Seventh Grade Curriculum
2014-2015
Subject: Religion
Text: RCL Benziger, Faith First: Jesus in the New Testament
Focus: The New Testament, Jesus and the Gospels, the Mass, liturgical seasons, prayer and service.
Subject: Language Arts
Text: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Elements of Literature/First Course, Novels: Beowulf, The Giver, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Focus: Development of literary skills through reading various genres: poetry, short stories, tales, novels, autobiography, biography, drama. Development of writing as a process through narrative, persuasive, descriptive, and expository writing. Development of speaking skills through delivering persuasive speeches and poetry recitations. Development of grammar skills: parts of speech, agreement, verb usage, pronoun usage, modifiers, phrases, clauses, sentences, complements, kinds of sentences, writing effective sentences, capital letters, punctuation, and spelling. Development of vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
Subject: Math – Grade 7:1 and 7:2
Text: Holt, Pre-algebra
Holt, Mathematics Grade 8
Focus: Variables, expressions and integers; using properties to solve one and two step equations and inequalities; factors, fractions, exponents and square roots; rational number operations and solving equations using rational numbers; ratio rates and proportions including probability and odds; fractions, decimals and percents including percent applications. Linear functions, real numbers and right triangles including the Pythagorean Theorem. Geometric relationships and measurement including two and three dimensional figures and transformations. Data analysis with graphs, tables and functions. Solving and graphing linear equations and using data to predict and understand functions.
Subject: Science
Text: Chemical Interactions Resources, Full Option Science System (FOSS) for Middle School,
Science and Technology Concepts for Children (STC) Kit: Energy, Machines and Motion,
Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Astronomy
Focus: Chemistry: elements, properties of matter, reactors. Physical Science: mechanics, simple machines, circuits, energy. Space: earth-moon system, solar system, stars, galaxies, rockets.
Subject: Social Studies
Text: Holt, Call to Freedom: Beginnings to 1877.
Focus: The rise of American democracy, American government system, electoral process, Industrial Revolution and Progressive Reform, current events section inclusive.
Subject: Electives
Combinations of seventh and eighth grade students meet once a week, choices may include: Study skills, contemporary world issues, Junior Achievement, leadership/service, musical theater, Yoga/Pilates, and digital photography. Additional Subjects: Physical Education, Computers, Library, and Art.
Eighth Grade Curriculum
2014-2015
Subject: Religion
Text: RCL Benziger, Faith First: Church History
Focus: Church history, the background of our beliefs, examination of doctrine, moral teachings, prayers and precepts of the Church, scripture, contemporary Christian problems, liturgy, prayer and service.
Subject: Language Arts
Text: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Elements of Literature/ Second Course
Novels: To Kill A Mockingbird; The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Taming of the Shrew
Focus: Development of literary skills through reading various genres: poetry, short stories, tales, novels, autobiography, biography, drama. Development of writing as a process through narrative, expository, and persuasive writing as well as completing a major research paper. Development of speaking skills through persuasive speeches. Development of grammar skills: parts of speech, agreement, verb usage, pronoun usage, modifiers, phrases, clauses, sentences, complements, kinds of sentences, writing effective sentences, capital letters, punctuation, and spelling. Development of vocabulary through Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
Subject: Math: Grade 8:1 and 8:2
Text: Holt, Larson Algebra 1
Holt, Algebra 1
Focus: Expressions, equations and functions; solving linear equations including multi-step equations and ratios and proportions; graphing and writing linear equations and functions; solving and graphing linear inequalities and systems of equations and inequalities. Applying properties of exponents with products and quotients, writing and graphing exponential growth and decay functions. Polynomial operations and factoring polynomials, solving quadratic equations and functions; data analysis and probability.
Subject: Science
Text: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Cells, Heredity, The Human Body and Health
Science and Technology for Children (STC) Kit: Human Body Systems
Focus: Brief study of cells, tissues and organs, diffusion and osmosis, dormant and recessive traits, genes, meiosis, DNA and genetics, evolution, Darwin and species, the human body systems, diseases, vaccines, nutrition, drugs and alcohol, experiments, and labs on the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, musculoskeletal systems and frog dissection.
Subject: Social Studies
Text: Holt, Call to Freedom: 1865-present
Focus: 20th Century America on the world stage, Imperialism, World War I and social change, with Washington State History, and current events sections inclusive.
Subject: Electives
Combinations of seventh and eighth grade students meet once a week, choices may include: Study skills, contemporary world issues, Junior Achievement, leadership/service, musical theater, Yoga/Pilates, and digital photography. Additional Subjects: Physical Education, Computers, Library, and Art.