The 8th-grade curriculum focuses on Confirmation Preparation. The students will be provided with and tested on basic Catholic Doctrine.   In conjunction with the Catholic Doctrine, the 8th-grade students will continue to work with the textbook Chosen.  During the Spring of 8th Grade, students will complete the Family Life curriculum. 

In addition to the curriculum, the 8th-grade students will complete the following Confirmation requirements by February/March.  Most of the requirements will be completed in class.  Students will be Confirmed in the Spring!!   

• Saint Report is connected to their Confirmation name.
• 20 Service Hours due by February.
• Sponsor Form to be completed.
• Retreat. Details to follow

St. John the Evangelist students are taught to believe in being of service to others. The students will be actively involved in service projects and fundraisers in our school and parish community.

Students are exposed to World History and U.S. History in middle school.  World History is a one-year curriculum taught to the 6th grade.  

In 2018, we were fortunate to have purchased a NEW and current McGraw Hill textbook series for 8th grade, Discovering our Past: A History of the World and A History of the United States. McGraw-Hill Networks™ is a Social Studies Learning System that is multiple award-winning programs. It brings the people, issues, and events of yesterday to life for the students of today with the first truly integrated print and digital curriculum for Middle School.  In addition to the curriculum, students will also be creating and participating in various projects that include but are not limited to Time Capsules, PowerPoint Presentations, Debates, Skits/Songs/Raps that recreate a historical event, etc.     

In 6th Grade, the curriculum focuses on the Early Humans and the Agricultural Revolution through the Rise of Christianity.  In addition, students will also explore the rise and fall of various world civilizations such as Roman, Greek, and Chinese to name a few.

Students are exposed to World History and U.S. History in middle school.  U.S. History is a two-year curriculum taught in 7th and 8th grade.

In 2018, we were fortunate to have purchased a NEW and current McGraw Hill textbook series for 8th grade, Discovering our Past: A History of the World and A History of the United States. McGraw-Hill Networks™ is a Social Studies Learning System that is multiple award-winning programs. It brings the people, issues, and events of yesterday to life for the students of today with the first truly integrated print and digital curriculum for Middle School.  In addition to the curriculum, students will also be creating and participating in various projects that include but are not limited to Time Capsules, PowerPoint Presentations, Debates, Skits/Songs/Raps that recreate a historical event, etc.     

In 7th Grade, the curriculum focuses on early American civilization through the forming and adoption of the U.S. Constitution.  Students will explore historical events and connect them to current event challenges we still face today.

In addition to the curriculum, 7th and 8th-grade students will also study the U.S. and Illinois government in-depth, in preparation for the mandated U.S. and IL Constitution test for graduation.  In the Spring, students in 7th grade will focus on the U.S. Constitution.  Then, in the fall, students in 8th grade will focus on the IL Constitution.   

Students are exposed to World History and U.S. History in middle school.  U.S. History is a two-year curriculum taught in 7th and 8th grade.

In 2018, we were fortunate to have purchased a NEW and current McGraw Hill textbook series for 8th grade, Discovering our Past: A History of the World and A History of the United States. McGraw-Hill Networks™ is a Social Studies Learning System that is multiple award-winning programs. It brings the people, issues, and events of yesterday to life for the students of today with the first truly integrated print and digital curriculum for Middle School.  In addition to the curriculum, students will also be creating and participating in various projects that include but are not limited to Time Capsules, PowerPoint Presentations, Debates, Skits/Songs/Raps that recreate a historical event, etc.     

In 8th Grade, the curriculum focuses on The Federalist Era through The Vietnam Era.  Students will continue to explore historical events pertinent to the forming of our history.  

In addition to the curriculum, 7th and 8th-grade students will also study the U.S. and Illinois government in-depth, in preparation for the mandated U.S. and IL Constitution test for graduation.  In the Spring, students in 7th grade will focus on the U.S. Constitution.  Then, in the fall, students in 8th grade will focus on the IL Constitution.   

In 2021, we were fortunate to have purchased a NEW and current McGraw Hill textbook series for 6th grade, Integrated Science.  McGraw-Hill Networks™ is a Science Learning System that is multiple award-winning programs. It brings the people, issues, and events from the scientific world to life for the students of today with the first truly integrated print and digital curriculum for Middle School. 

Through this curriculum, students will receive instruction in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and S.T.E.M throughout the year.  These courses are intended to provide a background of information in science and a foundation for future school science courses.

