Central Theme
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Students study the significant events, people, issues and conflicts from the earliest beginnings of Texas history to the present day. Included in the study is Prehistoric Indians of Texas, the Missions Era, the Texas Revolution, Colonial Life, Civil War and Reconstruction, and the Frontier and the Cattle Kingdom.
Students complete several research activities throughout the year, each developing more advanced skills. Several small reports are required during the first semester leading to fewer, though longer and more intense reports, in the second semester.
Using the Accelerated Reading program as a basis, the seventh grade program has as its goal the development of a more sophisticated reader. Reading is done individually, in pairs, and in small group settings. Numerous brief biographies of key historical figures will be read as a class and in groups. In addition to a half hour of independent reading at home, there will be silent reading periods each week. To encourage a variety of reading experiences, students choose their books from the Accelerated Reading program used in addition to Central Theme reading lists. Each student is required to meet an individual goal per quarter.
The curriculum is designed to provide a rich background for inspiring the writing process. The Process Writing Approach is further refined to include extensive use of proofreading for effective use of parts of speech, conventional punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and manuscript form and legibility. Much of the writing is done on computers, using word processing and research skills.
Linguistics
The Classical Vocabulary Study begun in the fourth grade continues with further etymological study and addition of root families, prefixes and suffixes. Content related vocabulary and spelling study continues with weekly word lists, although emphasis on word meaning will increase.
Grammar studies increase the knowledge of more complex sentence structures in order for students to use them as tools to become more effective writers. The goal in seventh grade is to review parts of speech, master pronoun usages, verb tense and subject/verb agreement, and to identify infinitives, participles and gerunds, as well as independent and subordinate clauses.
Mathematics
The Middle School math program is developmentally based and seeks to challenge students at every level of ability and development. Students are placed developmental readiness and previous math achievement.
The Pre-Algebra Class makes the transition from arithmetic concepts to algebraic concepts using concrete models. An introduction to the graphing calculator is integrated into the curriculum.
The Honors Pre-Algebra Class is taught at a rigorous pace and includes extensive enrichment particularly with problem solving and manipulatives. This group of students demonstrates above average skills in the areas of quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention.
Science
Seventh grade science investigates forces in nature, forces within the earth, simple and complex machines, and the interrelationship of force, work power and machines with different forms of energy. Investigations into the biological concepts that will increase the student’s understanding of the laws of nature are also emphasized in seventh grade science. The interactions of the biological, chemical, physical and earth science factors affecting the environment are also investigated.
Spanish
Spanish IA – A secondary Level I curriculum will be used in seventh and eighth grade to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Students will also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. High school credit for Level I will be earned at the completion of eighth grade.
Spanish IIA - This is the first year of a two-year course that prepares students to test out of high school Spanish II and enter high school Spanish III in ninth grade. The Spanish curriculum objectives are to develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express their own needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish speaking world.
Physical Education
Students receive sports skills training in both team and individual sports, with an emphasis on lifetime sports.
Volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf and track are offered to seventh grade students. The teams compete with various Corpus Christi and surrounding area public and private schools.
Outdoor Education
Seventh graders participate in an October trip to the Hill Country. The trip begins with a visit to the Missions. The students will concentrate on leadership skills by using the climbing wall as well as hiking, rock climbing, and various other physical activities. Seventh graders also visit the State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum in April.
Spiritual Formation and Growth
The beginning of the school day is set aside for a daily devotional and prayer time. Students attend a thirty-minute chapel service once a week with special services held to recognize holidays and graduation. A Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. In the class, the students discover the fundamental doctrines of the major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and the Islamic faith. The emphasis is on understanding other viewpoints.
Life Skills
Life skills is intended to help students deal with issues that are pertinent to their normal growth and development. Through the class students are encouraged to develop: healthy self-esteem, confidence, group interaction skills and decision making skills, school responsibility, fairness, kindness, respect for others, and peer pressure reversal techniques. The study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
Art Enrichment is a progression of more difficult art techniques being introduced and tied to various products. Seventh graders will continue to familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and the Art Studio. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Music Enrichment is a class in which the students learn the music and culture of the West Africans. Students learn to play many different percussion instruments of this region while learning about the people and the origins of the instruments. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Improv Enrichment teaches the student performance skills, self-confidence, working with a group, and speaking in front of an audience. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Study Skills
This program follows a sequence in fifth grade with introduction of a more sophisticated notebook system along with review and reinforcement of the techniques of assignment keeping, daily study schedule and time usage, and organization of the home study area, desk and locker.
Parent Communication
A Middle School Orientation for parents and students at the beginning of school previews special programs and activities as well as the discipline system. One regular parent/child conferences is scheduled each year.
Report cards are sent home four times during the year.
