Applying math concepts to real-world scenarios

  • Developing and using strategies to solve multi-step problems

In 3rd grade and 4th grade math, the key “big ideas” primarily focus on developing and later solidifying a deep understanding of larger level math operations, fractions and geometric concepts. Concepts develop in 3rd grade and build with more complexity and challenge throughout 4th grade for a more solid foundation.

Key "big ideas" include:

Place Value & Operations

• Deepening understanding of place value with large numbers, including rounding and estimation and comparison and ordering of numbers.

• Understanding that multiplication is a way to represent groups and using strategies such as arrays and other visual models to solidify this concept.

• Recognizing the relationship between multiplication and division

• Mastering multiplication and division with whole numbers, including strategies like decomposing numbers and using place value.

Fractions

• Developing a conceptual understanding of fractions

• Recognizing and generating equivalent fractions

• Comparing and ordering fractions with different and same denominators

• Adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators

• Visualizing fractions using models like fraction strips and number lines

Measurement & Data Analysis

• Interpreting and representing data using pictographs and bar graphs, measuring length and weight using standard units

• Converting between customary units and metric units

• Measuring angles using a protractor

• Calculating perimeter and area of simple shapes

Geometry

• Identifying and classifying 2D shapes based on attributes like sides and angles (triangles, quadrilaterals, etc.)

• Understanding lines of symmetry and identifying symmetrical figures

• Exploring basic concepts of parallel and perpendicular lines

As the last year in elementary school, 5th grade encompasses all the foundational skills from K-4th grade, which sequences mathematical progressions that help students build enduring math knowledge that goes beyond facts and formulas, teaching students to think about math conceptually. In 5th grade, the big ideas primarily focus on deepening understanding of concepts alongside applying these concepts to real-world problems.

Key “big ideas” include:

Place Value and Decimal Operations

• Understanding place value for decimals, comparing decimals, adding and subtracting decimals, and multiplying and dividing decimals by whole numbers.

Fraction Operations

• Adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators, multiplying and dividing fractions by whole numbers, and connecting fractions to decimals

Volume and Area

• Calculating volume of rectangular prisms and area of composite shapes, applying these concepts to solve real-world problems

Coordinate Plane

• Identifying points on a coordinate plane and using ordered pairs to graph points

Problem solving with Multiple Strategies

• Applying various mathematical strategies to solve complex problems, including multi-step word problems, and reasoning through different approaches

In the 6th grade, students begin to be leveled into courses based on their ability.

Math 6: In this course, students will be introduced to expressions, equations and inequalities. Students will continue to work on fractions as well as factors and multiples. Rational numbers, ratios, proportions, percent, measurement and two-variable relationships will be introduced. Finding the area, surface area and volume of two and three dimensional figures and as well as measures of center and data displays are studied.

Math 7: This course is designed to prepare students for Pre-Algebra. Students will work with integers and rational numbers. Students will be solving equations and inequalities, setting up ratios and proportions and working with percents. Two and three dimensional geometry and basic probability and statistics will be covered.

Math 6/7: In this course, students develop a deep understanding of the concepts of ratio and proportional reasoning. Similarity and scale factors are investigated and formulas are developed. Integers and operations involving integers as well as linear relationships in tables, graphs, and equations are developed. Units on probability and data analysis which include the study of experimental and theoretical probabilities, expected value, variability, measures of central tendency, and the effective use of tables and graphs are also studied. Two and three dimensional geometry will also be studied.

Pre-Algebra: This course is designed to prepare students to successfully enter Algebra I. The major emphasis of this course is the development of a deep understanding of linear relationships. Units studied include solving linear equations, solving linear systems, irrational numbers, symmetry and transformations, statistics, and two and three dimensional geometry.

Algebra 1: This advanced math course is a study of the basic functions of algebra and its application to problem-solving. It includes interpreting graphs, linear functions and inequalities, piecewise and absolute value functions, quadratic functions (in all three forms),

Honors Geometry: This advanced math course includes basic geometry, proof, triangles, quadrilaterals, similarity, circles, area and volume. The curriculum will integrate algebra and problem-solving into each area of study.

