Mrs. Watson
6th Grade Social Studies and 8th Grade Religion
Class overview: 6th Grade Social Studies
Social Studies in 6th grade covers the study of Ancient Civilizations and, of course, review and reinforcement of basic geography and social studies skills, like map reading, charts, primary and secondary sources, credible sites, etc.
We will begin the year with a review of basic skills and geography. Then, we will begin our study of the physical and cultural geography of the following Ancient Civilizations: the Fertile Crescent including Sumer, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Assyria, and the Phoenicians; Egypt and Nubia, Judaism and the Jewish People; the Indus Valley Civilization and India with sections on Hinduism and Buddhism; China with sections on Confucianism and Daoism; the Greeks; and the Romans.
Class overview: 8th Grade RELIGION
In 8th Grade Religion class, we will review different relevant topics about our Catholic faith and we will delve more deeply into the tenets of our faith.
We will learn about Saints, Catholic symbols, seasons of the Church year, virtues, the Bible and how to use and appreciate the Word of God. We will examine different types of prayer including areas such as nature and art. We will examine in depth the greatest prayer of our Church, the Mass.
We will examine the Sacraments of Initiation and focus on Confirmation, including the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the impact of the Holy Spirit on our lives. We will learn about and apply the Commandments, Beatitudes and the Works of Mercy to our lives. We will emphasize service and social justice while learning about the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church.
We will discuss the Most Holy Trinity and see the workings of the Trinity in our daily lives. We will work on comprehending important tenets of our faith by examining our two Creeds. We will study many Saints (including our Confirmation Saint) and our Blessed Mother to learn how to live out our faith and be more and more like Jesus.
We will trace the history of the Church using faith figures (Apostles, Saints, Popes), Scripture (particularly Acts of the Apostles), historical events (such as the Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation), and Church Councils (like Jerusalem, Nicaea, Trent, and Vatican II). We will look at the meaning of New Evangelization and how we are called to live it out as confirmed Catholics.
We will learn about living a moral life discussing our Circle of Grace, respect for the dignity of all life (using Theology of the Body), the types of love and the impact of charity for all, and the importance of our mission and vocation in living a faithful and faith-filled life. We will look at the things that may threaten our morality and Circle of Grace.
Most importantly, we will learn more about our Lord and His love for all of us. We will try to understand more fully what it means to be a member of the Church and a Disciple of Christ. We will hopefully all strengthen our relationship and friendship with Jesus.
Brief Biography
My teaching career started many, many years ago after I graduated from UNO. I taught briefly for OPS and then with my military spouse began moving all over and raising a family. I have been blessed with four wonderful children, all adults now, and four amazing grandchildren. I have three sons: Bryan who lives in Seattle, Kevin who lives in London, England and Jon who lives in Virginia. My son, Jon, has 2 little girls whom I miss terribly! I have one daughter, Molly, who is a special education teacher for Papillion and has two sons. What a joy it is to have them living ten minutes from my house!!
I taught Religion and Social Studies at St. Columbkille School in Papillion for 23 years in Middle School and loved every day!! Now, I am blessed to teach at St. Stephen the Martyr School. I have the best job: I get to talk about God and my faith all day and I get to teach about Ancient Civilizations!! It is truly so fun and a great honor.
James, Hazel, Kinsey, Clarke, and proud Grandma (Mrs. Watson)
My Hope
My sincere hope is for each of my students to feel valued, unique, gifted and loved beyond measure. I want them to feel like their presence in our school and my classroom makes a difference and that they bring something very important to the room: themselves!
"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us." St. Augustine
Prayer for the New School Year
Lord God, your Spirit of wisdom fills the earth and teaches us your ways.
Look upon these students. Let them enjoy their learning and take delight in new discoveries. Help them to persevere in their studies and give them the desire to learn all things well.
Look upon these teachers. Let them strive to share their knowledge with gentle patience; and endeavor always to bring the truth to eager minds.
Grant that students and teachers alike may follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, for ever and ever. Amen
