7th Grade Humanities Class Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Typical class routine:
CNN10 and discussion to begin class
Go over upcoming assignments and due dates
Go over any homework assignments
Lesson or activity of the day
Independent work time with time for student-teacher conferences and status checks
Handwriting
All students are expected to write in cursive. Practice focusing on legibility and proper formation will be assigned as needed.
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.
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.
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 generally include the following:
Geography assignments related to the area of study
Weekly annotations of poems or song lyrics focused on analysis
A research project that may include an annotated bibliography, visual aid, or oral presentation
A variety of writing assignments including Document Based Questions (DBQs) that focus on supporting claims with textual evidence
A debate on a class selected topic that includes a related persuasive essay and formal debate protocol
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: Rick Riordan Presents: The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes
Class Novel: Well of Sacrifice by Chris Eboch
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.
7th Grade - Ist Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
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 parts of speech including nouns, pronouns, and verbs. Each unit has a completion date, but students will work at their own pace on individualized assignments.
Summer Reading
Discussion of The Storm Runner
Book Report Feedback
Dress as Favorite Character Presentation
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica simulation
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
The Well of Sacrifice by Chris Eboch: 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:
Completing the close read chart analysis 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 or other assigned analysis project at the conclusion of the book.
Geography Unit: In google classroom there is a geography assignment slide deck that includes a hyperdoc with links and instructions for multiple activities. Each individual assignment has a specific due date. 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
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 write an essay that identifies the most important elements of a civilization as well as create an infographic comparing the civilizations on the following metrics:
Major achievements
Religion / Mythology
Organization and Trade
Influence / Legacy
Downfall
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
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.
Possible 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 with a long count style round to showcase the mythological figures we have learned about.
7th Grade - 2nd Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 6-10 this interim and the WW5-8 review puzzle. There will also be an open book “mid-term” that focuses on using the words from units 1-10 in proper context.
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:
Completing the close read chart analysis 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
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
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.
Possible Art / STEM Project: Railroads completely changed Texas. You will explore the best wheel design for a railroad car.
Midterm Exam and Semester Grade
At the end of the interim there will be a comprehensive midterm exam that includes information studied in both the first and second interims. You will be given a study guide with the relevant material, and questions on the midterm will be taken directly from the study guide. You will also be allowed to have one 3x5 flashcard of your notes that can be used during the exam. Your grade on the exam will be based on understanding and analysis of the course material as well as writing skills such as grammar and mechanics, sentence fluency and variety, clarity, and supporting details.
You will also receive a semester grade that is calculated based on the midterm and your two interim grades. The midterm will count as 10% of your overall semester grade, and each interim grade will count as 45%.
7th Grade - 3rd Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 11-15 this interim and the WW9-12 review puzzle.
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:
Completing the close read chart analysis 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.
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
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.
Possible 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.
7th Grade - 4th Interim Overview
2025-2026 School Year
Warm Up Routine:
When you come into the classroom, check the board and make sure your planner is up to date. We will begin with CNN10 and a brief discussion of current events.
Wordly Wise
We will complete Units 16-20 this interim and the WW13-16 and WW17-20 review puzzles. There will also be an open book “final” that focuses on using the words from units 1-20 in proper context.
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:
Completing the close read chart analysis 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.
Weekly Annotations: Each week a poem or song related to our studies will be posted in google classroom for students to analyze. The focus will be on literary themes, tone and mood, figurative language, and personal critique.
Possible Debate: We will come up with a debate topic as a class and brainstorm both the pro and con sides of the chosen issue.
Preparation will include collaborative work and persuasive essays
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.
Possible 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.
International Week
Students will conduct research on our designated country and prepare a slideshow presentation to be presented on international night.
Final Exam and Semester Grade
At the end of the interim there will be a comprehensive final exam that includes information studied in both the third and fourth interims. You will be given a study guide with the relevant material, and questions on the midterm will be taken directly from the study guide. You will also be allowed to have one 3x5 flashcard of your notes that can be used during the exam. Your grade on the exam will be based on understanding and analysis of the course material as well as writing skills such as grammar and mechanics, sentence fluency and variety, clarity, and supporting details.
You will also receive a semester grade that is calculated based on the midterm and your two interim grades. The midterm will count as 10% of your overall semester grade, and each interim grade will count as 45%.