The material is presented and practiced using a variety of learning tools and modalities: textbook work, labs, demonstrations, hands-on activities, writing, computers applications, and outside resources. Audiovisual presentations via videos and internet sites will be used during class in conjunction with daily work.

In addition to the curriculum, all students will participate in the annual Science Fair in collaboration with the research paper taught by Mrs. Trisilla in ELA. 

Unit 1:  Exploring Life: Life's Classification and Structure; Inheritance and Adaptations;  Introduction to Plants; Introduction to Animals; Interactions of Life.
Unit 2:  Understanding Matter: Matter and Atoms; Properties and Changes
Unit 3:  Understanding Energy: Energy and Energy Transformations; Waves, Light, and Sound.
Unit 4:  Exploring Earth:  Mapping the Earth; Our Planet-Earth; Earth's Dynamic Surface; Earth in Space. 

In 2022, we were fortunate to have purchased a NEW and current McGraw Hill textbook series for 7th grade, Integrated Science.  McGraw-Hill Networks™ is a Science Learning System that is multiple award-winning programs. It brings the people, issues, and events from the scientific world to life for the students of today with the first truly integrated print and digital curriculum for Middle School. 

This program is an integrated series where students will receive instruction in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and S.T.E.M throughout the year.  Each "course" will build on the next year's course so the students have a deeper understanding of various topics.  These courses are intended to provide a background of information in science and a foundation for future school science courses.

The material is presented and practiced using a variety of learning tools and modalities: textbook work, labs, demonstrations, hands-on activities, writing, computer applications, and outside resources. Audiovisual presentations via videos and internet sites will be used during class in conjunction with daily work.

In addition to the curriculum, all students will participate in the annual Science Fair in collaboration with the research paper taught by Mrs. Trisilla in ELA. 

Unit 1:  Life Structures and Functions:  Classifying and Exploring Life; Cells; Cell Structure and Function; From a Cell to an Organism; Reproduction of Organisms; Genetics.
Unit 2:  Exploring the Universe: Motion, Forces, and Newton's Laws. 
Unit 3:  Energy and Matter: Foundations of Chemistry; The Periodic Table; and Using Energy and Heat. 
Unit 4:  A Dynamic Planet: The Earth System; Earth's Changing Surface. 
Unit 5: Life: Changes and Interactions: Interactions of Living Things. 

In 2022, we were fortunate to have purchased a NEW and current McGraw Hill textbook series for 8th grade, Integrated Science.  McGraw-Hill Networks™ is a Science Learning System that is multiple award-winning programs. It brings the people, issues, and events from the scientific world to life for the students of today with the first truly integrated print and digital curriculum for Middle School. 

This program is an integrated series where students will receive instruction in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and S.T.E.M throughout the year.  Each "course" will build on the next year's course so the students have a deeper understanding of various topics.  These courses are intended to provide a background of information in science and a foundation for future school science courses.

The material is presented and practiced using a variety of learning tools and modalities: textbook work, labs, demonstrations, hands-on activities, writing, computer applications, and outside resources. Audiovisual presentations via videos and internet sites will be used during class in conjunction with daily work.

In addition to the curriculum, all students will participate in the annual Invention Convention in collaboration with the research paper taught by Mrs. Trisilla in ELA. 

Unit 1: Motion and Energy: Describing Motion; Laws of Motion; and Energy, Work, and Simple Machines.
Unit 2: Heredity: Heredity and How Traits Change.
Unit 3:  Interactions of Matter: Thermal Energy; States of Matter; Understanding the Atom;  Elements and Chemical Bonds; Chemical Reactions and Equations; and Mixtures, Solubility, and Acid/Base Solutions. 
Unit 4:  Exploring Ecology: Interactions within Ecosystems; Biomes and Ecosystems.  
Unit 5:  Understanding the Universe: The Solar System; Stars and Galaxies. 

Literature:

• Stories read in class cover various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.  Students will also read various pieces of informational text in connection with social studies.  In addition to individual stories, students will also read novels and graphic novels.  Some novels or graphic novels will be in connection to other areas.  Students will be assessed with formal and informal assessments using tests, participation, homework, and projects.

• Students will practice using grammar in various writing activities and projects.  These concepts will be applied from daily instruction.  Students will learn various types of writing such as expository, narrative, persuasion, and research writing.
  In addition to practicing grammar and writing, students will also learn how to deliver speeches in various areas.  These areas include persuasion, demonstration, and information.