Grade 7

List of 10 items.

• English

  TEXTS: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare; The Crucible by Arthur Miller; independent reading books; short stories; poetry
  
  GRAMMAR REFERENCE: English Workshop: Third Course published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
  
  VOCABULARY PROGRAM: Word Wisdom published by Zaner-Bloser, Inc.
  
  LEARNING GOALS FOR READING:
  

  • Read and analyze literature, short stories, and poetry
  • Engage in literary analysis
  • Make inferences from text
  • Determine larger theme/message
  • Identify symbolism and explain significance
  • Identify meaningful passages and explain significance
  • Make connections
  • Understand significance of point of view
  • Compare and contrast characters
  • Understand and analyze character’s motivation
  • Understand how authors develop characters
  • Analyze how characters change throughout the story
  • Determine word meanings
  • Build and develop vocabulary

  LEARNING GOALS FOR WRITING:
  
  FORMS OF WRITING: Analytical/critical response to literature; Business Letters; Character Journals; Memoir; Multi-Paragraph Essays; Poems; Reflections; Timed in-class writing assignments
  

  • Use the writing process: brainstorm, plan, write, revise, edit, publish
  • Form a clear thesis statement
  • Use details to support topic sentences
  • Organize writing pieces clearly and logically
  • Use transition words to enhance flow of writing
  • Use appropriate word choice
  • Vary sentence structure
  • Develop voice in writing
  • Write for a variety of audiences and from different points of view
  • Produce writing within a variety of time frames (i.e. a single class period, multiple class periods)
  • Give and receive peer feedback
  • Edit for appropriate spelling, mechanics, and grammar
  • Reflect on written work and set writing goals

  LEARNING GOALS FOR LISTENING AND SPEAKING:
  

  • Participate in a variety of discussions (e.g., one-on-one, small group, large group, teacher-led)
  • Answer and generate questions related to topic
  • Summarize main points of discussion
  • Deliver a clear speech effectively

• Health and Wellness

  BODY HEALTH
  

  • Understand many aspects of human sexuality and development
  • Understand how drugs and alcohol can alter body and brain
  • Understand and communicate the importance of nutrition and sleep
  • Examine and assess the role of media on body image

        
  SOCIAL HEALTH
  

  • Apply skills to foster healthy relationships with girls and boys
  • Refine conflict resolution skills
  • Advocate for diversity of experiences

        
  EMOTIONAL HEALTH
  

  • Identify and manage stress through healthy choices
  • Identify appropriate support services
  • Seek and accept support when needed
  • Communicate wants and needs surrounding topics in all three health strands

• Library and Information Literacy

  CORE RESOURCES:
  Standards for the 21st century Learner AASL
  Adaptation of California School Library Recommended Library Skills
  
  

  • Build research plans to gather and manage information
  • Build competency in accessing, processing, and evaluating information
  • Use linked resource pathfinders (Libguides)
  • Create and execute effective presentations of research

• Mathematics:

  COURSES OFFERED:

  Pre-Algebra; Algebra
  
  LEARNING GOALS FOR PRE-ALGEBRA:

   

   

  TEXT:

  Larson Pre-Algebra published by Holt McDougal, Edition 2012
  
  NUMBER SENSE AND OPERATIONS

  • Review and extend the concepts of properties: commutative, associative, and distributive with variable expressions and equations
  • Review and extend order of operations with integers, fractions, decimals, and exponents
  • Review and extend problem solving with ratios, proportions, and percent (percent change, similar figures, scale drawings, and the basics of simple and compound interest)
  • Represent large and small numbers in scientific notation and extend the concept to estimation problems and unit conversions
  • Learn about the real number system and classifying numbers
     

  ALGEBRA AND FUNCTIONS
  

  • Simplify and evaluate variable expressions using order of operations
  • Simplify variable expressions (monomial products and fractions) that include exponents
  • Simplify and solve complex linear equations
  • Solve basic systems of linear equations with substitution as applied to word problems
  • Use the number line to graph solutions to linear equations and basic inequalities
  • Begin to learn about the concept of slope
     

  GEOMETRY
  

  • Review: building blocks of planar geometry (point, line, plane, ray, and line segment); angles (vertical, complementary, supplementary, adjacent, corresponding, and alternate interior); triangle classifications (by side length and by angle measure); and circles
  • Classify and measure polygons and composite figures
  • Explore volume and surface area with prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres, as well as some composite shapes
  • Work with formulas (areas, volumes, and surface areas, along with the Pythagorean Theorem) to solve various problems
  • Explore ratios of areas and volumes of various shapes and sizes
     

