ENGLISHIn seventh grade, students become more familiar with the language of literary analysis by studying a rich variety of text types. Students determine the themes of short stories, analyze character development in novels, and provide objective summaries of texts. In addition to determining the meaning of figurative and connotative language in poems and novels, students think about authorial choice and consider the effects of a particular sound, word, or phrase on the reader.

Seventh grade students write routinely for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. They use the writing process to write well-organized, multi-paragraph texts, with an introduction, a clear thesis statement, relevant supporting details, precise language and visual imagery, formal style and appropriate conclusion. Every student will write at least one extended research paper, which combines Social Studies content with English writing skills. They are also introduced to the use of in-text citations to strengthen arguments.

Students work on their speaking and listening skills, creating confident and effective communicators. From informal collaborative discussions to participating in CAISL’s JMUN Conference, students are presented with opportunities to pose questions that elicit elaboration, and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations.

MATHIn order to cultivate an in-depth understanding of mathematics, students focus on developing their process skills through mathematical practices. They make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments, and critique the reasoning of others. Students model with mathematics and use appropriate tools strategically. They attend to precision, look for and make use of structure and look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Process skills are the essential elements for the mastering of math and will be developed through the content shown below.

Math 7 students extend their understanding of ratios and proportionality to solve multi-step problems. By using their understanding of ratios and proportionality, they solve

a wide variety of percent problems, and scale drawings.Students develop a unified understanding of number, recognizing different

representations of rational numbers, and extending the four operations to all rational numbers. By applying this knowledge, students explain and interpret the rules for

operating with negative numbers. They use this to formulate expressions and equations in one variable and use these to solve problems.Seven graders continue their previous work with area, and prepare for further work in Geometry as they construct 2D figures using appropriate tools and technology. They work with 2D and 3D figures, as they solve problems involving angles, area, surface area, and volume.Students build on their previous work with single data distributions to compare data distributions and address questions about differences between populations. They work with random sampling to generate data sets and learn about the importance of representative samples for drawing inferences.

ESL ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES

English for Speakers of other Languages (ESL) is designed to teach students to become socially and academically competent in English. Students who demonstrate beginner and intermediate levels are designated as part of the program. Secondary students are given support based on their individual needs and may receive support in small

ESL groups, sheltered classes for science or history, or supported or modified immersion in mainstream grade

level classes. Beginner ESL students receive more time with ESL teachers in sheltered classes and support

working on learning basic vocabulary and structures.

ESL teachers regularly monitor student progress during the year, as students improve, to modify the program

according to student needs. This is done through work samples, observations, and official testing. Students are mainstreamed from ESL when they demonstrate an advanced proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. On average, students are in the ESL program at CAISL for about 2 years, but this can vary depending on background in English and other factors.

SCIENCEIn seventh grade we focus on developing the following science and engineering practices or skills: Asking questions and defining problems; Developing and using models; Planning and carrying out investigations; Analyzing and interpreting data; Using mathematics and computational thinking; Constructing explanations and designing solutions; Engaging in argument from evidence; Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. We develop these skills by studying the following content areas:Physical Science: Structures and Properties of Matter; Definitions of Energy, Energy Transfer, & the Conservation of Energy.Earth Science: The History of Planet Earth; Natural Resources, Earth Materials, & Earth Systems; Plate Tectonics & Natural Hazards; Human Impacts on Earth Systems & Global Climate Change.

PEPHYSICAL EDUCATION

The MS7 PE course is designed to teach students about their physical selves and create enthusiasm for physical activity, as well as develop their physical skills. We accomplish this goal by providing our students with a balanced program that builds a strong foundation in physical fitness, challenges them to achieve sport performance skills at a higher level (at least intermediate), lead-up games, and sports at an intermediate level of understanding (tactics).

7TH GRADE

ART

The Grade 7 artist focuses on observational techniques and imagination. Students develop critical thinking

skills whilst studying historical movements. Work

is documented by an investigation journal.

PNL LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA 7

Neste ano de escolaridade dá-se especial atenção à leitura e interpretação de textos narrativos (textos de tradição

oral e de autor; outras obras de cariz memorialístico), textos dramáticos e textos poéticos. Desenvolver-se-á a consciência das diversas categorias que regem cada tipologia textual, entre outras características estruturais e linguísticas. Estimular-se-á, também, a interpretação e a inferência partindo desses mesmos textos. Para além destas competências, a disciplina de Língua Portuguesa 7 visa sedimentar e desenvolver os conhecimentos

gramaticais adquiridos no ano anterior, recorrendo à veiculação de conteúdos de conhecimento

explícito da língua e à prática dos mesmos, exigindo um nível mais desenvolvido de domínio

linguístico e consciência gramatical tanto morfológica como sintática. Associada às práticas da

língua, desenvolver-se-á a técnica de organização e redação de textos, tais como guiões de leitura,

apreciações críticas das obras lidas e produções criativas.

WORLD

LANGUAGESCAISL offers French, Spanish and Chinese at the Beginner level. These courses are designed to develop student interest

in studying the language and aim to provide

students with a solid foundation

on which to continue to develop

language competence and cultural knowledge

through speaking, listening, reading and writing practice.

EXPLORATORIESMiddle School students are offered the opportunity to “explore” topics without the pressure of grades. The options change annually but can include such courses as Gardening, Creative Writing, Exploratory Drama, Robotics/Coding, and “Uncarved Block” (i.e. stress management).

CHOIR & ORCHESTRAGrade 7 students have two music

options - choir or string orchestra. Choir is a year-long class with an

opportunity to learn and grow in the area of vocal music. Orchestra is a year-long class for string players

with at least one year of prior instruction. Both classes study a broad range of music styles and basic music

theory. These ensembles perform regularly throughout the year for formal and informal events.

SOCIAL STUDIES Seventh Grade Social Studies covers the Middle Centuries from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance, with specific focus on Iberia. Students will analyze the impact of intellectual, philosophical, and scientific ideas from the Middle Ages. They study how trade, technology, the availability of natural resources, and contact with other civilizations affected the development of empires. Topics include: The Fall of Rome, Feudalism, the Rise and Expansion of Islam, the Protestant Reformation, and the Renaissance. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ research skills by studying a variety of informational texts and primary sources.

Students also participate in CAISL’s JMUN Conference, where they have the opportunity to learn about and debate key global issues.

IT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Students have the option to select between “Video

Production” and “Web Development” and will be taught the technological

skills required for the units of inquiry undertaken.

In Video Production Students will learn

the essentials on recording

and editing videos using today’s digital

technology. In Web Development, students

will learn HTML and CSS as languages in order to

create and share their own web pages.

MUSICAL THEATERGrade 7 students will develop performance skills both individually and as an ensemble, with an emphasis on rehearsal and audience etiquette. The Musical Theater class produces one major performance during the school year.

PFL PORTUGUESE AS

A FOREIGN LANG.PFL is required of all students who are new to the language except to those who are just beginning to learn English. It is taught at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level. This program will

give students the opportunity to express themselves, orally and

in writing, and to understand the culture of Portugal. Students who successfully complete the PFL program through the Advanced level are eligible to move into PNL. During the transition, students will receive an Accommo- dation Plan or sheltered assessment.

is a student-centered educational community in which we challenge ourselves and each other

to do our best and to make positive contributions to our diverse and ever-changing world.

GR 7

REVISED JULY 2017

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Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL)

Curriculum OverviewGrade 7