7th Grade Overview
7th Grade Overview
7th Grade Humanities Class Overview
Typical class routine:
Warm Up - gratitude journal / self-reflection / 6 word memoirs
Go over any homework together
Grammar and / or Humanities lesson of the day
Independent work time
Student-Teacher conferences and status checks
Last 10 minutes of class is to review planners and get started on any outside work
Grammar Instruction
There will be direct grammar instruction and practice over target skills. Grammar assignments will be graded and students may receive additional practice if needed for understanding or mastery. All written work will be evaluated for proper use of grammar conventions based on individual instructional goals.
Grammar topics include: Sentence construction and analysis, phrases and clauses, parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, verb tenses and voice, modifiers, comparative and superlative modifiers, and proper capitalization and punctuation
Wordly Wise
Wordly Wise is a vocabulary program that focuses on context, nuance of meaning, and proper usage. Each unit has a word list with five practice exercises. Exercises A, B, C, D will be independent work that we will go over together in class. Exercise E is a reading comprehension exercise that will be turned in for a grade. There will be a vocabulary test with each unit, and there are periodic review puzzles that will count as quiz grades. We will not have spelling tests, but spelling will count on the graded assignments. Additionally, there will be periodic writing projects related to the word lists.
LIterature
Each interim will focus on a specific humanities theme which will guide our reading assignments. We will use our reading selections to work on comprehension strategies, understanding of literary elements, and literary analysis. There will be a variety of responsive activities to accomplish this. All assignments, expectations, and project parameters will be based on individual student needs, interests, and specific educational goals. No two students will have the same exact plan. There will be regular student-teacher status meetings to go over progress, set goals, and provide feedback.
Responsive Activities include: class discussion using the Harkness method, book reports focusing on comprehension and personal opinion, book profiles focusing on literary analysis, research projects with presentations, descriptive or comparative essays, persuasive essays, biographies, infographics, group projects, or independent projects.
Writing Projects
For each project, students will be expected to complete all stages of the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing). When writing, students will also focus on citing textual evidence, avoiding plagiarism, and proper citation of sources. All papers will be graded by rubric with assessment based on individual progress and not compared to another student’s work. Progress will be gauged during student-teacher status meetings to help the student decide how to plan their time.
Handwriting
All students are expected to write in cursive. Practice focusing on legibility and proper formation will be assigned as needed.
Humanities
Each interim will have a different social studies focus that will determine our reading selections, activities, and projects. Students will be introduced to a variety of note-taking methods, with emphasis placed on the Cornell Method. Class discussion will be based on the Harkness model that encourages active participation that is student led with the teacher as moderator.
Each humanities unit will include the following:
A menu of geography assignments related to the area of study
A research project on a student selected topic that includes an annotated bibliography, paper, visual aid, and oral presentation
A variety of writing assignments related to the area of study
A debate on a class selected topic related to the area of study that includes a related persuasive essay and formal debate protocol
Most units will include an art project or engineering challenge related to the area of study
7th Grade Topics
7th Grade Humanities Topics
Humanities in 7th Grade focuses on the interrelated nature of innovation and conflict, and the growing pains that occur as societies advance and adapt.
1st Interim: Mesoamerica
Summer Reading: Tales of the Feathered Serpent: Rise of the Halfling King by David Bowles
Teacher Read: Rick Riordan Presents: The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes
The geography of Mexico and Central America and how geography and climate shaped the development of Mesoamerican civilizations and culture
The rise and fall of the primary Mesoamerican civilizations and their similarities and differences
The organization, trade practices, mythology, art, architecture, achievements, and mythology of these cultures and their impact on modern society
2nd Interim: Texas History
Class Novel: White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer
Other resources: biographies of important Texans
The geography and natural resources of Texas
The Texas mystique- folklore, outlaws, cattle, railroads, and oil
20th and 21st century issues and change makers in Texas
3rd Interim: The Cold War and Space Race
Class Novel: Suspect Red by L. M. Elliott
Teacher Read: The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin
European geography and the divisions between east and west
Communism vs. capitalism in a divided Europe after World War II
Espionage in an era of paranoia, distrust, and competition until detente and the fall of communism
The link between the cold war and the space race
4th Interim: Korean War and Vietnam War
Class Novel: When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Teacher Read: Shooting the Moon by Francis O’Roark Dowell
The geography of Asia and how the terrain and climate impacted the complexities of those wars
How the end of World War II and the Cold War led to the Korean War and US involvement
How the cold war and Korean War led to the Vietnam War and US involvement
Changing warfare and technology and the public reaction to televised warfare
The interim overviews are general outlines that are subject to change based on progress, student interest, and where our studies take us.
1st Interim
7th Grade - Ist Interim Overview
Warm Up Routine:
The first 5-10 minutes of each class will start with our warm up time. When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. Write in your gratitude journal and then complete the 6 word memoir for the day in google slides.
Getting to Know the Routine
The first few weeks will be spent focusing on classroom expectations. We will also go over the basics of the Cornell method for note taking and Harkness method for class discussion, both of which we will use throughout the year.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 1-5 this interim and the WW1-4 review puzzle.
Grammar
This interim we will focus on sentence basics. This will include types of sentences, punctuation, complete sentences, and subject and predicate. We will also learn about phrases, clauses, restrictive and nonrestrictive elements, conjunctions, and sentence structure and variety.
Summer Reading
Discussion of Tales of the Feathered Serpent
Book Report Feedback
Dress as Favorite Character Presentation
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica simulation
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Keeping a double entry journal while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report at the conclusion of the book.
