Every student receives one hour-lesson of religious education per week in grades 6-8. A wide range of resources is used in this subject [videos, internet, artifacts, field trips, as well as key text books in each grade].
Grades 6–8: The emphasis is on Biblical education, with a main focus on the New Testament Scriptures. The course also incorporates Old Testament (Tenach) studies as well as looking at the Biblical covenants within the Judeao-Christian Scriptures from a Christian perspective. Students also study units on Judaism & Islam as World Religions and gain an understanding of the religious context in which they are presently living.
Topics studied in grades 6 to 8 include:
- A study of the life and ministry of Jesus - Students will be introduced to the gospel account of Jesus' life and ministry, including a study of his main teachings and his impact upon people today. We will also examine the context in which Jesus lived in, utilizing extra-Biblical sources in our research throughout the unit.
- Introduction to the Bible - This course aims to introduce students to the scope of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Students will be given skills to recognize the different types of books contained in the Bible and understand their purposes and settings.
- Biblical Covenants - This course aims to educate students on the main covenants of the Bible and to explore the connections of these covenants within the Judeao-Christian Scriptures from a Christian perspective. Assignments include the 'cutting of a covenant', where students form and write their own covenant in pairs, based on the traditional Biblical account (e.g. David & Jonathan)
- Key Christian Beliefs - This course aims to deepen students' understanding of the main Christian beliefs (incl. the Trinity, Salvation, Forgiveness, the Holy Spirit)
- Judaism as a world religion - Students will be introduced to the rich expression of Judaism, which they see around them. This unit will include studies on beliefs, festivals, Rites of passage and how people express their beliefs through dress, food and holy places.
- Islam as a World Religion - Students will be introduced to the rich expression of Islam, which they see around them. This unit will include studies on beliefs, festivals, Rites of passage and how people express their beliefs through dress, food and holy places.
- Church History: Part 1 - This course aims to broader students' knowledge on the history of Christianity and to deepen their understanding of how key events shaped the reality of denominational differences today. Studies focus events from the book of Acts to the end of the Crusader period. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research projects (e.g. Protestant Persecution in Europe) and give presentations to the class.
Texts include:
- The Bible, Good News Version
- Active Resources for Christianity 1, Phil Grice, Heinemann Educational Publishers 1999
- Jesus for Today, Chris Wright, Oxford University Press 1996
- Judaism for Today, Angela Wood, Oxford University Press 1997
- Christianity for today, Carrie Mercier, Oxford University Press 1996
- Islam for Today, Angela Wood OUP 1998
- Key Christian Beliefs, Chris Wright, Lion 1995