Teaching Junior High School

Motivation

We have often written about the importance of fathers for a successful home schooling program. Adolescence is an especially important time for boys to have their fathers as role models. Boys are looking around and wondering what life is all about, and more specifically what life is all about for them. What is Dad doing with his life day in and day out? What is important to him? Should that be important to me? Why do I have to study? What do I have to study? Why is study so hard? Why is learning important? Will these books help me be what I want to be?

And mothers know that girls at this stage often become more interested in babysitting and helping with the household chores, yet wondering about careersat the same time. Some days, the girls work like crazy on the lessons and once in a while have a day when they don’t understand why they have to study at all. They are receiving the societal message that women are only fulfilled through a career outside the home, yet they also see the importance of having a strong family life.

There is not one easy answer, but there is one not-so-easy answer. And that is Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus the Divine Person wants to touch the hearts of our children. And His plan is that He touches them through their parents.

Quarter Report Forms

The quarter report forms have spaces where parents may write weekly grades. These parent-given grades are averaged with the tests and reports sent to Seton. Although weekly averages are not required by Seton, they tend to help the overall grade. If you wish, the grade can be based only on the tests and reports (which are noted on the form) to be sent to Seton for grading. If students return papers which have been redone, be sure the original quarter report form is included. Our FAX machine is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 540-636-1602.

Grading may be done by the student at this junior high level. The student should be able to use the answer key provided, then divide the number of correct problems by the number of total problems to obtain the grade. Self-grading is an educational process as the student sees immediately if he has not learned a concept.

If a student needs help, mother and father, or older brothers and sisters should be the first to help. Seton teachers are available to answer questions, mainly during regular business hours. We encourage parents to help students at this age to start calling themselves.

Students often do not finish up all the subjects at the same time. If most of the subjects are finished, send those in first, and make a notation on the cover sheet that certain subjects will be coming later.

Religion

Since it is a preparation for eternity, religion is the most important subject in every grade. But for the adolescent, religion becomes tremendously important in answering questions about life and the meaning of life which arise in the mind of students of this age.

In 7th and 8th grades, the Baltimore Catechism No. 2 is used again, and though students may have studied this before, the words take on new meaning, a deeper meaning, as they mature and come to more understanding. The text Living in God’s Holiness gives further understanding with explanation and discussion questions.

When a student enters Seton for the first time at the 7th grade level, it may be necessary to extend the religion course, maybe even for two years if there has not been sufficient previous catechetical instruction. This is solid doctrine, not a discussion of religious feelings and social social attitudes. The Review for Confirmation helps our adolescent students become aware of their responsibilities as soldiers of Christ, particularly important at this age when heroes and challenges are being sought.

If a student enters Seton at the 8^th grade level, he may need to omit Church History, and concentrate on the catechism. He may want to read the Church History during the summer. The Church History text is a treasure-trove of saint-heroes and heroines, exactly what the adolescent needs. Ask your child to retell the stories at the dinner table.

Reading