Geography Project: In google classroom there is a geography assignment that has a slideshow of information. Read the guiding questions before you review the slides. The last slide is a hyperdoc with links and instructions for multiple activities. This is not a quick and easy assignment and you should add each component to your planner. Check the calendar for any specific due dates. This project includes:
IXL practice and a Central American countries quiz
Time Maps activity with written follow up
Natural Resource activity with written follow up
Volcanoes activity with written follow up
Sierra Madre Mountain Range activity with written follow up and map
Response to guiding questions
Civilizations Project: We will study 7 different civilizations from Mesoamerica. In google classroom there is a slideshow of information for each civilization that we will go over together. You will create two different infographics, one for similarities and one for differences between the civilizations that includes the following:
Major achievements
Religion / Mythology
Organization and Trade
Influence / Legacy
Downfall
Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
You will write two persuasive essays (5 paragraphs each), one for the pro side and one for the con side of the issue.
You will be divided into two groups who will debate the topic using standard debate format which we will go over in depth at that time.
Art / STEM Project: The Mesoamerican cultures are best known for their calendar systems and their mythology. We will work together to build a working model of a calendar wheel. You will also create a long count style round to showcase your favorite mythological figures that you have learned about.
2nd Interim
7th Grade - 2nd Interim Overview
Warm Up Routine:
The first 5-10 minutes of each class will start with our warm up time. When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. Write in your gratitude journal and then complete the 6 word memoir for the day in google slides.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 6-10 this interim and the WW5-8 review puzzle.
Grammar
This interim we will focus on nouns, pronouns, and verbs.
Texas
White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Keeping a double entry journal while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report at the conclusion of the book.
Geography Project: In google classroom there is a geography assignment that has a slideshow of information. Read the guiding questions before you review the slides. The last slide is a hyperdoc with links and instructions for multiple activities. This is not a quick and easy assignment and you should add each component to your planner. Check the calendar for any specific due dates. This project includes:
Review of the climate, characteristics, and features of each region
Texas Demographics activity with interpretation and written follow up
County Population activity with written follow up
Natural Resources at Risk activity with written follow up
Road Trip activity with written follow up and maps
Response to guiding questions
Cattle, Railroads, Oil, and Modernization Background: We will analyze slides and videos that focus on these important parts of Texas history. Students will work together to take notes and determine the most important ideas, then work individually to summarize these highlights and their impact on Texas both then and now.
Change and Change Makers: We will look at important events and people who have led to changes - both positive and negative - over the years
Threads of Texas Activity to explore current events
Biography activity to explore important Texans past and present
Overview of Texas outlaws
Debate activity - students will decide on a topic based on the issues or people we have studied, complete 2 persuasive papers, and engage in debate
Art / STEM Project: Railroads completely changed Texas. You will explore the best wheel design for a railroad car.
3rd Interim
7th Grade - 3rd Interim Overview
Warm Up Routine:
The first 5-10 minutes of each class will start with our warm up time. When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. Write in your gratitude journal and then complete the 6 word memoir for the day in google slides.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 11-15, the WW1-10 midterm, and the WW9-12 review puzzle.
Grammar
This interim we will focus on verbs and modifiers.
The Cold War and the Space Race
Suspect Red by L. M. Elliott: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Keeping a double entry journal while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report at the conclusion of the book.
Geography Project: Changing Borders of Europe map activity to look at changing borders during the cold war period.
The Cold War: This will include information and activities on the following:
Timeline and origins of the cold war
Rise of communism and the Red Scare
Spying, espionage, and Cold War policies
Cuban Missile Crisis
Korean and Vietnam Wars
Fall of communism
The Space Race: Students will create an infographic to showcase what they have learned about the major events and milestones of the space race.
Debate: Students will decide on a topic related to the Cold War or Space Race, complete 2 persuasive papers, and engage in debate.
Art / STEM Project: Students will create their own propaganda posters related to their debate topic. There will also be a variety of projects related to espionage.
Teacher Read: The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin
4th Interim
7th Grade - 4th Interim Overview
Warm Up Routine:
The first 5-10 minutes of each class will start with our warm up time. When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. Write in your gratitude journal and then complete the 6 word memoir for the day in google slides.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 16-20, the WW13-16 and WW17-20 review puzzles, and the WW1-20 final.
Grammar
This interim we will focus on prepositions and a review of capitalization and punctuation
Korean and Vietnam Wars
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller: We will read this book together over the course of the interim and use the Harkness method to discuss the reading selections. You will be responsible for:
Keeping a double entry journal while reading
Preparing your Harkness prompts and participating in the discussion
Completing activities related to the various literary elements as we read
Completing a book report at the conclusion of the book.
Geography Project: In google classroom there is a geography assignment that has a slideshow of information. Read the guiding questions before you review the slides. The last slide is a hyperdoc with links and instructions for multiple activities. This is not a quick and easy assignment and you should add each component to your planner. Check the calendar for any specific due dates. This project includes:
The countries of eastern and southeastern Asia
The demographic differences between North and South Korea
Information about landmines in these regions with written follow up
Response to guiding questions
The Korean War: We will analyze slides and videos that focus on the causes of the Korean War, US involvement in the war, the stalemate and armistice, and the resulting differences between modern North and South Korea.
The Vietnam War: We will analyze slides and videos that focus on the causes of the Vietnam War, US involvement in the war, the draft, resistance to the war, and the impact of the war on the people and environment of Vietnam.
Debate: Students will decide on a topic related to Korea or Vietnam, complete 2 persuasive papers, and engage in debate.
Art / STEM Project: The Vietnam War had a terrible impact on the environment. We will explore ways to clean chemicals from the water supply and reseed the rainforests.
Teacher Read: Shooting the Moon by Francis O’Roark Dowell