St. Wendel Catholic School

I attended grade school and high school in Francisco, Indiana. My class had a total of 33 graduates. I attended an electronic school after high school but had to quit because I discovered that I was colorblind. I then enrolled at Oakland City University and was graduated in three years. I married my high school sweetheart Jonnie Kay. We have two children, Jamie and Michael. We are proud grandparents of Calvin Bruce and Jacob Bruce of Indianapolis and Jada Glenn Watkins of Evansville.

Experience

I taught for three years at West Central School Corporation in Francesville Indiana. I taught middle school English and social studies, high school English and U.S. history. I also taught drama, journalism, and adult evening classes. I attended Purdue University and Valparaiso University working on a Masters Degree.

For financial reasons I changed professions and entered the business world where I worked for twenty-six years in sales, marketing and management. I also worked at Oakland City University as an Admissions Representive for the School of Adult Degress. I decided to return to teaching in 2000 and became an academic instructor at Lakeview Jr-Sr High School in Vincennes teaching math, science, social studies, English, and GED classes. I also taught as an adjunct professor at Oakland City University, Evansville Campus.

I became involved in a federally funded program called We The People in 2001. I attended a week long institute at Indiana University and fell in love with the concept of teaching civic participation to our young people using a curriculum developed by the Center for Civic Education. It is being taught at the elementary, middle school, and high school level in many schools in several states. Since my initial involvement with the program, I have become a mentor teacher working with other teachers at similar summer institutes at several different Universities throughout the United States. My major reason for coming to St Wendel was that since I would have the summer off I would be able to do more with this program.

Fun Fact

I was born on Julius Caesar's birthday.

7^th Grade Language Arts

During the seventh-grade year, students develop advanced skills in reading and writing. They identify and understand idioms and comparisons, such as analogies and metaphors, in prose and poetry. They begin to use their knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon roots and word parts to understand science, social studies, and mathematics vocabulary. They continue to read a variety of grade-level-appropriate classic and contemporary literature, nonfiction, poetry, and plays, and they begin to identify their own areas of reading interest. They begin to read reviews, as well as critiques of both informational and literary writing. They write or deliver longer research reports that take a position on a topic, and they support their positions by citing a variety of reference sources. They use a variety of sentence structures and modifiers to express their thoughts. They deliver persuasive presentations that state a clear position in support of an argument or proposal.

8th Grade Language Arts

During the eighth-grade year, students begin to look forward to high school. Grade 8 standards get students ready for the challenges and transition to come. Students begin to study the history and the development of English vocabulary. They continue to read a variety of grade-level-appropriate classic and contemporary literature, nonfiction, poetry, and plays, and they begin to compare and contrast the different types of writing as well as different perspectives on similar topics or themes. They evaluate the logic of informational texts and analyze how literature reflects the backgrounds, attitudes, and beliefs of the authors. They not only write or deliver research reports but also conduct their own research. They use the conventions of Standard English correctly. They deliver a variety of types of presentations and effectively respond to questions and concerns from the audience.

Grade 8-United States History – Growth and Development

In Grade 8, students focus upon United States history, beginning with a brief review of early history, including the Revolution and Founding Era, and the principles of the United States and Indiana constitutions, as well as other founding documents and their applications to subsequent periods of national history and to civic and political life. Students then study national development, westward expansion, social reform movements, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.

The Indiana’s K – 8 academic standards for social studies are organized around four content areas. The content area standards and the types of learning experiences they provide to students in Grade 8 are described below. Skills for thinking, inquiry and participation in a democratic society, including the examination of Individuals, Society and Culture, are integrated throughout.

Standard 1 — History

Students will examine the relationship and significance of themes, concepts, and movements in the development of United States history, including review of key ideas related to the colonization of America and the revolution and Founding Era. This will be followed by emphasis on social reform, national development and westward expansion, and the Civil War and Reconstruction period.

Standard 2 — Civics and Government

Students will explain the major principles, values and institutions of constitutional government and citizenship, which are based on the founding documents of the United States and how three branches of government share and check power within our federal system of government.

Standard 3 — Geography

Students will identify the major geographic characteristics of the United States and its regions. They will name and locate the major physical features of the United States, as well as each of the states, capitals and major cities, and will use geographic skills and technology to examine the influence of geographic factors on national development.

Standard 4 — Economics

Students will identify, describe and evaluate the influence of economic factors on national development from the founding of the nation to the end of Reconstruction.

Social Studies Grade 6: Peoples, Places and Cultures in Europe and the Americas

Students in Grade 6 study the regions and countries of Europe and the Americas, including geographical, historical, economic, political and cultural relationships. The areas emphasized are Europe and North and South America, including Central America and the Caribbean. The Indiana’s K – 8 academic standards for social studies are organized around four content areas. The content area standards and the types of learning experiences they provide to students in Grade 6 are described below. Skills for thinking, inquiry and participation in a democratic society, including the examination of Individuals, Society and Culture, are integrated throughout. Specific terms are defined and examples are provided when necessary.

Standard 1 — History

Students will explore the key historic movements, events and figures that contributed to the development of modern Europe and America from early civilizations through modern times by examining religious institutions, trade and cultural interactions, political institutions, and technological developments.

Standard 2 — Civics and Government

Students will compare and contrast forms of government in different historical periods with contemporary political structures of Europe and the Americas and examine the rights and responsibilities of individuals in different political systems.

Standard 3 — Geography

Students will identify the characteristics of climate regions in Europe and the Americas and describe major physical features, countries and cities of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.

Standard 4 — Economics

Students will examine the influence of physical and cultural factors upon the economic systems of countries in Europe and the Americas.

Social Studies Grade 7: Peoples, Places and Cultures in Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific

Students in Grade 7 study the regions and nations of Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific, including historical, geographical, economic, political and cultural relationships. This study includes the following regions: Africa, Southwest and Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the Southwest Pacific (Australia, New Zealand and Oceania). The Indiana’s K – 8 academic standards for social studies are organized around four content areas. The content area standards and the types of learning experiences they provide to students in Grade 7 are described below. Skills for thinking, inquiry and participation in a democratic society, including the examination of Individuals, Society and Culture, are integrated throughout. Specific terms are defined and examples are provided when necessary.

Standard 1 — History

Students will examine the major movements, events and figures that contributed to the development of Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific from ancient civilizations to modern times by examining religious institutions, trade and cultural interactions, political institutions, and technological developments.

Standard 2 — Civics and Government

Students will trace the development of different forms of government in different historical eras and compare various contemporary political structures in Africa, Asia, and the Southwest Pacific in terms of power, approach to human rights, and roles of citizens.

Standard 3 — Geography

Students will explain how atmospheric and oceanic systems affect the seasons and climate. They will understand and use technology and grid systems to identify and locate places geographically. They will identify and categorize the major geographic characteristics and regions of Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific. They will also name and locate major physical features, countries and major cities and will use geographic skills and technology to examine geographic relationships within and between these regions and the rest of the world.

Standard 4 — Economics

Students will examine the influence of physical and cultural factors upon the economic systems found in countries of Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific.

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4725 St. Wendel-Cynthiana Rd.
Wadesville, IN 47638
ph: 812-963-3958
fax: 812-963-3061
rpittman@evdio.org