7TH GRADE PROGRAM OF STUDY
2026-27 School Year
LANGUAGE ARTS
Becoming proficient in their language arts skills, Seventh Graders develop a stronger understanding of grammatical structures and mechanics of the language through frequent opportunities to write and examine writing. They read a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, with an emphasis on understanding a variety of themes and historical contexts, including Civil Rights and the Holocaust. Students analyze short stories for characterization, point of view, plot, and theme. Seventh graders have proficiency in identifying parts of speech, types and parts of sentences, and the basics of writing conventions, including proper capitalization and punctuation. Seventh graders apply research writing skills as they research a notable Memphian, producing a comprehensive, MLA-style research report as their capstone essay
READING
Seventh Graders read (both independently and through listening) a variety of thematic texts, both fictional and non-fictional, building proficiency in both fluency and comprehension and moving toward analysis and critical thinking.
Exit Outcomes
Develops an appreciation for themes relevant to a 21st century world and an eye toward critically examining social issues in historical texts
Becomes proficient in using the vocabulary of literary terms, including elements of plot, characterization, and theme in order to further enhance appreciation of literary works
Compares and contrasts two literary works
Determines themes and central ideas of a text
Identifies sensory details
Identifies the narrative point of view
Identifies similes and metaphors
Identifies hyperbole and personification
Identifies a variety of literary devices in poetry
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Small-group instruction
Independent reading and writing
Shared reading
Interactive read-aloud
Apply reading for meaning skills
Project work
STAR reading assessment
Accelerated Reader (A/R) testing
LANGUAGE ARTS
WRITING
A Seventh Grader writes frequently on a variety of topics with an emphasis toward providing evidence from the text in reading responses. They undergo the writing process from developing an idea to drafting, revising, and finally publishing written work They develop writing beyond the single paragraph, paying attention to the organization of ideas and developing sentence fluency.
Exit Outcomes
Produces a wide range of written work, including frequent reading responses, original stories, poems and essays
Becomes proficient at integrating appropriate literary quotes to defend an argument using MLA-style citation format
Conducts formal research about a notable Memphian to produce a five-paragraph, typed report using MLA style format with correct citations, including both direct and indirect quotations from multiple primary source, with an emphasis on developing an understanding of the research process and correctly citing sources
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Small-group instruction
Independent writing
Note taking
LANGUAGE ARTS
GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY
Seventh Graders become proficient in identifying grammar rules beyond parts of speech, including sentence structure (complements, phrases, clauses, sentence types), punctuation, and capitalization in order to follow formal writing conventions in their
own writing. Students will use both ending punctuation and capitalization and apply skill in understanding of correct punctuation within the sentence Students also develop strategies to better understand new vocabulary words, both in context and from direct instruction.
Exit Outcomes
Develops a complete understanding of the eight parts of speech, including subtleties
Identifies different types of sentences
Identifies complements, including direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, and predicate adjective
Identifies phrases of all types
Differentiates between independent and subordinate clauses
Develops an understanding of comma rules
Commas in lists
Introductory words, phrases, and clauses
Interrupters
Dates and addresses
Uses capitalization correctly
Uses punctuation correctly, both ending and interior
Correctly identifies all different sentence types
Uses knowledge of root words and affixes to identify word meanings
Acquires an understanding of a wide range of vocabulary through both direct instruction and in-context inference
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Small-group instruction
Independent writing
IXL
Interactive vocabulary practice using digital resources
MATH
In Seventh Grade, students begin to think more abstractly, delving into pre-algebra concepts which require them to solve more complex equations and apply these concepts to real world problems. They solve problems requiring them to apply integer rules, order of operations, operations with fractions, and ratios/proportions In geometry, they apply complex formulas to begin finding the properties of simple and compound two and threedimensional shapes.
