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Grade 8 TOB

The goal in our ROOTED: Theology of the Body Middle School series is to present these units in a way consonant with the thought and approach of Pope St. John Paul II. Purchase one (non-consumable) Teacher’s Guide for each Grade 8 TOB educator and a Common Place Book per Grade 8 student annually for consumption (TOB prompts, reflections and intentional assignments). 

$35.00
$10.00

For eighth grade, we explore the themes of Vocation & Communion, in line with the thought and approach of Pope St. John Paul II. This is part of a three-year cycle for 6th to 8th graders, in which students are invited to come to a deeper understanding of how Christ fully reveals man to himself, and makes his calling clear.  Through encountering scripture, quotes from Man and Woman He Created Them, rich discussion led by thoughtful questions in Buzz Groups, activities, and Beyond the Classroom challenges, educators will help young students better understand their own dignity and establish a new relationship with God and with each other.  

Eighth grade girl in the sun, smiling.

What’s Included

Teacher’s Guide

Included in the non-consumable Eighth Grade Teacher’s Guide are scripture connections, questions, activities, and challenges to help students continue learning outside the classroom. The material is presented in creative, embodied, and interactive ways. 

Grade 8 Teacher's Guide Cover

Student Commonplace Book

Students explore themes and integrate universal truths, in response to the dynamic learnings from the classroom. Each book includes TOB prompts, reflections, and intentional assignments. This keepsake will be a touchstone for growing in relationship with Jesus.

Grade 8 Student Commonplace Book Cover

Progressively Over Grades 6-8:
PERSONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL STUDENT GOALS

  • Promote a sense of gratitude
  • Develop a sense of community
  • Observe and listen (before output and speaking)
  • Foster an awareness of these truths:
  • It is good that you exist
  • You are not alone
  • You are called to great things
  • Your authentic identity comes from God
  • Start thinking from cause to effect; whole to parts; principle to concrete
  • Summarize, analyze and learn how to make a judgement
  • Compare/contrast: name and be able to define and distinguish
  • Develop habits of courteous dialogue, real questioning and patient listening
  • Grow a capacity for stillness and silent reflection
  • Think about questions of anthropology and morality, remembering heaven is our final end

More Info

Eighth Grade Lesson Themes

For eighth grade, we explore the theme of Vocation & Communion. This beautiful, supplemental curriculum takes your students on an exploration of this topic in six units. It’s created to be taught in three units per semester. In keeping with Pope St. John Paul II’s understanding of the body, the material is presented in creative, embodied, and interactive ways, to assist the student in receiving this awe-inspired message of their identity as sons and daughters of God.

Vocation and Gift

Called to Love: Virginity for the Sake of the Kingdom

Called to Love: Sacrament of Marriage

St. Paul on Flesh and Spirit

Logic of Domination vs. Logic of Gift

Final Victory over Death: Resurrection of the Body

Guidance in forming children to become who God created them to be  

Most Catholic educators and parents lack clear and simple language they can use to help guide children in their God-given identity. Our Theology of the Body curriculum aims to provide answers. The truths of Theology of the Body will foster each student’s lifelong dialogue with God.  

  • Easy to use 
  • Requires no prior Theology of the Body experience
  • Offers language young people can understand 
  • Engages minds and hearts through discussion
  • Fosters discovery and creativity

What is Theology of the Body? 

Theology of the Body (or TOB) is the basis of our religion curriculum and coursework. But we know that most Catholics don’t have a firm understanding of Theology of the Body yet. That’s why we want to guide you through it. TOB is St. John Paul II’s powerful glimpse of the human person – expressed in 129 separate audiences – revealing the beauty of God’s design for us.  TOB helps us to understand how we were created, our identity in Christ, and our giftings, so that we may see ourselves and others the way God intended. 

What is the best way to implement these fundamental teachings of what it means to be human according to God’s plan and purpose?

There are so many different ways that schools, diocese, homeschoolers and parishes have added in Theology of the Body to help cultivate a sacramental worldview. Please contact us at Ruah Woods 513 407-8672 or email curriculum@ruahwoods.org to form your students and teachers in the truth, beauty and goodness of Theology of the Body. We are on a mission to heal a wounded world — one heart and mind at a time.

