RELIGION
The seventh grade curriculum focuses on the study of the New Testament and the Sacraments. This is a year to encounter Jesus through the living word and to accept His call to a life within the Church. The New Adam has fulfilled the covenant, and through baptism and the eucharist we are members of His body. We have His life in us, and with Him we have hope of eternal life. Through the study of Jesus’ incarnation, teaching, miracles, passion, death and resurrection students will come to know Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. The students will be given opportunity to pray via adoration, meditation, rosary, and scripture. They will also study the Sacraments as moments of action by the Holy Spirit to provide them with the graces they need to live out their Christian calling.
Text:
Sophia Institute, Spirit and Truth
LANGUAGE ARTS AND LITERATURE
In the Stella Maris Academy Middle School Language Arts Program the central focus is on the development of skills in reading literature, as well as informational texts, writing, and language.
In the reading component of the Language Arts program students analyze both literature and pieces of informational texts that correspond to their studies in the social sciences to create a cross-curricular dialogue. In using texts and Common Lit, students cite textual evidence to demonstrate their skills in deciphering what the text says explicitly, as well as make inferences. They are also asked to determine the central theme of a work and describe the evolution of a story’s plot taking into account the author’s point of view. In addition to these skills, students compare and contrast different mediums of a work to illustrate a contrast between what they see and hear to what they perceive when they listen or watch. Students also compare different forms and genres to give contrast to similar themes and topics seen in other works.
In writing students are asked to produce expository pieces that contain arguments that support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence from credible sources. While establishing and maintaining a formal style, students create texts that include thesis statements, topic sentences, transitions that clarify relationships, concrete details with accompanying commentary to add analysis to the relevant content, as well as concluding statements to reiterate the arguments made throughout their text. All writing undergoes the processes of planning, revising, editing, and re-writing both with peers and adults. Step up to Writing/Voyager Sopris Learning is integrated across the curriculum.
The language content of the program utilizes the Holt Handbook and No Red series to reinforce the conventions of standard English. This includes students demonstrating the command of prepositions, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs in both speaking and writing. More specifically, students are asked to recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in subject-verb agreement, as well as noun and pronoun number and person. In addition to these areas, students are also asked to demonstrate basic grammar conventions such as capitalization, punctuation, and spelling in all of their writing, which should also include a variety of sentence patterns that incorporate a specific style and tone that is maintained throughout. In terms of vocabulary acquisition and use, students utilize the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop series and content-specific words and phrases to obtain mastery in this area. Through the use of consulting context clues, reference materials, and inferred meaning, students are taught to demonstrate an understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Texts:
Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop
Holt Handbook
Step up to Writing/Voyager Sopris Learning
MATH
Our middle school math program’s goal is to coach and inspire students towards math success. Our program strives to create an environment that is engaging, differentiated, challenging, and gets our students prepared for high school and beyond.
In 7th grade, we offer up to three different math courses depending on the needs of the current class. Courses can include Grade Level, Accelerated Grade Level, and Above Grade Level. This allows for smaller class sizes and more individualized instruction. All three math classes are supplemented with hands on activities, manipulatives, projects, labs, and games, which makes learning math engaging.
7th Grade Grade Level Class: This class compacts the 7th and 8th grade Common Core Standards. This is a smaller class that provides intensive teacher support. Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: (1) developing an understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) developing an understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples.
This class uses the McGraw-Hill Accelerated Pre-Algebra textbook
7th Accelerated Grade Level Class: This class compacts the 7th and 8th Grade Common Core Standards. Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: (1) developing an understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) developing an understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples. *This course will move at an accelerated pace.
This class uses the McGraw-Hill Accelerated Pre-Algebra textbook
7th Grade Above Grade Level Class: This class covers the 8th Grade and High School Algebra Common Core Standards, instructional time will focus on four critical areas: (1) deepen and extend understanding of linear and exponential relationships; (2) contrast linear and exponential relationships with each other and engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and using quadratic functions; (3) extend the laws of exponents to square and cube roots; and (4) apply linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. This course will also have a strong emphasis on problem-solving.
This class uses the Pearson Algebra 1 textbook
SCIENCE
In 7th grade, students explore earth and physical sciences. This includes the study of plate tectonics, geological time frames, and the molecular components of chemical reactions. Students finish the year looking closely at energy and resources within ecosystems and their natural cycles. Students complete various hands-on activities and labs to supplement instruction. Using our core science program, Amplify Science, and supplemental materials students conduct field and lab investigations, use the scientific method, and make decisions using critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The student textbooks are consumable and include an online component that contains virtual labs, articles, and activities. Next Generation Science Standards are reinforced as students develop their own questions and conduct investigations in online simulations to form claims supported by concrete evidence in formal scientific writing.
