SEVENTH GRADE

OVERVIEW

READING

In seventh grade, students are aware of their responsibility as readers. They continue to reflect on their skills and adjust their comprehension and vocabulary strategies. Students refine their understanding of the author's craft. Oral and written responses analyze and/or synthesize information from multiple sources to deepen understanding of the content. Students read for pleasure and choose books based on personal preference, topic, genre, theme, or author.

WRITING
Most students in seventh grade are able to present legible, coherent, and interesting writing in a form, format, and style appropriate for the purpose and audience. Claims and opinions are well researched and are supported with sufficient examples or facts to engender a response from the reader. Writing is seen as a means to an end, as well as a worthwhile activity in itself, and many students enjoy exploring their ideas and opinions through writing and graphics.
A Quick Check:

Does each student:
• Address a range of issues by writing comprehensive and well-balanced texts, supporting views and bias with well-researched information and data?
• Know how to use language and format techniques to achieve maximum impact?
• Maintain effort and interest over extended periods and on more than one piece at a time?
• Talk about the craft of writing and use these discussions to enhance effort and product?

MATH

In seventh grade, students complete their development of the rational number system with the inclusion of negative decimals and fractions. Fluency of all operations on non-negative rational numbers is expected of students, as is proficiency with addition and subtraction of all rational numbers. Students understand proportional reasoning and similarity and use these concepts to solve problems. They locate points in any of the four quadrants on a grid and translate linear relationships in table, graph and equation forms. Students extend their understanding of probability into multiple events. Algebraic sense also develops as students solve two-step equations in one variable.

SOCIAL STUDIES

In seventh grade the main focus is World History and Geography and Washington State History and Geography.

The main themes are:

A. Islamic Civilization (600-1600)

B. Europe (600-1600)

C. African Kingdoms, Meso America, Japan

D. Emergence of Washington State

E. The Great Depression and World War II

F. Post-World War II: Domestic, Political, Social, and Economic Issues

G. Contemporary Washington State

SCIENCE

In seventh grade students become more proficient with both field and controlled investigative skills. When investigating they learn to make judgments about data and determine multiple criteria to support valid conclusions. They examine systems micro to macro with the use of models. Seventh grade students take the ability to investigate the immediate world and apply this to new situations that may be more difficult to directly experience. The guiding question is "How do we use scientific thinking to analyze systems - micro to macro – across time?" Students work on the investigative skills of Analysis of systems, Application to new systems, and Making judgments supported by valid conclusions.