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7th Grade

SEVENTH GRADE REQUIRED COURSES

CORE: Language & Literature 7

Individuals & Societies

Mathematics 7

Sciences & Design 

Physical & Health Education 

Language Acquisition: Spanish or French (choose one)

 

LANGUAGE & LITERATURE  7

This course provides skill development in the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course includes the study of literature incorporated with developing all communication skills. Work in preparing for the mandated testing in reading and writing is included.

Purpose:  Students will develop reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking skills.  They will study significant literature, including fiction, poetry, drama, and informational texts.  Students will develop language arts skills for all content areas to meet district and state standards for academic achievement.

Activities: Students will be reading significant literature in various genres.  They will read various expository texts and analyze literature, focusing on the literary features authors use to enhance their writing.  They will be writing for a variety of purposes and audiences, with particular attention paid to documenting support.  

 

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES

This course studies world civilization, emphasizing cultures from 500-1789 C.E. It will integrate trends from previous periods to develop appropriate historical study. Students can study significant historical developments and events during these periods. Students will also demonstrate competency in thinking historically, understanding the relationship between the individual and community, and applying the social science method.

Focus:  World History and Geography:  Medieval and Early Modern Times

Students in 7th grade will study the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in the world from A.D. 500 to 1789.  After a review of Ancient Rome, they will examine the growing economic and cultural interactions among diverse civilizations and the global exchange of ideas.  The following cultures are included in the 7th grade Common Core Standards:  Middle East, Africa, Asia (India, China, and Japan), Europe (Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment, and Age of Exploration), and Latin America.  Geography units will be interwoven within all units.

 

INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING 7

This course includes life science and the integration of physical principles and Earth processes.  

  • Life Science: The emphasis is on how the chemical reactions of photosynthesis and cellular respiration play vital roles in determining the size and diversity of ecosystems. Within this unit, students will follow the flow of matter and energy through an ecosystem, identifying patterns of interactions among autotrophs and heterotrophs. 

  • Physical Science: This unit focuses on chemistry. Students are introduced to atomic structure, the Law of Conservation of Matter, properties of substances, and chemical reactions. Students will learn about particle motion relative to thermodynamics. 

  • Earth Science: The first focus ties directly into the life science emphasis on ecosystems by exploring the wide range of natural resources embedded within them. Students will learn about the effect of human activity, including the development of synthetic materials, on these resources and be challenged to develop solutions for maintaining the health of the planet’s ecosystems. 

    • The second major area of learning for Earth Science relates to geologic processes. Students will investigate the development of Earth’s layers following the planet's creation and how these layers facilitate plate tectonics. Students will draw parallels between geologic processes and the rock cycle, earthquakes, volcanism, and the cycling of Earth’s materials. 

  • Positive Prevention Plus: An MDUSD-adopted curriculum that focuses on human reproductive systems, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual exploitation. 

 

MATHEMATICS 7

This course is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards for 7th-grade mathematics. The emphasis is on (1) developing an understanding of and applying proportional relationships, (2) developing an understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations, (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two-and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples. Students develop the ability to communicate, understand, and critique mathematical reasoning through problem-solving using higher-order thinking skills. Students will continue to develop their use of the eight mathematical practices in their learning process: (1) Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; (2) Reason abstractly and quantitatively; (3) Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; (4) Model with Mathematics; (5) Use appropriate tools strategically; (6) Attend to precision; (7) Look for and make use of structure; (8) Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.  

 

ACCELERATED MATHEMATICS 7 

This course is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards for Accelerated 7th-grade mathematics and is a prerequisite for Math 8/Algebra I. This course differs from Math 7 in that it contains content from Math 8. Compared to the MATH 7 course, the additional content demands a faster pace of instruction and learning and greater student independence. The emphasis is on (1) developing a unified understanding of numbers, recognizing fractions, decimals, and percentages as different representations of rational numbers, (2) using linear equations and systems of linear equations to represent, analyze, and solve a variety of problems; (3) using single data distributions to compare two-data distributions and address questions about differences between populations; and (4) solving problems involving the area and circumference of a circle and surface area of three-dimensional objects. Students develop the ability to communicate, understand, and critique mathematical reasoning through problem-solving using higher-order thinking skills. Students will continue to develop their use of the eight mathematical practices in their learning process: (1) Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them; (2) Reason abstractly and quantitatively; (3) Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; (4) Model with Mathematics; (5) Use appropriate tools strategically; (6) Attend to precision; (7) Look for and make use of structure; (8) Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.  

