Seventh-grade English continues the skills and practices students have learned in their sixth-grade English classes. Grammar, usage, and mechanics are the focus, with a concentration on the sentence and its parts, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections, verbals, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, capitalization, and punctuation. The Six-Trait writing model further demonstrates understanding and usage of the English language. Students employ these skills, grammar, and writing practices in various compositions, including expository, narrative, persuasive, and informative pieces.
The seventh-grade literature curriculum includes fiction, nonfiction, informational text, drama, poetry, and short stories. The program integrates comprehension, critical thinking, vocabulary (school words, text-based words, academic words, and domain-specific words), grammar, and writing. Before reading, students learn about the author, and setting, activate applicable prior knowledge, preview new words, relate the text content to other disciplines, and discuss literary focus. While reading, students identify and explain the use of numerous literary elements ranging from point-of-view, figurative language, dialogue, context clues, characters, plot development, theme, and more. After reading, students communicate questions and ideas through speaking, listening, writing, and analyzing text.
The seventh-grade religion curriculum has its foundation in four areas of concentration: the Gospels of the New Testament, Kerygma, Theology of the Body, and service to the school, church, and Lexington community. Lessons focus on God’s revelations through his Son, Jesus. Students develop a thorough understanding of who Jesus is so that their desire to follow Jesus expands and strengthens. While their desire to follow Jesus is nurtured, students begin to grasp what it means to follow Jesus in their daily lives and to greatly appreciate the life Jesus awarded them with his death and Resurrection. The students’ knowledge of Jesus is enhanced with a comprehensive study of saints, and their roles and contributions to the Catholic Church. The commandments are integrated into the curriculum, emphasizing their connection to Jesus’ life and how they deepen the students’ relationship with our Savior.
Algebra
Students will learn to solve linear equations and inequalities. They will be able to graph and write linear functions. Students will solve systems of linear equations and inequalities. Students will be introduced to exponential functions and sequences. Students will graph and solve quadratic equations. Students will learn about polynomial equations and factoring them. Students will understand radical functions and equations. Data analysis and displays will round out the year.
Seventh grade covers ancient world history, starting with the archaeological studies of prehistoric hunter-gather societies. We go on to explore the early societies of Mesopotamia and Egypt, the ancient Hebrews, the empires and dynasties of ancient India and China, and the rise of civilizations in ancient Greece and Rome, with their many legacies for Western civilization. Students learn about the development of several different world religions. Students also examine local, state, and current national events to become more engaged citizens. The History Alive! materials are designed to deal with these topics objectively, respectfully, and following standards throughout the country.
Seventh-grade science students study life and Environmental Science. Units of study include Cells and Heredity, Populations and Ecosystems, Natural Selection and Adaptations, and Growth, Reproduction, and Development of Organisms.
