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7

Seventh Grade



The seventh grade curriculum builds on the challenging sixth grade program as students get closer to their high school years. Students learn organizational skills and time management as their workload increases. Seventh grade students are offered more leadership opportunities as they team with the eighth grade students as the leaders of the school.

The Seventh Grade Curriculum

Religion

The seventh grade religion curriculum provides an integrated program of prayer, scripture, doctrine, family life and church history. The first half of the year focuses on a study of the New Testament, with an emphasis on scripture readings, Biblical background, and activities to help students develop a mature appreciation of their faith. The third quarter consists of studies in an interdisciplinary Family Life unit. In this unit, students learn about family relationships, with an emphasis on Christian values and virtues, and the consequences of our choices. In the fourth quarter, students are introduced to Church History from the first century to the present.

Language Arts

 Students follow a course of study which includes reading, writing, grammar, public speaking, and developing vocabulary. Literature covers the short story, drama, selected novels, non-fiction, mythology, poetry, historical fiction and science fiction.

Mathematics

The goal of the middle school math program is to provide all students with a strong foundation in mathematics according to their academic abilities, needs and motivation. The department recognizes the importance of mathematical computation at all levels. Students in the middle school are placed in an appropriate level of instruction according to Archdiocesan standards to ensure that students are both challenged and successful.

The 7th grade Pre-Algebra curriculum is designed to bridge from the concrete, number-oriented mathematics in elementary school to symbol-centered algebra and geometry in high school. This course provides experience that will prepare them for success in algebra and geometry. In addition to daily classroom instruction and practice, students will engage in technology labs. These labs include interactive quizzes, cooperative learning sessions, and creative exploration and problem solving on a partner or group basis. Assessment of material learned will be achieved by nightly homework, lesson quizzes, mid-chapter and end-of chapter tests, and cumulative finals.

A two year Algebra I course begins in the 7th grade for students who meet the Archdiocesan entrance criteria for placement in this class. Students in this course must meet the same standards as do high school students who study algebra. The objective is to prepare these students to go straight into Algebra II and Geometry in high school. Twice as much instructional time allows for a hands-on exploratory and activity-oriented approach to instruction.

Math 87 is made up of five instructional components: Facts Practice, Mental Math, Daily Lesson, Daily Practice, Daily Problem Solving, and Cumulative Tests. Investigations, which are activity-based variations of the Daily Lessons, are distributed throughout the test. Math 87 provides students with a solid foundation of skills and concepts needed for success in analytic and quantitative courses. The interrelationship of fractions, decimals, and percents is reinforced throughout the text, and geometric concepts are continually practiced. Daily mental math and problem-solving exercises further augment student skills.

Science

 Seventh and eighth grade students take the same science course in alternate years. The state-of-the-art science lab is frequently used for experiments in this hands-on curriculum.

One course is Physical Science which covers: Scientific Method; Lab Safety; Motion and Energy; Forces, Motion, and Fluids; Work, Machines, and Energy; Heat; Properties of Matter; Atoms, Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures; The Periodic Table; Chemical Bonding; Chemical Reactions; and the Audubon Garden.

The alternate course taken by seventh and eighth grade students is Biology. The units covered in this course are: Scientific Method; The Microscopic World; Cells and Living Things; Cell Processes and Growth; Heredity; Classifying Living Things; Invertebrates; Famous Scientists; and the Audubon Garden.

Social Studies

 Seventh grade students study American History to 1865. They use the text, The American Republic. The units covered in the curriculum are: Different Worlds Meet, Colonial Settlement, Creating a Nation, The New Republic, and The Growing Nation. They are involved in a field study at the National Archives.