This course uses Amplify Science
SOCIAL STUDIES
The students will study life in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, the feudal system, the growing power of the Catholic Church, Islam in medieval times, the Crusades, the culture and kingdoms of West Africa, Imperial China, medieval Japan, and civilizations of the Americas. If time allows, we will also learn about the Renaissance and Reformation. Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and learn the geography of our world throughout this course.
This course uses TCI: History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond
DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS
Students at Stella Maris Academy are exposed to and familiar with the Boys Town Social Skills Curriculum in grades TK-8. The Boys Town Social Skills curriculum focuses on empowering students to problem solve, make better choices, and self-advocate. Social skills are a daily part of our school community. Social skills include: following instructions, greeting others, getting the teacher’s attention, accepting no for an answer, accepting a consequence, staying on task, disagreeing appropriately, listening, working as a team, sharing, asking for permission, and saying an apology.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM
The Sanford Harmony Program is implemented in grades TK-8 and its core value is to build healthy peer relationships inside and outside of the classroom. The goal of Sanford Harmony is to create inclusive classroom communities, where teaching takes priority over resolving personality conflicts or issues among students. Students are empowered to communicate, cooperate, connect, embrace diversity, and resolve conflict. Students are taught meaningful and productive ways to interact and express themselves, which are irreplaceable skills that will last a lifetime.
TECHNOLOGY
Stella Maris Academy goes beyond the computer lab. All of our buildings are networked and well-equipped; each classroom has at least 3 computers, eBeam interactive white board technology, a document camera and an LCD projector. Technology-based projects are integrated throughout our curriculum. SMA buildings have wireless Internet access across the entire school campus. Stella Maris Academy uses iMacs and students utilize the Office 2012 as well as a variety of educational software and Web-based subscription programs. Students in grades TK-8 have access to a class set of iPads and ChromeBooks as well. Technology is integrated into every component of our curriculum at Stella Maris Academy. Using technology in our daily learning prepares students for the real world environment, especially as our nation becomes increasingly more technology-dependent. Students are prepared for their future careers, and are given opportunities to interact with classmates through collaboration.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Our physical education curriculum is composed of physical fitness fundamentals, motion skills and movement, social skills and sportsmanship. Basic skills that enhance balance, endurance, strength and agility activities, ball-handling skills individually, with partners and in groups, and rope jumping are taught. Each skill involves creative thinking, sportsmanship, fairness, cooperation and following directions.
FINE ARTS
Stella Maris Academy provides a challenging, coherent, and relevant art curriculum, the goal of which is to help students experience and appreciate art and the beauty of the world around them, and to lead them to discover unique and constructive methods of self-expression. In keeping with the diocesan guidelines for a fine arts curriculum, Stella Maris Academy includes in its visual arts curriculum for each grade level elements of four components: (1) exploration of the visual elements and principles of art and design, including line, color, shape, and composition, (2) creative expression through experimenting with various materials and processes, (3) examination of the cultural and historical contexts in which art is created, exploring cultural themes, works of significant artists, styles and processes; and (4) development of skills and vocabulary for looking at and discussing art in terms of design elements, characteristics and appreciation.
SPANISH
Seventh grade Spanish consolidates knowledge learned in previous years and sets the stage for more complex concepts. Joy is an integral part of the entire Spanish sequence at Stella Maris, because we recognize that happy children learn best. While standard verb and grammatical structures are covered, readings and cultural traditions are also guided by class interests. In addition to praying, seventh graders use their Spanish to write to the Pope. Instruction is differentiated for native speakers at every grade level.
LIBRARY
The Stella Maris Academy Library/ Media program is built on understanding core knowledge instruction while also learning essential skills for critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Stella Maris Academy’s Library/ Media program fundamentally aligns itself with Common Core State Standards while working directly with each classroom teacher to align the curriculum. The main component of the Library Media program centers on building strong content knowledge and focusing literacy instruction directly on the text. Students in all grades (TK-8) are encouraged to draw direct evidence from the text itself to promote comprehension and cite evidence accurately and correctly. A key component of the program includes an emphasis on interpretive and analytical skills within a range of texts, digital information, and internet/ media.
In middle school, students continue to learn how to use print and electronic resources accurately and effectively. The Library Media Center is designed to work closely with the Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies programs to align curriculum and student needs. Students learn how to use MLA format to cite information correctly and accurately when writing research papers. Middle school students learn how to find and validate print and electronic information based on their specific research goals.
MUSIC
The music program at Stella Maris Academy exists to provide students with a safe environment in which to experiment with and perfect the God given gift of their voices. Students will be encouraged to sing accurately, in tune, together, and separately. They will be provided with a variety of performance and leadership opportunities through school productions, after school activities, and church services. We want to give our students the opportunity to do something GREAT!