Curriculum Objectives 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