RELIGION

Focus of SCCS Middle School Religion Studies

The new Religion Curriculum, Image of God, is centered on the belief that human life is sacred. Every person has an inherent dignity because he or she is made in the image and likeness of God. Through His Incarnation, Jesus reveals the perfect image of the Father and shows us who we are and how to relate our faith to everyday living. Through study of sacred scripture and church tradition, students will understand and appreciate the truths of the Catholic faith.

Jesus Christ - The Way, The Truth and The Life - calls every baptized Christian to become His disciple. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are called to share our faith and to make Him known and loved by all. We carry out this mission by participating in the roles of Jesus Christ’s ministry - priest, prophet, and king. We worship God. We teach the Christian message by word and by example as we serve others.

The religion program at St. Croix Catholic Middle School provides the opportunity for our students to develop Christian values through the teaching of Catholic doctrine. It instills the knowledge and confidence to witness the truths of Jesus Christ, promote the common good, and transform society through personal and social action.

Our goals for SCCS Middle School graduates:

1. Understand and integrate Catholic doctrine into their lives;

2. Feel a strong moral foundation and make faith-based decisions;

3. Hold a deeper understanding of the liturgy and the liturgical year;

4. Develop deep personal prayer and spiritual reflection;

5. Understand and live out the Catholic Church’s commitment to social justice and peace;

6. Become disciples of Christ and witness the faith;

7. Experience a community life that cultivates values, relationships and ecumenism.

Subject: Religion

Embedded Subjects: Old Testament, Scripture, Saints, Liturgical Seasons, and Sacraments Prayer, Commandments, and Catholic Catechism

Frequency of Class: Every day - approximately 45 minutes

Grade: 6th grade

Textbook: Coming to God’s Word from Sadlier Publishers, Image of God series

Methods of Assessment: Tests, quizzes, classroom discussions, written assignments, study guides, role-playing activities, visuals, culminating projects and oral presentations.

Course Content:

Trimester 1 - The Bible and Us:

• Divine revelation and inspiration
• Literary Forms of the Bible
• Creation Story - 1st and 2nd
• Sin - God’s Mercy
• Noah’s Covenant with God
• Saint Journal
• Holy Days of Obligation
• Liturgical Calendar
• Advent - Jesse Tree
• Reconciliation

Trimester 2 - Living by a Covenant:

• Abraham and Sarah
• Rebecca and Isaac
• Justice and Freedom
• Moses
• The Exodus
• The Plagues
• Sinai Covenant - Ten Commandments
• Samson and Ruth
• Joshua
• Heroes of Israel
• Christmas/Ordinary Time

Trimester 3 - Living by Faith:

• Golden Age of Israel
• Israel’s First King – Saul
• Story of David
• Story of Solomon
• The Prophets - Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, Isaac, Jeremiah and Ezekiel
• Jewish Women Heroes - Esther and Judith
• Lent/Triduum/Easter Season
• Introduction to the New Testament - Jesus, Apostles and Early Church

Subject: Religion

Embedded Subjects: New Testament, Scripture, Saints, Liturgical Seasons, Capital Sins, Beatitudes, Virtues, Catholic Catechism, Respect for Life, and Faith Journal

Frequency of Class: Every day, approximately 45 minutes

Grade: 7th grade

Textbook: New Testament - A Course on Jesus Christ and His Disciples from Sadlier Publishers, Image of God series.

Methods of Assessment: Tests, quizzes, classroom discussions, study guides, note taking, group work, visuals, role-playing, journals, visual and culminating projects.

Course Content:

Trimester 1 - The Divine Word:

• Authorship and Literary Forms in the New Testament
• Divine Inspiration
• Tradition and Scripture
• The Church’s Book
• Saint Project
• Virtues
• Holy Days of Obligation
• Advent
• Jesse Tree

Trimester 2 - Jesus and His World:

• People of the Covenant and the Temple
• Crossroads of the World
• Culture, Politics, Languages, Religions of Nazareth
• Four Gospels - Synoptic Gospels
• John the Baptist as Precursor, Preacher and Prophet
• Infancy Narratives
• Christmas/Ordinary Time

Trimester 3 - The Power and the Glory:

• Human/Divine Natures of Jesus
• The Lord’s Prayer
• The Parables
• The Miracles
• The Paschal Mystery
• A New Commandment
• The Sacrifice of the Cross
• Origin of the Church
• Apostolic Ministry
• Apostolic Community
• The Second Coming
• Capital Sin
• Lent/Triduum/Easter Season

Subject: Religion

Embedded Subjects: Scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Creed, Works of Mercy, Theological and Moral Virtues, Justice, Catholic Social Teachings, Gifts/Fruits of the Holy Spirit, God’s Grace, Apologetics, Vocations and Church History

Frequency of Class: Every day, approximately 45 minutes

Grade: 8th grade

Textbooks: “ Living Justice and Peace” from St. Mary’s Press, “Creed - “ A Course on Catholic Belief” from St. Mary’s Press, “Confirmation: Spreading and Defending the Faith” from Ignatius Press and the Image of God series

Methods of Assessment: Tests, quizzes, discussions, note taking, study guides, research, projects, role-playing and visuals.

Course Content:

Trimester 1 - Living Justice and Peace:

Scriptures and Justice

• Suffering in the World
• Hopelessness/Compassion
• Individualism/Enlightened Self -Interest
• Made in the Image of God/Human Dignity
• Respect for Life Topics
• Kingdom of God
• Social World of Jesus’ Time
• Beatitudes
• Advent

Trimester 2 - Catholic Social Teachings:

• Rerum Novarum - Pope Leo XIII
• Economic Justice for All - Pope John Paul II
• The Common Good
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• The Creed
• Marks of the Church
• Ecumenical Councils
• Christmas/Ordinary Time

Trimester 3 - The Sacrament of Confirmation:

• Initiation Sacraments
• Service Sacraments
• Commitment Sacraments
• God’s Grace
• Virtues
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Precepts
• Lent/Triduum/Easter Season

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