QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENRICHMENT COURSES: (1) 90% on norm-referenced tests on any of the following subjects: Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, or Mathematics, (2) Academic performance as exhibited by grades 90 to 100 in the related subject areas, and (3) Site validation and pre-enrollment approval. NOTE: Seventh-grade students who score at or above the 90% Reading Composite on a norm-referenced test shall have the option of selecting from a variety of elective courses rather than enrolling in reading (Literature and Career Enhancement).
ADVISORY: The Advisory Program focuses on activities that will assist in developing a caring relationship between students and a significant adult. In addition to the caring environment and the relationship, students will have opportunities to discuss issues and concerns pertaining to their particular needs in the areas of academics and peer relationships. The Advisory Program will give assistance and direction as students face the daily tasks of making difficult and numerous decisions.
ENGLISH: The curriculum of seventh grade regular English includes, but is not limited to, the following: extended study of the eight parts of speech, emphasizing identification and usage; practice of correct mechanics, especially capitalization and punctuation, and development of the ability to self-edit written work to eliminate mechanical errors; identification of common usage errors in subject-verb agreement, plural and possessive spellings, modifier, pronoun, and verb choice and methods to correct these errors; review of the Shurley grammar method presented in elementary school; frequent composition assignments, with emphasis on the persuasive, descriptive, narrative, and expository modes, as well as poetry and research opportunities.; vocabulary development; exploration of the different genres of literature, including the short story, poetry, essays, nonfiction, biographies, autobiographies, and the novel and the strengthening of spelling skills.
LITERATURE AND CAREER ENHANCEMENT: The course is an integrated curriculum that combines reading skills with careers. The course will be dedicated to improving test taking skills by focusing on details and main idea, inference skills, critical-reading skills, vocabulary, context clues, word origins, visual materials, and reference skills. Vocabulary enrichment will be emphasized, and time will be provided for independent reading from anthologies, as well as the library trade books. The Electronic Bookshelf, a computerized testing system for determining comprehension of books read, will be utilized. A required reading list will consist of Sequoyah, Newbery, and other award winning books. Each student will maintain a career portfolio containing a learning style inventory, interest inventory, job cluster preferences, and career skills checklist. Optional materials include grade reports, service learning experiences, work experience or letters of recommendation. Students will be asked to identify a career of their choice and research that career, using a variety of media both print and electronic including Oklahoma Career Search. Students will learn the role education plays and the specific skills required, related occupations, employment opportunities, working conditions, and supply-and-demand information based on job outlook data (The Real Game).
WORLD GEOGRAPHY: Students in World Geography will develop an awareness of our changing world and a respect for people who act, think, and dress in different manners. Our goals are to develop map skills, to know the continents and oceans, to locate major countries, rivers, landforms, and cities around the world, and to identiy the states and capitals of the United States. We will also compare other customs, climates, natural resources, and governments to those of the United States. Supplies needed: one pocket folder with brads, pens and pencils, notebook paper and map pencils.
SCIENCE: Seventh grade general science is designed to teach students concepts in a way that they learn best: by thinking, talking, and writing about what they DO and DISCOVER. Science class is activity and inquiry-based; hands-on and minds-on. The Science Priority Academic Student Skills (P.A.S.S.) that are targeted in seventh grade are the following: observing, measuring, classifying, experimenting, interpreting, communicating, and safety. Content areas covered during the 7th grade include properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, light and sound, organism properties and classification, earth sciences and astronomy. By doing science activities and thinking about the results, students are learning the why and how, just not what and when of science! $5.00 will be assessed for science supplies.
MATH: Students will reinforce computational skills and concepts previously learned including but not limited to ratios, proportions, percent, fractions, decimals, and whole numbers. Emphasis will be on measurement, exponents, statistics, and scientific notation. Students are shown how to use mathematical skills in science, money matters, and many other areas. They are introduced to number theory, equations, graphing, and other concepts as time allows. Students will apply problem solving skills to real-life situations through the use of story problems, videos, discussions, and group projects. (Students that are on seventh grade level.)
PRE-ALGEBRA: Students enrolled in this course should possess good computational skills. Students will learn how to integrate these skills into an algebra format. This course will pave the way for a progressive mastery of more difficult and complex skills for understanding algebraic concepts. Problem solving skills will be applied to real-life situations to develop the students' ability to use symbols to express their ideas in both verbal and written form. Emphasis will be on real numbers, equations, inequalities, graphing, proportions, percents, statistics, and problem solving skills. Other concepts and explorations will be covered as time allows. (Students that score above 9Oth percentile on standardized tests.)
7th GRADE GENERAL ELECTIVE COURSES |
