Grade 7 Curriculum

English/Language Arts
Language

• Identify and correctly use: active and passive voice, all pronoun forms, adjective and adverb phrases and clauses, all conjunction forms, and independent and subordinate clauses

• Construct complex sentences

• Diagram simple and compound sentences to analyze structure

• Use colon and semicolon correctly

Composition

• Write well-developed, coherent paragraphs that have clear topic development and variations in sentence structure

• Select and employ appropriate type of writing for intended purpose: personal narratives, expository and persuasive essays, research reports, and stories

• Demonstrate facility writing business letters and social letters

• Use knowledge of rhyme schemes, rhythm, and figurative elements to write original poetry

Literature

• Identify literary devices such as flashback foreshadowing, dialect, exaggeration, and symbolism

• Recognize conflict, climax, and resolution

• Explain image, setting, mood, and tone in literary works

• Examine various genres and purposes

• Describe and give examples of poetic forms and rhyme schemes

Math

Number Sense and Operations

• Demonstrate and develop the use of powers of 10 in multiplication and division of decimals

• Use powers of 10 in expressing very small and very large numbers in scientific notation

• Recognize rationals and introduce concept of irrationals

• Introduce square roots

Ratios, Percents and Proportions

• Introduce ratios, percents, and proportions

• Express percents as fractions, decimals, and vice versa

• Use cross products to find missing part of proportion

Geometry

• Construct, define, and measure angles, lines, and polygons

• Compare, and classify quadrilaterals and triangles

• Use formulas to find area, perimeter, and volume of different polygons

• Introduce and develop concepts of congruencies and similarities

Fractions and Decimals

• Apply previous knowledge of multiplication and division of decimals

Algebra

• Differentiate between expressions and equations

• Solve multi-step equations

• Simplify expressions involving four operations

• Translate an English sentence to an algebraic expression

• Introduce inequalities

Religion

• Acquire a familiarity with the culture, historical events, and people of the time of Jesus

• Identify the Gospels and recognize the distinct types of writing found in the New Testament

• Apply Jesus’ lessons, told through the parables, to our lives

• Explore the Beatitudes as a guide to values

• Review the sacraments and related symbols

• Take responsibility to imitate Christ, follow the commandments, avoid sin, and pursue good

• Develop prayer as a dialogue with Jesus and recognize its importance in our lives

Science

Science Skills

• Design and conduct scientific investigations using the scientific method

• Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data

• Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence

• Apply critical thinking skills to relate evidence and explanations

• Communicate scientific procedures and explanations

• Use metric measurement and appropriate math skills in scientific inquiry

• Read and construct data tables and graphs

• Further develop content area reading skills

Life Science

• Recognize that the cell is the smallest unit of living organisms

• Identify and describe the function of organelles

• Compare and contrast cells, tissues, organs, and systems

• Explore the history of genetics and identify the factors that control inheritance of traits

• Describe the classification of living things

• Explore viruses and bacteria with an emphasis on prevention of disease

• Investigate the plant and animal kingdoms

• Describe the systems of the human body

• Explain the inter-relationships among all living things

Social Studies

Social Studies Skills

• Read and interpret information represented in bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs

• Identify and interpret symbols, tone, and message in paintings, drawings, photos, posters, and political cartoons

• Further develop the reading skills of summarizing, sequencing, identifying cause and effect, drawing inferences and conclusions, distinguishing fact and opinion, comparing and contrasting, analyzing primary sources, recognizing bias, and identifying point of view

• Locate and evaluate the reliability of information

• Analyze and combine information to draw conclusions and/or create a presentation

• Present evidence or reasoning to support an opinion

Geography

• Use a compass rose, scale, longitude and latitude grid, and key to determine exact location and understand map symbols and colors

• Analyze and interpret historical and special purpose maps

Civics and Government

• Describe the structure and function of federal and state government as outlined by the Constitution

• Identify the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens

Economics

• Define and explain the benefits of a free enterprise system

• Explain the relationship between economics and historical events in the early history of the United States

History

• Discuss the development of Native American cultures and changes over time

• Explain the impact of early explorers and colonists

• Compare and contrast the 13 colonies

• Examine the causes, events, people, and results of the Revolutionary War

• Describe the process of westward expansion, focusing on the journey of Lewis and Clark

• Examine the causes, events, people, and results of the Revolutionary War

• Explain the causes, events, and results of the Civil War and Reconstruction

Spanish

Introduce:

• What you have, have to do, or feel like doing; “tener, tener que, tener ganas de”

• Weather terms and expressions

• Possessive adjectives/pronouns

• Asking how much and how many; numbers to 100

Special Projects:

• Mi Poema/3 stanza poem

• 12 page pronunciation packet

• Travel poster using weather terms

• Charades using “tener” with ailments

• Argentina:  Land of Natural Wonder

Enhance:

• Pronunciation

• Comprehension

• Conversation

• Verb conjugation

Computer

The Technology Curriculum is designed to ensure that the student has mastered the appropriate beginning and intermediate computer knowledge and skills to accomplish tasks assigned in and outside the classroom. Learning/usage of skills is integrated into the classroom curriculum and instruction is taught in the lab.

Physical Education

• Sport skills, team concepts, rules, and safety

•  Decision making

• Principles of training and conditioning

• Demonstration of responsible conduct

• Beginning game strategies

Music

• Students will sing a varied repertoire of music alone and with others

• Students will improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

• Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music.

• Students will understand music in relation to history and culture.

Art

The Art Curriculum is one centered on self-expression.  Students solve many artistic problems through creative critical thinking.  They use a variety of drawing and sculptural materials including colored pencils, oil pastels and charcoal, papier mache, plaster and clay.  Students begin to examine the inter-and intrapersonal ramifications of visual expression and self-reflection.  Students understand how to translate their thoughts and feelings into the visual language through the use of symbols, theme, and attention to craftsmanship.

Students also learn about the artwork of many cultures in the world, with a focus on ancient societies.  Through a concentration on design work, the student will hone drafting skills, resulting in familiarity with geometric shape, rhythm in pattern, delineation of space, and visual depth.  The curriculum encourages students to take risks, overcome fear of judgment, and to take ownership of their personal expression.