Nativity of Mary School
(952)881-8160

Joe Gargaro - Middle School

I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have attended Catholic Schools my whole life from St. Francis-St. James United School to Cretin-Derham Hall, finally to St. Mary’s University of Minnesota where I obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Social Studies Education. While at St. Mary’s I was able to pursue my passion for travel by studying abroad twice with one being to England and the other Italy, seeing more than a dozen countries while abroad. In my free time I enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee as well as trying as many new and exciting foods as possible. I hope to be able to impart some of my love of the world, and all it has to offer, with the students that I teach.

Email Mr. Gargaro
6th Grade Social Studies
6th grade Social Studies is Northern Lights. This curriculum focuses on Minnesota History from its first people until today. Social Studies based field trips in 6th grade include a trip to Mill City Museum and a Fur Trading experience at Camp St. Croix.

Following the Winter break 6th grade engages in a History Day project in which they research a topic of history fitting with the yearly theme. This is a month long project in which students will become experts on their chosen topic, create a poster board, write a research paper, and conduct a presentation for the class and the middle school.

7th Grade Social Studies
7th grade Social Studies is America: History of Our Nation. We start the year revisiting the revolutionary time period and begin building the knowledge of the how and why our government was created as well as the duties of each branch of government. 

As the year progresses we look into the milestones of US history from Lewis and Clark’s expedition until 9/11. Along the way we identify each key event and the impact it had in the time period as well as in today’s world. Students will be challenged through debates, projects, presentations, and document analysis. 

8th Grade Social Studies
8th Grade Social Studies is My World: Geography. For the first month we focus on building a background of knowledge on areas of culture, government, economy, and geography. As the year progresses we move to look at each continent individually and highlight some of the key events within each that have shaped the world today. Following each unit I arrange a small tasting meal in which students can sample one or two traditional foods found in each continent while I tell a story of visiting that continent.
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As 8th graders I practice their public speaking ability in their final year with at least one assignment per unit in which they will need to present. The culmination of global studies is a short unit on budgeting in which students will practice budgeting for a trip to a place of their choosing.

Contact Info:
jgargaro@nativitybloomington.org​​
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​Nativity of Mary School
9901 E. Bloomington Fwy.
Bloomington, MN 55420
(952)881-8160
​A nonprofit, Catholic educational institution.

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