I live outside the US, can I order ROOTED for International shipping for Theology of the Body curriculum or use the online High School platform?

Yes! When you create your account, you will have a chance to select your country so you can provide an accurate billing address and pay by credit card. You can only pay by credit card for accounts outside the United States. International shipping is quite expensive and unfortunately we have no influence over the international shipping rates. However, our high school curriculum for Grades 9-12 is completely online. There are no distance barriers for your high school or using Called to be More to teach your staff about Theology of the Body.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

  • “This [TOB] tells you not just how [to live the Catholic faith], but why. That is exactly what we were missing all along. We have never gotten kids to explore the why part. We knew there was something not complete with us trying to help kids grow in their faith…It [TOB] opens so many other doors too. Kids are more creative. They can concentrate better. They are not worried about all this social stuff as much.”

    Tim Reilly
    Former Principal for 22 years of Ignatius of Loyola School currently President of St Xavier High School
  • “Anyone who’s been a principal for a while eventually starts figuring out why it is that kids make these mistakes that end up being the discipline problems in your office. It is because they don’t know why they were created. When you can help them figure out that they are created for a unique and special purpose and so is everyone else in their classroom — it totally changes how they interact with each other. Your discipline issues will change completely when kids understand who they are and why they are here. That’s why I am such a fan of Theology of the Body and the tools Ruah Woods Press has to offer.” [As principal of St. Ignatius of Loyola K-8 School with 1,000+ students: discipline files were reduced from 2 full file cabinet drawers to a folder just 3-4″ thick, and the seriousness of the offenses were milder, all attributed to integrating TOB into the school].

    Tim Reilly
    Former Principal for 22 years of St. Ignatius of Loyola School currently President of St. Xavier High School
  • Q: Will you keep your Common Place Book?
    1. “Yes because I think it will help me in my journey through life.”
    2. Yes, it will remind me of God’s call for me.”
    3. “Yes, if I need to be taught how to trust in God again.”

    Grade 8 Students
  • “Theology of the Body empowers my students to embrace how to live out their faith. Instead of just talking about what we believe, TOB gives us a roadmap for how to live out our purpose. Students realize that they are created in God’s own image and filled with incredible dignity. They come to truly believe that they are valued and needed. It is awesome to witness them respond to this lifechanging message especially because it is completely counter to what their culture is telling them. TOB is a gamechanger.”

    Grade 6-8 Teacher
    Tina Ramundo, Immaculate Heart of Mary School
  • “[Your] Theology of the Body is an excellent program that allows the students to understand their true identity and accept that God has a plan for them. It is so rich in theology and the spirit of John Paul II.”

    6th-8th Grade Teacher
  • “This beautiful curriculum made my heart sing. I felt I was experiencing wonder and discovery right along with my daughter as we connected the lesson to the “kalos,” the experience of beauty and culture. [Your curriculum] has a genius for connecting truth to beauty in a way that makes catechesis speak to the heart.”

    Homeschooling Parent
  • “It is nice to discuss their passions and to talk about what their vocations might be some day. It is also cool to share my own vocational journey.”

    8th Grade Teacher
  • “Theology of the Body has been a tremendous blessing to our entire school community. Through our prayer and worship, we have seen our community grow spiritually and view their bodies in many positive ways. I think that even as a lifelong Catholic, I have a lot to learn and understand about my faith. Teaching religion to middle school students is both a challenge and a gift. I pray that I am helping my students grow closer to God and build the strength and faith that they will need to thrive in life. This curriculum has certainly helped me to reach this goal. Our young adults need to know about the tremendous love that God has for them, as well as the other people that they encounter each day. “

    6th-8th Grade Teacher
  • “I am so excited to be able to provide the children in our parish religious education program the Ruah Woods Press’ Theology of the Body Curriculum. My hope is that our children (and their parents) learn and embrace the rich and beautiful teachings of TOB which will enhance their relationships with God and each other throughout their lives.”

    7th – 8th Grade Catechist
  • “I think it does a great job of explaining TOB and the main themes within the lessons in a very age-appropriate way. I really enjoyed getting together in a big circle to share our reflections.”

    7th – 8th Grade Teacher

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