For those students wishing to get a jump start on preparing for Confirmation, I have updated the study guide and it is ready to go. Just click on the link below. I will be handing this out in class, but some of the stuff you will need to review on your own, so the earlier you get started, the better. Enjoy!

Confirmation Final Exam Study Guide (PDF)

With every new school year, a whole new batch of wide eyed, slightly terrified 7th graders enters my classroom for their first test. Every year many of those students need a little guidance on how to write good short essay responses to the questions on those tests. Of course, we spend time in class discussing what makes a good short answer, how to organize one's thoughts, etc., but I thought it might be helpful to have an example of just what a good answer looks like. So, without further ado, fresh from from our Chapter 5 Test on Ancient India, here is a sample test answer.

Actual Test Question:
1. In what region did the Harappan civilization develop? Why do you think this was a likely place for a civilization to arise? (III)

Incomplete, Yet Correct Answer:
The Harappan Civilization began in the Indus River Valley.

This response only answers the first part of the question. (1 out of 5 points)

Better Answer:
“The harappan civilization developed in the Indus river Valley. The reason the Indus river Valley would be a good place for a civilization to develop is because it is surrounded by rivers. It also has mountain ranges west and north of it.” (Actual answer. Capitalization errors have not been corrected).

This response does correctly answer both parts of the question, but does not explain why rivers are important, or why mountain ranges might be helpful. Also, there are no specific examples or details given. (4 out of 5 points)

Excellent Answer:
“The Harappan Civilization developed in the Indus River Valley. This was a likely place for civilization to arise because it was very near to water. Also, this area had fertile land for farming. Without either water or fertile farming land, the Harappans wouldn’t have been able to live. Also the Hindu-Kush Mts. And the Himalayas protected them from invasion.” (Actual answer).

Notice that this answer not only correctly answers the question, but provides explanation and specific details. (5 out of 5 points)

Students should aim to have all their test answers look like the last example. Students: when practicing with sample test questions, try to make all your practice answers like the example above. You won't go wrong.

One method of taking notes from a reading assignment is what I call the Column Method. It is a nice way to help students look for important details in a reading, especially if the student is having a difficult time organizing their notes or figuring out what to write down.

The method is simple. Create a chart similar to the one below. For social studies you might use the column headings I have used in my example. These are also good general headings for just about any subject, such as science or even literature. As you read look for items in the reading that will fall under these headings. Only put one item per line. This will help keep your notes in the same order as the reading, and you will find that as you read down the page your notes will be a very simplified version of the reading, and that you will be able to recall other details from the reading as well.

Let's say I'm taking notes from an assignment on Christopher Columbus. Here's what my notebook page might look like:

Notice that I have only written one note per line. Yes, I will use some paper, but I will have lots of room to see my notes clearly, and they will be in the same order as the reading. Give this a try.

Students should check out this Jamestown simulation. It is pretty well done and can be played online. We may even play this is class to see how we do.

The Jamestown Online Adventure

A great resource that parents may want to get for their 7th or 8th grader is The Catholic Faith Handbook For Youth 2nd Edition by Brian Singer-Towns and published by St. Mary's Press. It is a clearly written current overview of the Catholic faith. It is designed to be used in the classroom or at home and is organized to parallel the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is one of the best resources on Catholicism I have seen for young people.