7th Grade Curriculum

 

Latin—Miss Elise Montgomery

In the 7^th grade students will make their first real expedition deep into the heart of all Western civilizations – Rome. Until now, we have only dabbled in the Latin language and viewed Roman culture from a great distance. Our former training in Latin grammar will serve as a rough map to help us navigate and chart the unplumbed depths of this language and to unlock the secrets of Roman thought and culture hidden in an ancient tale called the Aeneid. Now we will see amazing places with our own eyes (not through those of a translator), meet great heroes and infamous criminals, beautiful ladies and hellish monsters. We will suffer perils on land and sea as we accompany Aeneas, the mighty Trojan hero and mythical founder of Rome as he is driven on his quest by duty, love, and danger, and hunted by powerful enemies among the immortal gods themselves.  

Textbook: Jenny’s First Year Latin, Prentice Hall, 1990.  

  

Bible—Mrs. Julie McGuffey

Seventh grade Bible class is a study on the biblical worldview.  We will be using the Lightbearers curriculum produced by Summit Ministries.  This is a course that will challenge students to apply the “grammar” of the Bible to the everyday disciplines of life.  For example, we will study a broad range of topics such as psychology, ethics and economics from a biblical worldview.  Discussion and debate is encouraged!  
 

History/Geography 

Seventh grade students will study one semester of Alabama history and one semester of world geography.  Alabama history will be a survey of the people and times in Alabama from the explorers to the present.  World geography will focus on the physical characteristics of the world in which we live.  A field trip to Mobile and Dauphin Island as well as a geography fair will enhance both courses of study.  

Textbooks:  Alabama:  Its History and Geography, Clairmont Press, 2000                   

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Geography, Runkle, 2000  

 

Algebra ½ -Mrs. Julie Clayton

Algebra 1/2 consists of 123 daily lessons and 10 additional topics that cover additional advanced geometry and algebra concepts. Students are tested after every fourth lesson, and all tests are cumulative. (There is one exception: the first test will be administered after the first eight lessons have been completed.) Concepts are introduced incrementally and are continually practiced throughout the problem sets. Completion of all classwork and homework is essential for student success. Algebra 1/2 represents the culmination of the study of pre-algebra mathematics, from review of arithmetic operations to evaluation and simplification of algebraic expressions, from word problems involving algebraic concepts to classification of geometric figures and solids.

Textbook: Saxon Algebra 1/2, 3^{rd edition}

 

Life Science—Mrs. Pam Collins 

The goal in our life science course is to develop student awareness of and respect for all living things and the environments that God provides for our enjoyment.  We will explore and discover Creation together as we cover topics such as scientific inquiry, cellular processes and energy, diversity of living things, and human biology. Our annual Mobile/Dauphin Island field trip will take place March 10-14, 2008. This trip will enhance our 7^th grade history and science studies in ways that students will remember far into the future.  Please begin praying for good weather, the trip preparations, and for Christ to shine through our students, parents, faculty, and school while we are away. 

Textbook: Prentice Hall Life Science, copyright 2007 

 

Grammar and Composition—Mrs. Beth Mitchell

In the seventh grade year of Grammar, students will build on the grammatical skills they have acquired from Shurley Grammar. While students will no longer classify sentences, they will carry that skill to the next level through sentence diagramming. Diagramming will help students identify both the form and the function of the different parts of speech within sentences. Thus, the course will transition students from memorizing rules of grammar, to understanding the “why” of grammar (the logic phase). New grammatical studies will include the kinds of nouns (concrete, abstract, collective, etc.) and verbals (gerunds, infinitives and participles). The second half of the school year will focus primarily on developing proficiency in composing essays. Students will learn thinking skills that will help them avoid errors in reasoning as they write. In addition, they will learn the basics of MLA formatting and how to construct a well-argued, well-written composition. 

Textbook:  Language Network, McDougal Littell, 2001Note: A flash drive will be required for all Grammar & Composition students.  

 

Literature—Miss Natalie Harris

Seventh grade literature is designed to introduce students to all the major genres of literature, while providing them with a basic vocabulary with which to analyze and discuss literary works. The units are genre-based and include drama, short story, novel, and poetry. This course is designed to teach students to read critically and from a distinctive Christian worldview. Titles read during the course include Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, The Screwtape Letters, The Hobbit, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as well as selected poetry and short stories. Students will learn the elements of fiction and drama, as well as poetic conventions and devices. Additionally, students will be taught to respond to literature that they read both orally and in writing, formally and informally. Texts: Individual copies of titles listed above.    
 

 

P.E. —Mrs. Joanne Richardson

We believe that physical education is an important part of stewardship and a vital component for the development of a student’s physical, mental and social well-being. It is our mission through P.E. to teach students practical ways to bring glory to God through the care for and actions with our physical bodies. It is our goal to provide an opportunity to our students, through planned activities, for physical development in the areas of strength, flexibility, coordination, endurance, balance, agility, range of motion, and power. In P.E. next year we will employ a classical model in learning the grammar of sports (rules), the logic of sports (strategy), and the rhetoric of sports (competition). This means each student will have a greater opportunity to develop and excel physically.  

 

Keyboarding—Mrs. Jennifer Scott & Mrs. Kristi Blackwell

Keyboarding and Computer Applications is an exploratory course designed to enable students to develop the touch method in operating keyboards and to discover the basic tools of Microsoft Office. Emphasis is placed on correct technique and formatting skills. The students will also use the knowledge and skills they develop to complete integrated projects from other subjects during Keyboarding class.