Where the rich tradition of Catholic Education lives on in 21st century classrooms
SEVENTH GRADE CURRICULUM
Language Arts in Seventh Grade is split between our dedicated English teacher and our dedicated Reading and Writing teacher. Middle school Language Arts provides an in-depth study of both areas as students move forward and prepare for high school.
Reading and Writing:
This curriculum is an essential core class structured to engage, nurture, challenge and further academic growth for students. Reading classes are project-based with an emphasis on perspective, service and character. Reading ties in with each core curriculum class. Our cross-curricular approach strengthens not only reading and writing skills, but also understanding of other core curriculum classes. Along with our in-class unit, students are expected to read one "choice novel" per month, and to complete a project on that novel that is presented to the class.
Texts used include:
-Greek Mythology
-Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
-Audiobooks
Strategies and methods include:
-Continued work with young adult novels, literary elements and poetry with an emphasis on writing
-A production of "Romeo and Juliet" as a cross-curricular project
-Literature circles focused on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and literary elements
-Discussions and debates
-Research and writing
-Text analysis
-Field trips that revolve around current reading selections
-MAP testing twice a year to gauge student progress
English:
A disciplined study of grammar, vocabulary, and writing guides the seventh grade English curriculum. Students will continue to master grammar, while expanding vocabulary usage through reading and the study of Greek/Latin roots. Grammar will be supported and mastered through daily language review with concentration on simple versus complex sentences, pronouns, prepositional phrases, and punctuation. Vocabulary is a tool for expression and reading comprehension. Students will develop these skills daily and practice them through the use of their Worldly Wise workbooks, written assignments, and regular quizzes. The writing portion of the class will focus on structure, content, and the ten step Writing Process.
Texts used include:
-Worldy Wise
-Exercises in English
English studies focus on the following areas:
-Persuasive Research papers
-Religion Research paper
Seventh graders strengthen and expand their understanding of concepts involving whole numbers, number theory, fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement and graphing.
Learning objectives include:
-Develop an understanding of concepts and skills involving integers, ratios and proportions, and percents
-Develop understanding of concepts and skills involving data analysis and probability
-Develop and expand understanding of concepts and skills in algebra involving expressions, linear equations and inequalities, formulas, graphing in the coordinate plane, slope of a line, the relationship between tables, graphs and equations, order of operations and the properties of real numbers
-Strengthen computational skills
-Improve mental math and estimation skills
-Expand logical reasoning, analytical and problem solving abilities
-Apply math knowledge and skills to real life situations
-And most importantly, stimulate a genuine interest in math
Students continue to develop their understanding of the Catholic faith. This goal is pursued in the curriculum by focusing on Jesus as The Way, as our Savior, Friend, and Role Model for life.
Through biographical films, and both guided and open discussions, students are able to discover how they can live their lives to be a reflection of being created in God's image and also how to bear witness to the Good News.
As some of our older students, Seventh Grade students prepare to move into the larger world with belief-in-action experiences such as the Youth Rally and the Mass for Life. These events help cement who they are in Christ and in His Church. They experience first hand a call to evangelization, and in doing so, they lead by example, forging a path for the younger children of St. Bartholomew School.
Texts used include:
-The Bible
-Christ our Life Series
Teaching methods include:
-Independent Study
-Cooperative Learning Groups
-Whole Group Instruction
-Play based instruction
-Project based learning (often cross curricular)
-Seder Meal participation for the upper school to remind students of our Jewish heritage while calling to mind the Paschal sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Some Seventh Grade students help serve the meal.
Seventh Grade students also continue leadership and social responsibility as they serve as Mass buddies for our First Grade students.
Science in Seventh Grade is focused on LifeScience. The course is designed around various areas, including studying Characteristics of Living Things, Cells, Cell Processes, Body Systems, Heredity, Genetics, Evolution, and Ecosystems.
The main focus of our science curriculum is to study and understand the history of science, to gain and increase general knowledge, and to learn how science is a valuable tool in understanding our world. Science is a field of study that helps us interconnect systems of knowledge and is greatly helpful in promoting problem-solving in the curriculum. In science, we focus on how and why things work.
Students engage in multiple types of learning, including:
Group projects
Interactive notebooks
Demonstrations
Hands-On Activities
Online simulations and review games
Researching and writing about various topics
Middle school Social Studies is structured to prepare students for the high school experience. 7th and 8th graders focus on the study of U.S. history. Students learn about the formation of our country and events that have impacted our country through the present-day. Students will practice note-taking, engage in classroom discussion, and form connections between the past and present. Themes woven into the classwork during the year include civic service, current events, and social justice.
Classwork consists of essential skills building, including:
-Note-taking
-Research
-Project-based learning
-Discussion
-Study skills
-Writing
-Collaboration
Teaching methods and strategies include:
-Chromebook interactive work
-Projects
-Field Trips
-Text vs. novel reading
-Analyzing artwork, political cartoons, and primary sources
-Utilizing and understanding geography and maps
Texts and resources used include:
-Pearson: MyWorld American History (published 2019)
-Time for Kids
-Kahoot & Gimkit Interactive Games
The middle school Spanish program at St Bartholomew is intended to build student's confidence in communicating in Spanish. The curriculum presents grammar concepts verbally, visually, through interactive exercises, and through reading in order to improve comprehension, retention, and confidence. We engage students in an environment where they feels safe to participate actively. Participation in class, which is conducted in Spanish, reinforces concepts, enhances vocabulary, improves pronunciation, and builds confidence. There is discussion of the different customs of Spanish-speaking countries, with a focus on specific places, local foods, holidays, and other traditions. Students are assigned projects throughout the year that reinforce reading and writing skills. Listening skills are taught through activities that include games, songs, and dramatization. During these four years students attend two hours of class weekly.
Teaching materials include textbooks, videos, CDs, presentations, and the Internet. Their textbook includes a workbook which student use for practice at home, and an interactive website with various activities.
Areas of study in Seventh Grade include:
-Exchange more detailed information and opinions in written form
-Respond to classroom requests, commands, and directions
-Investigate and report on basic social practices of the target language culture
Students will continue to learn and build skills in the following areas:
-Microsoft Word
-History of Computers
-Power Point
-Internet Safety and Surfing
-Excel
-Computer Languages
-Multimedia
-Graphics
-Publisher
-Robotics
-Windows 11
-Typing Drills
Students continue to work with their secure school email accounts so that they can work on Google Docs and Google Slides at home and in the classroom with Chromebooks. Students in Seventh Grade come to the computer lab once a week.
STEM class is currently offered once a week for students in grade 5-8, in addition to an after school club offered for all ages. Each week, STEM class works to address science, technology, engineering, and math skills in a highly engaging environment.
Students develop communication and collaborative skills by working in groups to solve real-world problems and develop robotics skills.
Throughout their projects, students will use the engineering design process to
Ask what the problem is
Imagine possible solutions
Plan to create a prototype
Create and test a prototype
And improve that design
The St. Bartholomew curriculum complies with the Archdiocese of Washington's accredited curriculum standards.
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To find out more about our specific program at each grade level, select subjects to the left.
