7th Grade Curriculum - Clover Sites
7th Grade Curriculum
Reading
The objective of our junior high reading curriculum is to make students into passionate, critical readers. As a class, we discuss thematic units, literary genres, and reading strategies, which students can use as they approach new reading texts. Students are also given regular independent reading time, and they are allowed to choose their own texts. Language Arts
Our students are working to create writing portfolios. As a class, we discuss writing and grammar conventions and concerns, and then students use their knowledge to create a body of work. We cover poetry, memoirs, book reviews, short stories, letters, scripts, children’s books, and various types of essays. The curriculum is designed to give students numerous and varied writing experiences and to teach them that writing is an ongoing process. Students learn to revise their work critically and thoughtfully. Speech and Drama
Junior high classes meet once a week for Speech and Drama. In this course, students learn public speaking skills. They study elements of theater, rehearse monologues and dialogues, practice improvisation and pantomime techniques, give a variety of speeches, learn about body language, etc.
Regular Math
This is a regular 7th grade math course that continues to build on the concepts and skills learned in the 6th grade. Basic number operations for fractions/mixed numbers, decimals and integers continue to be expanded as ratios, rates, proportions and percents are taught. Many pre-algebra skills are refined and several algebra patterns and rules are introduced and appropriately developed.
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7th Grade Curriculum
Geometry concepts include congruency and polygon identification. Formulas for finding surface area, perimeter and circumference as well as the volume of solid figures are included. Time is also devoted to the study and application of the Pythagorean theorem.
Accelerated Math Students must qualify for this accelerated course. Eligibility is based on achievement test scores in math for the 6th grade and previous years, 6th grade math report card grades, daily performance and attitude in math throughout the 6th grade and previous years, and the recommendation of the 6th grade math instructor. Other factors may also be taken into consideration. This class utilizes an eighth grade text and covers everything from the basic number operations and systems to geometry and pre-algebra/algebra. To be successful in this class the student must have an innate ability to quickly grasp mathematical concepts and, in many cases, be self-directed. Enjoying math also helps! Because students in this course go from a 6th grade text directly to an 8th grade text (they skip the 7th grade text), parents must be committed to helping their child grasp the information to ensure success. Students learn how to solve basic algebra equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Algebra problems using decimals, fractions, and integers are also introduced along with the use of exponents, square roots and scientific notation. The use of algebra to solve ratio, proportion, and percent/interest problems is also taught. Also included in this general course are chapters devoted to expanding student understanding and mastery of appropriate Geometry concepts. This would include plane geometry concepts as well as certain solid geometry concepts for finding total surface area and volume of pyramids, cones, prisms and cylinders. We also introduce the Trigonometric ratios of sine, cosine and tangent. Students who successfully complete this course qualify to take Algebra 1 as an eighth grader the next year at St. John.
Science
Over a three year period, each student in St. John’s Junior High will have had exposure to different mini-courses in Life, Earth, and Physical Science. Currently these courses are as
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7th Grade Curriculum
follows: Motion, Forces, and Energy— A physical science course designed to study motion and different forces. Newton’s laws of motion, simple machines, work, power, and different types of energy are the main topics included. This course starts building a solid foundation for high school physics. Human Biology and Health— A life science course designed to study ten different human body systems. This will also include good health practices and how to avoid or fight human diseases.
U.S. History U.S. History is taught to the 7th and 8th grade classes. Covering the material in two years allows the students to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught and also allows for examination of the connections between historical events and the present time. U.S. History meets daily. The textbook is a large part of the curriculum; however, other sources are often incorporated to enrich and build upon the information given in the textbook. Students in 7th grade are required to complete a research paper. They receive two grades for this paper: one in English and one in History. The topic for the 2007-08 school year was: inventors.
7th Grade U.S. History starts with a quick review of general geography and then covers early peoples in America and the explorers. Study continues chronologically throughout American history, with a chapter on the American Revolution and a focus on the politics on which our country was founded. The Illinois Constitution is taught as well, since it is required that all 8th graders pass this exam prior to graduation. The Illinois Constitution is covered at the 7th grade level because it fits in with the time period that is studied. Instruction then moves on to industry and the economy, with differences in the North and South, setting the stage for the study of the Civil War.
