1. Welcome to Curriculum Night 8 th Grade Homeroom, History, and Religion 2015-2016

2.  In eighth grade, students study American History. Students learn about the important people, ideas, and events that brought about the formation of the American nation and shaped the culture and the political and economic institutions through the Civil War and Reconstruction.  Students develop their understanding of the history of their country through the reading of historical narrative and biography, discussion, and writing.  They further develop their historical thinking skills, critical thinking skills, and social studies skills by constructing timelines, reading primary and secondary sources, interpreting maps, interpreting political cartoons, gathering historical data, and formulating historical interpretations.  Students learn to apply historical understanding to current issues and events.  Curriculum Units of study include: The Establishment of the Republic The Growth of the United States Westward Expansion The Civil War and Reconstruction

3. In 8th grade, the philosophy of St. Catherine School continues to emphasize that learning is value-based and a foundation for continued and life-long learning. Learning is designed to promote the spiritual, intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth of each unique child. Middle School students at St. Catholic School are model citizens for the entire school and accept many leadership roles. Students learn and practice the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Justice. They graduate from St. Catherine School prepared to continue service to others.  Curriculum  Building a Community  Seven Teaching of Social Justice  Warm Beach/Oct. 8-10  World Religions  History of the Church  Holy Men and Women of the Church, Modern Day Martyrs  Current Works in the Church  Service to Others  The many forms of Prayer and the history behind them  Multi-cultural, Multi-ethnic Church  Promote a Missionary Spirit to Witness the Faith in Society  Reflection  R.O.P.E (Rite of Passage Experience)

4.  Rubrics  4 = Exceeds grade level expectations  3 = Meets grade level expectations  2 = Needs to strengthen grade level expectations  1 = Needs additional help and/or resources to meet grade level expectations

5.  Discipline and the Family Handbook  - Follow the discipline policy and there shouldn’t be a problem.  Consequences  - Verbal Warning  - Written Warning, Parents and Administration Notified  - Written Warning, Parents, Teachers, Student and Administration meet for conference  Questions?  Not anticipating any problems.

6.  Late Work Policy Assignments are expected to be turned in on the assigned due date. All late work is excepted. The late work policy is consistent throughout the middle school.  Absences and Tardies It is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher for make-up work. This includes being absent for an excused event, illness, or any unforeseen event. Students will have one day to make up the work for each day absent. If a student misses a quiz or test the student will have two days to make up the quiz or test. If the student chooses not to make up the work, he/she will not receive points for the work. It’s pretty simple, no work, no credit, no grade.

7.  Please check the St. Catherine website daily for homework.  Homework is posted daily at 2:50 with the students on the SmartBoard.  Students are expected to write all homework in their planners daily or on their phone.  Students may email me at anytime. I normally check my emails starting around 6:30 am until 7:00pm, as well as weekends.

8.  I can be contacted via email:  mhorrigan@stcatherineschool.net mhorrigan@stcatherineschool.net  You can also leave a voice mail at: 206-525-0581 ext.117  I am not always able to immediately return emails as I am teaching and many times am unable to get to the computer.  All teachers can be contacted through email.

9.  Slide show drop box for graduation and yearbook  Baby photos  Holiday Bazaar  Baby-sitting nights  Socks/Uniform (Sorry)  Graduation and D.C. Scheduling

10. D.C. Dates and Graduation Dates Here is our dilemma, we will return from D.C. on Monday, May 30, returning to school Tuesday, the 31 st. Graduation is scheduled for that Thursday, June 2 nd. Simply put, this is not really feasible. Suggestion: Graduation on June 7 th, Dinner on June 6 th. The graduation date does not conflict with area high school graduations dates.

11. Questions? High School Information Night,9/30/15 at 6:15 DC information Night, 10/21/15 at 6:15 Have a great evening and thanks for attending.