UNIT 1: GOD’S GIFT OF FAMILY
God has placed in the human heart the natural desire for happiness; with informed conscience and free will, we can choose to follow the right path to happiness.

LESSON 1: HOMEGROWN HAPPINESS
Goal: To examine ways to contribute to family happiness and develop the skills to show respect, affirmation and generosity as a means of expressing gratitude.

VOCABULARY FOR LESSON 1

AFFIRMATION
The skill of acknowledging the importance of someone through honest praise, which encourages them to do their best

GENEROSITY

GRATITUDE

RESPECT

UNIT 1, LESSON 1
Psalm 34:55-11
Copy top of page 11:
This lesson will help you to:
Explore the meaning of happiness
Understand basic human needs and how to express gratitude
Practice skills that can contribute to family happiness.
Read page 11 Something in Common
Small group discussion: “What was your happiest moment this past week?”

UNIT 1, LESSON 1
Copy top of page 12:
Catholics Believe God has placed in the human heart the natural desire for happiness. The Beatitudes respond to this desire in order to draw us closer to God, who is the ultimate fulfillment of all happiness.

UNIT 1, LESSON 1
Copy the top of page 13:
Growing in Virtue
Gratitude is both an attitude and a skill. It is a good habit, or virtue, that we need to practice and communicate. The more we show gratitude in life and for life, we discover the happier we really are – and will be.

UNIT 1, LESSON 1
Read pages 12-13 Family Matters
Individually : Think about the things for which you are grateful
Individually : Make a list of your top
Ten Essential Needs
Small Group Discussion: How does your list,Ten Essential
Needs, relate to physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs?

UNIT 1, LESSON 1
Page 14
Read of Saint Jude Thaddeus.
Read Doing My Share
Small Group Discussions: For each situation on page 13 tell what you would do to help make life happier.

UNIT 1, LESSON 1
In small groups discuss these questions:
1. Why is it sometimes difficult to show approval?
2. How does an attitude of gratitude help?

UNIT 1, LESSON 2 – GIFTS FOR THE JOURNEY
Goal: To examine the importance of moral foundation, especially our conscience, as necessary for direction in life.

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
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•
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UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Conscience – the inner human voice of a human being, within whose heart God’s law is inscribed to judge right from wrong, good from evil

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Counsel – Gift of the Holy
Spirit in the ability to make right judgments, to choose what is right and good

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Free Will – the ability to personally choose for oneself actions with intent and forethought

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Morality – the goodness or evil of human acts

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Psalm 119: 105, 114, 146-149, 169

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Copy top of page 15
This lesson will help you to:
• Explore and appreciate the need for direction when lost
• Understand how an informed conscience gives direction in life
• Use the gift of counsel in making good decisions

UNIT 1, LESSON2
Read page 15 Finding Your Way
Small group discussion questions:
1. Which character would you be most like?
2. What should you do when you are lost?
Who might you trust?
3. How have you dealt with feeling lost?

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Pages 16 and 17
Copy Growing in Virtue page 16
Copy Catholics Believe page 17
Read pages 16 and 17
Small group discussion questions:
1. What points your conscience in the right direction?
2. What landmarks give you direction in life?
3. Why do we need to properly inform our conscience?
Individually:
Complete on page 17.

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Page 18
Read of SAINT ANNE
Read Traveling Companions
Small Group Discussion: Imagine that the following people are asking you for advice. Use your moral compass to offer some good advice.

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
How would you ensure equal rights?
Which Ten Commandments guide your moral foundation?

UNIT 1, LESSON 2
Complete review pages 19 and 20. Write answers in your notebook.

UNIT 2, LESSON 3–UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF
Goal: To discover the influences upon a person’s personality and how their personality affects their view on life and their decisions.

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
 confidence
 genetic
 personality
 maturity

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
- Confidence- the strength of believing in oneself or developed through accomplishing something worthwhile

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Genetic - qualities of living things arising from a common origin and passed from generation to generation through reproduction

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Personality – the sum total of all the traits and characteristics that express an individual as distinct from others

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Maturity – the state of development that is considered appropriate to a particular intellectual or emotional level or age

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Take a minute to pray for your family.

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Copy top of page 23
This lesson will help you:
 discover two major influences in your life.
 recognize the importance of selfknowledge.
 choose to grow in self-knowledge
.

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Read page 23 Roots and Wings
Individually: Draw a tree in your notebook and write the names of people who help you grow confident and strong.
Small Group Discussion: Discuss favorite family influences such as food, games, music, traditions, etc.
How are these passed on from one generation to the next?

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Copy Growing in Virtue on page 24 and Catholics
Believe on page 25.
Read pages 24 and 25.
Small Group Discussion: Describe each other’s personality in three words. Remember to be kind to one another, Tell how your personality has changed as you grow older,

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
Page 26
Read of Saint Albert Chmielowski.
Read Strictly Personal
Small Group Discussions: Read the questions and share your answers within your small group. Together make a commitment to do the exercise often to grow in selfknowledge and self-confidence.

UNIT 2, LESSON 3
What is wrong with labeling each other?
What does society consider labels?

UNIT 2, LESSON 4 - EMOTIONS
Goal : To examine the importance of our emotions and to develop the skills and techniques in handling them properly and morally.

UNIT 2, LESSON 4

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Emotions – feelings that you experience in response to everything that affects you

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Hope – theological virtue by which we desire and expect from God both happiness and the grace we need to attain it.

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Valor – the ability to face challenges in life with strength of mind, will and spirit.

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Take a minute to thank God for creating you as you are.

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Read page 27
Small Group Discussion:
1. List emotions in color and add a + sign if the emotion is positive and a --- sign if t he emotion is negative.
2. Discuss how emotions send you a message.
3. How would you respond if someone said they were not responsible for their actions?
4. What makes an emotion positive or negative? Good or bad?

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Copy top of page 27
This lesson will help you to:
• Explore the role emotions play in making decisions.
• Understand how to direct strong emotions in virtuous ways.
• Identify and choose ways to experience joy through good choices.

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Pages 28 and 29 .
Copy Growing in Virtue and Catholics Believe in your notebook.
Read pages 28 and 29
Small group Discussion:
1. What dragons have you ever encountered?
2. Define anger, sadness, and attraction.
3. What are the other two theological virtues?
4. Create a billboard promoting one of the virtues.

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Page 30
Read of SAINT Joan of Arc
Read Handling Your Emotions
Small Group Discussion: Which activity would you choose to improve your mood when you feel negative. How do you live positively?

UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Complete pages 31 and 32.
Write your answers in your notebook.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Goal: To understand the major threats to human life that plague society in order to evaluate attitudes towards life and the dignity of the human person.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Abortion – the direct killing of the unborn human person growing inside the womb of the mother; direct abortion

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Eugenics – the manipulation of human mating and reproduction in order to “enhance” the human race by eliminating certain “undesirable” attributes.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Euthanasia – the deliberate killing of a person who is elderly, severely disabled or suffering from serious or terminal illness.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Murder – the direct and intentional killing of an innocent person.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Take a moment to pray for an increase in respect for all life, especially the unborn and those suffering from injustice.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Copy the top of page 35.
This lesson will help you:
• Explore ways society values human life.
• Examine some major threatens to human life.
• Evaluate attitudes that can change behavior to promote life.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Read page 35.
Small Group Discussion:
What kind of snap shots from life have you noticed this week?
Are the snapshots violent or sacred?

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
On pages 36 and 37 copy Catholics Believe and Growing in Virtue .
Read pages 36 and 37.
Small Group Discussion:
“Taking a Stand” page 37 Choose one of the threats of life mentioned. Make a list in your notebook of three practical things an eighth grader could do to stand up to the threat.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
Page 38
Read of CYBER BRIDGES of CRS
Read Making Attitude Adjustments
Individually; Complete chart page 38 in notebook.

UNIT 3, LESSON 5 - THE VALUE OF LIFE
What qualities do you look for in a friend?
What are the virtues of dignity and respect?

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Goal: To investigate behavior and actions that are or can be harmful or dangerous to a person’s health and identify strategies for making healthy choices.

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Anorexia
Bulimia
Nicotine
Respect
Scandal

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Anorexia – an eating disorder of habitually fasting and rigorous exercise based on an obsessive fear of being fat

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Bulimia – an eating disorder in which victims go through cycles of binging and purging

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Nicotine – an addictive substance that is inhaled in cigarette smoke

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Respect to show honor for a person because they have been created in the image and likeness of God

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Scandal – behavior that leads another to do evil

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Take a minute to thank God for the gift of your health.

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Copy the top of page 39:
This lesson will help you:
• Explore the impact of choices to your health.
• Understand the risks and dangers of harmful substances.
• Create strategies for making choices that promote your health and well being.

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Read page 39, Words to the Wise
Small Group Discussion:
Debate the effectiveness of scare tactics. Argue David’s point and argue Robbie’s point.
What tactic or method do you think would best deter students your age from choosing harmful and unhealthy habits? Why?
If you were part of this conversation, what would you say to the group?

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Copy Catholics Believe from page 40 and copy Growing in Virtue from page 41
Read pages 40 and 41 A Firm Foundation
Individually: Make a list of good health choices eighth radars can make.
Small Group Activity: Share your list and create a new group list.

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Page 42
Read Catholic Family Album , Saint
Maximillian Kolbe.
Read To Your Health.
Individually: Write one good habit for each; spiritual health, emotional health and physical health.

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
What are some of the temptations you face regarding tobacco, alcohol or drugs?

UNIT 3, LESSON 6 STAY HEALTHY
Complete pages 43 and 44.

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Goal – To learn Ways to develop and deepen friendships using guidelines for healthy friendships through an understanding of Christian love.

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Divorce
Marriage
Modesty
Sexuality

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Divorce – a legal procedure declaring an end of a civil marriage; different from an annulment in the Catholic
Church

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Marriage – a covenantal relationship between a man and a woman in which their spousal love is to be unitive and procreative.

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Modesty – the practice of valuing and guarding the sacredness of the body through proper speech, attire and conduct.

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Sexuality – human capacity to love and form relationships based on being male or female

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Pause to thank God for friendship.
Copy top of page 47:
This lesson will help you to:
• Explore how to build lasting relationships.
• Learn more about guidelines for having healthy friendships.
• Reflect on and make choices to live a life based on the qualities of Christian love

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Read page 47. The Dating Game
Small group discussion:
How realistic is the opening dialogue?
Would your parents react in the same or similar way? Why?
What role do your parents have in your friendships?

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Copy Catholics Believe page 48 and copy Growing in
Virtue page 49.
Read pages 48 and 49.
Small Group Activity:
Make a list of what you want from a friendship with a member of the other gender and how you expect to be treated in that friendship.
Remember to treat others with dignity and respect.

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
Read page 50,
Catholic Family Album, Saint John of the Cross.
Read Recognizing Christian Love.
Individually: For each description, write an example in your notebook.

UNIT 4, LESSON 7 LOVING TOGETHER
• How has dating changed?
• In what way does respect, affirmation, generosity, and communication apply to dating?

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Goal: To explore God’s plan for marriage and family by understanding the two purposes of marriage and learn ways to raise a healthy and holy family

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Conjugal Act of Love
Contraception
Premarital sex
Vocation

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Conjugal act of love – sexual intercourse between a husband and wife as an expression of their free, faithful, full and forever loving commitment as spouses

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Contraception – the mentality and practice of separating the conjugal act from its two purposes of self-giving and lifegiving

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Premarital Sex – all sexual activity before marriage, violating the dignity of marriage

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Vocation – the gift of God’s calling to a particular way of life: single, married, ordained or consecrated; and our response to holiness in life

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Copy top of page 51
This lesson will help you to:
• Explore that, in addition to marriage, there are a variety of vocations.
• Understand the two purposes of marriage.
• Identify ways that the Fruits of the Holy Spirit can guide family life.

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Read page 51. The Call to Love
Small Group Discussion:
How do you think these characters felt in this event?
Why do you think such an event is ritualized?
How are the many vocations represented in the story?

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Copy Catholics Believe page 52 and Growing in Virtue page 53.
Read pages 52 and 53 Sharing the Gift of Life and Love
Small Group Discussion:
In what ways is marriage a sign of God’s love?
How is parenting a ministry?
Individually: Complete the notebook.
on page 53 in your

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Read page 54.
Catholic Family Album: Blessed Zelie Martin and her husband Blessed Louis, parents of St.
Theresa of Lisieux.
Read Witnessing Christian Love.
Small Group Activity: Complete the Fruit of the
Holy Spirit activity in your notebook.

UNIT 4, LESSON 8 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Complete pages 55 and 56 on your own to review Unit 4.

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Goal: To learn ways of choosing groups to belong to and identify the qualities of a good role model

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Cliques
Gangs
Solidarity
Social Networking
Vigilance

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Cliques – social groups formed to exclude others; often this results in the harassment of those excluded

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Gangs – social groups formed around criminal activity often dealing with vandalism, drugs, robbery and murder

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Solidarity – a sense of unity and belonging with another or within a group of people

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Social Networking – an online phenomenon where people are increasingly forming social groups or friends

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Vigilance – an attitude or skill of being alert and watchful to a person’s surroundings and interaction with others

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Say a prayer thanking God for community.
Copy the top of page 59.
This lesson will help you to:
• Explore and appreciate the benefits of belonging to a community
• Understand the importance of choosing friends and role models
• Identify and put into practice social skills to improve relationships.

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Read page 59, We Belong to One Another .
Small Group Discussion:
How would you define solidarity?
Do you feel connectedness to your school?
Parish? Family?
Discuss the saying, “You cannot build up yourself by tearing down another.”

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Copy Growing in Virtue page 60 and Catholics Believe page 61.
Read pages 60 and 61, The Right Companions and Social Networking.
Small Group Discussion:
How else can these reasons be satisfied in other groups without joining a negative kind of group?
List benefits of social networks.
List concerns of social networks.
Individually: Complete Activity page 61 in notebook.

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Tips for Safe Online Social Networking
Protect your personal information.
Choose your screen name carefully
Be circumspect
Use care when adding “friends.”
Stop communicating with anyone online who wants to meet in person.
Check a site’s privacy policy.

UNIT 5, LESSON 9 THE SOCIAL SCENE
Read page 62, Catholic Family Album, Saint John
Bosco.
Read Practicing Social Skills .
Copy the list of several social skills on page 62

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Goal: To reflect on our past to appreciate the growth experienced and anticipate the future maturity as we seek meaning and purpose in life

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Responsibility -
Quality of being dependable or accountable for one’s attitudes, decisions and actions

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Pause to say a prayer thanking God for your family.
Copy top of page 63:
This lesson will help you to:
• Reflect on the past as you look forward to the future.
• Discover experiences in life that give Christian meaning and purpose.
• Dream about your future contribution to society.

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Read page 63 , A Whole New World
Small Group Discussion:
Write one concrete example of human growth in each area; physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual.
What is the best thing about being your age now?

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Copy the top of page 64, Growing in Virtue , and page 65, Catholics Believe .
Read pages 64 and 65, The Meaning of Life.
Small Group Discussion:
Discuss how wisdom and the Gifts of the Holy
Spirit help with responsibility.

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Six Ways to Show That You Are Responsible
1. Do what you agree to do.
2. Stand up for your own actions.
3. Take care of your own things.
4. Be someone others can trust.
5. Think before you act.
6. Don’t procrastinate.

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Individually: Complete Activity on page 65.
Design a button to show your purpose in life.
Use these scripture passages:
John 13:34; 1 Corinthians 13; James 1:27; 1
John 2:10; 1 John 4:8; 1 Peter 4:8

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Read page 66, Catholic Family Album, Blessed
Hildegard von Bingen.
Read Creating the Future You
Small Group Activity:
Complete the dream starters in your notebook.

UNIT 5, LESSON 10 GROWING IN CHRIST
Complete pages 67 and 68.
Complete pages 69 and 70.