Seventh grade Religion is focused on the person of Jesus Christ. We learn more about who He is by reading the Gospels (and watching a movie on the Gospel of Matthew) and by studying the writings in the New Testament that teach us about His nature and purpose. After our careful study of the life of Jesus, we turn to Christian Identity: how we are made in God’s image and likeness, and how we are reborn through Baptism as God’s beloved children. We learn about the sacrament of Confirmation and how God calls us to build up His Church. We examine the world’s lies about who we are, and we become deeply grounded in God’s truth about the human person. Our third unit is Christian Morality. By carefully exploring the story of the Original Sin in Genesis Chapter 3, we learn about the nature of sin and our need for a Savior. We also cover how to make moral choices, the 10 Commandments, what sin is and how God offers us forgiveness, especially through the Sacrament of Penance. We include the topic of Chastity, using the God’s Own Making series. Our year concludes with a unit on Christian Prayer. We learn more about forms of prayer and how we can develop a deeper, more vibrant prayer life. We learn more about how Jesus prayed and study the book of Psalms. We discuss the ‘battle of prayer’ and learn tools to help us pray better. Assignments frequently take on the form of Bible Studies. Short writing assignments are common, and students can expect two larger writing projects during the year. Tests are given at the end of each unit. Included in 7th grade religion is the Service Project. This requires students to plan out at least 3 different service projects adding up to at least 10 hours of service. A written report must be turned in at the end of the year about the service projects.
Service Requirements: 10 hours
A parent letter explains our philosophy and expectations.
Text: the Bible and the textbook Blest Are We: The Story of Jesus.
Students complete their own notebooks for each unit.
The middle school Language Arts curriculum is designed to expose students to a variety of text selections across genres in each year. As students progress through middle school they read and study elements of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama with increasing knowledge and sophistication. In addition to the selections in the adopted text resources, together students participate in an in-depth novel exploration at each grade level. Developing skills in composing written work is an integrated part of our students’ Language Arts studies. Students complete frequent, in-class writing on topics related to the literature studied in class. Students are expected to provide evidence of learning through classwork, exams, essays, speeches, and multi-media presentations.
Text: Mirrors & Windows ©2009 by EMC Publishing, LLC
This course is designed to focus on more than just rote practice of mathematical skills and conepts, but to also focus on reading for information, understanding concepts as explained in written form, and utilizing higher-order thinking sills. Students are challenged to look at Math as more than just numbers, but as processes which are interrelated.
Topics include decimal notation, scientific notation, conversion between units of measure, pre-algebra, graphic displays of information, and problem solving. The goal is to feel confident in mathematical skills and to enjoy math.
Problem of the Week: Problems assigned weekly and initially students are permitted to work in groups to solve them, with written explanations of problem solving strategies completed independently. This provides excellent practice in group work, problem solving strategies, and communication of solution procedures.
Text: Core Focus on Math Stage 2 by SMc Core Focus
Supplementary materials include Problem of the Week, Focus in Grade 7: Teaching with Math Focal Points, and NCTM Illumination Website.
Focus continues to be using the scientific inquiry method while learning about plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, minerals, rocks, fossils, crystals, the ocean, and space. Hands-on activities as well as project based learning is prevalent throughout the year. The 7th Graders go to the Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center for an overnight trip and sleep with the sharks. Parents chaperone this event.
Text: Earth Science by Holt Science and Technology.
This class meets twice a week, and it continues to challenge students to live responsibly regarding their daily health choices. As students gain confidence and awareness we examine deeper issues they may face and the peer pressure associated to it. A consistent use of relevant current day examples and research is applied to capture their attention.
Text: Teen Health, Publisher: Glencoe
World History students will be expected to stay organized and current on all assignments. We meet every day, and students can expect an exam about every three weeks. There will be a variety of assignments to ensure students’ strengths are given a chance to shine. The curriculum will concentrate on societies from Asia, India, Middle East, and Europe. We will draw correlations from these societies and our own. Students will continue to develop both academic and life skills to further their preparation.
Text: Journey Across Time, Publisher: Glencoe
Art class is done with half the class at a time. The other half of the class attends computer class. This class is meant to be fun and uses a variety of mediums that students may not have used before. Creative expression is very important.
Activities focus on specialized skills and sport activities. Students continue learning and improving sport skills while participating in cooperative games of different types. Students are given the opportunity to participate in a wider variety of individual and team sports. Tournaments are held within specific sports to encourage teamwork, cooperation, and healthy competition. One example of this is the annual badminton doubles-tournament. Greater emphasis is placed on muscular and cardiovascular strength and endurance. Fitness routines are established and implemented to focus students on making personal improvements in different fitness areas. Instruction is given to guide students in making decisions on personal approaches to maintaining physical fitness levels and enhancing their mental and spiritual outlook on life. Students are guided to understand and gain an appreciation for living an active life style and our Schoolwide Learning Expectations are woven throughout the program.
Presidential Fitness Testing: Students are administered fitness testing twice a year. Ample class time is dedicated for students to practice and prepare for these fitness tests as they approach. The Presidential Fitness Testing includes a pull-up test, a sit and reach flexibility test, the shuttle run, a one-minute sit-up test, and a one-mile run.
Cooperative Learning: Throughout the school year students in all grades participate in different cooperative learning exercises and games to promote, practice, and encourage teamwork, communication, and cooperation with classmates. Building relationships within each class and enhancing the school environment is a primary focus.
We explore the richness of Spanish-speaking cultures in support of the experience of learning the Spanish language. Games, stories, puppets, songs, skits, art projects, cooking and cultural information all supplement the study of Spanish. All students use Spanish workbooks and cultural notebooks created especially for Saint Paul School. Middle school students also use a three-part middle school textbook and an interactive DVD.
Goals for students in Middle School:
1. Hear, understand, speak, read and write in Spanish
2. Participate in cultural activities from the Spanish-speaking world
3. Recognize and use Spanish vocabulary and phrases
4. Participate in games, songs and skits that teach Spanish grammar and vocabulary
5. Participate in Spanish conversational exercises called Solo Español Study of vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar through the continued journey of a boy and friends across Latin America, making Spanish desserts, cooking tamales and create and put on a fashion show in Spanish.
Students in Grades 5 - 8 participate in improving performance standards in the All the Right Type keyboarding curriculum. In addition to All The Right Type curriculum, instructional time in the Computer Technology program is devoted to gaining experience and skills that support learning in the content areas curricula such as research, digital presentation, and word processing skills. Students learn and utilize the following programs: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, All the Right Type, Accelerated Reader and Internet Explorer.