Brief Course Description

We will be breaking down the history of the Catholic Church. The course will stretch from the first century A.D. to the modern day.

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 the introduction of The Theology of the Body supplemental curriculum. These additional lessons will include weekly discussions on the upcoming Sunday Lectionary and school Mass Day Lectionary.

8th Grade Religion

History of the Catholic Church

Mrs SusanSaldanha

Email: ssaldanha@stfrancismorgantown.com

School Phone: 304-291-5070

Course Description

This year we will study the history of the Catholic Church from its inception through present day. We will begin the year focusing on how the early church began, and then move on to church history and doctrine.  We will also study and discuss how the church uses morality and social teachings to aid its followers in their faith journeys.

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.

Information regarding service hours will be provided at a later date.

Course Materials

Catholic Student Edition Bible

We Live Our Faith As Members of the Church 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 (pages 31-39).

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 2025-2026 Handbook (pgs. 54-55).

Planned absences of five or more consecutive days for a student must be approved by administration prior to the

extended planned absence.

Student Work during Vacations/Planned Absences: Parents are encouraged to schedule trips or family outings during

long weekends and holiday times to eliminate the need to interrupt a child’s learning process. Teachers will make a

reasonable effort to accommodate families by providing student work to students prior to the planned absence,

understanding that not all assignments may be given in advance due to the pace of instruction during the absence. In

addition to student work that is provided, students may check Google Classroom / Teacher Websites for daily assignments

to help keep up with their work while they are away. For absences less than five (5) consecutive days, students are allotted

the number of days absent to turn in missing assignments that were assigned during their absence. For absences of five (5)

consecutive days or more, arrangements must be made with the child’s teacher(s) to create a schedule to complete any

missed assignments and/or assessments. To ensure academic integrity, assessments will not be provided nor taken during a

student absence. Upon return, scheduled assessments (quizzes, tests, projects) will be delayed one school day unless a

student is prepared to take the assessment on that day.

Student Work Policy due to Illness: If a student is absent they may receive their assignments when they return to school.

If a student is absent for more than one day, a parent may call the school office by 2:00 pm to arrange for homework

assignments to be ready for pickup the following day or given to the student upon return. Additionally, students may

check Google Classroom for daily assignments. For absences less than five (5) consecutive days, students are allotted the

number of sick days absent to turn in missing assignments that were assigned during their absence. For absences of five

(5) consecutive days or more, arrangements must be made with the child’s teacher(s) to create a schedule to complete any

missed assignments and/or assessments. To ensure academic integrity, assessments will not be provided nor taken during a

student absence. Upon return, scheduled assessments (quizzes, tests, projects) will be delayed one school day unless a

student is prepared to take the assessment on that day.

Parents may pick up students starting at 2:30 PM following the procedures defined on the following pages. At this time,

all K-8 students must be picked up by 3:00 pm with few exceptions such as Middle School Athletics when practicing right

after school or if staying in the Extended Care Keepers Program.

Service Project Information 

Service Hours for first quarter are due on October 10, 2025.

Service Hours for second quarter are due on January 5, 2026

Service Hours for third quarter are due on March 4, 2026

Eighth grade requires four 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.

Please contact me by email if you have any questions.

ssaldanha@sfccs.org

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