Seventh Grade

Students work on literary analysis by annotating the text, identifying basic literary elements such as plot elements (rising action, climax, falling action) and basic literary elements (such as internal character traits and the 4 major conflicts). Students are encouraged to read independently and identify these elements in their novels. They build from their basic comprehension skills to expand their understanding of text and dig deep into the novels to answer essential questions. 

Novels: Freak the Mighty, The Outsiders, And then There Were None 

Writing 

Student writing focuses on three strands: Informative/Explanatory, Argumentative, and Narrative writing. Student writing focuses on organization of ideas, clear and effective introductions, concrete details or evidence for claims, writing theses, using transitions between ideas within the paragraph and from one paragraph to another, and an effective conclusion that wraps up ideas and give a sense of the bigger picture or call to action. There is a focus on grammar usage and conventions. Students write three formal essays a year and are guided through the drafting process through publication. In addition to formal essays, students have a number of writing prompts that they write to throughout the year. 

Textbook: Step Up to Writing 

Grammar 

Focus: The eight parts of speech: Noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections. 

Textbook: Daily Grammar Warm-ups, Daily Oral Language, Parts of Speech Escape Room. 

The curriculum will introduce students to the algebraic concepts including but not limited to operations with real numbers, proportions, percentages expressions, linear equations, systems of equations, inequalities, geometric concepts and applications, data analysis and probability. Students will engage critical thinking skills and various problem-solving strategies to approach various mathematical problems. In this grade, students will complete an end of year landscape design proposal project. The project integrates geometric concepts, scale drawings, proportional reasoning, budget analysis and technology using Excel. 

Students are grouped by ability into grade-level or accelerated classes. Students are placed into math classes based on standardized testing, previous class grades, and end and beginning of year placement test. This is done to ensure that all students are placed in a course in which they will master content and grow in confidence.   

Textbook: Big Ideas Series. 7th Graded Level (Red Book), 7th Grade Advanced Pathway (Advanced 2) 

Life Science is a laboratory course following a theme of biology. Students begin with the scientific method, lab write ups, and will then move on to the major concepts of Life Science, such as: cytology, cell division, genetics & DNA, photosynthesis, cell respiration, ecology, evolution, taxonomy, and origins of new species. We will also survey the five kingdoms and discuss the following areas: respiration, digestion, circulation, nervous system, skeletal system, and muscular systems, and how all these systems work together on our planet. 

Textbook: Biology Foundations. Miller & Levine. Pearson Publishing 

This is a yearlong study of Washington State history from the development of the natural environment, exploration and discovery of the New World, Westward Expansion, Statehood, the Progressive Era and the World Wars, Contemporary Washington, and Federal/Local Government. Students are taught to research using primary sources, in-text citation using MLA format, and develop and analyze information from multiple and sometimes conflicting sources. 

Major Projects: Native American Research Project, Fur Trade PowerPoint Project, Mock Trial: Whitman Massacre Lincoln Douglas Debate, Government Simulation. 

Textbook: Washington: A State of Contrasts developed to a OneNote Notebook with resources from Discovery Education, Washington State Historical Society, Washington State Archives, and Oregon State Archives. 

Students encounter Christ in the classroom daily. We have a New Testament focus in the seventh grade, however they spend time in both Testaments reading Scripture and preparing for Sunday Readings. Students learn about and lead Mass. 

Students are required to complete at least seven service hours each trimester. If they serve thirteen or more hours they earn the St. Margaret Mary Service Award. For more details, please visit our Middle School Service Page.

Textbook: Faith and Life Series: Our Life in Grace, Family Life series 

Please visit Spanish Page for details.

Please visit our P.E. Page for details.

Students are assigned a homeroom teacher and they meet as a class daily for 30 minutes. Following are some of the activities that take place during homeroom period.

PowerSchool Checks

Once a week, students print a list of missing assignments and communicate their plan for turning them in. 

Homework Jumpstart 

Two days a week, students work on homework, class work, long-term projects, or read an Accelerated Reader book. 

Learning.com 

Study Skills

• Seventh graders lead a special living Stations of the Cross during Holy Week. 
• Seventh Graders visit the Washington State Capitol, in Olympia, each year and put their local, state, and federal government knowledge to work.  
• Every other year, there is an optional trip to Washington, DC, Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg during spring break for seventh and eighth graders.   

Please visit our Electives Page for details.