7th Grade

In seventh grade, we use many different learning techniques in class. Students participate in INTERACTS for the French Revolution and the Reformation. Students develop vocabulary skits for review. Students have opportunities for several types of oral presentations including speeches, memorization and recitation, and presentation of projects. A major research paper assignment involves using many types of research and writing skills using the MLA format. We celebrate our history and lineage with activities on Grandparents' Day.

Service to the community is an important aspect of our class and helps the students learn stewardship for society. Our class, with the sixth, will plan and run the Mission Carnival. This is a school wide event that benefits Catholic Charities. In addition, our class will participate in the Canned Food Drive, Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots and Operation Rice Bowl.

Field trips are an important part of our classroom curriculum. Trips planned for this year include: Catalina Island, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay Museum and selected Museums. Chaperones are needed for all field trips. Please watch for additional information.

Curriculum Overview

Language Arts: We usually begin the day with a DOL (Daily Oral Language) exercise which gives students consistent instruction and practice in correct grammar and mechanics. Students take vocabulary tests weekly. We cover grammar, literature and writing weekly, often combining literature and writing with our social science units. Students use their knowledge of word origins and word relationships, as well as histori-cal
and literary context clues, to determine the meaning of specialized vocabulary and to
understand the precise meaning of grade-level-appropriate words.

Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They describe and
connect the essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of the text by using their
knowledge of text structure, organization, and purpose. The selections in Recommended
Readings in Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Eight illustrate the quality and com-plexity of the materials to be read by students. In addition, by grade eight, students
read one million words annually on their own, including a good representation of
grade-level-appropriate narrative and expository text (e.g., classic and contemporary
literature, magazines, newspapers, online information).

In grade seven, students make substantial progress toward this goal.Students write clear, coherent, and focused essays. The writing exhibits students’ awareness of the audience and purpose. Essays contain formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.

Social Science: Students cover material using study guides, discussion, outlines, review, quizes and tests. We end the day by writing assignments in Student Planners and close with prayer before leaving World History and Geography:Medieval and Early Modern Times Students in grade seven study the social, cultural, and technological changes that oc-curred in Europe, Africa, and Asia in the years A.D. 500–1789. After reviewing the an-cient world and the ways in which archaeologists and historians uncover the past,
students study the history and geography of great civilizations that were developing
concurrently throughout the world during medieval and early modern times. They
examine the growing economic interaction among civilizations as well as the exchange
of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and commodities. They learn about the resulting growth
of Enlightenment philosophy and the new examination of the concepts of reason and
authority, the natural rights of human beings and the divine right of kings, experimen-talism in science, and the dogma of belief. Finally, students assess the political forces let
loose by the Enlightenment, particularly the rise of democratic ideas, and they learn
about the continuing influence of these ideas in the world today.

Religion: Students will study the reformation, church history, world religions and service to the community, church and world.

Mathematics: Pre-Algebra, logic and problem solving skills are taught to all seventh graders. Some seventh graders may enroll in the Algebra One class.

Science: Cell biology, genetics, structure and function in living systems, physical science and earth history are taught

Physical Education: Basic body conditioning, game strategy, and sportsmanship are taught