Trinity Lutheran School
Seventh Grade
Teacher: Mrs. De Malterer
For more information about Trinity's seventh grade, please call the school office or email Mrs. Malterer.
Confirmation
Seventh and eighth grade Confirmation Class is a two year course in basic Bible teaching. The Bible and Luther's Small Catechism are our textbooks, and the pastors team teach the classes using a combination of lecture, group discussion, faith formation essays, memorization, and provocative stories to prepare young adults for meaningful membership in the Lutheran Church and for Godly living in the real world.
Literature
The sixth, seventh, and eighth grades use the Prentice Hall literature series. The students are introduced to several literary genres including short stories, drama, non-fiction, poetry, oral tradition, and novels. The students analyze story development such as character, setting, plot, and theme.
English
English is grammar instruction including the review of parts of speech, sentence structure, capitalization and punctuation rules, as well as usage and mechanics. The writing process will also be reviewed and used through the year. Types of writing may include a research paper, short stories, and poetry.
Spelling
Seventh grade students learn spelling patterns as they build on basic word roots using affixes and word endings. They are taught syllabication vowel relations, and consonant relationships. Students learn to spell in their regular daily work. Dictionary, thesaurus, and critical reading vocabulary are used to strengthen spelling skills.
Math
All students study Math using the Saxon Math series. In seventh grade the incremental development continues with review of basic arithmetic functions. Students master concepts of number line, place value, fractions, percents, factors, and divisibility. Practical application of arithmetic is emphasized by the use of word problems in the standard forms of "Some and Some More", "Some Went Away", "Larger-Smaller-Difference", Equal Groups", and "Part-Part-Whole". Students use manipulatives to help understand fractions and percents. They practice the use of compass and straight edge, coordinate planes for graphing and various methods of plotting data. Metric system and proficient use of decimal numbers is practiced along with the skill of converting fractions, decimal and percents accurately.
Science
Seventh grade students study basic Life Science. They explore the nature of life, cells, tissues, and organs. They consider classification of living things including: Viruses and Monerans, Protists, Fungi, Plants, Sponges, Cnidarians, Worms and Mollusks, Arthropods and Echinoderms, Fishes and Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds and finally Mammals. Students are encouraged to appreciate all living things as marvelous creations of God. Laboratory experiences include dissection of various organisms in order to better understand their structures and the way they function.
World Geography
Students need to recognize and understand the geographical and cultural differences of the peoples around the world. Our world is "small" due to access to the internet and the news media. Because of this, students need to have an understanding of cultures and know the locations of countries across the globe to better comprehend what occurs in their country and the world. Map study will be a part of their curriculum throughout the year, as well as doing reports about a variety of countries. Each student will become an "expert" on a country of his or her choice from an approved list.
Computers
Students continue to master their keyboarding skills using Type to Learn. Students are also taught how to use a word processor for writing reports and to prepare presentations for social studies, science, and other classes using Star Office software. Students also learn how to use the internet for research.
Art
Artistic ability is either a natural gift or a learned ability. The students will have the opportunity to learn different techniques in a variety of mediums. They will be able to work with watercolors, acrylics, colored pencils, chalks, and charcoal.
Choir
The Junior High Choir is for students in sixth through eighth grades. Its main purpose is to provide glory to God through singing together while providing musical enjoyment and growth in vocal technique. The Junior High Choir sings at scheduled church services, the Christmas service, and at the spring choral festival.
Band
Students in fifth through eighth grade are able to be in band. The band class and lessons are provided by the JWP band director. Band students gain deeper musical understanding through the study of theory and performance. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, scale memorization, rhythm recognition, and musical interpretation. The students are exposed to increasingly challenging music as they progress through band. Generally, two concerts are offered each year, one in the fall and one in the spring.
Physical Education
Developing and refining locomotor skills and object control is ongoing at this level. Use of a variety of sports and activities help this development. Activities to build students' strength, endurance, flexibility, and power lay a ground work for physical fitness. Using various team, individual, and dual sports as units of instruction, a number of things can be taught. The rules of the game are taught not only to those looking to play at a higher level, but also to those who will choose to watch and enjoy the game as spectators. Social and personal skills are being worked on at this level. We will build on cooperation and leadership, integrity, respect, fair play, initiative, responsibility, effort, self-discipline, and decision-making. Students are given the opportunity to qualify for the Presidential and National fitness awards and are encouraged to view fitness in terms of lifelong activities and fun.