LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Description

In Grade 7, students refine and master previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions.  Seventh grade students analyze a speaker’s persuasive techniques and credibility.  Students evaluate a spoken message in terms of its content, credibility, and delivery.  Seventh grade students continue to read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts.  Students use knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and prefixes and suffixes in reading.  Students recognize how style, tone, and mood contribute to the effect of the text.  Seventh grade students are able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, or entertain.  Students vary sentence structure and use verb tenses appropriately and consistently such as present, past, future, perfect, and progressive.  Seventh grade students edit their writing based on their knowledge of grammar and usage, spelling, punctuation, and other conventions of written language.  Students produce final, error-free pieces of written composition on a regular basis.  Seventh grade students draw data from multiple primary and secondary sources for use in research reports and projects.

GRADES 6 - 8  MATHEMATIC
Course Description

Throughout mathematics in Grades 6-8, students build a foundation of basic understandings in number, operation, and quantitative reasoning; patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking; geometry and spatial reasoning; measurement; and probability and statistics. Students use concepts, algorithms, and properties of rational numbers to explore mathematical relationships and to describe increasingly complex situations. Students use algebraic thinking to describe how a change in one quantity in a relationship results in a change in the other; and they connect verbal, numeric, graphic, and symbolic representations of relationships. Students use geometric properties and relationships, as well as spatial reasoning, to model and analyze situations and solve problems. Students communicate information about geometric figures or situations by quantifying attributes, generalize procedures from measurement experiences, and use the procedures to solve problems. Students use appropriate statistics, representations of data, reasoning, and concepts of probability to draw conclusions, evaluate arguments, and make recommendations.

SCIENCE
Course Description

Science, Grade 7 is a hands-on course in which students learn science skills and concepts.  The skills and concepts are integrated in an environment stressing verbal and written communication as well as teamwork.  Students identify gravity and phases of the moon as components of the solar system and explore the effects of events such as hurricanes on the Earth. Students use pulleys and levers to understand the relationship between force and motion. Students then relate the concept to processes in the human organism such as the movement of blood.  In addition, students study chemical and physical properties of substances by examining the tarnishing of metal or burning of as examples of chemical processes, and by identifying physical properties used to place elements on the periodic table.  Students learn about kinetic and potential energy and identify photosynthesis as an example of the transformation of radiant energy from the Sun into chemical energy for use by plants. Students investigate systems in humans to identify their structures and functions. Students compare asexual and sexual reproduction to illustrate that genetic materials are responsible for both dominant and recessive traits in organisms.

Science, Grade 7 (Advanced/GT) offers a more advanced level of experiences in the concepts of science.  Laboratory activities are presented as a combination of inquiry and confirmatory exercises.   Many of the concepts are the same as those in Science, Grade 7 except the presentation is more accelerated and in greater depth. Advanced-level products and independent research are required in this course.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Course Description

In Social Studies, Grade 7, students study the history of Texas from early times to the present. Students examine in depth the full scope of Texas history, including the cultures of Native Americans living in Texas prior to European exploration and the eras of mission-building, colonization, revolution, republic, and statehood. The focus in each era is on key individuals, events, and issues and their impact. Students identify regions of Texas and the distributions of population within and among the regions and explain the factors that caused Texas to change from an agrarian to an urban society. Students describe the structure and functions of municipal, county, and state governments, explain the influence of the U.S. Constitution on the Texas Constitution, and examine the rights and responsibilities of Texas citizens. Students and ethnic groups that settled in Texas. Students analyze the impact of scientific discoveries, technological innovation, and industries on the development of Texas. Global economic interdependence as it relates to Texas socioeconomic concerns will be emphasized.  In addition to covering major aspects of Texas History, the course extends the study to include more analysis of primary materials and documents, as well as a comparative study of Texas with the history of the U.S.  The emphasis is upon critical thinking, independent study and research.