Archdiocese of Detroit Standards

Anchor Texts

• Endless Science: Young Fives
• Little Science Thinkers: Kindergarten
• Lab Learner: 1st- 8th Grade
• Experience within a Science Laboratory: 5th - 8th Grade

Utilizing the Endless Science curriculum, students will explore a variety of topics aligned to the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). Students will learn through whole group teaching, investigations, hands on experiments, discussion, science stations, crafts, games and activities.

Core Overarching Themes Explored:

• Life Science (Senses, Plants, Living/Non-Living etc.)
• Physical Science (Magnets, Force & Motion etc.)
• Earth Science (Space, Seasons, Weather etc.)
• Animal Studies (Bats, Ants, Chickens etc.)

Utilizing the Little Science Thinkers curriculum designed for Kindergarten, students will explore a variety of topics aligned to the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). Students will learn through whole group teaching, investigations, hands on experiments, discussion, science stations, crafts, games and activities.

Core Topics Covered:

• Senses
• Seasons and Weather
• Properties of Matter
• Plants and Animals
• Force and Motion

Our Science curriculum, LabLearner, is a 100% hands-on system of K-8th grade science education that includes a fully equipped in-school laboratory and complete curriculum. LabLearner is everything students need to learn about science because they learn through hands-on experiences that are fun and engaging and learning is continuously spiraling year after year. LabLearner is based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which is a conceptual and structural approach that has over 350 curriculum - embedded lab experiments that form a continuous, logical sequence of STEM learning experiences in the classroom. Moreover, LabLearner is rich in mathematics and language arts standards. Each grade level covers different C.E.L.L.S. (Core Experience Learning Labs).

1st grade Science C.E.L.L.S.:

• Staying Safe
• Properties of Solids and Liquids
• Discovering Life
• Weather
• Our Senses

2nd Grade Science C.E.L.L.S.:

• Weight and Volume
• The Earth’s Surface
• Water Cycle
• Investigating Sound
• Health and Hygiene

Our Science curriculum, LabLearner, is a 100% hands-on system of K-8th grade science education that includes a fully equipped in-school laboratory and complete curriculum. LabLearner is everything students need to learn about science because they learn through hands-on experiences that are fun and engaging and learning is continuously spiraling year after year. LabLearner is based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which is a conceptual and structural approach that has over 350 curriculum - embedded lab experiments that form a continuous, logical sequence of STEM learning experiences in the classroom. Moreover, LabLearner is rich in mathematics and language arts standards. Each grade level covers different C.E.L.L.S. (Core Experience Learning Labs).

3rd Grade Science C.E.L.L.S.:

• Properties of Matter
• Exploring Electricity
• Our Solar System
• The Sun and Your Skin

4th Grade Science C.E.L.L.S.:

• The Human Body
• Microscopes and Magnification
• Chemical, Matter and Interactions
• Forms of Energy
• Light and Optics
• Examining Nutrition

Welcome to the wonderful world of science! The school year will prove to be an interesting journey for your child as he or she examines: Properties of Matter, Weather & Erosion, Kinetic & Potential Energy, Atmosphere, Space, Simple Machines, Solutes & Solubility, and newly added Science & Art.

Just a sampling of the Focus Questions students will explore while discovering the science concepts could include:

• How does converting energy from one form to another relate
• to the Law of Conservation of Energy?
• What causes the change in seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
• What are key components of bilateral symmetry,
• radial symmetry, (a)symmetrical balance?
• Is there a relationship between the concentration of a solution and the saturation point of a solute?

Your child will be completing a Student Data Record for each of the units called C.E.L.L.S (Core Experience Learning Labs). There will be exciting hands-on investigations in the classroom and in the Science Lab. Your child will participate in many different activities that will serve as a vehicle for attaining not only scientific concepts but also language skills, math skills and valuable cognitive skills that will contribute to the preparation of students for all curricular areas.