Exit Outcomes Numbers and Operations In Base Ten
Applies and extends previous understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers
Applies and extends previous understandings of addition and subtraction to add and subtract rational numbers; represent addition and subtraction on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram
Applies and extends previous understandings of multiplication and division and of fractions to multiply and divide rational numbers
Solves real-world and mathematical problems involving the four operations with rational numbers
Experiences that Support Learning
IXL
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
MATH
Exit Outcomes Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Ratios and Proportions
Analyzes proportional relationships and uses them to solve real-world and mathematical problems
Computes unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas, and other quantities measured in like or different units
Recognizes and represents proportional relationships between quantities
Uses proportional relationships to solve multi-step ratio and percent problems
Examples: simple interest, tax, markups and markdowns, gratuities and commissions, fees, percent increase and decrease, percent error
Expressions and Equations
Uses properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions
Applies properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients
Understands that rewriting an expression in different forms in a contextual problem can provide multiple ways of interpreting the problem and how the quantities in it are related
Solves real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations and inequalities
Solves multi-step real-world and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers presented in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals)
Uses variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and constructs simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
MATH
Exit Outcomes Measurement and Data
Uses random sampling to draw inferences about a population
Draws informal comparative inferences about two populations
Investigates chance processes and develops, uses, and evaluates probability models
Summarizes and describes numerical data sets
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
Exit Outcomes Geometry
Draws, constructs, and describes geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them
Solves problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale
Draws geometric shapes with given conditions
Focuses on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than one triangle, or no triangle
Solves real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume
Knows the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle and uses them to solve problems; give an informal derivation of the relationship between the circumference and area of a circle
Knows and uses facts about supplementary, complementary, vertical, and adjacent angles in a multi-step problem to write and solve simple equations for an unknown angle in a figure
Solves real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
SCIENCE
Exit Outcomes
Focus on life science and learns about the levels of organization in living things, with a focus on the human body
Develops microscope skills
Discovers the 6 required characteristics of all living things
Learns to classify living organisms based on characteristics such as cell type, eating habits, and cell arrangement
Explores differences between vertebrate and invertebrate animals
Compares and contrasts bacteria and viruses
Explores 4 components of human blood and learns about blood typing
Explores human circulatory system and understands the flow of blood through pulmonary and systemic circuits
Explores human respiratory system and how breathing controls oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of cells
Identifies the importance of cellular respiration in the human body in making usable energy, ATP
Explores the human digestive system and the macromolecules that are digested to provide energy
Experiences that Support Learning
Dissect and learn about structures/functions, body systems, and life cycles of the earthworm, leopard frog, squid, and fetal pig
Make calamari as a follow up to the squid dissection
Swab locations around school to determine areas with most bacterial growth
Compare and contrast plant and animal cells by using the microscope to observe personal skin cell and onion skin cells
Grow bacteria, prepare stained microscope slide, view and identify type based on shape/arrangement
Use microscopes to view the many microscopic organisms that live in pond water
Build a model of human blood
Determine personal blood types
Construct model of circulatory system and label all parts including the heart
Research human blood diseases and create a slide presentation
Dissect a cow heart to explore similarities with the human heart
Build a model of the respiratory system
Make bread and rootbeer to explore the process of fermentation
Perform digestion labs that explore how macromolecules are digested in the human body
SPANISH
The Seventh Grade Spanish course continues the Fifth and Sixth Grade curricula. Students delve more profoundly into the target language and culture. Important basic concepts, vocabulary, and cultural aspects of the language are covered and practiced using various methods, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This year is a skills course, requiring much practice and study outside of class and the equivalent of the first semester of Spanish 1 in high school. Students take the Level 01 National Spanish Exam in March.
Exit Outcomes
Learns vocabulary related to classroom commands, greetings, salutations, introductions, numbers, days of the week, months
Learns/practices present tense conjugation of regular -ar verbs as well as -ser, estar, and gustar
States time in Spanish using 0-30
Identifies various classes with days of week to read schedules
Uses verb gustar to create conversational sentences
Learns to form questions with interrogatives
Creates sentences with conjugated form of estar along with prepositions of place
Solves math problems with numbers 31 and higher
Applies various grammar rules to a wide variety of reading and writing activities
Practices regular -er and -ir verb conjugations
Learns stem-change conjugations in present tense
Recognizes “tener expressions”
Speaks about hobbies and events in future tense
Culture focus: Learns about the significance of the Day of the Dead holiday, Spanish-speaking countries of South America and their capitals, explores Spain and compares holiday celebrations to US, learns about major cities and important facts of Ecuador
Experiences that Support Learning
Create Day of the Dead altars
View Spanish movies and fotonovelas and respond to prompts in Spanish webquests
Group and partner projets
Play review games such as Kahoot, Conjuguemos, and Quizlet
LATIN
Exit Outcomes
Recalls Roman contributions to modern life
Recognizes noun declensions 1-3
Recognizes and translates present, imperfect, and perfect tenses
Understands basic Latin sentence structure using subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional phrase
Infers definitions of English derivatives based on knowledge of Latin vocabulary
Discusses aspects of Roman life in the 1st century AD (specifically the city of Pompeii)
Recognizes and understands the use and translation of Latin cases (Nominative, Dative, and Accusative)
Recognizes the translation of all degrees of Latin adjectives (regular only)
Recall basic Roman mythology
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Flexible groupings
Collaborative discussions
Consistent practice in both new and learned concepts to reinforce a cumulative understanding of the language
Projects relating to cultural topics
Celebratory Latin feasts
HISTORY
Students gain a working knowledge of our place in both time and space by exploring United States history from antiquity to the outbreak of the Civil War, with an eye toward how key historical events laid the foundation for America's future and with a emphasis on geography and how it has shaped America's rise as the world's preeminent world power.
