Middle School Grade 7 Curriculum
Religion
Studies the life of Jesus as told through the writers of the New Testament. Students investigate the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and the messages they carried about Our Savior to the different audiences of the time. We also learn to relate to each other with Jesus as our model in The Second Step curriculum which helps middle school students develop “pro-social skills” and reduce impulsive behaviors that lead to aggressive behaviors.
Language Arts
- English
The curriculum is a combination of grammar, writing, and vocabulary. Each daily lesson consists of writing in a Creative Writing Journal, practicing vocabulary words, and learning grammar. Students learn correct grammar usage to write sentences and develop paragraphs and essays in a variety of genres. Vocabulary study assists the students with their writing.
- Literature
Students will read a wide variety of genres including the short story, novel, poetry, drama, myths, and nonfiction. Students will identify the basic facts and main ideas in a text and use them as the basis of interpretation. Emphasis will be on students being able to analyze how the author’s words appeal to the senses, create imagery, suggest mood and tone, and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. Grade seven curriculum highlight classic American short story writers and poets.
Latin
Students gain proficiency in the Latin language by being exposed to an active approach to the language. Research has shown that students acquire a foreign language quickly and effectively by actively speaking, writing, and listening in the target language. Coursework facilitates the active approach to learning Latin by exposing the students graduated readings, using both familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary words. In addition to acquiring Latin vocabulary and grammatical structures, students will cover cultural topics such as, Roman history, mythology, Roman dining habits, daily life, and gladiatorial combat.
Science
Students study Life Science. Topics include: the cell, heredity, evolution, simple organisms, plants, animals, ecology, and the human body. The students have many investigations (labs) in which they use science equipment to develop scientific methods to solve problems. Students will learn to take proper measurements, manipulate science equipment, and develop safety skills in the science lab. Much of the program is a hands on approach where students are expected to develop science concepts and apply laws to enhance their science experience.
Math
This is a pre-algebra course. This course prepares students for the eighth grade Algebra I course. The pre-algebra course reviews arithmetic fundamentals (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; real numbers, fractions, and decimals). In addition to arithmetic, geometry (perimeter, area, volume of different figures) and an introduction to statistics and probability is covered. Algebra is stressed, which includes working with signed numbers, solving equations, combining like terms, the distributive property, and simple word problems.
Some fun discrete math is incorporated; such as digital battleship, sudoku, kakuro, logic puzzles, and more.
Social Studies
Students will learn about the development of the United States from the exploration period of the 1600’s through its struggle for independence and the formation of a new government in the late 1700’s to being a divided nation at the time of the Civil War in the mid-1800’s. This will include a study of cultural, social, and economic aspects including current events and the use of multiple sources: maps, periodicals, field trips, guest speakers, and primary sources.