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Curriculum Overview – Grade 7

This is a broad overview of the curriculum that will be taught in the seventh grade at the Franconian International School.

The FIS curriculum was developed and organized to incorporate components from a variety of concepts and institutions. The FIS Curriculum consists of central elements of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, The National Curriculum from Great Britain, concepts of curriculum from the United States and the official Bavarian Curriculum for public elementary schools.

We have listed the major topics or themes that will be covered during the year for each subject. This is a guide and it is our goal to teach our curriculum as comprehensively and consistently as possible. In the Middle School, many of the topics will not be taught in isolation as separate subjects, but will be integrated as meaningful topical experiences which will be covered in numerous subject areas as an in depth unit.

Language Arts

Spoken Language

¨ Exploring, explaining, planning, predicting, investigating and sharing ideas, insights and opinions

¨ Reading aloud, dramatization of stories and poems

¨ Reporting, interviewing and presenting

¨ Persuasive speaking activities

¨ Developing listening skills in areas such as note-taking, debate, book report evaluation and cooperative learning

¨ Group discussion

Reading

¨ Develop reading strategies – ongoing outside reading required

¨ Increased reading comprehension

¨ Understanding vocabulary in context

¨ Improving fluency, understanding and enjoyment

¨ Various text: Fiction, non-fiction, novels, poetry, short stories, plays, etc.

¨ Deepen understanding of plot, ideas, characters, vocabulary and use of language, point of view

¨ Inferencing – drawing conclusions, sequencing

¨ Study skills

Writing

For a variety of purposes - descriptive, persuasive, creative, comparisons, summaries, newspaper articles, reports, letters, etc.

¨ Features of layout and presentation

¨ Punctuation, grammar and sentence structure

¨ Types of sentences

¨ Paragraphing

¨ Planning and drafting processes

¨ Spelling, use of dictionary

¨ Develop legible handwriting

¨ Develop larger and varied vocabulary

¨ Library skills and research project

Mathematics

Numbers and the number system

¨ Compare the values of positive and negative integers

¨ Inequalities

¨ Roman numerals

Calculations

¨ Percentages, ratios and proportions

¨ Fractions – addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

¨ Fractional conversions

¨ Operations using decimals

¨ Scientific Notation and exponents

¨ Algebraic calculations using variables

¨ Rounding of decimals

¨ Repeating decimals and fractional counterparts

¨ Using four operations with positive and negative integers

¨ Pythagorean Theorem

Solving Problems

¨ Making decisions, word problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

¨ Problems involving "real life", money and measures

¨ Two step word problems

¨ Extracting relevant information

¨ Identifying the variable

¨ Using ratios and proportions

¨ Problems dealing with interest, discounts and sale price

Handling Data

¨ Organising and interpreting data

¨ Coordinate Graphing

¨ Probability and Statistics

¨ Graphing Inequalities (one dimension)

Geometry

¨ Measures: Length, mass, capacity in metric and standard units

¨ Conversion of metric and standard measures

¨ Advanced concepts related to angles, circles and lines

¨ 2-D and 3-D shapes

¨ Perimeter, area and volume of advanced geometric shapes in 2-D and 3-D

¨ Advanced work with protractor and compass

Science

¨ The human body and its systems

¨ Electricity and magnetism

¨ The eye and the ear

¨ The air

¨ Chemical reactions

¨ Heat transfer

¨ Reproduction

Social Studies

Geography

¨ World Political and Physical Geography

¨ Mapping Skills

History

¨ The medieval period

¨ Industrial Revolution

¨ Renaissance

¨ The Reformation – a study of Protestant and Catholic religions

¨ World Explorers

¨ French Revolution

German

German as a first language

¨ Oral language and presentations

¨ Group discussions

¨ Reading with expression

¨ Writing of personal and business letters

¨ Grammar

¨ Reading of novels, stories, magazine articles, etc.

¨ Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences - essays

Stress on reading of German literature and poems

Intermediate German

¨ Oral language

¨ Reading and comprehension skills

¨ Acquisition of the language through songs, rhymes, games, text work, films, books

¨ Vocabulary and spelling exercises

¨ Grammatical structure

¨ Advanced composition and reading

Beginning German

¨ Basic vocabulary

¨ Foundation for oral communication

¨ Basic German grammar and sentence structure

¨ Comprehension skills

¨ Basic German texts

¨ Composition

Physical Education

¨ Fair play/sportsmanship

¨ Health and fitness

¨ Theoretical sports knowledge, practice and competitions in the following sports: athletics, cross country running, gymnastics, dance, soccer, basketball, handball, volleyball, indoor hockey, badminton, swimming, orienteering, winter sports

Art

¨ Continued work in the use of pattern, texture, colour, line, tone, shape

¨ Specific topics: color theory, portraits, gargoyles, Gothic style, perspective, tonal recession, printing, composition, form, sketching

¨ Care and use of tools and materials

¨ Study of the work of chosen artists

¨ Art History

Information Technology

¨ Internet Research

¨ Basic Computer knowledge

¨ Input device skills

¨ Storage Devices and how to use them

¨ File Management

¨ Keyboarding skills

¨ Word Processing skills

¨ Database and Spreadsheet skills

¨ Desktop publishing and basic graphics

¨ Introduction to programming

Music

¨ Elements of Music: pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure

¨ Choral music

¨ Studies of instruments

¨ Note reading and composition

¨ Basic arrangements

¨ History of Music

¨ Performances

Ethics

¨ Teamwork and relationships

¨ Personal development and peer interaction

¨ Problem solving and making decisions

¨ Standards and rules for ethics orientation

¨ Children in difficult situations

Spanish

Beginning Level

¨ Basic vocabulary

¨ Foundation for oral communication

¨ Basic Spanish grammar and sentence structure

¨ Comprehension skills

¨ Basic Spanish texts

Intermediate Level

¨ Oral language

¨ Reading and comprehension skills

¨ Acquisition of the language through songs, rhymes, games, text work, films, books

¨ Vocabulary and spelling exercises

¨ Grammatical structure

¨ Composition and reading