7th Grade Science

The school year will prove to be an interesting journey for your child as he or she examines: Atomic Structure, Chemical Reactions, Acids & Bases, Cellular Organization, Genes & Proteins, Cell Cycle and Cancer, and Adaptation.

Just a sampling of the Focus Questions students will explore while discovering the science concepts could include:

• In a chemical reaction, what is the relationship among the reactants, the products, and the rate of the reaction?
• What happens to the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+ ) when an acid and a base react?
• How are the structures in plant and animal cells similar to and different from each other?
• Why can mutations in the DNA of a single cell affect the functions of an entire organism?
• How do cells in an organism replenish themselves after normal wear and tear to the tissue?
• How does genetic variation affect the type of traits or the adaptations in the individuals of a species?

Your child will be completing a Student Data Record for each of the units called C.E.L.L.S (Core Experience Learning Labs). There will be exciting hands-on investigations in the classroom and in the Science Lab. Your child will participate in many different activities that will serve as a vehicle for attaining not only scientific concepts but also language skills, math skills and valuable cognitive skills that will contribute to the preparation of students for all curricular areas.

8th Grade Science

The school year will prove to be an interesting journey for your child as he or she examines: Heat & Heat Transfer, Friction, Electricity & Magnetism, Sound Waves & Pressure, Light, Photosynthesis, Ecosystems, Watersheds.

Just a sampling of the Focus Questions students will explore while discovering the science concepts could include:

• How does the addition of a solute change the freezing and boiling point of water?
• How does a change in medium affect the wavelength of light?
• What is the relationship between speed, velocity, and acceleration?
• How do light and photosynthesis affect carbon dioxide levels?
• What affects the efficiency of energy transfer within an ecosystem?
• How do the abiotic factors of water velocity and discharge affect a watershed?

Your child will be completing a Student Data Record for each of the units called C.E.L.L.S (Core Experience Learning Labs). There will be exciting hands-on investigations in the classroom and in the Science Lab. Your child will participate in many different activities that will serve as a vehicle for attaining not only scientific concepts but also language skills, math skills and valuable cognitive skills that will contribute to the preparation of students for all curricular areas.

Anchor Texts

Thematic Units using Literature: Young Fives

Little Social Studies Thinkers: Kindergarten

McGraw Hill IMPACT: 1st-6th Grade

Other Resources

Online Learning Tool: IXL

Utilizing "Thematic Units" using Literature, students explore multiple topics to learn about the world.

Main subjects explored include:

• Community
• Holidays
• Exploring My Life
• Seasons

Kindergarten utilizes the "Little Social Studies Thinkers" curriculum for their students. It is cross-referenced and written to address the main topics of many Kindergarten Social Studies Standards.

Main subjects explored include:

• Citizenship
• My Community
• Our World
• Pilgrims

From graphic novels, to videos, to primary sources, IMPACT Social Studies prepares your students to become active and engaged citizens in their schools and communities with trusted and age-appropriate content. Cross-curricular connections enhance understanding of societal structures and global perspectives and empowers young learners to make meaningful connections across various academic disciplines.

Our Place in the World (1st)

• Children will begin to orient themselves with their surroundings
• Develop investigative skills that guide them to make connections to the people and places closest to them
• Celebrate community and country through interactive explorations all while building the skills they need to understand their place in the world.

Exploring Who We Are (2nd)

• Children are given the tools to investigate our country and world through the lenses of history, geography, economy, and government
• Learn about ways in which people interact with the world around them
• Explore ways that they can impact their own world
• Make connections between their community’s past and present to prepare themselves for their role in their community’s future

From graphic novels, to videos, to primary sources, IMPACT Social Studies prepares your students to become active and engaged citizens in their schools and communities with trusted and age-appropriate content. Cross-curricular connections enhance understanding of societal structures and global perspectives and empowers young learners to make meaningful connections across various academic disciplines.