Exit Outcomes
Gains competence in functional geography
Draws conclusions based on key facets of natural geography in America's development
Discovers the key factors that made the American Revolution such an unlikely success
Explores the development and enduring legacies of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
Deduces the philosophies that guided our early presidents and the emergence of political parties
Understands cause and effect with regard to the sectional development of our nation led to the Civil War
Discovers the arc of history that defines the progress of democracy
Develops research, peer review and writing skills
Refines public speaking skills
Reinforces study, note-taking and organizational skills
Learns the foundation for 8th grade U.S. History, Civil War to present day
Experiences that Support Learning
Create and utilize maps scaled from neighborhood to continental
Hypothesize locations of cities based on access to water for drinking, irrigation and transportation
Analysis of primary documents, including Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence
Simulations of courtrooms using real federal cases with students serving as both judges and advocates
Compare and contrast Hamilton's vision for America versus Jefferson's/Madison's
Debate various issues of the day while reflecting upon the widely varying experiences of Americans
Predicting future political agency based on the patterns from our past
Completion of a cross-curricular research paper
Presentations throughout the year
Assessments based directly on study guides, assignments and notes
Three comprehensive exams
ART
The guiding principles of the Middle School visual art curriculum are the four Cs of 21st Century Learning: Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking.
Students develop these skills through artmaking, visual problem solving, discussion, and analysis of important artworks Their artwork is hung for display at the end of each marking period with an opening reception for family and friends.
Seventh Grade artists discover alternative uses for markers, explore various printmaking processes, and respond to important artworks with their own creations
Experiences that Support Learning
Meditative Neurographic drawing, painted with markers
Styrofoam marker printing
Theme-based relief printmaking
Analysis of Surrealist strategies with accompanying found-image collage
PERFORMING ARTS
Exit Outcomes
Learns about the ins and outs of the advertising world
by creating an ad campaign for a fictitious product
Researches and determines target audience
Designs and creates magazine, Instagram, and TV ads based on target audience
Researches and develops an ad placement campaign based on target audience
Presents to “corporate executives” to present and pitch ad campaign
Experiences that Support Learning
Develop public speaking and presentation skills through presentation of ad campaign to “corporate executives” Develop interpersonal and teamwork skills through small group work
WORLD RELIGIONS
Students discover the basic tenets of the world's major religions, with an emphasis on both the commonalities our many faiths share as well as the extraordinary variety of customs and observances that delineate the lives of practitioners of each religion.
Exit Outcomes
Gains a functional knowledge of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, including major religious figures, texts, holidays, holy sites and dietary customs
Compares and contrasts belief systems with emphasis on commonality
Examines how ancient values, customs and language interact with the modern world
Explores the qualities of major religions that have made each enduring
Reinforces geographic skills
Refines public speaking skills
Experiences that Support Learning
Guest presentations by representatives of various religions
Extensive use of film illustrating the lives of modern practitioners of each religion
Graphic organizers
Creation and utilization of maps
Student presentations
PE
The focus of the Middle School Physical Education Program is to foster an interest in and enjoyment of physical activity while promoting positive group interaction, good sportsmanship, and fitness. These concepts are developed through a wide variety of activities with a progression of instruction based on age and skill complexity. The Middle School Physical Education Program incorporates skills and strategies for team and individual participation. The students are introduced to lifetime sports and fitness with skills being taught and developed through participation, practice, and game and fitness scenarios. Seventh Grade students continue to build fitness with a progression from grade to grade in the complexity of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. At this level, skills and game rules are emphasized for participation in team and individual sports.
SPECIAL 7TH GRADE EXPERIENCES AND PERFORMANCES
First time to take trimester exams
Co-curricular research paper for English and history classes
Math is ability tracked
Acolyting and reading in chapel
Class trip to New Orleans
Design and create 8th grade banner for next year
CIT for SummerFest
Can earn spot in Honor Society
Participate in Sports Banquet
Attend Middle School dances