Grade 7

HOMEROOM/SCIENCE/MATH 1: Susan Kirkbride (Mrs.K@stbartholomew.org ext 27)

ENGLISH/SOCIAL STUDIES: Gabrielle Burkhardt (gburkhardt@stbartholomew.org OR  Ext. 26)

READING: Chris Davison (cdavison@stbartholomew.org OR  Ext. 15) Renee Karlin (rkarlin@stbartholomew.org OR Ext. 36)

MATH (ALGEBRA): - Steve Bartl (sbartl@stbartholomew.org  OR   Ext 34)

RELIGION: Germania Rebaudengo (grebaudengo@stbartholomew.org OR Ext 33)


Homework - Students need to accurately write down homework during class (they can refer to the homework board at any time), and turn in the completed assignment on time. The St. Bart's homework notebook is very well organized for this. You can also check eBoard which wi updated daily. Missing or late assignments are deducted from the overall homework completion average for the quarter. Missing assignments due to absences may be made up. Students can approach Mrs. K directly as she keeps an assignment notebook or use eBoard which keeps all assignments for the year. All assighments should be done in blue or black ink, and be legible. Homework may be done on the computer.

Every two weeks, on Mondays, an envelope containing all work and a dated discipline form will be sent home. Please keep the work, look over and sign the form, and return it to class. This, along with the quarterly progress reorts will give you an accurate picture of your child's progress. Please look in the homework notebook for red circled assignments with my initials; these are missing and need to be completed.

If homework is chronically missing, or the signed envelope is not returned, parents will be notified.


Earth Science

Earth Science is about the earth's history, resources, and systems. There will be units on plate tectonics, weathering and erosion, meteorology, and astronomy. There will be films, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. In addition, all students will be working on a science project. This is due in May and consists of an experiment, a paper, and a PowerPoint presentation to the class. Homework averages between 10-20 minutes per night.

Please see eboard and engrade for assignments, upcoming testing, and missing work.

Grading:
!st, 2nd, 3rd quarter: 67% testing, 33% homework
4th quarter: 25% homework, 50% testing, 25% science project


English

The course covers grammar, vocabulary and spelling, and writing.

Grammar - The textbook is Voyages in English (Loyola Press). The children also have a grammar workbook, Exercises in English (Loyola Press), which may be written in and taken home. Seventh graders continue to learn mechanics of punctuation, as well as parts of speech and elements of a sentence. They will be analyzing sentence structure, clauses - their use, placement, and purpose - and constructing and deconstructing complex and compound sentences and inverted word order.

Vocabulary and Spelling - Vocabulary in Action, Level D (Loyola Press) is the vocabulary text for this grade. Students will be tested every Friday on words they study at home.

Writing - There is no writing textbook. About half our class time will involve writing strategies, ideas, and processes. We will do descriptive, analytical, and persuasive writing and research projects earlier in the year, and save drama, prose fiction, and poetry for late April and May. Grading on writing projects will consider the use of proper, age-appropriate syntax; vocabulary that is above an elementary level; organization of material; and creativity. It is better that a child express a complex and original thought clumsily than express a cliche well.

Oral Communication - Archdiocese standards include a section on oral communication. We will do a few formal writing projects - a dialogue or play, and a debate - that explicitly involve oral speech. Students are graded on their class participation and their ability to express themselves in Standard English in full sentences.

Homework - Students will have grammar and vocabulary homework on a regular weekly basis. They will be given a written rubric for graded writing projects. These are usually assigned early in the week for submission the following week.

Grades - Grades are based on writing projects, the results of grammar and vocabulary quizzes and tests, and class participation. Extra-credit writing assignments maybe given to students who would like to improve their grades.


Reading

The primary focus of 7th grade reading is the development of analytical reading skills through the study of drama, fiction and poetry, as well as selected non-fiction works. Through reading these literary and non-fiction exemplars, students will explore universal literary themes, and develop critical reading and writing skills. These skills will be developed through regular reading practice, the use of journals, participations in literature circles and writers’ workshops. Additionally, students will participate in vocabulary development through regular exercises and by considering use of language in the text.

