Seventh Grade Curriculum

Religion

As students study the Old Testament, they see God’s plan for the world and man and how that plan was altered. They understand that sin broke the perfect relationship that God provided, but that God still cares for us in every way. They study the development of God’s church on earth beginning in the Old Testament. Students are able to participate meaningfully in worship services. Selected passages of Scripture and the catechism are learned.

Math

Problem solving includes working with dimensional geometric figures, using formulas, and combining strategies for success. Integer operations, absolute value, and working with inequalities continue to advance the student towards future success. All operations with fractions, mixed numerals, and decimals are included. Geometric constructions dealing with congruency, symmetry, reflection, and rotation give visual understanding to classroom concepts. Gathering information on data including media, mode, and range helps to determine the probability of events.

Language Arts

Appreciation for a wide variety of literature begins at this level. As the students study literature, they are exposed to poetic devices, short story elements, and novel study that provide opportunities for students to think and respond both critically and analytically in writing or orally. Grammar studies progress to in-depth studies of sentence structure, capitalization and punctuation, phrases and clauses, conjugation of verbs, and understanding voice and forms of verbs. Writing independently as well as being involved in the entire writing process enables students to strengthen their own skills while being evaluative with fellow students. Special emphasis is placed on writing for audience and purpose. Drawing data from multiple primary and secondary sources allows for research reports and projects.

Handwriting

Maintaining and reinforcing correct letter and number formation is emphasized in this grade. Students are expected to show an orderliness and high level of neatness in all written work that uses letters and/or numbers. Self-evaluation charts are used by students to compare the accuracy and neatness of their handwriting.

Social Studies

God’s hand in founding, establishing, and maintaining Texas as a state is studied in detail. Students study in depth a progression of topics such as the work of the Spanish explorers, the Spanish missions built and established to further His kingdom, the realization of the Lone Star becoming a state in the Union, and present day political, social, and economic involvements of the state of Texas. Because of the progression of knowledge involved, students are easily able to understand why it is so important to be an involved citizen in their state. Living history reinforces their learning as the class travels to areas of historic interest in the state.

Science

Life science is studied at this level. Students are exposed to all forms of life and the components of living organisms. Learning what is essential for life gives the students a greater appreciation for life and the creatures that inhabit the earth. Concepts such as metabolism, stimulus-response, chromosomes, and growth of virus, fungi, and bacteria provide a well-rounded study. Hands-on learning makes the understanding more concrete for them.

Computer Science

Computer literacy continues along with the use of computers. Besides terminology and understanding the various functions a computer can perform, students study the history of computers and look ahead into the future generations of computers and their possible uses. For students who have progressed through the program, keyboarding skills have reached a high level of ability and use which enables them to use computers not only in the computer classroom setting, but across the curriculum in other areas such as the preparation of papers and presentations. In addition to understanding and using on-line services in the lab, students continue with their use and application of databases and desktop publishing. Students learn about and use spreadsheets.

Art

Art terms such as tone, tint, and relief and the application of those terms broaden the perspective of students at this age. For them personally, art can be very realistic or take on other characteristics that would make it expressionistic, modernistic, or abstract. In whatever form, students explore the talents given them by God and appreciate the gift of creativity that everyone has but in differing degrees. Giving and receiving criticism of art work is expected. Students are aware of other cultures and art forms that can be found throughout the world.

Music

Recognizing, playing, and singing melodies and parts of musical pieces are accomplished at this level. More complex and varied rhythms are used and studied. Creating and executing music in melody and harmony formats are accomplished. One emphasis is on music in worship especially the types of music used in both traditional and popular settings. Original compositions are encouraged and shared with other class members. Non-Western cultural music and the characteristics of ethnic music are studied. Further introductions of musical composers and forms will occur.

Health

Students determine alternate courses of action to avoid peer pressure. Learning first aid skills aids them in helping others and reacting to situations that can occur in everyday life. They work on communication skills to foster healthy relationships with those they meet. Understanding substance abuse and its repercussions, they have a knowledge of laws that relate to the abuse of these illegal substances. Recognizing the body systems and their functions aids them in knowing how to take care of the bodies God has given to them.

Spanish

Sequentially taught, students expand their understanding of the Spanish language in a bilingual classroom. The teacher converses in both English and Spanish using a (natural) grammar-implied approach which includes greetings, commands, phrases, and other everyday conversations. They continue learning the use of conjugated verbs, articles, adverbs, and adjectives. They are able to describe and discuss their immediate environment, pastimes, and other people. This well-rounded approach to acquiring another language includes singing Spanish traditional, popular, and Christian songs; acting out scenes and dramatizing stories; learning about traditions and holidays of Spanish speaking countries; learning about Central and South American countries, learning Hispanic folk tales, writing in Spanish and playing Hispanic games.

Physical Education

Enthusiastic participation and the enjoyment of competition are key to students this age. While they enjoy and participate readily, there is often an awkwardness with this age group that must also be overcome. As they learn to appreciate themselves and their God given talents and abilities, they also learn to accept the talents and abilities of others. Team sports are of great importance and the ability to work on certain skills within the team sport make the activity more a challenge to all students.