Seventh Grade

The 7th Grade uses a program called “We Live Our Faith, Volume II” by Sadlier

• Jesus’ life, his teachings, and he sacraments he instituted.
  • Who is God? Focusing on the Creed and Divine Revelation
  • Who is Jesus? Focusing on Jesus in the Gospels and through Church teaching.
  • How is Jesus Christ Alive in the Church today? Focusing on the sacraments and liturgy.
• Service opportunities
  • Focus Hope
  • St. Francis Warming Center
• Twice weekly Mass attendance

• Students are exposed to a varied genre of literature. They will read and analyze the literary elements of several classroom novels, including:
  • The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton
  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Students work in Literature Circles with several titles including:
  • The Sword and the Stone by T.H. White
• Students read a wide variety of short stories, with emphasis in the following areas:  Drama, Legend, Memoir, Myth, Poetry, Biography, and Mystery.
• Technology plays an intricate role in the 7th Grade literature education.  Many of the final projects and presentations are presented with the use of technology. 

• Students will concentrate on their writing skills, grammar, and vocabulary. 
• There is emphasis on the writing process and correct use of grammar throughout their writing. 
• Students will complete challenging vocabulary units each week. 
• Students will learn how to write a MLA format mini-term paper with a thesis statement.

Based on their ability, work ethic and past assessment scores, students are selected to participate in the standard Pre-Algebra class or the accelerated Pre-Algebra class.

Standard Pre-Algebra class:

• Review of operations with positive and negative integers.
• In-depth explanation of application of rational numbers.
• Introduction to equations and solving multi-step equations.
• Introduction to inequalities and solving multi-step inequalities.
• Ratios, rates, and proportions.
• Geometry that includes Pre-Algebraic applications to find area, surface area, and volume.
• Analyzing data and probability.

• This course begins with a fast-paced review of variable expressions and integers.
• We solve algebraic equations and multi-step equations applying them to real-world situations.
• In-depth application of inequalities and solving multi-step inequalities.
• Introduction to the rules of exponents.
• Rational and irrational numbers.
• Ratios, rates, and proportions.
• We solve and graph linear functions and equations.
• Geometry that includes the Pythagorean Theorem, Distance and Midpoint formulas.
• Number theory background and reasoning.
• Problem-Solving strategies and applications.

• Students explore in depth the human body systems.
• They explore the different types of air pollution.
• They are introduced to the Periodic Table of Elements and recognize the atom as the smallest component that makes up an element.
• They understand that all organisms are composed of cells, and that organisms exist in ecosystems.
• They use a light microscope and accurately interpret what they see.
• They understand the relationship between the warming of the earth, the water cycle, weather, & climate.
• Students participate in the “Clinton River Watershed Council” as Stream Leaders.

• Textbook: Iquiry Journal: Discovering our Past: A History of the United States
• First Americans through the start of the Civil War
  • First Americans
  • Exploring Americas
  • Colonial America
  • American Revolution
  • The Constitution
  • Growth and Expansion of America
  • First Presidents
  • North vs South

Based on their ability, work ethic, and past performance, students may be invited to participate in the Advanced Spanish class.

• The combination of two years of this program is equivalent to the first year of high school Spanish.
• Students study vocabulary for their daily lives, verb conjugations, adjective agreement, sentence structure, and the past & present tenses.
• Through skits, oral activities, and cultural activities, all the previously learned Spanish skills are practiced and reinforced so that a level of conversational fluency can be achieved.
• Once completing the program students are prepared to enter Spanish II in High School.

Seventh Graders attend weekly specials classes including art, music, Spanish, physical education and technology.
 

Every other week, Junior High students participate in the Thursday Advisory Program. This program pairs supportive adult role models with small groups of students across the Junior High grades. The groups explore interests, goals, concerns, and share fun activities. It is a productive program designed to help students work through the transitions of their early teenage years.