Central Theme
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Students study the significant events, people, issues and conflicts from the earliest beginnings of Texas history to the present day. Included in the study is Prehistoric Indians of Texas, the Missions Era, the Texas Revolution, Colonial Life, Civil War and Reconstruction, and the Frontier and the Cattle Kingdom.
Students complete several research activities throughout the year, each developing more advanced skills. Several small reports are required during the first semester leading to fewer, though longer and more intense reports, in the second semester.
Using the Accelerated Reading program as a basis, the seventh grade program has as its goal the development of a more sophisticated reader. Reading is done individually, in pairs, and in small group settings. Numerous brief biographies of key historical figures will be read as a class and in groups. In addition to a half hour of independent reading at home, there will be silent reading periods each week. To encourage a variety of reading experiences, students choose their books from the Accelerated Reading program used in addition to Central Theme reading lists. Each student is required to meet an individual goal per quarter.
The curriculum is designed to provide a rich background for inspiring the writing process. The Process Writing Approach is further refined to include extensive use of proofreading for effective use of parts of speech, conventional punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and manuscript form and legibility. Much of the writing is done on computers, using word processing and research skills.
Linguistics
The Classical Vocabulary Study begun in the fourth grade continues with further etymological study and addition of root families, prefixes and suffixes. Content related vocabulary and spelling study continues with weekly word lists, although emphasis on word meaning will increase.
Grammar studies increase the knowledge of more complex sentence structures in order for students to use them as tools to become more effective writers. The goal in seventh grade is to review parts of speech, master pronoun usages, verb tense and subject/verb agreement, and to identify infinitives, participles and gerunds, as well as independent and subordinate clauses.
Mathematics
The Middle School math program is developmentally based and seeks to challenge students at every level of ability and development. Students are placed developmental readiness and previous math achievement.
The Pre-Algebra Class makes the transition from arithmetic concepts to algebraic concepts using concrete models. An introduction to the graphing calculator is integrated into the curriculum.
The Honors Pre-Algebra Class is taught at a rigorous pace and includes extensive enrichment particularly with problem solving and manipulatives. This group of students demonstrates above average skills in the areas of quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention.
Science
Seventh grade science investigates forces in nature, forces within the earth, simple and complex machines, and the interrelationship of force, work power and machines with different forms of energy. Investigations into the biological concepts that will increase the student’s understanding of the laws of nature are also emphasized in seventh grade science. The interactions of the biological, chemical, physical and earth science factors affecting the environment are also investigated.
Spanish
Spanish IA – A secondary Level I curriculum will be used in seventh and eighth grade to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish. Students will also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. High school credit for Level I will be earned at the completion of eighth grade.
Spanish IIA - This is the first year of a two-year course that prepares students to test out of high school Spanish II and enter high school Spanish III in ninth grade. The Spanish curriculum objectives are to develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express their own needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish speaking world.
Physical Education
Students receive sports skills training in both team and individual sports, with an emphasis on lifetime sports.
Volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf and track are offered to seventh grade students. The teams compete with various Corpus Christi and surrounding area public and private schools.
Outdoor Education
Seventh graders participate in an October trip to the Hill Country. The trip begins with a visit to the Missions. The students will concentrate on leadership skills by using the climbing wall as well as hiking, rock climbing, and various other physical activities. Seventh graders also visit the State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum in April.
Spiritual Formation and Growth
The beginning of the school day is set aside for a daily devotional and prayer time. Students attend a thirty-minute chapel service once a week with special services held to recognize holidays and graduation. A Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. In the class, the students discover the fundamental doctrines of the major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and the Islamic faith. The emphasis is on understanding other viewpoints.
Life Skills
Life skills is intended to help students deal with issues that are pertinent to their normal growth and development. Through the class students are encouraged to develop: healthy self-esteem, confidence, group interaction skills and decision making skills, school responsibility, fairness, kindness, respect for others, and peer pressure reversal techniques. The study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
Art Enrichment is a progression of more difficult art techniques being introduced and tied to various products. Seventh graders will continue to familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and the Art Studio. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Music Enrichment is a class in which the students learn the music and culture of the West Africans. Students learn to play many different percussion instruments of this region while learning about the people and the origins of the instruments. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Improv Enrichment teaches the student performance skills, self-confidence, working with a group, and speaking in front of an audience. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Study Skills
This program follows a sequence in fifth grade with introduction of a more sophisticated notebook system along with review and reinforcement of the techniques of assignment keeping, daily study schedule and time usage, and organization of the home study area, desk and locker.
Parent Communication
A Middle School Orientation for parents and students at the beginning of school previews special programs and activities as well as the discipline system. One regular parent/child conferences is scheduled each year.
Report cards are sent home four times during the year.