Seventh Grade
Art
- » Advanced drawing
- » Elements of art
- » Pencil rendering
- » Perspective plan & architecture
- » Portraiture
- » Renaissance (plaster figures)
- » Power of color (clay busts, acrylic paintings)
- » The figure in movement
- » Media & message
Language Arts
Reading/Literature
- » Novels
- » Short stories
- » Biographies
- » Short drama
- » Poetry
- » Analysis of fiction elements: theme, character development, symbolism, perspective
- » Writing process: organization, editing, style revision
- » Development of essay skills: thesis idea, support, transitions
- » Creative writing: description, narrative, dialog, poetry, use of senses, voices, richer vocabulary, and perspective
Language
- » Grammar
- · Direct/indirect objects, prepositional phrases, noun-verb agreement, noun functions, editing
- » Spelling
- · Student errors, patterns & rules
- » Vocabulary
- · Word origins & careful choices, contexts, literature word lists
- » Development of individual ideas in discussions
- » In-depth discussions
- » Oral presentations
Mathematics
Operations- » Operations with signed fractions and decimals
- » Solving up to 5-step linear algebraic equations
- » Pattern investigation using MS Excel
- » Probability: counting principle, outcome trees, dependent, independent probabilities
- » Graphing linear equations, finding slope and intercept
- » Statistics: graphing, stem-and-leaf charts, box-and-whisker charts
- » Using algebra in geometry: Pythagorean theorem, circle geometry, complex figures
- » An optional honors program is offered. This is material taught in addition to the regular 7th grade curriculum.
- » Topics include
- · Number theory
- · Arithmetic and geometric sequences
- · Recognizing quadratic and cubic functions, and more difficult problems in probability
- · Combinatorics and geometry
- » Additionally, 7th graders continue to receive "puzzle points", and develop problem solving skills.
Music
- » SAB singing (3 part)
- » Curriculum integrates English and Social Studies curriculum
- » Specialized units
- » Introduction to computer music
Outdoor Education
Trip
- » Mono Lake
- » Monterey Bay
- » Volcano hike
- » Mono Lake swim
- » Sleeping out
- » Night hike
- » Group activities
- » Mono Lake water debates
- » Group sharing
Reflection
- » Journal writing
- » Group discussions
- » Volcanic, riparian, saline and desert ecosystems
Physical Education
- » Sportsmanship
- » Leadership
- » Games of the world: Koob, Bulka, Bocce
- » Health-related fitness
- » Social dance: Hip Hop, Latin dance
- » Team sports from around the world: Gaelic football, korfball, cricket
Science
Process/Skills
- » Use appropriate tools/technologies to perform experiments using print and electronic resources
- » Construct maps, models, and diagrams to communicate scientific knowledge
- » Ocean invertebrates
- » Sex education
Earth Science
- » Plate tectonics
- » Earthquakes & volcanoes
- » Geothermal energy
- » Light
- » Physical properties of the ocean
- » Chemistry
Self-Science
- » Learning about me
- » What's important to me
- » How to help myself
- » Working with others
- » Cliques & popularity
- » Celebrating my body
- » Healthy choices
- » When & how to say no
Social Studies
Topics
- » Roman & Byzantine Empires
- » Medieval Europe
- » Renaissance Europe
- » Feudal Japan
- » Imperial China
- » The Rise of Islam
- » Sub-Saharan Africa
- » Civilizations of the Americas (Maya, Aztec, Inca)
- » DIG (Cultural Universals through Archaeology)
Skills/Process
- » Interactive notebooks
- » I-Search projects
- » Group studies
- » Cooperative presentations
- » Simulations
- » Act-it-outs
- » Moral/ethical discussions
Spanish
- » Friendship
- » School
- » Sports & leisure activities
- » Food
- » Family
- » Clothing
- » Daily routine
- » Nationalities
- » People & place descriptions
- » Likes & dislikes
- » Telling time
- » Expressions of frequency
- » Demonstrative adjectives
- » Shopping
- » Contemporary Hispanic music
- » Important holidays
- » Traditional activities, food, arts, & crafts
Speech, Drama, and Dance
Speech
- » One-on-one skills
- » Effective presentations
- » Impromptu speaking
- » Visual aids
- » Audience involvement
- » Persuasion
- » Q&As
- » Student presentations
Drama
- » Theatrical techniques
- » Vocal projection
- » Script & character analysis
- » Movement
- » Stage presence
- » Play production
- » Ensemble work
- » Exposure to Modern, classical, jazz, & hip hop dance
- » Comfort & familiarity with body movement
- » Physical benefits of coordinated movement
Technology
- » Information literacy
- » Integrated with all curricular areas
- » Learn InDesign, Adobe Photoshop
- » Mastery of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Keynote, iMovie, Appleworks, Internet research