Middle School Social Studies and Religion Information

Where has the year gone?!?!  As we begin Easter Break, I wish all St. Ambrose families a blessed and restful break.  I will be back in South Bend, IN visiting family and preparing for the finals weeks of school.  Here is what is on the upcoming agenda for our class and some exciting news!

6^th Grade Social Studies:  Finishing a unit on Early America Civilizations and moving on to Ancient Greece and Rome.

6^th Grade Religion:  Studying the history of the Israelites and early leaders of Israel.

7^th Grade Social Studies:  Moving forward in our unit about the growth and expansion of the United States in the mid-1800s as we prepare to get into our Civil War units.

7^th Grade Religion:  Studying Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God, and his human and divine natures.  Using the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to compliment our prior knowledge

8^th Grade Social Studies:  Currently, learning about the Great Depression, the stock market crash, and the New Deal.  Our goal is to get through at least World War II before the school year ends.

8^th Grade Religion: Continuing with Church History following the Middle Ages, as well as preparing for Confirmation.

All Middle School:  6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grades are beginning a “Stock Market Challenge.”  Using the website SmartStocks.com, each class is virtually investing in the stock market by choosing 5 companies in which to invest our virtual $1 million.  The classes have chosen their initial 5 companies and we will be keeping track in class.  The class that has the highest value at the end will be given some kind of reward.

ATTENTION CURRENT 6^TH AND 7^TH GRADE FAMILIES!!

Plans are underway for a Social Studies trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2013!  The plans, agenda, and information has been conducted by the Social Studies/Science teacher at St. John the Evangelist.  The trip would consist of, at this point, students from St. John’s and St. Ambrose.  Informational packets will be sent out following Easter Break.  The first major deadline/notice is a mid-late May deadline for a deposit of $35 to hold a place for each participant.  Having spent a semester in Washington during college, I can say it is an amazing place and would be a great experience for our students.  If you have any questions or feel this is definitely something you want your child to join, feel free to contact me.  We will try to arrange a meeting with the St. John’s teacher who has all the details.