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PALOS COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED
SCHOOL DISTRICT 118
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GRADE
SEVEN CURRICULUM |
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The Palos District 118
Teaching for Understanding Framework has established learning benchmarks, which
are those essential concepts, processes, and content that students should know
and be able to do at the end of each grade.
District 118 teachers
and administrators have developed these benchmarks based on the Illinois State
Standards, national standards, and updated research.
Our community's
standards and grade level expectations are often higher than those suggested by
our Illinois State Board of Education. Such expectations are incorporated
within and continue to produce excellence in our students and staff as indicated
on state testing. We are, of course,
always looking to continually improve.
While District 118
emphasizes "the basics," our Board-adopted curriculum uses the basics to
establish a foundation for students' understanding of the major concepts in each
of the content areas.
Reading/Language Arts
The reading/language arts
program is designed to balance instruction in reading skills and strategies with
instruction in interpretation and oral and written response to literature. The
use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, as well as electronic
media, helps develop in-depth understanding of topics and also helps teachers
meet the diverse needs of students. Students will use the new 2007
literature series from Prentice Hall Publishers.
Reading
Seventh grade literature
genres include:
Strategies and skills
incorporated in the seventh grade reading program include:
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using structural
analysis
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developing vocabulary
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interpreting context clues
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drawing conclusions
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recognizing structure,
organization, and style of material: author/speaker's tone, voice
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predicting using prior
knowledge, pictures and text
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identifying universal and
recurring themes
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identifying and adapting
thinking strategies
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asking relevant questions
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responding to literature
in a variety of ways
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applying reading to life
experiences
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using structural analysis
English
Writing
Seventh grade students use
writing to express themselves. Students will write for many purposes and
audiences that may include:
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narrative essays
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expository essays
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persuasive essays
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reports
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creative writing
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journals
Spelling
Seventh grade students:
Information Fluency Skills/Technology
Technology skills, taught
to students in the classroom and media center, are integrated throughout the
curriculum to support and enhance learning.
Mathematics
Mathematics skills,
strategies, and concepts are taught through a variety of resources including
textbooks and manipulatives for "hands on" experiences. Thinking skills
are developed as students learn different problem solving strategies.
Mathematical concepts
studied in seventh grade include:
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number concepts and
numeration
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measurement
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geometric and algebraic
concepts
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data analysis
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probability
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problem solving
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number concepts and
numeration
Seventh grade students
will be taught the following:
Pre Algebra Book
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problem solving with
rational numbers
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division as the inverse of
multiplication
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ratio and proportion to
compare units of measurement and sets of objects
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a variety of problem
solving strategies to solve real world problems
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formulas of area,
perimeter, volume and surface area
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location and name of
unique points on a grid
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different properties of
equations
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multi-step equations
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simplification of
expressions and equations using order of operations
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application of algebraic
concepts to written problems
Algebra
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rules of operations that
apply to real numbers
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simplification of
polynomials
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factorization of
polynomials
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equations and inequalities
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functions and analytic
geometry
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a variety of problem
solving strategies to solve real world problems
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written justifications of
solutions to problems
Science
Science is a content area
consisting of a variety of topics. Inquiry into topics is pursued using
textbooks, nonfiction literature, "hands on" experimentation and the scientific
inquiry method. The teaching and learning emphasis goes beyond the
coverage of facts to understanding concepts related to topics being studied.
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The Work of Scientists and
the Scientific Method
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Lab Safety and Equipment
Usage
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Classification
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Science of Cells
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Viruses and Monerans
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Protists
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Comparative Anatomy:
Invertebrates
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Comparative Anatomy:
Vertebrates
Social Studies
Social Studies is a
content area. District 118 uses concepts to focus the study of topics and
promote in-depth understanding. These concepts include Global
Perspectives, Cultural Unity and Diversity, and Political and Economic Systems.
The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the
ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good.
Seventh grade students
will develop conceptual understanding through the following topics:
Civil War and
Reconstruction: Causes and Consequences
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If differences between
groups cannot be resolved, conflict is the result.
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Compromise can delay but
may not eliminate conflict.
U. S. History
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A need for separation of
power leads to the development of three branches of government.
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In a free society,
constitutions need to define and protect the rights of citizens.
The World in
Transition: World War I - World War II
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts teachers in
District #118 have constructed a comprehensive, integrated, sequential
curriculum to develop the whole child. Through "hands on" interaction,
students will develop criticism skills, an aesthetic appreciation of the Arts,
and study the historical perspectives that help shape our society.
Art
In seventh grade students
will continue to:
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explore a variety of
sophisticated materials and techniques
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explore art's development
throughout history and in various cultures
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explore a variety of
artistic styles
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explore how artistic
elements influence given pieces of art
Music
In seventh grade students
will continue to:
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explore music's
development throughout history and in various cultures
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explore a variety of
compositional styles
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explore how musical
elements influence compositions
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learn by singing, playing,
moving, reading, writing and creating
Band
In seventh grade students
will continue to:
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increase proficiency on
their individual instrument
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increase proficiency with
symbolic notation
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perform a varied
repertoire; music of various cultures and styles
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develop self discipline
Physical Education
The physical education
program is planned around the growth and development of the student. It
provides a wide range of activities consistent with the requirements of our
state goals. In seventh grade students will:
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achieve and maintain
health-enhancing levels of physical fitness through continual self-assessment
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develop team building
skills
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focus on positive
attitudes and behaviors
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learn specific offensive
and defensive performance strategies
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continue the practice and
refinement of skill development and movement patterns
Spanish
Spanish is a skill-based
study focused on reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language.
The primary goal of the Spanish classes is to help the students become more
comfortable with the uses and context of the language.
In seventh grade, the
Spanish students will develop skills in the following areas:
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vocabulary
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cultural information
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grammar
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conversation
Suggestions for Home
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Encourage your child to
read every day.
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Subscribe to a newspaper
and make it accessible to your child.
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Discuss with your child
what he/she reads in newspapers, books, etc.
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Make frequent visits to
the library and to bookstores with your child.
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Encourage your child to
find a "study buddy" to prepare for quizzes and tests.
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Graphics on this page are
from DiscoverySchool.com
Teacher Clip Art
Last updated September
2007
Copyright © 2006 Palos
Community Consolidated School District 118. All rights reserved. |