Middle School Religion
MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Baker, participating in the educational mission of the Catholic Church, endeavor to lead students to a fuller and ever deepening realization of God’s love for them, to personal sanctification, and to social reform in light of Christian values (The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, #33-#34). The Catholic school is a living community of faith “animated by a spirit of liberty and charity” which enables young people to grow in their faith while at the same time developing their own personalities, and of “orienting the whole human culture to the message of salvation” (General Directory for Catechesis, #259).
This religious view of life is integrated into every aspect of the school’s curriculum. The integration of religious truth and values with the whole of life distinguishes the Catholic school from all other schools for only in such a school can students experience learning and living fully integrated in the light of Faith (To Teach as Jesus Did, 1U03—#105). The Catholic school, characterized by a holistic catechetical approach, which is grounded in Scripture, Doctrine, and Tradition of the Catholic Church, leads to deeper participation in worship and the sacramental life of the Church. The Catholic school is a most important focus of human and Christian formation.
GOAL STATEMENT
Catholic school students internalize and manifest their belief in God through their:
- Prayer and participation in liturgical and sacramental celebrations
- Knowledge of the Doctrines and Traditions of the Catholic Church
- Knowledge of Old and New Testament
- Respect for all persons because they are children of God
- Responsible stewardship for God’s creation
- Service as integral to the life of a Christian.
OBJECTIVES
- Students will demonstrate their understanding of the content of the Religion Curriculum (i.e., Doctrine, Tradition. etc.) at their particular grade level.
- Students will demonstrate their familiarity with the Old and New Testament.
- Students will participate in prayer opportunities and in liturgical and sacramental celebrations in a manner which is developmentally appropriate. Prayer shall invite students continually into the mystery of God’s love.
- Students will show respect for all persons in their interactions, service to others and building of Christian community.
- Students will relate to all of creation as responsible stewards.
- Students will learn to be agents of change and peacemakers by engaging in age appropriate service-learning projects.
- Students will integrate Faith into all aspects of their lives.
Diocese of Baker
Religion Program/Materials Adoption List
Each religion program series was assessed for scope and sequence, depth of content, methodology, and age-appropriateness of presentation. Each of thethree programs, including their sacramental preparation components is pedagogically sound. All three programs are similar in method and pedagogy thus providing consistency in our schools.
The religion programs/series listed below form the pool of adopted materials from which schools and parishes may select their religion programs for Grades 6-8
Publisher Series_______________
Ignatius Press Image of God Series
A. Spreading and Defending the Faith
Ignatius Press Faith and Life Series
A. Following Christ
B. The Life of Grace
C. Our Life in the Church
W.H. Sadlier,Inc. Faith and Witness Program
A. Creed
B. New Testament
C. Morality
GRADE 6
Sacramental prepration for Confirmation
Listens/responds to Scripture readings
Participates in Liturgical/Sacramental celebrations, especially during Holy Week
Readily locates books of the Bible
Identifies books as New Testament or Old Testament
Understands and explains symbols used in the Old and New Testaments
Retells in own words the stories of the Bible
Names and situates in a context important Biblical figures and historical events
Identifies and explains ways in which God continues to work through people and events today
Knows and explains the four marks of the Catholic Church
Reads and retells stories of the lives of the saints
Discusses and raises questions pertaining to the Faith & responds creatively to lessons taught
Identifies and explains the Sacraments of the Church
Traces selected themes in the Bible
Identifies key figures found in the Old and New Testaments
Reads and explains passages from Scripture
Locates Old Testament passages which appear to point to Jesus
Discusses holiness found in contemporary people (e.g., Our Holy Father, Mother Teresa, Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein, St. Maria Goretti)
Participates in parish and community activities
Volunteers participation in service activities
Learns the history of the parish
Explores the meaning of “solidarity with the poor”
Explains and appreciates the Judeo-Christian heritage
Discusses connections between God’s Word and one’s own life
Acts as a peacemaker in the classroom, school, and on the playground
Manifests compassion and concern for others
GRADE 7
Identifies different literary forms used in the Bible
Prayerfully reads the Bible
Compares the Synoptic Gospels
Recognizes and speaks about finding Jesus in the ordinary events of everyday life
Serves others and reflects on that service in light of Jesus. the Servant of all
Locates specific events in the Bible
Understands and uses terminology from the Old and New Testaments
Explains Church symbols
Knows important events and people in Church history and time periods in which these appear
Articulates specific characteristics of a disciple of Jesus
Explains Gospel basis for service to others
Identifies signs and symbols used in the Sacraments
Responds to moral dilemmas relying on the life of Jesus and the Church’s teachings
Participates in Liturgical/Sacramental celebrations with emphasis on Holy Week
Responds creatively to lessons taught
Knows the composition and purposes of an “Ecumenical Council”
Reads lives of the saints, Scripture, textbooks, etc. to learn about and grow in the Faith
Looks for holiness in contemporary persons
Traces themes in the Bible
Identifies and practices one’s stewardship responsibility within the Church
Relates what is learned about the Faith to real-life situations
Sees connections between the Church, the Body of Christ and the communion of saints
Respects Jewish roots of the Christian tradition
GRADE 8
Participates in frequent prayer experiences using different formats
Leads prayers at assemblies
Actively participates in meaningful service opportunities
Discusses what one has learned and asks insightful questions
Participates in Liturgical/Sacramental celebrations, especially during Holy Week.
Examines concept of stewardship within the Church and exercises one’s responsibility in this regard
Actively participates in one’s parish community
Leads and initiates prayer services
Assists in parish, neighborhood, and civic clean-ip Activities
Demonstrates familiarity with Church documents
Analyzes and discusses current public policy on social issues using the Church’s social teaching as the criteria
Demonstrates familiarity with Church history and is able to place events and important figures on a time line
Is able to talk about the history of the Church in the Northwest and particularly in Oregon
Discusses lives of the saints and missionary activities of the Church
Identifies the four marks of the Church and is able to discuss the meaning of each
Recognizes and discusses problems and effects of prejudice and bias
Participates in service opportunities to the poor and marginalized and reflects on one’s participation
Reads and retells stories of the lives of the saints
Role-plays stories from the Bible
Writes own prayers
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