Grade 7 Course Descriptions

Grade 7 Academic Programme

Math
This course enables students to develop their mathematical literacy which will result in students being fluent in mathematical concepts, strategies and procedures. A student who is mathematically literate is one who has a certain comfort level with mathematics; having the confidence to think mathematically in a variety of situations both in and outside the school environment.

This course is designed to enable students to:

• be familiar and comfortable with number concepts
• be familiar and comfortable with number operations
• understand basic geometry
• understand measurement
• be able to collect, describe and graphically display data
• be familiar with the concept of probability
• be able to recognize patterns and undertake basic algebra

English
In addition to developing an appreciation for literature, the purpose of this course is to provide students with a balanced curriculum of literature, grammar and writing. These skills will develop in the student the ability to write fluently and correctly using many styles and forms.

Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are developed. Critical thinking and the writing process are emphasized. An introduction to drama is a main component of this course this not only fosters an appreciation for the arts but also provides students with a means for personal expression.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

• effectively communicate one's thoughts, ideas and emotions through written and spoken word
• demonstrate word analysis and systematic vocabulary development
• learn how to respond to and analyze literature
• develop writing strategies that utilize the stages of the writing process (organization, research, revising and evaluation)
• utilize a variety of genres and their characteristics in writing
• demonstrate listening and speaking strategies
• write and speak with a command of standard English conventions
• develop reading comprehension of informational materials
• develop a sense of appreciation for the dramatic arts
• learn about the planning and presentation of a dramatic production
• play a role in a dramatic presentation

Science
This course is designed to enhance student interest in science through investigating relevant material and creating a safe environment in which to investigate science. The course will continue to develop the students' scientific processing skills through an integrated curriculum of earth science, life science, physical science and chemistry. Laboratory investigations, projects, enquiry based activities, group work, class discussions and simulations will be the main methods used.

This course is designed to enable the students to:

• use and develop science process and thinking skills
• manifest science interests and attitudes
• understand important science concepts and principles
• communicate effectively using science language and reasoning
• demonstrate awareness of the social and historical aspects of science
• understand the nature of science

Beginner French 7
This is an introductory French course that allows learners to be exposed to and develop skills in the fields of speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing. The course goal for those students who remain in the programme for more than one year is to acquire enough skills to eventually integrate into Core FSL.

The goal of the Beginner French course (from the Québec Education Program) is to develop the student's capacity for oral (speaking and listening) and written (reading and writing) communication so as to enable them to express their view of the world. They will then be able to communicate with young people and adults from near and far and acquire and transmit cultural knowledge.

French Second Language (FSL)
Objectifs

• Le cours de français vise à aider l'élève à développer des compétences langagières, à communiquer de façon cohérente et structurée en exerçant les quatre compétences : l'oral, l'écoute, la lecture et l'écriture.
• Un tel apprentissage vise à donner les outils nécessaires à l'élève pour devenir un citoyen capable de participer pleinement aux échanges d'idées et à l'évolution de la société.
• Dans un second ordre, l'apprentissage de la langue englobe aussi la connaissance d'une société et d'une culture, de leur compréhension et au développement de celles-ci.

Comme aucun cahier d'exercices n'est requis dans le cours de français, l'élève a recours à l'utilisation de d'autres outils tel la recherche internet sur divers thèmes choisis par l'enseignante. On retrouvera aussi la lecture de livres, des dictées, des exercices divers, des exposés oraux, des jeux, des films de pays francophones, de la musique francophone, des projets, des sketches, des sorties culturelles, etc.

Physical and Health Education
The physical and health education course provides a fun and rewarding experience for all students. Content includes large and small group games, skills and drills, individual activities and related life-time sports. Students sports leadership skills are also developed throughout the course.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

• develop and maintain optimum physical and aerobic fitness
• develop and improve motor skills
• develop knowledge of human kinesiology and anatomy
• practice positive health habits and safety knowledge
• experience positive social interaction
• develop and maintain a positive self image
• develop and utilize skills, rules and strategies in sports
• enjoy physical pursuits and fair play

Moral Education
This course is designed to help each student learn about themselves and their potential role(s) in the following communities: classroom, school, local area and the world. Students learn more about themselves, how they are changing and how they can be positive role models in a variety of environments.

This course will assist and encourage students to:

• develop self awareness and a positive sense of self
• develop a sense of moral and social responsibility
• develop a positive peer group identity
• feel that their voice is heard as an active member of the classroom and Sedbergh community

Geography - Cycle One
The goal of the Cycle 1 geography course is to help students develop geographic reasoning and skills. As an introductory course, students complete three main geographical competencies: understanding the organization of a territory, interpreting a territorial issue and constructing a consciousness of global citizenship. Using the language of geography and cartography, students develop their geographic reasoning by comparing geographic phenomena at different scales of analysis. Students learn to respond to, modify and develop geographic problems using previously formed spatial representations.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

• deconstruct landscapes in a territory
• grasp the meaning of human actions with regard to a territory
• relate different geographic scales of analysis
• consider how a territorial issue is dealt with and to evaluate the proposals of the groups involved
• describe the complexity of the territorial issue
• show the global nature of a geographic phenomenon
• examine human actions in terms of the future and evaluate solutions to global issues

History and Citizenship
By exploring the cultures and peoples that "set the stage" for many of the technology, belief systems, and institutions that we still use today, this course gives students an historical overview from Pre-history to the Egyptian period. The cyclical nature of history is also studied as situations and scenarios tend to occur time and time again. Using interactive and experiential approaches, students will have the opportunity to experience first-hand how life was once lived and how to integrate those experiences to their lives today.

This course shall assist and encourage students to:

• discover what kinds of landforms, waterways, climates and natural resources are found on Earth and how they have shaped history
• discover which scientists have help people learn about life the past
• discover how legends have been important to the study of history
• discover how people changed from food-gathering to food-producing societies
• discover why specialization, government and religion were important in Neolithic societies
• discover how religion, family life, and government influenced Sumerian Civilization
• discover why Hammurabi and his reforms were important
• discover how Mesopotamian civilizations contributed to other civilizations
• discover why the Nile River was so important to the growth of Egyptian civilizations
• discover how pharaohs, pyramids and religious beliefs influenced the Old Kingdom of Egypt
• discover what happened during Egypt's Middle Kingdom
• discover why Egyptian civilization grew and then declined during the New Kingdom
• discover how the Egyptians contributed to other civilizations

Art
The study of art at Sedbergh is the introduction to a discipline. The students will acquire basic technical skills necessary to the execution of art and be exposed to examples of historical art styles. Through this course they will develop a recognition and appreciation of the role of nature in art and the artist's role in society.

The overall objectives of the program are:

• to develop familiarity with art vocabulary and studio procedures
• to develop technical skills
• to develop an understanding of the principles of good design
• to promote an understanding of the part played by art in man's history

The units of drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture and media are designed to provide an exploration of the elements and principles of design through a problem solving process geared to the various age levels. Each student maintains a sketchbook throughout the year to monitor progress. The classroom work is supplemented with demonstrations by working artists and visits to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.