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4832 Highland Ave.

Downers Grove, IL 60515

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Monday to Friday

7th Grade

7th Grade

Meet Our Teachers

Mrs. Humphrey | Bio
Mr. Laurinaitis | Bio
Mrs. Phelan | Bio
Mrs. Ragnini | Bio
Mrs. Stough | Bio
Mrs. Wojtasiak | Bio


Curriculum Highlights

  • Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate diverse texts in reading. They adjust usage of spoken and written language to communicate appropriately in different settings.
  • In math, students demonstrate an understanding of scientific notations, variables and patterns, probability and data, ratios and proportions, rational number and linear functions, absolute values, and advance problem solving techniques.
  • The science learning targets provide opportunities for students to continue to develop their ability to plan, design, and conduct scientific investigations in life and physical sciences.
  • Social studies topics further develop students’ understanding of government and history of U.S in the19th century.

Middle School Expectations

  • 7th grade students are held to higher expectations of responsibility and accountability for academic performance and Catholic values-based behavior, along with parental and institutional support.
  • Integrated Technology – 7th grade students at St. Joseph participate in an enhanced technology curriculum.  Students receive and use personal Chromebooks for daily classroom instruction. Students and teachers utilize Google classroom throughout the entire curriculum, including content and delivery, collaborative learning, independent research projects, teacher-student communication, assessments, and overall student literacy.
  • In 7th grade, there are many opportunities for students to participate in various academic competitions such as math competitions, Geography Bees, and Scholastic Bowls at local Catholic high schools. St. Joseph School is proud of their exceptional track record at many of these academic competitions.
  • Middle school religious studies require students to participate in an in-depth review of the Ten Commandments with an application to how they affect one’s morality, develop insights as to why all of life is worthy of reverence, explain how God calls us to act in a loving way toward one another using knowledge of the Beatitudes and Catholic Social Teachings, and explore virtues and works of mercy as a method of living the model Jesus gave us.

Religion

A variety of teacher resources and student materials are utilized. Seventh and eighth grades work from the Christ Our Life series published by Loyola Press. The title of the seventh grade’s primary textbook is Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

  • The Beatitudes
  • Confirmation (Formation begins in Seventh Grade)
  • Friendship with Jesus
  • Jesus’ Life and His Word
  • Fruits of the Holy Spirit
  • Jesus and His Apostles
  • Parables
  • Miracles
  • Walking with Jesus in a Vocation:  Matrimony and Holy Orders
  • The Rosary
  • Scripture Studies
  • Eucharist and the Liturgy
  • Jesus in the Gospels
  • Jesus’ Compassion:  Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
  • The Catholic Church:  A Timeline of People and Events

Various forms of evaluation include:

  • Quizzes
  • Group projects
  • Mass participation and active participation in other forms of prayer
  • Tests
  • Memorization of prayer
  • Skits and plays

Other expectations:

  • Students will work cooperatively in groups formed within their homeroom and between the two seventh grade homerooms
  • Students will participate in activities with their second grade ‘buddies’ during the school year
  • Students will be proactive in regard to their own faith formation and will responsibly commit to service within their school, parish, and community.

Geography

Map Skills will include use of political and physical science maps as well as specialty maps. Students will be held responsible for the identification of countries and capitals as well as specific physical features in the study of:

  • Latin America
  • Europe (both Western and Eastern)
  • Asia and the Pacific, and
  • Africa

We will be zeroing in on one region every quarter after starting each quarter with several specific map skills.

The text also practices reading skills in every section including:

  • Setting a purpose for reading
  • Comparison and Contrast
  • Cause and Effect
  • Previewing the lesson, and
  • Making Predictions

We will continue using a variety of note-taking skills. At the beginning of each section, the text suggests an appropriate method for that section. They will include:

  • A variety of graphic organizers (webs, Venn diagrams, charts, and tables)
  • Time lines
  • Outlines

Each student will be required to do one project each quarter. Some will be individual and some small group.

Assessments will consist of correcting homework, review questions, section quizzes (frequently), tests, and projects. Since this is a new series, timing for tests is currently unknown, but major tests will still be preceded by at least five days notice.

Science

Life Science

  • Human Nutrition
  • Plant and Animal Cells: Structures, Functions, Processes, and Energy
  • Genetics – The Science of Heredity
  • Classification of Living Things
  • Viruses and Monerans
  • Protists and Fungi
  • Invertebrate Dissection – Earthworm

Physical Science

  • Motion
  • Forces
  • Work and Machines
  • Six Flags Great America:  Math and Physics Day

Science Practices, Technology & Society

  • Scientific Method, Measurement, and Process Skills
  • Technological Design:  Rube Goldberg and Newton Scooter
  • Accepted Science Practices
  • Infectious Diseases

Student Evaluation and Assessment

  • Class Participation and Daily Work
  • Homework
  • Quizzes and Test
  • Individual and Cooperative Group projects
  • Research Projects

Literature

A diverse selection of literature will be used to enhance student development of higher level comprehension and inferential thinking. Skills will develop and improve as students are presented with the following focus:

  • Evaluating fact, opinion and bias
  • Identifying myths and fables
  • Analyzing style and purpose
  • Understanding elements of plot
  • Understanding the author’s purpose in various literary forms
  • Identifying characteristics of fantasy and legends
  • Applying word analysis and vocabulary skills
  • Students will apply acquired skills to one or two novel studies.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is a weekly part of Reading class. We will usually cover a unit every two weeks. A bi-weekly test is given, as well as unit work in the consumable text. Each lesson has twenty words, and unit reviews occur after every third and sixth unit.

Each unit contains:

  • An introductory lesson (word list, definitions, pronunciations, and parts of speech)
  • Completing the Sentence
  • Synonyms
  • Antonyms
  • Choosing the Right Word
  • Vocabulary in Context

Unit reviews include many of the same categories and also examine related words and building with classical root words.

The purpose of the Vocabulary Workshop program is to strengthen the students’ vocabulary in reading and writing. Students are encouraged to put these words into everyday use.

The students will be given an additional 10 basic words on their spelling vocabulary test that they will be required to spell accurately in their daily work.

Reading

  • Read selections in different genres that develop understanding of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
  • Units of study include: The Giver (summer reading), Short stories, The Outsiders, Figurative Language, Poetry, Roll of Thunder. Hear My Cry, Of Beetles and Angels, and Literature Circles
  • Learn a variety of reading strategies for comprehension including prediction, visualization, connection, questioning, clarifying and evaluating.
  • Recognize and discuss literary elements:
    • Plot
    • Theme
    • Characterization
    • Conflict
    • Setting
  • Study vocabulary through readings.
  • Respond to independent reading through regular book reports.
  • Independent Reading/ Book Reports: Students are expected to always bring an independent reading book with them to class.  Independent reading at home on a regular basis is always homework for this class.  Students are to complete three book reports per a trimester using the required book report format.  All book reports should be turned in on Google Classroom.

To increase vocabulary

To respond to independent reading assignments through a variety of activities:

  • Readers response journals
  • Story maps
  • Puppet shows
  • Timeline illustrations
  • Comic strips
  • Interviews

Language Arts

  • Parts of Speech, Grammar, Phrases, Clauses
  • Complex Sentence Structure and Type of Sentences
  • Five Types of Writing
  • Five Paragraph Essay
  • Three Page Research Paper
  • Oral Presentation

All students are required to retain all written work in their writing folder. This will remain in the classroom. Please contact the teacher if you would like to review your student’s work.