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Reading
The objective of our junior high reading curriculum is to make students into passionate, critical readers. As a class, we discuss thematic units, literary genres, and reading strategies, which students can use as they approach new reading texts. Students are also given regular independent reading time, and they are allowed to choose their own texts. Language Arts
Our students are working to create writing portfolios. As a class, we discuss writing and grammar conventions and concerns, and then students use their knowledge to create a body of work. We cover poetry, memoirs, book reviews, short stories, letters, scripts, children’s books, and various types of essays. The curriculum is designed to give students numerous and varied writing experiences and to teach them that writing is an ongoing process. Students learn to revise their work critically and thoughtfully. Speech and Drama
Junior high classes meet once a week for Speech and Drama. In this course, students learn public speaking skills. They study elements of theater, rehearse monologues and dialogues, practice improvisation and pantomime techniques, give a variety of speeches, learn about body language, etc.
Regular Math
This is a regular 7th grade math course that continues to build on the concepts and skills learned in the 6th grade. Basic number operations for fractions/mixed numbers, decimals and integers continue to be expanded as ratios, rates, proportions and percents are taught. Many pre-algebra skills are refined and several algebra patterns and rules are introduced and appropriately developed.
1/3
7th Grade Curriculum
Geometry concepts include congruency and polygon identification. Formulas for finding surface area, perimeter and circumference as well as the volume of solid figures are included. Time is also devoted to the study and application of the Pythagorean theorem.
Accelerated Math Students must qualify for this accelerated course. Eligibility is based on achievement test scores in math for the 6th grade and previous years, 6th grade math report card grades, daily performance and attitude in math throughout the 6th grade and previous years, and the recommendation of the 6th grade math instructor. Other factors may also be taken into consideration. This class utilizes an eighth grade text and covers everything from the basic number operations and systems to geometry and pre-algebra/algebra. To be successful in this class the student must have an innate ability to quickly grasp mathematical concepts and, in many cases, be self-directed. Enjoying math also helps! Because students in this course go from a 6th grade text directly to an 8th grade text (they skip the 7th grade text), parents must be committed to helping their child grasp the information to ensure success. Students learn how to solve basic algebra equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Algebra problems using decimals, fractions, and integers are also introduced along with the use of exponents, square roots and scientific notation. The use of algebra to solve ratio, proportion, and percent/interest problems is also taught. Also included in this general course are chapters devoted to expanding student understanding and mastery of appropriate Geometry concepts. This would include plane geometry concepts as well as certain solid geometry concepts for finding total surface area and volume of pyramids, cones, prisms and cylinders. We also introduce the Trigonometric ratios of sine, cosine and tangent. Students who successfully complete this course qualify to take Algebra 1 as an eighth grader the next year at St. John.
Science
Over a three year period, each student in St. John’s Junior High will have had exposure to different mini-courses in Life, Earth, and Physical Science. Currently these courses are as
2/3
7th Grade Curriculum
follows: Motion, Forces, and Energy— A physical science course designed to study motion and different forces. Newton’s laws of motion, simple machines, work, power, and different types of energy are the main topics included. This course starts building a solid foundation for high school physics. Human Biology and Health— A life science course designed to study ten different human body systems. This will also include good health practices and how to avoid or fight human diseases.
U.S. History U.S. History is taught to the 7th and 8th grade classes. Covering the material in two years allows the students to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being taught and also allows for examination of the connections between historical events and the present time. U.S. History meets daily. The textbook is a large part of the curriculum; however, other sources are often incorporated to enrich and build upon the information given in the textbook. Students in 7th grade are required to complete a research paper. They receive two grades for this paper: one in English and one in History. The topic for the 2007-08 school year was: inventors.
7th Grade U.S. History starts with a quick review of general geography and then covers early peoples in America and the explorers. Study continues chronologically throughout American history, with a chapter on the American Revolution and a focus on the politics on which our country was founded. The Illinois Constitution is taught as well, since it is required that all 8th graders pass this exam prior to graduation. The Illinois Constitution is covered at the 7th grade level because it fits in with the time period that is studied. Instruction then moves on to industry and the economy, with differences in the North and South, setting the stage for the study of the Civil War.
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