  ADDITIONAL LEARNING GOALS FOR PRE-ALGEBRA:
  

  • Identify patterns and proportional relationships and begin to understand functions and the related terminology
  • Use the coordinate plane to graph solutions to linear equations and basic inequalities
  • Graph linear equations to determine the slope-intercept equation of a line
  • Solve systems of linear equations, including graphing
  • Solve advanced functions and master terminology
  • Work with irrational numbers and simplifying roots 

  LEARNING GOALS FOR ALGEBRA I:
  
  TEXT:

  Martin Gay Algebra I, Pearson, 2013
  
  

  KEY SUPPLEMENTAL TOOLS:

  IXL.com, desmos.com (also available as an iPad app), Geogebra

  
  TOPICS:

  Equations
  Polynomials
  Quadratics Graphing/Functions Inequalities
  Algebraic rational expressions
  
  

  LINEAR AND QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

  • Review and extend simplifying and evaluating algebraic expressions using order of operations and rules of exponents
  • Review rate, ratio, proportion, and percent
  • Solve complex linear equations
  • Solve systems of linear equations and inequalities
  • Learn factoring of 2nd (and possibly simple 3rd) degree polynomials
  • Solve quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula
  • Apply skills and concepts learned in each unit to write equations for, and solve, a wide variety of word problems
     

  FUNCTIONS AND POLYNOMIALS
  

  • Study basic function notation, concepts, and related terminology
  • Perform all four operations with polynomials

  GRAPHING
  

  • Graph and explore properties of linear equations using patterns, coordinate plotting, slope, and x- and y-intercepts
  • Graph and explore properties of quadratic equations using patterns, coordinate plotting, finding critical points, and using parent graphs
  • Explore graph transformations of various functions and higher-order polynomials through the use of parent graphs
     

  RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS
  

  • Work with rational algebraic expressions and solve rational algebraic equations

   

• Performing Arts

  Choose from a variety of electives:

  POSSIBLE OPTIONS:

  • Music
  • Fall Play

• Physical Education

  LEARNING GOALS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
  (Climbing Wall, Dance, Sports/Fitness)
  

  • Demonstrate  sportsmanship
  • Develop skills for climbing wall (bouldering, belaying, knot work, hand placement, footwork, route reading, and route setting)
  • Strengthen body awareness
  • Extend dance technique skills
  • Expand dance vocabulary including qualities of movement, rhythmic patterns, and directions in space
  • Learn (or choreograph) and perform short dances
  • Connect dance curriculum to science and English curriculum
  • Develop skills for individual and team sports
  • Develop strategic thinking in sports
  • Engage in fitness activities
  • Participate in cooperative games
  • Engage in team building activities and challenges
  • Understand importance of fitness
  • Understand importance of short term and long term benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle

• Science and Engineering/Computer Science

  TEXTS (published by Prentice Hall):
  Science Explorer Cells and Heredity
  Science Explorer Human Biology and Health
  Science Explorer Sound and Light
  
  THEME: Introduction to Biology
  
  UNITS:
  Body Systems
  Cells
  Genetics
  
  LEARNING GOALS FOR SCIENCE:
  

  • Formulate research questions
  • Write scientifically
  • Use scientific vocabulary
  • Gather, read, interpret, and analyze data
  • Recall and apply content specific information
  • Practice applying learned information to novel situations
  • Use Scientific Method fluidly
  • Practice Engineering Design Process

  -    Identify problem, brainstorm, design, build, test, evaluate, redesign, share solution

  • Cite sources
  • Practice online research skills
  • Use and apply technology skills
  • Learn and practice lab equipment skills

  TECHNOLOGY
  
  EQUIPMENT TYPICALLY USED: Cameras; document cameras; iPods®; laptops; microphones; projectors; video cameras
  
  APPLICATIONS TYPICALLY USED: Email applications; Google™ Apps; iLife® Suite; image editing software; Internet browsers; Microsoft® Office Suite; page layout software; photo editing software; video editing software
  
  PROGRAMMING
  
  CORE RESOURCES: Python (Club), Python Software Foundation
  
  LEARNING GOALS
  

  • Object-oriented programming:

   -    The if, for, while, try, class, def, pass, assert, yield, & import statements

