Brief Course Description

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has mandated that the religious education curriculum for 7th graders focus on the books of the New Testament. We will start the year with an overview of the New Testament, but our main focus will be on the four Gospels. As we spend time reading about the life of Jesus, we will compare and contrast how Jesus is portrayed in each of the gospels. We will also learn about the Gospels' writers and audiences and how they played an essential role in sharing the message of Jesus.

Beyond the standard curriculum, there will be additional lessons to enhance each student's understanding and appreciation of our Catholic faith, including a comprehensive virtue curriculum and an introduction to the Theology of the Body supplemental curriculum. These additional lessons will include weekly discussions on the upcoming Sunday Lectionary and school Mass Day Lectionary.

See Google Classroom for specific details.

7th Grade Religion

The New Testament

Mrs. Susan Saldanha

Email: ssaldanha@sfccs.org

School Phone: 304-291-5070

Course Description

This course will cover the New Testament of the Bible.  The class will be comprised of an overview of the New Testament with a primary focus on the four Gospels.

Throughout the school year, we will plan and lead school liturgies, plan and participate in class prayer services, and take time to develop and focus on our relationship with God.

Course Materials

Catholic Student Edition Bible

We Live Our Faith As Disciples of Jesus Textbook

Paper

Pencils/Pens

Good Attitude

STUDENT BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

To allow each student to reach his/her full potential, all middle school students will be held to the same set of expectations.  I expect students to treat faculty, classmates, property, and themselves with respect.  Students are also expected to use their Chromebooks for academic use only.  The classroom discipline policy for the students in this course is consistent with the Middle School Student Discipline Policy and the Student Behavior/Discipline Expectations in the Parent-Student Handbook .

GRADING CRITERIA

The assignments for this course are divided into three weighted categories.  

• 20% - In class assignments, Reverence/participation

• 30% - Challenges

• 50% - Mini-Projects, Service Hours

St. Francis follows the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Grading Scale Policy.

A+ = 100 A = 99-­94 A-­ = 93 

B+ = 92 B = 91­-86 B­- = 85 

C+ = 84 C = 83-­78 C­- = 77 

D+ = 76 D = 75­-70 D­- = 69 

F = 68­-Below  

All work is expected to be handed in on time.  Grades will be posted in RenWeb.  Please be sure that both you and your child have access to the system.  Missing or late work will be identified in RenWeb.  A zero will be recorded until the work is submitted.  If a student misses an assignment due date, the grade will receive 10% off the earned grade for the first day it is late, 20% for the second day, 30% for the third day, 40% for the fourth day, and 50% for the fifth day.  Beyond that, late or missing assignments will result in a zero.

ABSENCES

Both in-class and homework assignments  will be posted in Google Classroom.  Students may also check with me before or after school to confirm their missing assignments from an absence. The absence policy for this class is consistent with the Student Work Policy in the 2026-2027Handbook 

Service Project Information 

Service Hours for the first quarter are due on October 12, 2026.

Seventh grade requires three completed service hours per quarter.

The aim of community work and service hours is to enable students to experience that they are a vital part of a wider community. Service hours should be done with joy, so parents please help your child to pick a project that is meaningful to them. Students may repeat the same service project/activity throughout the year.

Students must present a slide show of their community service in class. The slide show template in the link below contains questions regarding the activity and the virtue used in completing it. The last slide on the template requires a photograph of the student performing the service project. For the first quarter only, students who have completed their service hours in the summer are exempt from attaching a photograph.

The service hours should not be paid for and should not be completed for a family member. 

A signature from the supervisor with a record of the hours completed is required.

Here is the link to the form to be filled by the student and signed by the supervisor.

Here is the link to the slide show and Rubric