Seventh grade students study sentence structure, diagramming subjects and predicates, helping verbs and verb phrases, and irregular verbs. They read a chosen novel, write a daily journal as they read the novel, and complete a final review of the novel. They complete this process several times throughout the year with different types of literary works such as novels, short stories and poetry. They study nouns as subjects, direct objects, and predicate nominatives. Seventh grade students study proper, possessive, and predicate adjectives, and prepositions, interjections, and conjunctions and how to use them properly in sentence structure. Students learn to use colons, semicolons, apostrophes, quotation marks, parentheses, dashes, and hyphens effectively in sentences. Seventh grade students continue to strengthen their skills in the areas of spelling, vocabulary and grammar usage.
Mathematics
Pre-Algebra (Also used as a high school course)
Pre-Algebra is an advanced course for seventh graders. This year-long course prepares students to enter the study of Algebra I (a high school credited course) as eighth graders. The focus of the course is building the foundation necessary for success in the study of algebra. Students will become familiar with the following: the properties of mathematics; the language of algebra; solving one step and two step equations; adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing rational numbers and integers; solving inequalities; graphing equations and inequalities; proportion; percent; statistics and graphs; probability; applying algebra to geometry; measurement; introduction to trigonometry; and the study of polynomials.
Social Studies
Seventh grade social studies students study the Roman Empire including its geographic borders, social woes, religion and philosophy, crisis in Roman leadership and military, and eastern orthodox civilization and church/state relations. They study China and Japan and the discoveries that changed their world. Seventh grade students study Mexico, Central America and the rise of the Mayan Empire. They study Christian Missionaries, Catholic and Protestant European Regions, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Science. Students create maps and write bibliographies and time lines to incorporate into reports outlining and evaluating what they learn.
Science
Seventh grade science students study scientific equipment, how to conduct an experiment, and how to be safe in the lab. They learn to classify the plant and animal kingdom and to identify life. Students learn cell structure and cell parts and the different jobs of cells. They study the human body and how it works including the skeletal system, the heart, the respiratory system, the nervous system, and the anatomy of the eye. Students study genetics, cloning, evolution, and the origin of life. Through topic and project research a sample project is created and presented. Students are encouraged to be inquisitive and analytical. A lifelong interest in science is built with field trips and real world experiences.