In Our Communities (3rd)

• Students will learn about the impact geography, culture, history, government, and economics have across the globe and in their very own community
• Engage with maps, primary sources, time lines, and different perspectives to build citizenship skills
• Gain an understanding of the forces that shape their community locally and globally

Regions of the United States (4th)

• ​​Students will learn about the history, geography, government, and economics of each region
• By interacting with maps, charts, time lines, and primary sources, students will discover what makes each region unique, as well as what connects each region to each other and to the world

From graphic novels, to videos, to primary sources, IMPACT Social Studies prepares your students to become active and engaged citizens in their schools and communities with trusted and age-appropriate content. Cross-curricular connections enhance understanding of societal structures and global perspectives and empowers young learners to make meaningful connections across various academic disciplines.

U.S. History: Making and New Nation (5th)

• Students will learn about North America before the founding of the United States as well as the first several decades of the republic
• By engaging with diverse perspectives and primary sources, students will build an understanding of the cooperation and conflicts that defined the early nation
• Students will also connect issues from the past to their lives today

6th Grade World History

In middle school, social studies opens students’ eyes to the rich fabric of our world by helping them discern cultural and historical patterns, understand stories and tradition, and connect their own experiences to those of others. Link past to present to help students make sense of their nation and world through the lens of history. This inquiry-based curriculum incorporates current events to spark informed action and empowers students to recognize how history relates to them.

With a focus on primary and secondary sources, students will gather evidence, draw conclusions, communicate understanding, and take informed action. There are up to three Inquiry Activity Lessons in every topic covering a wide range of voices and perspectives, provided by excerpts from interviews, magazine articles, poems, song lyrics, and photographs.

Students begin to learn history by using the Socratic Dialogue method and lecture style of learning. Socratic Dialogue is a style of conversation that involves students thinking critically and independently about a subject matter using questioning, critical examination of the implications and consequences of statements and alternative viewpoints, through a collaborative process in which teachers guide students to work together to explore their experiences in history.

The delivery of the content is done in a lecture-style format where content is delivered in a very clear and structured manner. During the delivery of content, the teacher infuses multiple primary and secondary sources, videos, lecture notes, and Google Classroom to house and keep assignments, post announcements (homework, quizzes, tests, projects, due dates) organized to grade and return.

7th Grade US History: Revolutionary - Civil War/Eastern Hemisphere World History

• Thirteen Colonies
• Geographical features
• Colonial Governments
• Impact of British Rule.
• Road to the American Revolution
• The Revolutionary War
• Forming a New Nation
• Our Early Democracy and Constitution
• Westward Expansion

8th Grade U.S. History: Civil War to World War II

• Civil War
• Era of Reconstruction
• The American West
• Native Americans and the Great Plains
• Last Frontier
• Age of Industry and Immigration
• Imperialism
• World War I
• Roaring Twenties
• Great Depression
• World War Two

Anchor Texts

Holy Heroes & Stories of God's Love: Young Fives

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: PreK-3rd Grade

Spirit of Truth by Sophia Press: K - 8th Grade

Ruah Woods Theology of the Body K - 8th Grade

Other Resources

Catholic Bible

6th - 8th:

• YouCat
• Teen Star

Students learn their Catholic faith through stories, play, hands-on activities and projects. For Young Fives, resources are pulled from the Bible, Holy Heroes & Stories of God's Love. They also experience Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which is a hands-on Montessori style religion class each week.

Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith.

The curriculum:

• Provides interactive, teacher-led lesson plans

• Includes vivid sacred art reflections, stories of the saints, games, role-plays, and critical thinking questions

• Designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives

• Offers opportunities to reflect on everything learned and applying it to their own lived experience

Jesus and the Holy Family

Students are introduced to the loving goodness of Jesus Christ, meet the members of the Holy Family, and learn who the saints are and what they teach us.

• Why virtue is good and sin is bad.

• The importance of developing good habits.

