Curriculum Highlights: Seventh Grade
Language Arts
- Grammar: parts of speech, writing mechanics, punctuation, capitalization, verbs, sentences, clauses and phrases, complements, verbals
- Vocabulary: word origins, definitions, usage, spelling
- Writing: structure; process; supporting a thesis; consistency
- Literature: British literature from late medieval, Renaissance, and early modern eras
- Historical contexts of literary texts
- Literary analysis
- Narrative points of view
- Poetry: language, forms, devices, explication, writing
- Classic works of British literature
- Independent reading
- Written/oral reports
- Summer workbook
- Summer reading
Shakespeare:
- General events of Shakespeare’s life
- Elizabethan theater
- Contemporary playwrights, authorship
- Body of work, contribution
- Language and meter
- Sources for plays
- Three genres: titles, patterns and themes, excerpts
- Structure of plays: prologues, chorus, speech patterns
- Study of a play not covered in English class or Drama
- Sonnets
Mathematics (Algebra 1)
- Expressions, equations, and functions
- Linear equations
- Linear functions
- Equations of linear
- Linear inequalities
- Systems of linear equations and inequalities
- Exponents and exponential functions
- Quadratic functions and equations
- Radical functions and geometry
- Rational functions and equations
History
- Origins of the Italian Renaissance
- Florence: Center of the Renaissance
- Great artists of the Renaissance
- Reformation: Luther, Counter Reformation, Inquisition
- Hundred Years War
- Joan of Arc
- Wars of the Roses
- Reign of Henry VII
- Reign of Henry VIII
- Reign of Elizabeth I
- England vs. Spain
- Reign of the Stuarts
- Charles I
- Civil War
- Restoration
- Age of Exploration: European efforts; Conquistadors; Raleigh in Virginia
Science (Life Science)
- Lab-based investigations
- Living organisms: basic elements, biogenesis, classification, cells
- Simple organisms: characteristics, life activities
- Animals: characteristics of phyla, dissection
- Human anatomy: body systems
- Genetics
- Ecology
- Plants: characteristics, photosynthesis, reproduction
- Science fair
Modern/Classical Languages
French
- Listening comprehension
- Pronunciation skills
- Vocabulary: hairstyles/cosmetics, accidents, air travel, driving, care of clothing, Paris transportation, holidays, wedding, musical instruments, high school
- Grammar: four sentence patterns, present, passé composé, tenses, imperatives, directions, expressions, object pronouns, direct and indirect pronouns, negatives, spelling
- Dialogue, conversation
- Culture
- National French Exam
Latin
- Vocabulary: household items, relatives, buildings, weapons, transportation, government offices
- Grammar: verbs, nouns, declensions, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, infinitives, parallel construction
- Reading comprehension
- Translation
- Literature
- Etymology
- Roman history/culture
- Literary devices: anaphora, asyndeton, ellipsis, chiasmus
- Latin abbreviations and expressions
- National Latin Exam
Geography
- Physical geography
- Cultural geography
- Facts and figures
- World overview
- Map and cartography skills
- Mexico
- Central America
- The Caribbean
- South America
Physical Education
- Daily P.E. class in uniform
- Fitness and conditioning, including endurance, strength, balance, flexibility
- Healthy lifestyle
- Social dancing: waltz, jitterbug, fox trot, line dances, dance parties, etiquette
- Game skills/strategy: soccer, football, basketball, softball, whiffle ball, field/floor hockey, volleyball, bowling, track and field, frisbee, lacrosse
- Intramural opportunities
- Sports teams opportunities (all students may play)
- Responsibility, self-control, team work, good sportsmanship
Visual Arts
- Drawing: pencils, eraser, colored pencils, oil pastels, pastels, graphite sticks, charcoal pencils and sticks
- Painting: tempera paints, watercolor paints, acrylic paints
- Sculpture: polymer clays
- Printmaking: silk screen, linoleum block
- Ceramics: clay, glazing
- Self-expressive portraits
- Perspective and shading
- Drafting
- Collaboration
- Annual, school-wide art contest
Performing Arts
Music
- Opera: history, structure, terminology
- Study of two operas (story and musical highlights)
- Medieval and Renaissance music
- Lives and works of selected composers
- Choral speech
- Choral singing
- Performance: two music programs each year
Drama
- Significant role in class Shakespeare play
- Develop acting skills
- Backstage responsibilities
- Creative teamwork
- Imaginative use of costumes/props
- Public speaking, confidence, poise
Library
- Selecting/checking out books independently
- Librarians acts as a support for the classroom teachers
- After-school help/research sessions
Technology
- Star Boards in each classroom
- Rolling computer cart for classroom computer use
- Regular schedule of technology classes
- Keyboarding
- Touch typing
- Microsoft Word
- PowerPoint
- Excel
- Office
- Internet safety
- Integration within academic classes
Field Trips
Several field trips per year; recent examples include:
- Inner Quest (outdoor challenges)
- Sheridan Mountain Campus (overnight camping & activities)
- GMU, Center for the Arts
- National Gallery of Art
- Corcoran Gallery
- Green Springs Gardens
- Agecroft Manor
- Folger Shakespeare Theater