Seventh Grade Curriculum

Subjects of Study:

Math Pre-Algebra
Students will:

• Solve real-world application problems to deepen understanding of math concepts
• Review numbers and operations
• Understand coordinate plane and related terminology
• Work with fractions, decimals, and percents
• Solve equations and evaluate expressions
• Analyze two-dimensional figures and the Pythagorean Theorem
• Focus on concepts and skills involving rational numbers
• Review concept of ratio
• Discuss order of operations
• Learn the laws of exponents
• Study transformational geometry as well as reflective and rotational symmetry
• Solve problems by writing both equations and proportions
• Use proportions for solving both ratio and geometric problems
• Use the coordinate plane to graph both functions and transformations
• Work with nets and calculate area
• Study statistics through representing data in a variety of displays and solving problems using measures of central tendency
• Analyze arithmetic and geometric sequences
• Write and convert rational numbers as fractions, decimals, and presents
• Study probability simulations
• Determine the area of a trapezoid as well as the volume of prisms and cylinders
• Analyze scatterplots, and make predictions using scatterplots
• Explore surface area and volume of both pyramids and cones
• Study compound events and sampling
• Distinguish between direct and inverse variations
• Compute compound interest and study consumer applications
• Participate in the Catholic Math League

Language Arts
Students will:

• Interpret theme and message in literary works
• Identify and understand symbols and literary techniques
• Identify parts of the plot, figurative language, and literary techniques using short stories and novels
• Focus on making inferences and analyzing literary pieces
• Participate in “Shared Inquiry” sessions
• Write interpretive papers based on evidence from stories and novels
• Think critically and apply knowledge so as to diligently find and effectively communicate truth
• Write letters, news articles, cause and effect papers, themes, speeches and editorials
• Develop range of vocabulary through studying grade-level and advanced vocabulary words, Greek and Latin roots, suffixes, and prefixes
• Examine the use of symbolism and diction to build tension within a work
• Work on expository writing in the form of interpretive papers
• Apply the correct use of grammar and mechanical structures
• Learn to be self-reflective in written work and using self-editing strategies
• Deliver impromptu speeches as well as prepare a speech for the speech exhibition
• Use gestures and blocking in order to keep the attention of the audience and to communicate in a memorable manner

Life Science
Students will:

• Develop an understanding of the characteristics and needs of living things and understand how scientists use the scientific method to disprove and validate theories
• Analyze structures, functions, and processes within plan and animal cells
• Understand that as multicellular plants develop, their cells differentiate and specialize
• Discuss the unique methods of cellular transport and recognize that within many cells, many of the basic functions of the organism are carried out
• Explain how the principles of heredity apply to inherited traits and describe the structure of a chromosome and its role in heredity
• Observe how genetic variation and environmental factors result in the diversity of organisms
• Recognize ways in which living things can be classified according to their internal and external structures
• Describe how various organisms can be both beneficial and detrimental to other living things
• Recognize the diversity of the Protist and Fungi kingdoms
• Recognize differences between vascular and nonvascular plants
• Recognize that there are many types of animals that all share basic characteristics
• Describe and classify invertebrates based on traits, modes of obtaining food, reproduction, and habitat
• Describe and classify the characteristics of the vertebrates and explain that the majority of animal behaviors are in response to stimuli that enables an animal to meet basic needs
• Explain that populations contain specific physical factors that compose an ecosystem
• Journey to the California Academy of Sciences for a field trip in the spring
• Investigate and understand the nature of the human body, including body systems and their functions
• Describe the organs and functions associated with the following systems: skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, nervous, endocrine, integumentary, reproductive, and immune
• Participate in the Canyon Heights Academy Science Fair

History of the United States
Students will:

• Review the daily life of the indigenous Americans and explore people and events that brought Western Civilization to the Americas
• Value our roots as a Western culture and roots and values of other cultures
• Explore the interactions of the European nations and Native American nations during this time period
• Discover commonalities of the human family that underlie all cultures and exist in all time periods
• Learn the fundamental principles of morality through studying the course of events in American history
• Discover a variety of viewpoints and opinions through the reading of original source documents and other history textbooks written from other worldviews
• Encounter stories of virtuous leaders who serve as examples of self control, fortitude, and how to inspire others by acting with integrity, diligently finding and effectively communicating truth
• Specific area of study: Early Indigenous People, Explorers of North America, Jamestown, Problems in Jamestown and England, New England and the Middle Colonies, The Southern Colonies, The French and Indian War, The American Revolution, The Constitution of the United States, The Bill of Rights and Our First President, Finding our Place as a World Power, The Mexican-American War, The Industrial Revolution, Antebellum

Introduction to the Sacraments
Students will:

• Receive an introduction to the concepts of sanctity and salvation and how they are communicated through the Church and the Seven Sacraments
• Understand the concept of grace, general and sacramental
• Examine the Sacrament of Baptism with an understanding of Original sin and redemption
• Examine the Sacrament of Confirmation with an understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit and how the sacrament fulfills the mission of Jesus and the Church
• Research and create a video about the life of a saint, which will be presented at the All Saints celebration
• Examine the Sacrament of the Eucharist, “the center of the Church’s life” as stated by Saint Pope John Paul II, with an understanding and appreciation of the Eucharistic mystery
• Examine the Sacrament of Reconciliation with a discussion on the kinds, sources, and effects of sin
• Examine the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with an understanding of suffering and its relation to sin
• Examine the Sacrament of Matrimony with an understanding of equality and complementarity of men and women that allows us to fulfill our intended purpose
• Examine the Sacrament of Holy Orders with an understanding of the unique nature of sacramental priesthood
• Create a group film project on the topic of sacraments, incorporating work with language arts, music, and art
• Discover the role of vocations as the way in which we serve God and one another
• Explore, through our Theology of the Body program, masculine and feminine archetypes and how deepening our relationship with Christ leads to true freedom and love
• Use Sacred Story as a reflective practice to learn how to pray

Middle School students also attend classes in Art, Music, Latin and Physical Education

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