SEVENTH GRADE

Language Arts

Seventh Grade students build upon, refine, and master knowledge and skills learned in previous years with increasingly complex presentations, reading texts, and compositions.  Students analyze and evaluate persuasive techniques and credibility of spoken and written texts.  Seventh grade students read a variety of classic and contemporary literary works.  They utilize their knowledge of Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes to identify unfamiliar words.  The writing process is taught throughout the year.  Students produce multiple rough drafts and final, error-free compositions.  Students edit their writing using their knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other conventions of written language.

 

Grammar:

_ Parts of a sentence

_ Sentence structure

_ Subject verb agreement

_ Sentence fragments and run-on sentences

_ Types of sentences

_ Simple

_ Compound

_ Parts of speech

_ Rules of punctuation

_ Rules of capitalization

_ Diagramming sentences

 

Writing

_ Paragraph form

_ From paragraphs to compositions

_ Descriptive writing

_ Narrative writing

_ Writing to explain

_ Writing to persuade

_ Writing reports

_ Writing letters

_ Idioms

_ Analogies

 

Reading

_ Poetry

_ Myths, tales, fables

_ Essays

_ Articles

_ Short stories

_ Novels

_ Drama

_ Summaries

 

Vocabulary

_ Wordly Wise, Book 4

_ Word origins

_ Prefixes

_ Suffixes

_ Greek and Latin root words

_ Analogies      

Research:

_ Introduction to research

_ Library skills

_ Taking notes from written source

 

LIBRARY/MEDIA SKILLS

Overview

Library/media skills are taught to all students from Pre-K through eighth grade with the goal they will become life-long readers with the ability to enter any library equipped with the knowledge to locate and use all available resources.

 

The care and location of materials, browsing and checkout procedures and notable authors and illustrators are introduced in the primary grades.

 

Library use skills are reinforced in the upper grades with particular emphasis on the arrangement of fiction and non-fiction materials.  With the completion of automation, students will be taught to use the computerized card catalog, electronic resources and traditional print materials to enhance classroom instruction and reading enjoyment.

Philosophy

Students are encouraged to read recreational books including fiction and non-fiction.  Picture books are read to all students and teachers to encourage interest in favorite authors and illustrators.

 

Objectives:

_ Library Orientation - students will learn library procedures

_ Browsing and book checkout

_ Location of materials and other resources

_ Proper care for all materials and return policy

_ Be courteous and exhibit good conduct

_ Utilization of resources - students will learn to identify materials

_ Alphabetical order-fiction materials are arranged by the first three letters of the author’s last

                name

_ Locate periodicals in ABC order by title

_ Dewey Decimal System - Non-fiction materials are arranged in ten main subject groupings                    000-900

_ Determine how books are classified and where they will be shelved

_ On-line card catalog - Look up books on specific subjects, titles or authors

Research and Study Skills

_ Identify parts of a book

_ Use reference tools such as an encyclopedia, atlas, dictionary, almanac, etc.

_ Use the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature for magazine articles on specific subjects

_ Use newspaper for current events

_ Special activities

 

Our library has weekly activities to include all students.  The librarian reads to all classes and uses book talks to interest students in checking out books for class assignments such as book reports, summaries or research projects.  Materials are made available in the library to support classroom curriculum and teaches may request library use at any time.

Books on the Bluebonnet and Texas Lone Star reading lists are available and our library also subscribes to the Junior Library Guild as a source for good reading material.

Book fairs are scheduled during the school year and are an excellent source for books and fun.

 

Authors are invited to our school to share their time and talent and are welcomed by all students and faculty with great enthusiasm         

 

 

Texas History

In Grade 7 students examine the impact of past political, social, and economics events in Texas, and also, the effect of the events on North America, Mexico and the rest of the world.  Students will study the history of Texas from early times to the present in greater depth and breadth than in Grade 4.  Students will study the different cultures that make Texas a special place.  The course presents the geography and physical features of Texas so students will understand how geographic factors have shaped their state.  Current events, especially in San Antonio, will be regularly discussed.  The last 3 months are devoted to Geography and International Politics.  Students are engaged in learning the countries located in Africa, Asia, North America and South America.  Major political issues are discussed in reference to the continent we are working on.

