DOCUMENT RESUME PS 026 850 ED 421 301 Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998-1999. Catholic School TITLE Version. Grade 8. Second Edition. Alberta Dept. of Education, Edmonton. INSTITUTION ISBN-0-7732-9910-6 ISBN 1998-00-00 PUB DATE 46p.; The Alberta Education "Curriculum Handbooks for NOTE Parents" series is published periodically in new editions, one for each grade/academic level, usually with only slight changes from the prior edition. There are two smaller series, one set for public schools and one set for Catholic schools. For the 1997 series, see ED 410 040-049. For the 1998 series, see PS 026 832-852. Learning Resources Distributing Centre, 12360-142 Street, AVAILABLE FROM Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5L 4X9; phone: 403-427-5775; World Wide Web: http://ednet.edc.gov.ab.ca Non-Classroom (055) Guides PUB TYPE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE Art Education; Career Exploration; *Catholic Schools; DESCRIPTORS *Educational Objectives; Fine Arts; Foreign Countries; French; *Grade 8; Health Education; *Junior High School Students; Junior High Schools; Language Arts; Mathematics Curriculum; Outcomes of Education; Parent Participation; Physical Education; Religious Education; Science Curriculum; Second Language Instruction; Secondary Education; *Secondary School Curriculum; Social Studies; Technology Education Alberta IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT Parental involvement is critical to a child's success in school. This handbook provides parents with information about the Grade 8 curriculum in Catholic schools in Alberta, Canada. Based on the Alberta Education "Program of Studies: Junior High Schools," the handbook describes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes Catholic school students in Alberta are expected to demonstrate when they have completed the Grade 8 curriculum, including samples of what students are expected to learn in each subject. "What Is Curriculum?"; Following introductory material, sections include: (1) "Mathematics"; "Religious Education";(3) "Language Arts"; (4) (5) (2) "Health and "Physical Education"; "Social Studies"; "Science"; (8) (7) (6) (9) "Learner Outcomes in Technology"; Personal Life Skills"; (10) "Complementary Courses," including Career and Technology Studies, Fine and Performing Arts, and Languages Other Than English; and (11) French Immersion." The handbook concludes with a one-page questionnaire asking for feedback on the handbook. (LPP) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * * * from the original document. ******************************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION `J CENTER (ERIC) (This document has been reproduced as Curriculum Handbook eceived from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to for Parents improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. 1998-1999 Catholic School Version EIGHT GRADE PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY C.13Q&c-ctviS TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Alberta EDUCATION ti ALBERTA EDUCATION CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA Alberta. Alberta Education. Curriculum handbook for parents 1998 -1999: Catholic school version : grade 8. URL: http://ednet.edc.gov.ab.ca ISBN 0-7732-9910-6 1. EducationAlbertaCurriculaHandbooks, manuals, etc. Title. I. LB1564.C2.A333 1998 375.37 Copyright © 1998, the Crown in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Education. Alberta Education, 11160 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K OL2. All rights reserved. Additional copies may be purchased from the Learning Resources Distributing Centre, 12360 142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5L 4X9, telephone 403-427-5775; or, from one of the Queen's Printer Bookstores, telephone 403-427-4952, Edmonton; or, telephone 403-297-6251, Calgary. Outside of Edmonton dial 310-0000 to be connected toll free. Permission is given by the copyright owner to reproduce this handbook for educational purposes and on a nonprofit basis. Curriculum Handbook Parents for 1998-1999 Catholic School Version GRADE 8 4 Table of Contents Message from the Minister of Education iii Letter from Archbishop MacNeil iv Introduction to the Grade 8 Handbook Introduction to the Junior High School Curriculum What Is Curriculum? 2 Religious Education 3 Language Arts 7 Mathematics 9 /5 Science Social Studies 18 Physical Education 20 Health and Personal Life Skills 23 Learner Outcomes in Technology 25 Complementary Courses 25 Career and Technology Studies 25 Fine and Performing Arts 26 Languages Other Than English 28 Other 33 French Immersion 35 Feedback 37 / Grade 8 Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998 ©Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada Message from the Minister of Education While students are at the centre of the education system, you, as parents are a vital partner. Your involvement in your child's education is critical to his or her success. To be the pathfinder, to help your child, you need to know what s/he is learning and when. The Curriculum Handbook for Parents series is your guide to each stage of It is a clear outline of what we expect our students to learn at learning. each stage of their education. When you know what is expected at school, you can provide the home support students need. By reading about what your student is learning at school and discussing it at home, you do more than learn what is happening at school. You show your child that you value education. It reflects suggestions This is the second edition of the handbook series. I would like to thank of parents, teachers and other education partners. those people whose comments helped us improve this edition. I also would like to thank the eight school boards who worked on the Edmonton Public, Edmonton development of the original handbooks Separate, Elk Island, Sturgeon, St. Albert Protestant, Greater St. Albert Catholic, Sherwood Park Separate and Black Gold. -Ora.x.r1*. Gary G. Mar, Q.C. Minister of Education M.L.A., Calgary Nose Creek Grade 8 / iii Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998 ©Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada effict of tie dktefigiafioll 9421. 