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REQUIRED
COURSES
GRADE
7
Language Arts at the 7th grade level focuses on the writing
process from thinking and organizing to revising and publishing. Weekly grammar, spelling, and vocabulary instruction provide
students with the tools needed to communicate fluently.
This literature-based course emphasizes the skills and techniques used in
evaluating and interpreting different types of written materials.
Emphasis is placed on reading (silent and oral), vocabulary, and writing.
Students incorporate the use of the Accelerated Reader Program to
encourage a regular routine of independent reading.
Courses offered in Mathematics focus on: problem solving as a method of
inquiry and application; communication skills and techniques for conveying
mathematical ideas and concepts; reasoning experiences and processes that
reinforce and extend thinking skills; investigations of mathematical connections
and the interplay mathematics has in our daily lives.
Topics explored in seventh grade mathematics include: analysis;
statistics; probability; measurement; number systems and number theory;
patterns, relationships and functions; geometry; extending algebra.
Physical Education meets two times per week throughout the school year.
All classes are co-educational. The
units are designed to incorporate fundamental skills, physical fitness and
knowledge of various lifelong sports. Emphasis
is placed on participation, good sportsmanship and effort.
Students are required to bring proper PE clothes to each class.
The seventh grade religion curriculum focuses on the life of Christ.
Students gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a member
of the Church and follower of Christ.
The study of parts of the New Testament and Corporal Works of Mercy are
included in this course. Participation
in prayer services, liturgies, retreats, seasonal units and activities of the
church year, as well as service projects provide a means for students to express
and actualize their faith.
This is a Life-Science course in which students study all forms of living
organisms, beginning with the most primitive and advancing to the most complex.
The units covered include viruses, single-celled organisms, fungi, plants,
invertebrates, and vertebrates. The
unit on vertebrates includes a study of the human body.
Ecology, food webs, etc. are discussed in relation to the other areas
when applicable.
Seventh grade Social Studies surveys ancient civilizations and then
focuses on those countries, which are found in the Eastern Hemisphere.
There is an integration of all the Social Sciences.
Emphasis is placed on how inter-linked and interdependent the world has
become. Skills that are taught
include: locating and gathering information, interpreting different types of
graphs and maps, understanding timelines and chronological relationships, and
thinking critically. Emphasis is also
placed on group activities and research projects. “Project Business” from Junior
Achievement is a part of the 7th grade Social Studies course. This component
brings members of the business community into the classroom to teach concepts
basic to economics and business.
The
use of technology is integrated into the core curriculum and consists of instruction
in using word processing, data base, spreadsheet and presentation software applications. The topics to be studied include: word processing – inserting and deleting text, searching for
and replacing text, cutting and pasting blocks of text, and print formatting;
data base – inserting and deleting records, searching for records, and sorting
records; spreadsheets – entering alphabetic and numeric information, using functions,
and printing. Instruction is also
provided in appropriate use of the Internet.
ELECTIVE
COURSES
GRADE
7
(Semester
Course)
All SJMS art classes aim to develop student creativity, aesthetic
sensibility, artistic workmanship, as well as expanding student understanding of
art history and art theory. After
classic drawing exercises that expand overall student ability, first semester
seventh grade art students investigate graphic art and print making.
Albrecht Durer is our featured artist.
Second term begins with art theory discussions and continues with work on
visual symbolism. Independent sketchbook work is required.
(Full
Year Course)
Band rehearsals are held three days per week.
Students receive an individual lesson weekly. Students participate in
band festivals, solo-ensemble recitals and festivals, winter and spring concerts,
pep band and marching with the Xavier High School Band for a football halftime
show. Band instruments may be rented
through the school with director approval, depending on availability or from
local music stores.
(Semester
Course)
In chorus, the main objective is to provide the middle school student
with a background in the fundamentals of good basic vocal production. The student will sing a well-rounded variety of music from
popular to sacred. Interval
training and the basics of notation will be taught.
The students will perform as a group at least once per semester.
(Full
Year Course)
This course surveys music literacy, composition, music history, and music appreciation. Learning to play the keyboard and guitar will be explored throughout the school year. The aim is to experience hands on activities in which students create, listen to and play music in order to deepen their musical knowledge.
ORCHESTRA
(Full Year Course)
Orchestra is available to students in grades 6-8. (If students are beginning
orchestra for the first time, summer lessons are highly recommended.) The course
meets two times per week and each child has one 10-15 minute private lesson
per week. Students perform in two public performances per semester and are required
to perform at the annual Fox Valley Christian Music Association Solo and Ensemble
Festival.
(Semester
Course)
Health education provides information and students are influenced to take positive action regarding their own health. In three main areas: physical, mental/emotional, and social health. Students learn that good health habits can prevent illness. Good health habits also can improve the way they feel about themselves. Lessons on wise decision-making, goal setting, along with journaling help the student develop overall health and well-being. Units covered include: peer pressure, friends, nutrition/fitness,drugs, alcohol and tobacco and first aid (including CPR).
FOREIGN LANGUAGE – (Full Year Courses)
A good understanding of basic grammar is necessary for students to learn
a foreign language. Therefore
students must have average or better grades in language arts in sixth grade in
order to take a foreign language. French
I introduces students to the basic skills needed to speak and write simple
French. The grammatical structures
covered include verb conjugations, present tense, questions, adjectives,
adverbs, and sentence structure. A
basic vocabulary necessary for daily communication is continually enlarged and
used in written and oral practice. Also
included are various culture units designed to help students understand and
appreciate the customs and habits of French-speaking people.
German I introduces the student to the German language through a variety
of teaching methods and activities to enable the student to speak German in a
simple form and to understand it at the basic oral level.
Correct pronunciation and mastery of the vocabulary most necessary for
daily communication are stressed. The
grammatical structures covered include verb conjugations, present tense,
pronouns, adjectives, adverbs and sentence structure. There are also other units that are designed to give the
students an insight into the habits, customs and culture of German-speaking
people.
Spanish I introduces basic Spanish verbal and written skills with an
emphasis on good pronunciation and written and oral comprehension. Vocabulary is continually enlarged and grammar skills
stressed. Grammar units include
verb conjugation in the present tense for regular –ar, -er and -ir verbs.
Classroom work is primarily in Spanish and exams are frequent.