 

SPANISH IA

This is a performance-based course in which students use listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to develop fluency in Spanish. Students build confidence and a solid foundation for future language learning while using these skills in exploring various familiar themes or topics. Students will communicate within the context of learned vocabulary and structure. They begin to understand the nature of language and recognize similarities and differences between target culture(s) and American culture. In a supportive learning environment conducive to developing new perspectives, students may acquire intercultural awareness and experience personal and academic growth through positive personal interactions. Students will have opportunities to learn about people's daily lives in various Spanish-speaking countries. In addition, language skills will be reinforced through video segments, reading selections, in-person conversations, music, art, projects, and cultural crafts. Learning will revolve around greetings, school, class, weather, friends, food, and pastimes.

 

FRENCH IA

This is a performance-based course in which students use listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to develop fluency in French. Students build confidence and a solid foundation for future language learning while using these skills in exploring various familiar themes or topics. Students will communicate within the context of learned vocabulary and structure. They begin to understand the nature of language and recognize similarities and differences between target culture(s) and American culture. In a supportive learning environment conducive to developing new perspectives, students may acquire intercultural awareness and experience personal and academic growth through positive personal interactions.

 

SPANISH FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS IB 

It is a course in which students improve their vocabulary, grammar, and spelling and concentrate on developing reading and writing proficiency. Students will be expected to speak entirely in Spanish during class.  Much of the cultural content is represented in the literature, study of music, class projects, and the sharing of personal experiences.  

 

ACCELERATED SPANISH 7 

This course will teach grade-level Spanish language arts aligned to the 7th-grade common core language arts standards. This course will provide Spanish language skill development in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Spanish. Students will read Spanish-language poetry, dramas, interviews, novels, fiction, informational and persuasive articles, and expository texts in Spanish. Students will learn Spanish vocabulary words, reading comprehension strategies, and Spanish language grammar and spelling rules. Students will produce Spanish-language narratives, arguments, and information/ expository writings. Instruction will be delivered in Spanish, and student work will be completed in Spanish.

 

PHYSICAL & HEALTH  EDUCATION 7

This course allows students to learn through a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive, sequentially planned physical education program aligned with the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools. The focus of this course is the application of movement skills and knowledge to individual and group physical activities; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness concepts, principles, and strategies; and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity. 

Units of activity can include, but are not limited to physical fitness testing, cooperative activities and games, mature pattern throwing and catching skills applied during small-sided games (team handball/Ultimate Frisbee/softball); track and field skills (including long jump, shot put, high jump, sprints, and relays); golf; volleyball; racket games (paddle tennis/pickleball/tennis); basketball; multicultural dance; and introductory self-defense. In addition, students will explore various careers within the physical fitness industry. 

Purpose:

Develop interest and proficiency in movement skills essential to lifelong participation in physical activity; develop and maintain the highest possible level of physical fitness and wellness to meet the demands of physical performance during work, play, and emergencies.  Students will continue to understand the fundamentals of movement through sequential motor skills development.  Teachers will work on assisting students in developing a positive self-image and striving towards self-realization through planned physical activities; students will develop appropriate social behavior by working independently and with others during planned activities.

Achieve the highest level of physical performance by setting realistic personal goals and applying all available knowledge, movement experience, and personal resources.

Units include basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, softball, track and field, dance, movement exploration, physical fitness, aerobic exercise to music, hockey, lacrosse, shuffleboard, tennis and paddle tennis, and wrestling.

  • Students will participate in weekly cardiovascular tests and complete state-mandated physical fitness testing by the end of the second semester.