SEVENTH GRADE CURRICULUM

Language Arts and Literature:

The objectives for language arts & literature remain the same for both tracks in reading, writing, expansion of grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and social studies content areas. The language arts & literature curriculum continues to integrate with the seventh grade social studies program, and addresses the following skills:

  • Effective oral communication
  • Effective written communication
  • Reading techniques
  • Reading comprehension
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Study and organizational skills

The seventh grade language arts & literature curriculum focuses on four areas: reading, writing, language mechanics (grammar, vocabulary, and spelling), and oral expression.

As in sixth grade, both tracks take English language arts classes, French track takes language arts in French. Objectives are the same.

Social Studies:

In seventh grade students continue their journey through time, and explore the world during a period of a thousand years, from about 500 AD to 1600 AD. Each topic is continually related to its economic, historical, geographical, sociological, and political aspects. All components of the social studies curriculum are connected to language arts and literature, effective written and oral communication skills, study and organizational skills, and critical thinking skills. Students are asked to take part in discussions and debates, do reading on their own, present research projects, study from authentic documents, take part in simulations, and write personal reflections.

The topics covered include:

  • The spread of Christianity and the Crusades
  • The birth and spread of Islam
  • The Middle Ages
  • The development of the African continent
  • Early explorations and settlements in the Americas
  • The onset of the Renaissance

Math:

Students further develop and broaden their math skills in seventh grade. Student work focuses on problem solving and critical thinking. Major themes include:

  • Proportional reasoning and relationships between fractions, decimals, and percentages
  • Review of algebraic operations
  • Graphing, solving, and writing simple linear equations
  • Introduction of exponents, roots, and scientific notation
  • Data collection, analysis, and graphing
  • Geometry basics: points, lines, planes, segment and angle measures
  • Area and volume

Students begin to use graphing calculators (TI-84) in their work.

Student work is completed in a dedicated journal. Assessment includes daily problems, quizzes, unit projects, and open-ended written assignments (“fortnight” problems).

Some students are placed in a traditional algebra class in seventh grade. Please see the eighth grade math curriculum for details of the algebra program.

Science:

In the first half of seventh grade, students study chemistry developing an understanding of the atomic model. Key concepts include:

  • Mass changes in a closed system
  • Mass, volume, density
  • Characteristic properties of materials
  • Solubility
  • Separation of mixtures

New concepts are learned through laboratory work, group discussions, problem solving and readings. New math concepts (histograms, significant figures, graphing, dimensional analysis, scientific notation) are coordinated with the math teachers so that “everyone is speaking the same language.”

During the second semester, students return to biology, studying genetics, evolution, and ecology. Major themes include:

  • Cells and cell structure
  • Relationship between DNA, genes, and chromosomes
  • Pedigrees and Punnett squares to determine traits
  • Genetic testing and diseases
  • Relationship between genetics and evolution
  • Adaptation, biodiversity, and interaction between living things

Curriculum planning is developed around key essential questions.

Assessment includes laboratories, problem sets and objective tests, and a culminating project.

Text:

Introductory Physical Science, Science Curriculum, 7th Edition
Life’s Structure and Function, Glencoe, 2002

Beginning language:

Students continue the study of their new language. Emphasis is placed on pursuing and reinforcing the acquisition of basic structures, communication (both oral and written) and use of the language within the school community.

Exploratory classes:

Exploratory classes are offered in grades seven and eight. These classes bring together academic, creative, and thinking skills, and have an end product to showcase (play, publication, movie, science project etc.) Exploratory is a pass/fail class that requires little or no homework. Students of both grades are mixed. Students choose classes among a list of offerings, and change each semester. Over the course of two years, students are encouraged to take classes spanning a variety of topics.

Art & Drama:

Students continue to produce art pieces regularly, and are exposed to different techniques and material, such as ink, paint, watercolor, clay, collage, photography, etc. Students continue to improve and enhance their skills in dramatic expression during the drama portion of their year.

Music:

Music continues with listening, performing, and composing. Songs are sung in a variety of languages.

Physical Education:

In addition to regular fitness and cardiovascular activity, students continue to take part in different cycles of activities throughout the year: games, gymnastics, track and field, and individual and collective sports. The focus of the P.E. program throughout middle school is to expose students to an array of activities that develop individual strength and performance, as well as group cooperation, teamwork, and collective performance.