ALIS/Immanuel Seventh Grade Confirmation Instruction      2008-2009

Vern Spilker Office 483-6395; home 483-3414     email:  vspilker@frontiernet.net           

Textbooks and Curriculum

The only textbooks required are The Bible (NIV edition) and Luther’s Small Catechism.  Students must also have paper and pencils available in class everyday.  A binder is not necessary, but a small “theme folder” with pockets is helpful to keep curriculum outline, memory sheets, and current papers organized.

The 7th grade curriculum is a self-contained course to be completed in one year.  Luther’s Small Catechism provides the outline of the course.  The “Six Chief Parts” are covered in great detail using the questions and answers listed throughout the Catechism using Bible passages to support the catechism study.  Students are guided daily to answer and ask questions related to the topic of the day.  Appropriate discussion by the students and teacher is encouraged daily. 

The curriculum will also include Old Testament Bible study with references to NT prophecies and emphasis on living the Christian life. 

Memory

The Books of the Bible, approximately 130 Bible passages, and all of the Six Chief Parts make up the memory assignments throughout the year.

Students can recite the memory passages for a particular lesson while that lesson is being studied which may take several days.  Students will say their memory during the first 10 minutes of class on any or all days of the week.  If a student cannot say the passage completely one day, they can study more and say it another day.  All passages for a lesson must be completed by the end of that lesson.   The number of verses per week will average about 5-6.  Memory learned will be reviewed on an ongoing, regular basis so students will remember what they have learned.   

Points for grading purposes are given for each memory passage as follows: 

                                                        3 points  - with no mistakes and no help.

                                                          2 points  - with 1 mistake, omission or help.

                                                          1 point  - if completed, but major mistakes or a number of helps .

                                                1 point extra credit is given if the Bible reference is also said.

Quizzes & Tests

Quizzes will be given at the end of every two or three lessons, which may be about once a week or up to two weeks.  Quizzes are usually short essay questions used to explain a learned concept.  This gives the students a chance to explain in their own words their understanding of that concept.

Major tests are given at the end of each of the Six Chief Parts.  Tests usually include short answer questions and fill in the blanks.  Catechism material discussed in class and Bible passages are included on the quizzes and tests, along with a few questions on the Old Testament stories.

All quizzes and tests must be signed by the parents and returned to class.  Quizzes and tests will then be returned to the students.

"Application to Life" Opportunities"

There are three "Application to Life" opportunities.

The first opportunity is "Application to Life--Situations".  Sometimes events occur in society, the community, or the students' lives that may lead to a discussion in class. Imaginary situations may also be given to the students to which they must decide:

            1. How they should or would respond.

            2. Quote a Bible passage that would support their response.

These assignments will be written in "paragraph form" and will be graded as extra credit.

The second opportunity is "Application to Life--Memory".  Anytime a student hears or sees a memorized Bible passage used at church, in chapel, in devotions, at home, on the radio, TV, etc., the student is to list the reference and where they heard the passage.  They can then bring their note to the teacher, say the passage from memory, and receive extra credit points.                                             

The third opportunity is "Application to Life--Chapel". Many times pastors ask questions of students in chapel.  If a pastor asks specific questions related to a topic the class has just studied, and a member of the class answers the question, the class can receive a few points of extra credit.

Grading and Parent Reports

Grading is done by using the same scale and system used for other subjects at ALIS.  The child is graded on the basis of how their answer compares to the correct answer on a test.  This will be reflected in how well they know and understand the material, how much effort they put into their work, and how well they listen and participate in class.  They are never graded on their level of faith or belief.

Students are given points for test and quiz scores according to how many points are on the test or quiz.  These are then translated into grades by the computer system at school. 

There is also an additional specific report card each quarter for religion that breaks down the general grade into more details than is done on the ALIS computer grade card. Class work, homework, memory, quizzes and tests will still be summarized into one letter grade on the report card.  The teacher may also give additional notes of explanation to parents and students when necessary.

No student will be permitted to fail.  If additional help is needed to succeed, it will be encouraged to be given at home and the teacher will provide extra help as needed outside of class time.  In rare instances, It may be necessary to require a student to spend some time with the teacher during recess or after school to catch up. 

Internet Computer Users

All information on the Immanuel/ALIS 7^th grade Confirmation program is and will be available throughout the year on the Immanuel Lutheran Church website at:  www.immanuelaltamont.org    On the home page click on the  “Confirmation” box. Then click on “ALIS 7^th grade”.