 

Topics of Study

_ The geography of Texas

_ Native Texans

_ Te impact of Spanish settlement

_ The Mission system

_ The influence of France

_ The independence of Texas from Spain

_ The independence of Texas from Mexico

_ Convention of 1836

_ The Battle of the Alamo

_ The Battle of San Jacinto

_ The Republic of Texas

_ Statehood, Confederacy, and Reconstruction

_ Frontier wards

_ Ranching and farming

_ The importance of oil

_ Texas in the 20^th century

_ Texas culture and sports

_ The Texas Constitution and government

 

General Social Studies Skills

Geography Skills

_ Working with latitude and longitude

_ Using maps at different scales

_ Comparing different kinds of maps

_ Reading elevation maps and profiles

_ Reading historical maps

_ Reading demographic maps

_ Using map projections

_ Using Texas highway maps

_ Using Texas city maps

_Three month Geography unit

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking Skills

_ Decision-making

_ Following events in a sequential order

_ Identifying cause and effect

_ Making conclusions

_ Recognizing point of view

_ Analyzing the credibility of a source

 

Study Skills

_ Reading timelines

_ Writing a summary

_ Reading climagraphs

_ Reading political cartoons

_ Using newspapers to analyze current events

_ Using primary and secondary sources

_ Using reference sources, including the Internet

 

Field Trips may include

_ Spanish colonial missions

_ The State Capitol

_ The Institute of Texan Cultures

_Various programs to develop greater understandings on themes covered in Texas History

 

Science

Goal:

Grade 7 is a concentrated life science course.  The topics relate and build upon those studied in previous grades.  New ideas, facts, concepts and scientific process skills are developed for 7^th grade.  The course covers all Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

 

Grade 7 Science concentrates on the following topics:

 

Ø      Chemistry of living things

Ø      Organism response

Ø      Cell structure and function

Ø      Tissues and organs

Ø      The five kingdoms of life

Ø      Asexual reproduction

Ø      Sexual Reproduction

Ø      Heredity and Genetics

Ø      Nutrition

Ø      Digestion and absorption

Ø      Circulation and Blood

Ø      Respiration

Ø      Excretions and elimination

Ø      The skeleton and the Muscles

Ø      The nervous system

Ø      The sense organs

Ø      The immune system and disease

      

Integration of topics is stressed in this curriculum.  Previously presented ideas are required to provide links between concepts.

 

 

Scientific methods are emphasized in every aspect of the course.  Scientific reasoning is taught as an unbiased way of obtaining knowledge of the living and non-living world.  The student’s science projects, classroom labs, current events, field trips, as well as daily observations and show and tell items provide opportunities to think scientifically.

 

Science process skills are a part of most lab or field/lab exercises.  These include observations, inferring, and development of hypothesis, predictions, designing experiments, modeling, analyzing data, and forming a conclusion based upon results.  Data collection methods, estimation, metric measurement and communication/computer presentation and analysis of date (graphing) will also be introduced or reinforced.  About 40% of class time will be activity-oriented lessons that involve practicing process skills.

 

Ethics in science is explored in class discussions of a variety of topics such as human cloning, genetic testing, and respect for all forms of life.

 

Study skills are reinforced in note taking, organization, literature research, and test taking.

 

Math

Objective:

The primary focal points at Grade 7 are using proportional relationships in number, geometry, measurement, and probability: applying addition, subtractions, multiplication, and division of decimals, fractions, and integers; and using statistical measure to describe data.

Text: Mathematics: Applications and Connections, Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 1999

 

Integration of mathematical topics helps students to see mathematics as a whole.  Algebra lessons prepare students for first year algebra.  Other integrated topics are: geometry, measurement, statistics, probability and proportional reasoning,

 

Applications show students how mathematics relates to the real world around them.  Lessons open with an application or connection relevant to teenagers.  “When am I ever going to use this?” answers the age-old question.  School to career demonstrates careers in which mathematics is used.

 

Problem Solving activities and applications are integrated into every chapter.

