7TH GRADE CURRICULUM INFORMATION:RELIGION
The seventh grade Learn by Heart curriculum by Rev. Peter C. Bender is a study of Christian doctrine formed around the structure of the Six Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. Students memorize and regularly confess the Small Catechism, as well as review chief passages, which teach the Holy Christian Faith. Students also gain insights into Church history and their relationship with the Church across place and time through recitation of the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. Students learn that the chief article of faith is the doctrine of justification, that is, that we are declared innocent of our sins and righteous in God’s sight by the Father’s grace, on account of the redemption won by Christ, and through Holy Spirit worked faith in Christ. All of the topics covered lead to or flow from this central teaching.
MATH
Using Saxon Math, students are placed in either Math 87 or Algebra ˝. Math 87 is a very gentle book that provides students work in ratio problems and fractional part-of-a-number problems. It provides guidance to help students select thought patterns that are productive. After a year in this book, students will be will prepared for Algebra ˝, where less guidance is provided. Algebra ˝ is designed to automate the upper-level skills of arithmetic while gently introducing more abstract concepts. Students who successfully complete this course will have the preparation necessary to be successful in Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
ENGLISH
The components of the English program consist of grammar and writing. Within the grammar portion, the students learn correct usage of the eight parts of speech as they relate to proper sentence structure, punctuation, and composition. Active student-teacher dialogue is ongoing with the Shurley English Method. Students memorize English rules through a series of jingles and sentence classification. In addition, traditional sentence diagramming is incorporated, thus providing a complete program leading to student mastery of English grammar.
The writing section of the course is built upon the solid foundation of grammar skills. Creative, expository, and persuasive writing are addressed. Many creative writing assignments focus upon short stories with dialogue, various points of view within a story, tall tales, and chapter writing. Expository essays require the students to use their knowledge of various subjects to compose informative papers both spontaneously and over time. Such writing naturally lends itself to the research report. Eighth graders write several such reports throughout the year. Persuasive writing incorporates writing skills with social ones, including addressing certain audiences and orally presenting papers
HEALTH
For Health, acomprehensive health and wellness curriculum is used, Heathy and Wise, that is Internet based and updated yearly. Students also study life saving techniques such as CPR, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and the Heimlich maneuver. They practice these techniques on mannequins. Other topics covered include: fire safety, responsibility, dental health, vision care, sun safety, hazardous products in the home, hair styling, and sexual abstinence. A variety of speakers, presenters, and videotapes are used.
READING
The 7th grade studnets use the Mosdos Press reading curriculum which immerses them in quality literature that affirms solid values and moral character. REading selections range from short stories to novels, as well as non-fiction and poetry. Within the context of these selections, students explore various topics including reading vocabulary and comprehension, plot, character development and authors' purposes for writing. Novels are also read as enrichment, such as “Johnny Tremain” and “A Christmas Carol”. In additiona, the students particpate in the Accelerated Reader program which develops reading skills and fosters the enjoyment of reading by using a variety of incentives to promote independent reading.
SPELLING
The student is introduced to a collection of age appropriate words using Spelling Workout. The words are studied for spelling, meanings, and pronunciation.
SOCIAL STUDIES
World Adventures in Time & Place is used for our social studies curriculum. The student will study early civilizations and present-day cultures that will prepare him/her to enter a global economy. Current events is reviewed by using the weekly current events quiz, NewsBowlUSA.
SCIENCE
Life Science for Christian Schools is the theme of study. We learn of the basic unit of life, the cell, and extend that knowledge to the major systems of the body. Other areas of study include various plant and animal species. Dissection, field trips and lab exploration support the study.
SPANISH
A video based series, Elementary Spanish ,by Northern Arizona University, is used to develop functional use of the Spanish language and to expose the students to the Hispanic language and culture.
TONE CHIMES/BAND
The student also has opportunitIES to participate in the Tone-Chime Choir, Band, and take piano lessons during school hours.
ART
The student is taught the skills of enlargement, medium, perspective, and color combinations. Projects vary from sketching, drawing, painting, and three-dimensional projects. The student is also introduced to a variety of artists and their works during Art Appreciation classes.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Studnets are exposed to fitness, individual, team, and life-long activities. Students may also participate in flag football, volleyball, soccer, bowling, basketball, softball, track, and floor hockey.