Students are encouraged to take careful notes as they read the required novels

1st quarter
Short Stories
Witch of Blackbird Pond

2nd quarter
Poetry
Stargirl

3rd quarter
Drama
“Romeo & Juliet”

4th quarter
Where the Red Fern Grows

Reading grades are based on:

  • Writing Assignments/Projects/Unit Test (1/2)
  • Vocabulary and reading quizzes (1/4)
  • Homework/journal/reading log (1/4)

Social Studies

Curriculum overview – This is a combination world and American history course. We spend the first part of the year in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, beginning with the ancient Egyptains and touching on concurrent civilizations in China and India. We follow the development and spread of Islam and subsequent history in India, China, and Japan, concluding this part of the course with a discussion of European colonialism. Later in the year, we pick up the treat of American history from 5th grade and discuss developments in America in the 19th century. The textbook for the first part of the course in Across the Centuries (Houghton Mifflin), and the second part it is America’s Past and Promise (McDougal Littell).

There is at least one research project integrating social studies and the English curriculum. In addition, we will discuss the arts, religion, and science and technology in the course of our work.

Peer learning and group work are an important and intrinsic part of the social studies curriculum.

Homework – Daily homework assignments for the most part entail reading textbook pages and answering question in writing. This is in addition to periodic projects and the monthly current events work.


Math: 7th Grade Level (Kirkbride)

This course is designed to discuss, practice, and strengthen areas:

  • math concepts
  • computation practice
  • problem-solving process and strategies
  • real-world application of skills

We will spend a great deal of time on math basics such as number properties, speed drills of math facts, and problem-solving.

Homework - Nightly homework will average 20 minutes and is reviewed daily in class. It is IMPERATIVE that homework is completed in a timely fashion. It is practice, and is therefore graded as being Complete, Incomplete, or Missing. All homework is graded on the percentage of completion.

Grading: 33% homework; 67% tests/quizzes



ACCELERATED PRE-ALGEGRA (Bartl)

Text : Pre-Algebra / An Accelerated Course

Objectives:

Strengthen and expand understanding of concepts involving whole numbers, number theory,
fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement and graphing.
Develop understanding of concepts and skills involving integers, ratio, proportion and percent.
Develop understanding of concepts and skills involving data analysis and probability.
Develop and expand understanding of concepts and skills in algebra involving expressions, linear
equations and inequalities, formulas, graphing in the coordinate plane, slope of a line,
the relationship between tables, graphs and equations, order of operations and the properties of
real numbers.
Strengthen computational skills.
Improve mental math and estimation skills.
Expand logical reasoning, analytical and problem solving abilities.
Apply math knowledge and skills to real life situations.
Stimulate interest in math.

Workload:

HOMEWORK is assigned daily. Assignments, along with weekly and special projects, should require between 20 and 30 minutes of work per night. If your child consistently puts in more time than that, please do not hesitate to contact me. Weekend assignments will focus on enrichment and review.

A CUMULATIVE REVIEW PACKET is assigned approximately two times a quarter. The packet provides the opportunity for review, practice and remediation of concepts and skills learned both during the week and throughout the year.

A WEEKEND ENRICHMENT / SKILL DRILL assignment is given most weekends. The assignment provides review of facts and skills learned during the week, computational drill and practice, and enrichment activities which require analytical and logical reasoning.
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS will be given at various times throughout the year and will focus on gathering data, using resource materials and graphing.

Grading:
Tests account for one score each. At least two days notice will be given before a test.
Quizzes are worth 50 points each. Every two quizzes average to one score.
Notice will usually be given the day before a quiz.
Homework / Notebook will average to one score per quarter.
Cumulative Review Tests account for one score each.
Skill Drill Tests account for one score each.
Special Assignments average to one score per quarter.
The quarter grade is the average of all of the scores.

Materials:

1 black two-pocket folder in school - 1 black two-pocket folder at home
1 spiral notebook - Protractor - Colored Markers
Loose-leaf Paper - Ruler - Glue
Calculator

Additional:

The Math Envelope will be sent home Mondays approximately every two weeks.
The envelope will contain an assessment form, along with graded materials.
Please sign the assessment form and return all materials the next day.
Extra-Help provided by the teacher or a peer tutor: available Wednesdays from 3:15 - 4:00.
Extra-Help provided by the teacher: available by appointment before school.



6900 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817  ~  (301) 229-5586