 

Labs and Investigations provide students with an opportunity to explore, create mathematical models, and work cooperatively with a partner or group.

 

Ample practice and review reinforces new skills and concepts.  Extra practice for each lesson in the back of text: and mixed review exercises in each exercise set.

 

Test Preparation and Assessment provides practice for local, states and national tests.

 

Instructional Content:

Problem Solving, Algebra, and Geometry

¨ Order of Operations

¨ Variables and expressions

¨ Powers and Exponents

¨ Solving Equations

¨ Fractals and other patterns

¨ Geometry

¨ Problem solving: choose the method of computation

 

 

Applying Decimals

¨ Comparing and ordering decimals

¨ Rounding decimals

¨ Estimating with decimals

¨ Multiplying and dividing decimals

¨ Powers to ten

¨ Dividing decimals

¨ Decimals and fraction

¨ Measurement: the metric system

¨ Scientific notation

 

Statistics: Analyzing Data:

¨ Frequency Tables

¨ Making predictions

¨ Line plots

¨ Mean, medium, mode

¨ Stem-and-Leaf plots

¨ Misleading statistics

 

Using Number Patterns, Fractions, and Percents:

¨ Divisibility patterns

¨ Prime factorization

¨ Sequences

¨ Make a list

¨ Greatest common factor

¨ Simplifying fractions and ratios

¨ Ratios and percents

¨ Fractions, decimals, percents

¨ Probability

¨ Least common multiple

¨ Comparing and ordering fractions

 

Algebra: Using Integers:

¨ Integers

¨ Comparing and ordering integers

¨ The Coordinate System

¨ Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing integers

¨ Geometry: graphing transformations

 

Algebra: Exploring Equations and Functions:

¨ Solving equations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

¨ Problem solving: work backwards

¨ Solving two-step equations

¨ Writing expressions and equations

¨ Inequalities

¨ Functions and graphs; functions and equations

 

 

 

 

 

Applying Fractions

Estimating with fractions:

¨ Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing fractions & mixed numbers

¨ Measurement: changing customary units

¨ Perimeter

¨ Changing customary units

¨ Circles and circumference

 

Using Proportional Reasoning:

¨ Ratios

¨ Solving proportions

¨ Scale drawings

¨ Percents and fractions

¨ Percents and decimals

¨ Percents greater then 100%; less than 1%

¨ Percent of a number

¨ Percent proportion

 

Geometry: Investigating Patterns Perpendicular and parallel lines:

¨ Measuring angles

¨ Perpendicular and parallel lines

¨ Angles of a polygon

¨ Polygons

¨ Inscribed polygons

¨ Dilations

¨ Investigating triangles and quadrilaterals

¨ Reflections

 

Geometry: Exploring Area

¨ Problem solving: guess & check

¨ Squares and square roots

¨ The Pythagorean Theorem

¨ Area of irregular figures

¨ Areas of triangles, trapezoids and circles

 

Applying Percents:

¨ Percent and estimation

¨ Algebra: the percent equation

¨ Making circle graphs

¨ Using statistics to predict

¨ Percent of change

¨ Discount and sales tax

¨ Simple Interest

 

Geometry: Finding surface area

¨ Building and drawing 3-dimensional figures

¨ Volume of: rectangular prisms, pyramids, and cylinders

¨ Nets and surface area

¨ Surface area: rectangular prisms, pyramids, and cylinders

 

 

 

 

Exploring discrete math and probability

¨ Theoretical and experimental probability

¨ Tree diagrams

¨ The counting principle

¨ Independent and dependent events

¨ Exploring permutations

¨ Exploring combinations

 

Religious Studies

Objective:

The seventh-grade program encompasses salvation history as presented in the Hebrew Scriptures and culminating in the coming of Jesus.  As the students study God’s revelation of himself to the Israelites who were bound to him in covenant love, they are reminded that our Father calls each person into a love relationship with him and with the Church community through his son, Jesus.  They come to realize that a caring love for all other people is intrinsic to this relationship with God.  Encouraged to read the Bible, they become sensitive to God’s message to them and to the world today.  Textbook used in 6^th grade: Christ Our Life, God Calls A People, Loyola Press.