1015T AVENUE EDMONTON. ALBERTA TEA OL1 CRESCAMUS (403) 469-1010 PH. IN CHRISTUM FAX. (403) 465-3003 Dear Parents and Guardians: On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Alberta, I welcome this opportunity to affirm you in your role as parents in the education of your children and wish to express my appreciation to the Government of Alberta and Alberta Education for this 'Curriculum Handbook for Parents'. The Church has always recognized with confidence that you, parents, are the first and primary educators of your children, especially with regards to education in the faith. This is a noble, yet, challenging calling that is rightfully yours. Today, therefore, because of the many diverse pressures and influences on our children, your role is vital in working with our schools to continue to provide the best possible education for our children. To those of you who have entrusted your children to a Catholic school, be assured that it is with great respect for these facts that we support you in your role. I encourage you to work closely with our Catholic schools by joining your local school councils or parent groups. Be a strong voice for the Catholic identity of schools. In this regard, you will share in a concrete and invaluable way in the central mission of the Church which is to proclaim Jesus and his Gospel in the world today and, in so doing, hand on our faith to our children. I commend Alberta Education for providing parents with this practical Curriculum Handbook. It is a clear presentation of what parents can expect of our Alberta schools (Public and Catholic), and by its very existence also acknowledges how important you are as parents in your children's education. In it, you will find a comprehensive presentation of the content and expectations of the Religious Education Program written and approved by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. It reflects the essential character of Catholic schools as communities of learning where as an old friend wrote, "... God. God's truth and God's life are integrated into the entire syllabus, curriculum and life of the school." Let us continue to grow together into Christ. J. N. MacNeil Archbishop of Edmonton President, Alberta Bishops' Conference IV / Grade 8 Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998 7 ©Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada Introduction to the This handbook provides parents with information about the Grade 8 curriculumthe knowledge, Grade 8 Handbook skills and attitudes students in Alberta are expected to demonstrate when they have It is based on completed the Grade 8 curriculum. the Alberta Education Program of Studies: Junior High Schools. The handbook includes samples of what students are expected to learn in each subject. The complete curriculum for Grade 8 is available in all Alberta junior high schools. Grade 8 / V Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998 ©Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada Introduction AlbeitAtducati6n specifies what "all ". TO THE JUNIOR HIGH Students in Grade 7 to Grade 9 are SCHOOL CURRICULUM expected to learn and be able to do.".- The turricUlum is organiZed into separate subjetiS or course areas and is designed to enable teathers to inake connections , across subjects, and to develOp programming that accommodates d.rerib", of student needs: We expect thit:feach(66.. :inethidds'and schedules will vary frdrii -school t6, school and titer' olath to ,claSs to ,,me'et.ttle;diverselearning StUdOntS::, Grade 8 / Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998 9 Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada What Is Curriculum? Curriculum describes what students are expected to learn. In Alberta, curriculum is developed by Alberta Education and is described in documents called programs of study for elementary, junior high and senior high schools. The curriculum specifies what all students in the province are expected to learn in each subject area at each grade level. It is developed by Alberta Education in consultation with teachers, administrators, parents, representatives from post-secondary institutions, and professional and community groups. Within the context of Catholic schools, the curriculum in all of its aspectscontent, the teaching process, and the total school environmentreflects the values of faith, hope, charity, forgiveness and justice as found in the gospels and the message of Jesus Christ as understood by the Catholic church. Teachers are responsible for using the curriculum to plan their teaching activities and set appropriate levels of challenge according to students' learning needs and abilities. Teachers regularly assess student progress and report to parents, students and school administrators. As well as being assessed by their teachers, students write provincial achievement tests in grades 3,6 and 9. Grade 3 students write achievement tests in language arts and mathematics. Grades 6 and 9 students write achievement tests in language arts, social studies, mathematics and science. The results of these achievement tests are provided to school boards and schools. Parents may ask for their child's test results at their local school. Information about provincial achievement testing in grades 3,6 and 9 is provided in an Alberta Education publication called, Parent Guide to Provincial Achievement Testing. Individual guides for Grade 3 and for Grade 6 are available in elementary schools. The Grade 9 guide is available in junior high schools. The publications also may be obtained from Alberta Education's Student Evaluation Branch by calling 403-427-0010 or, outside of Edmonton, dial 310-0000 to be connected toll free. In Catholic schools there are many opportunities for integrating gospel values and nurturing the presence of God in our midst within the curriculum. Teachers will determine where religious education and church teaching can be integrated with other subjects. 2 / Grade 8 Curriculum Handbook for Parents, 1998 ©Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada