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.

It's that time. It is time for new haircuts and notebooks and shoes. I am ready to get back to work, and I hope my students are as well. I am excited to meet my new 7th graders, and I am really anxious to have last year's 7th graders as 8th graders. We will learn a great deal this year and hopefully have a bit of fun doing it.

I do have a couple of suggestions for my students. First, come to school ready to work. Mentally prepare to be academically awesome. I am going to challenge you from day one, and you should be ready for that. Secondly, don't be worried if at first my classes seems overwhelming. I have very high expectations for my students, but I am always here to help you. If you ever feel like you are lost, just come chat with me and I will help. That's why I get paid the big bucks! Finally, remember that in the end we are here to become better humans. Our mission is to learn to be the best disciples of Christ that we can be - in body, mind, and spirit. At the end of the day my job, and yours, is to be just a tiny bit better than you were when you showed up at 8 o'clock in the morning.

I will see all of my amazing students on Wednesday. Until then, live, laugh, have fun, and enjoy these final days of Summer.

Well it is that time of year again. The last tests have been taken, the grades distributed, and another class of excellent people has graduated from these halls of God and learning. I will miss my 8th graders, but I wish them all the best in the years to come. As for my incoming 8th graders, I look forward to what promises to be an incredible year. Of course, I am excited to meet my new batch of incoming 7th graders as well.

I hope all my students have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer. Until next time, may God bless and keep all of you.

Sample test questions are now available for all upcoming history tests. Students may find them by clicking on the "Sample Test Questions" link.

Lecture notes:

A Divided Nation: The Road to Civil War