 

Students are assessed in Religious Studies according to the following grading system: Class participation 45%, Bible Reflection 10%, Class Reflection 15% and Quizzes 30%.  Students are required to attend a weekly morning liturgy.  As a community we worship at Morning Prayer, Prayer Service or Mass.  There are opportunities for students to take active parts in preparation and presiding at the liturgies.  Retreats are part of the religious Studies Program.  Students in grade 6 are required to give a total of 15 community service hours for the year.

 

Mystery of God

† Discusses the theology of the Trinity and leads us to identify more closely with the Father         who created us, the Son who redeems us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us

† Presents various loving qualities of God, as evidenced in the words of the Bible depends the      awareness that God has chosen to reveal himself to us, that we might come to know Him in     a personal and loving relationship.

† Introduces the Bible as a collection of various kinds of inspired writings for learning how          they can deepen their relationship with God

† Discusses God’s plans of salvation, taking shape and forming a family of faith through              Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (God reveals Himself as One True God)

 

Creation

† Describes God’s plan made manifest in creation, and his infinite love for humankind

† Deepens awareness that we are made into His image and likeness and that we are God’s            work of art, called into life as unique human beings

† Causes us to reflect on God’s continual act of creation, which includes not only creating new     beings but also keeping all things in existence

† Develops global awareness or respect for other peoples and methods of helping to meet their     needs

 

Grace

† Defines Grace as a deepening of our relationship with God freely given to persons as a gift

† Stresses grace as God’s presence through the periods of Salvation History, both the Old and      the New Testaments

† Recognizes encounters with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, especially Reconciliation, and the use of sacramental as opportunities for deepening grace

 

 

Morality

† Reflects on how evil and suffering came into the world through Adam and Eve’s rejection         of God, which we call Original Sin

† Reveals the Father’s plans for His people from the promise of the redeemer through the              bestowal of the covenant and the Tem Commandments, and the role of the prophets as “the     conscience of Israel”

† Challenges us to share the life of Jesus by living the Beatitudes, observing the Precepts of          the Church, and living out the Spiritual and Corporal works of mercy

† Presents choice as part of the formation of a Christian conscience, including the choice of         accepting the call to holiness whatever the state in life; single married, diocesan priest, or r        religious leader

 

Prayers and Formulations

† Act of Faith

† Act of Hope

† Act of Love

† Theological Virtues

Students should also know all prayers and formulations mastered in previous grades

 

Jesus

† Stresses the mission of Jesus in all its aspects-from His birth when God became one of us in      Jesus, (Incarnation) to the wedding in Cana, (miracles) to His suffering and death to the     Resurrection.

† Presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies

† Reminds us that we are called to a deepening relationship with God, and that a commitment      to Christ manifests itself in all we do in every personal decision

† Reveals Jesus’ identity as it invites each baptized person to a relationship of friendship

 

Sacraments

† Presents Sacraments as opportunities to meet Christ personally: explains Sacraments as            signs and grace giving encounters with Jesus

† Reviews the parts of the Mass as Eucharistic Celebration and a renewal of the covenant of         God with all people at the Last Supper.  Jesus gave new meaning to the sacred meal     connected with the Passover

† Provides emphasis on Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation, whereby God gives His           reconciling love and forgiveness to those who repent

† Emphasizes the responsibilities humans have for their choices and the results of those     choices

† Reviews form for the reception of the sacrament

† Describes the anointing of the sick as a celebration of the Church’s belief in Jesus’ power to     heal

† Deepens the understanding of the priesthood, of what Holy Orders is, and that the call to           Orders is a mission of special ministry and service

† Presents the sacrament of Matrimony as the basis for Christian family life, as well as a               reminder of Jesus’ love and sharing with the Church

† Enables a deeper awareness of our life in Christ, begun in the Baptism, strengthened in              Confirmation and nourished in the Eucharist, the Center of Christian life

† Reviews the parts of the Mass as Eucharistic Celebration

 

 

 

 

 