   -    Execute code

   -    Create functions

   -    Create variables and values

  
  MATHEMATICS: PRE-ALGEBRA
  
  COURSES OFFERED: Pre-Algebra; Pre-Algebra Accelerated; Pre-Algebra Honors
   
  TEXT: Larson Pre-Algebra published by Holt McDougal, Edition 2012
  
  LEARNING GOALS FOR MATHEMATICS:
  NUMBER SENSE AND OPERATIONS
  

  • Review and extend the concepts of properties: commutative, associative, and distributive with variable expressions and equations
  • Review and extend order of operations with integers, fractions, decimals, and exponents
  • Review and extend problem solving with ratios, proportions, and percent (percent change, similar figures, scale drawings, and the basics of simple and compound interest)
  • Represent large and small numbers in scientific notation and extend the concept to estimation problems and unit conversions
  • Learn about the real number system and classifying numbers

  ALGEBRA AND FUNCTIONS
  

  • Simplify and evaluate variable expressions using order of operations
  • Simplify variable expressions (monomial products and fractions) that include exponents
  • Simplify and solve complex linear equations
  • Solve basic systems of linear equations with substitution as applied to word problems
  • Use the number line to graph solutions to linear equations and basic inequalities
  • Begin to learn about the concept of slope

  GEOMETRY
  

  • Review: building blocks of planar geometry (point, line, plane, ray, and line segment); angles (vertical, complementary, supplementary, adjacent, corresponding, and alternate interior); triangle classifications (by side length and by angle measure); and circles
  • Classify and measure polygons and composite figures
  • Explore volume and surface area with prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, and spheres, as well as some compos- ite shapes
  • Work with formulas (areas, volumes, and surface areas, along with the Pythagorean Theorem) to solve various problems
  • Explore ratios of areas and volumes of various shapes and sizes

  ADDITIONAL LEARNING GOALS FOR HONORS PRE-ALGEBRA:
  

  • Identify patterns and proportional relationships and begin to understand functions and the related terminology
  • Use the coordinate plane to graph solutions to linear equations and basic inequalities
  • Graph linear equations to determine the slope-intercept equation of a line
  • Solve systems of linear equations, including graphing
  • Solve advanced functions and master terminology
  • Work with irrational numbers and simplifying roots

• Social Studies

  TEXTBOOK:
  History Alive! The United States published by Teacher’s Curriculum Institute
  
  CONTENT:
  Early History of the United States; Current Events; Human Rights; Colonization; Road to Revolution; New Nation; Bill of Rights; Years between 1800-1850; Antebellum America; Civil War; Reconstruction
  
  LEARNING GOALS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES:
  

  • Develop understanding of multiple perspectives
  • Recall factual information
  • Understand  chronologies
  • Identify main idea and salient points
  • Check for validity
  • Summarize and paraphrase information
  • Highlight information
  • Evaluate sources
  • Recognize bias
  • Understand cause and effect
  • Compare and contrast events in past and in the present
  • Use library and Internet to find appropriate sources
  • Organize information
  • Use technology for class projects
  • Use text to support opinions
  • Communicate ideas clearly orally and in writing
  • Read, interpret, and create maps
  • Analyze and interpret information
  • Develop  hypothesis
  • Defend and support hypothesis
  • Create and deliver presentations

• Visual Arts

  Choose from a variety of electives:
  
  POSSIBLE OPTIONS:

  • Computer Science Art
  • Maker Art
  • Visual Arts

• World Language: Spanish

  TEXTBOOK:

   

  VenConmigo:Level II Chapters 1-5 published by Holt, Reinhart and Winston
  
  NOVELS:

   

  Casi Se Muere and Viva el Toro by Lisa Ray Turner and Blaine Ray
  
  

  ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

  Advertisements; ComicStrips; Dialogues; Interviews; Letters; Recipes; Schedules (i.e. school, train, planes); Websites

  
  CULTURAL CONTENT:

  Geography of Central America; Famous people of Spain and Latin America; Costa Rica; Panama; Belize and Guatemala; Mexican culture; quinceanera; ancient pre-Colombian civilization; modern Mexican cities
  
  LEARNING GOALS FOR SPANISH:

  • Geography
  • Traditions
  • Increase global awareness
  • Engage in everyday conversation
  • Develop pronunciation skills
  • Speak in target language
  • Deliver oral presentations to class
  • Understand, use, and practice in written and oral communication vocabulary words
  • Understand and use grammatical structures accurately
  • Develop reading skills
  • Summarize text
  • Make inferences
  • Develop writing skills (short descriptive paragraphs)
  • Edit peer writing
  • Use Spanish/English dictionary accurately
  • Use Spanish World Book Encyclopedia 

  ADDITIONAL LEARNING GOALS FOR SPANISH:

  • Deepen fluency with written expression and grammatical conventions
  • Participate in deep exploration of topics
  • Engage in advanced level of oral expression and dialogue