Grade 7 Required courses

English- Language Arts

The goal of English - Language Arts 7 is to empower students to be effective writers, readers, and communicators. In writing, students will develop their narrative, informational, and argumentative writing through a workshop-based approach, immersing students in the writing process and the six traits of writing instruction (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions). As readers, students will explore texts through various formats - whole-class reads, interactive read-alouds, book clubs, and independent reading. In Grade 7, students will read novels, short stories, informational articles, works of drama and poetry, and various other texts to increase their reading comprehension, expand their vocabulary, deepen their analytical skills, and strengthen their identities as lifelong readers. At the same time, they will grow as speakers and listeners through whole class and small group discussions and formal and informal presentations. Vocabulary and language skills (grammar and mechanics) are integrated into every unit.

Units of Study Include:

A Deep Dive into Character and an Introduction to Analytical Writing
Investigating Informational Texts, Research, and Podcasting
Digging into Historical Fiction
Exploring Poetry & Voice
Examing Shakespeare and Graphic Novels

Math

Grade 7 Mathematics transitions from basic mathematical operations to an initial understanding of algebraic thinking. Students develop an understanding of and the ability to apply proportional relationships using tables, graphs, and equations. They build on the understanding of operations with rational numbers and transfer this knowledge to expressions, equations, and linear patterns. Students work with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems with scale drawings, area, and volume. Students continue to develop mathematical habits and practices.

The concepts covered in the Grade 7 Mathematics course are as follows:

Rational Numbers and Integers
Ratios, Percentages & Proportionality
Expressions & Equations
Statistics/Data & Probability
Geometry

Science

The Science 7 program uses the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). NGSS scientific and engineering practices/skills (what students do), cross cutting concepts (how students think) and core ideas (what students know) guide our science learning K-12. The NGSS provide a strong science program that equips students with the ability to think critically, explore scientific phenomena, ask questions, carry out hand-on investigations, analyze information and solve complex problems. In Science 7, the major units are Chemical Reactions. Plants and Photosynthesis, Cells and Viruses, and Earth Science.

Social Studies

The 7th grade social studies course will explore how the past influences who we are, and how we respond to issues in our world today. Our year-long essential question is: “How can historical legacies influence how we understand and respond to our world today?” This question will be used to shape the exploration for each unit. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their learning in a variety of authentic ways. They will come to understand the significance of their place in the world and their social impact. Course, units of study, cover Sustainability, Globalization, and Exploration. In all units, research and communication skills, the use of technology, collaborative study, and problem-solving will be stressed. Students will be assessed on the following reporting outcomes: knowledge and understanding, research and investigation, communication, and presentation.

A variety of skills will be developed and practiced as students are introduced to the Research Process and learn to think critically through inquiry, analysis, observation, and inference. In grade 7, with guided support, students continue to learn to locate, organize, and process information as well as evaluate and document sources. The curriculum remains committed to developing students reading, writing, and oral communication skills as well as exploring a range of media options to investigate and present their ideas and information. Technology is integrated throughout the course through lessons, investigations, and presentations.

Physical Education

The Middle School Physical Education program gives students the opportunity to explore and participate in a range of sports and activities from around the world. The intention is for students to develop a lifelong love of sports and physical activity and to understand the benefits of an active and balanced lifestyle.

Grade 7 and 8 students participate in mixed classes with students from both grades. Students in grade 7 and 8 PE take what they studied in grade 6 PE and learn about those activities in greater depth. Students in grade 7/8 PE study half of the topics covered in grade 6 PE. Units include fitness, Striking games, Evasion games, Net games, Fitness & Swimming among other potential units, dependent on resources and availability. The objective of grade 7/8 PE is to dive deeper to develop some of the fundamental skills and more understand game or concept strategies, tactics, and ideas. In grade 7/8 PE students are assessed on their personal fitness, skill development, and movement concepts and principles. Assessment is varied and includes practical performance and game play, rubrics, observation, video analysis, and self and peer assessment.

Health

The Grade 7 Health course starts by exploring various topics, including Mindfulness, Social-Emotional and Mental Health, as well as Peer Pressure and approaches to handle this. Students will investigate what positive and negative Mental Health is, being able to identify when they feel the associated emotions and apply strategies to influence their mental state and health. They discover how to cope when feeling overwhelmed and how this can be different for different people. The mental well-being unit ends off with the counselor discussing suicide prevention and the identification of warning signs. A variety of discussions, skits, scripts, and worksheets are completed in order to study these topics.

Students are guided when discovering new knowledge and encouraged to inquire to develop new understanding as well as reflect on their own lives and experiences. Through discussions in group and whole class settings, students are able to share their own unique process of learning with their peers. Students apply their learning through problem-solving numerous tasks and challenges.

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