• How to speak to God in prayer.

Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith.

The curriculum:

• Provides interactive, teacher-led lesson plans

• Includes vivid sacred art reflections, stories of the saints, games, role-plays, and critical thinking questions

• Designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives

• Offers opportunities to reflect on everything learned and applying it to their own lived experience

God is Love (1st)

Students begin to develop an awareness of God as our Father in Heaven, the creator of Heaven and earth, who is all good, who created them in His image and likeness, and who loves them unconditionally.

• Basic parts of the Mass.

• The reality of sin in connection with the Sacrament of Confession.

• The lives of saints and the basics of prayer as a conversation with God.

Our Life in Jesus (2nd)

Students focus on how much children are loved by Jesus Christ, and how His death and Resurrection has opened the way to Heaven.

• The parts of the Mass.

• Lives and lessons of the saints.

• More ways to pray.

• A special focus on the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist.

Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith.

The curriculum:

• Provides interactive, teacher-led lesson plans

• Includes vivid sacred art reflections, stories of the saints, games, role-plays, and critical thinking questions

• Designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives

• Offers opportunities to reflect on everything learned and applying it to their own lived experience

The Kingdom of God and the Church (3rd)

Students learn about the Catholic Church, the Holy Spirit and how He guides Her, and how Jesus continues His mission through Her.

• Basics of the Trinity and all seven Sacraments.

• Prayer and living as children of God.

• Jesus’ Parables of the Kingdom, and Mary as the Mother of the Church.

• Includes a supplement on Confirmation for restored order dioceses.

Jesus Teaches Us How To Live (4th)

Students focus on the moral life.

• What it means to be created in the image and likeness of God, and how we should respond to His grace so we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

• Conscience formation, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Golden Rule, and the Great Commandment.

• The reality of sin and the necessity of virtue.

Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith.

The curriculum:

• Provides interactive, teacher-led lesson plans

• Includes vivid sacred art reflections, stories of the saints, games, role-plays, and critical thinking questions

• Designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives

• Offers opportunities to reflect on everything learned and applying it to their own lived experience

The Sacraments (5th)

Students will explore in-depth the gift of God’s grace in the Sacraments.

• Sacraments: what they are and why Jesus instituted them; form, matter, history, celebration, and effects of each Sacrament.

• The meaning of God as the source of life.

• The Holy Mass and Holy Days of Obligation

• Longer biographies of the saints, especially young saints.

Sacred Scripture (6th)

Students spend this year immersed in God’s Word in Sacred Scripture, and explore how the Bible, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, records God’s plan of salvation.

• Basics of how to use the Bible and Magisterial authority.

• How and why we should pray with Scripture.

• How the Bible is different from other books.

• The four senses of Scripture.

Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way and is designed to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith.

The curriculum:

• Provides interactive, teacher-led lesson plans

• Includes vivid sacred art reflections, stories of the saints, games, role-plays, and critical thinking questions

• Designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives

• Offers opportunities to reflect on everything learned and applying it to their own lived experience

Living as a Disciple of Christ (7th)

Middle-school students explore Jesus and the Gospel message, with an emphasis on unifying themes in Scripture and an in-depth examination of the four Gospels.

• Personal growth: the origin, dignity, and destiny of the human person.

• An exploration of each Sacrament.

• Prayer: its elements, qualities, and challenges; ways of praying; Mary and the saints as models of prayer.

The Communion of the Faithful (8th)

Middle-school students build on their understanding of personal growth, with an emphasis on our vocation to love and our responsibilities to God and each other.

• Morality: conscience formation through prayer and an objective moral standard.

• Church History: our identity as Catholics; how the saints have shaped the liturgy, hierarchy, and doctrine of the Church.

• Citizen and Government: the natural rights of persons; the purpose of government.

• God’s Plan for Marriage and the Family: our identity as male and female; purposes and abuses of sexuality; resisting temptation so as to avoid sin and grow in virtue.