What your child learns in seventh grade

Religion

Your child will:

• Learn how God is revealed in the New Testament, particularly the Gospels
• Study the history of Jesus and the early Church and how it applies to modern life
• Model the social teaching of the Church through service and involvement in the local community
• Show faith and service through participation and leadership in school Masses and prayer services

Language Arts

Your child will learn to:

• Write in a variety of forms: persuasive, narrative, expository, comparison, and more
• Use the writing process and traits of good writing to produce quality assignments
• Identify and define the parts of speech
• Apply writing conventions of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and syntax
• Speak confidently and clearly in front of an audience

History

Your child will learn Washington State history by:

• Identifying the geology and geography of Washington State
• Exploring the cultures of Native American tribes, with particular emphasis on the Yakama
• Recognizing the impact of European and American explorers, fur traders, and missionaries
• Learning about Washington's path to statehood
• Understanding the growth, government, and economy of modern Washington
• Interpreting maps and charts
• Creating maps, brochures, and timelines
• Connecting past events to the present in group conversations
• Practicing good citizenship skills

Math: General Math and Pre-Algebra

In Pre-Algebra your child will learn to:

• Explore the language of algebra
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers, decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers
• Solve and simplify expressions using the Distributive, Commutative, and Associative Properties
• Write and solve multi-step equations and inequalities
• Multiply and divide monomials
• Evaluate expressions with ratios, proportions, and percents
• Graph linear equations and inequalities
• Apply geometry to real-world problems

In General Math your child will learn to:

• Add, subtract, and divide integers, decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers
• Solve expressions with exponents
• Create and interpret graphs
• Graph functions on the coordinate plane
• Write fractions as decimals and vice versa
• Write and solve multi-step equations
• Solve expressions with ratios, proportions, and percents
• Apply geometry to real-world problems

Spelling

• Practice spelling grade-level words using phonetic groupings
• Practice frequently misspelled words
• Study words adapted from other languages

Literature

Your child will learn to:

• Build vocabulary through reading
• Examine the elements of literature: plot, setting, characterization, theme, and more
• Develop critical and analytical examination of texts
• Read and research across genres: short stories, drama, essays, novels, biographies, and poetry
• Read for enrichment, recreation, and lifelong learning

Science: Life Science

Your child will learn to:

• Understand and practice laboratory safety
• Use the scientific method in problem solving
• Recognize cell theory and the major structures of cells
• Apply fundamental genetics and understand the importance of heredity
• Identify how biologists classify living things and examine each major group
• Examine the structure and function of micro-organisms and their role in infectious diseases
• Understand the factors that influence the spread of disease

Social Studies

Your child will:

• Identify the geography and geology of Washington State
• Note the impact of historical events
• Understand the diverse cultural makeup of our state
• Explore the industrial growth of Washington
• Recognize the impact of reform movements
• Analyze how Washington was influenced by two world wars and the Great Depression
• Identify how our government works
• Draw conclusions about our state's economy

Activities

• Mathletes
• Peace Partners
• Kostka Club
• MAP testing twice per year

Drama

Students have one quarter of drama, continuing basic acting and technical theater support, ending in a performance of singing and drama.

Computer Technology

• A laptop for each student
• Instruction in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and more
• Khan Academy
• Google Classroom

Art

Each student has one quarter of art, focused on aesthetics and bringing personality into their work. Projects include batik (wax and dye), plaster life masks and bas-relief sculptures, oil pastel, acrylic paint, drawing and shading, and producing and displaying work.

Physical Education

Each student has two quarters of P.E. with their homeroom and changes into P.E. clothes for health and hygiene. Students participate at their current skill level, show growth, and practice good sportsmanship.