Morality

† Stresses the help of the Holy Spirit in aiding us to make right choices and sins as a refusal to      live in a loving relationship with God

† Calls us to life Christian morality as a response to God’s love, and to His laws trough prayer     and Eucharistic worship

† Challenges us to be prophets today in taking a stand against injustice in a peaceful and non-      violent way

† Fulfills justice by the practice of charity, sharing with others in the self-giving manner of            Christ

 

Church

† Identifies the Peoples of God as the Pilgrim Church today, praying and serving one another    as one.  It recognizes the marks of the Church, which both describe her and identify her      mission, and also present other signs of faith

† Leads us to better appreciate Christ’s Presence in the Church through the Holy Spirit.

 

Spanish:

            Students will develop Cultural awareness of traditional Mexican/Latin events and holidays.

            The class will:

·         Work on development of irregular Spanish verbs.

·         Development of Er, Ar, and Ir verbs

·         Cover chapters in Spanish textbook “Buen Viaje”

·         Development of grammar

·         Verbs irregularities

·         Development of ending letters of verb conjugation

 

Physical Education:

Overview:

In this physical education class students will gain knowledge in several different sports.  We will also be learning rules, skills and technique of these games.  The overall objective of the physical education courses at both the primary and middle school level is to teach activities, which will form the basis for a lifetime of physical fitness.

 

Instructional Content:

~ Be able to apply physical education to life

~ Be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills, which better enable participation in group and      team sports

~ Assess physical fitness levels and participate in activities that improve fitness, wellness, and      cardiovascular capacity

~ Be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills, which will better enable participation in               individual and dual sports and recreational activities.

 

            Health:

The students recognize ways to enhance and maintain health throughout their life span.  The student recognizes the basic structure and functions of the human body.  The student understands and engages in behaviors that reduce health risks.  The student explains healthy ways to communicate, and demonstrates critical thinking and problem solving for promoting healthy decisions.

Instructional content:

_ Six major nutrients contained in food

_ Identify information on menus and food labels

_ Exercise

_ Physical, mental and social fitness

_ Structure and function of the human body

_ Identify the use of prescription and non-prescription medications

_ Describe short and long term harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol

_ Peer pressure influences, social and emotional health

_ Qualities of a good friend

_Lifeskills training program

·         An exciting new breakthrough which not only prevents tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse, but teaches the knowledge and skills necessary to:

o        Increase your self-esteem

o        Increase your ability to make decisions and solve problems

o        Communicate effectively

o        Avoid misunderstandings

o        Manage anxiety

o        Make new friends

o        Stand up for your rights

o        Say “no” to unfair requests

o        Resist advertising pressures

o        Resist pressure to use drugs

 

_Worth the Wait program

School administrators have chosen UTHSCSA’s abstinence curriculum Worth the Wait program, which is a 10-day unit, based on the medical and legal facts regarding teen sexual activity, which teaches abstinence as the healthiest choice for teens.  This curriculum is provided through grant funds; we are required to pre- and post-test students to measure the program’s effectiveness.

ELECTIVES:

Art

Objective:

The student will be aware of the four basic strands of art, perception, expression, historical and cultural history, and critical evaluation and will be provided with broad, unifying structures for organizing the knowledge and skills that they should acquire.  Students rely on their perceptions of the environment developed through increasing visual awareness and sensitivity to surroundings, memory, imagination, and life experiences, as a source for creating artworks.  They express their thoughts and ideas creatively, while challenging their imagination, fostering reflective thinking, and developing disciplined effort and problem-solving skills.  By analyzing artistic styles and historical periods students will develop respect for the traditions and contributions of diverse cultures.  Students will learn to respond to and analyze artworks, thus contribution to the development of lifelong skills of making informed judgments and evaluations.

 

Instructional content:

Basic art concepts

Students will be able to understand about the purposes and kinds of art people have created, apply their knowledge of basic art concepts in studying art history, communicated effectively about important features of art, and apply their knowledge of basic art concepts when they describe, analyze and interpret art.  Pencil sketching, line color, color wheel, watercolor painting, balance, shapes, shading, contour drawing.

 

Careers in Art