Grade 7

As students develop their understanding of Language, it is essential to provide them with a broad range of language experiences so they may become better communicators. Language Arts 7 seeks to provide this experience through various learning activities stemming from the study of short stories, novel studies, and poetry.

Language Arts 7 includes four units with vocabulary, creative writing, research writing, comprehension activities, and grammar exercises throughout. The four units are:

1. Short stories
2. Novel Study: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
3. Poetry
4. Novel Study: The Green Ember

Pre-requisite(s):

The pre-requisite course to Language Arts 7 is Language Arts 6 or equivalent.

Materials and resources required:

Provided by NSA:

• Language Arts 7 Online lesson and assignment documents
• LITERATURE: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes, silver level
• Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
• The Green Ember

Purchased by student:

• Language Power workbook, Level E (provided by NSA, invoiced to families for workbook cost).

Students should expect to spend at least five hours a week on this class.

Students will be evaluated on assignments provided in the lessons. These include projects, creative writing, grammar exercises, comprehension quizzes, group discussions, etc. These will be submitted to the teacher for marking. Closed-book tests are given throughout the course. There is no final cumulative exam for this course.

The breakdown of marks is as follows:

• Assignments: 65%
• Tests: 25%
• Discussions: 10%

Summary of Course Content and Activities

The content of Math 7 is organized around 8 major units

• Integers
• Fractions, Decimals and Percents
• Operations with Fractions
• Data Analysis & Probability
• Patterns and Relations
• Equations
• Measurement
• Geometry & Transformations

Philosophy statement for teaching this course

The new math courses in Alberta have been developed to give students time to understand the big ideas of math, and not simply memorize formulas and algorithms. This is a challenge in an online environment, but concepts are presented as much as possible in a way that encourages students to think through the ideas themselves. Manipulatives are used where available and appropriate, and technology is integral in many lessons.

Prerequisites

A strong background in Math 6 or equivalent is recommended.

Materials and Resources

Provided by NSA

• eText and Videos covering all lesson concepts

Purchased by Students

• A scientific calculator -  but it does NOT need to be a fancy one.
• Students will need a scanner for submitting work. (can be done with a cell phone
  app)

Forecasted amount of time required to complete each week's lesson

The course is organized around 36 weeks.
Each week covers some course content, and then provides lots of time to work on practice problems. Each week students write a test.
This would take ROUGHLY 4 - 6 hours a week, depending on the student.

Description of student evaluations, quizzes and tests.

Assignments 70%
Chapter Tests 20%
Final Exam 10%

Summary of course content and activities:

The five topics in grade 7 science are:

1. Interactions and Ecosystems is an introductory study of life.
   Students are introduced to the concept that all living things share
   basic commonalities.
2. Plants for Food and Fibre investigates the features and structures
   of plants, their functions, and their uses.
3. Heat and Temperature discusses the differences between heat and
   temperature and looks at devices that create and measure heat and
   temperature.
4. Structures and Forces focuses on the study of structures and the
   forces that act on them. Students look at functions and materials
   used as well as specific designs and their effectiveness.
5. Planet Earth examines processes that create the formations of the
   Earth's crust. The unit includes studies of rocks and minerals,
   erosion, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and
   fossils.

Philosophy statement for teaching this course:

It is important for students to learn about and develop an appreciation for the world that God has created. This encourages students to become good stewards of natural resources and provides them with an understanding of God's awesome design in the world. To accommodate a variety of learning styles, a variety of activities are provided, including opportunities for students to do hands-on activities and experiments.

Pre-requisite(s):

Science 6

Materials and resources provided by NSA, purchased by student, and/or recommended:

Provided by NSA:

• Science Focus 7 textbook
• Online materials

Purchased by student:

• Additionally, students will require a variety of easily obtainable materials such as salt, sugar, food coloring, seeds, soil, sand, straws, tape, newspaper, etc. for science experiments.

Forecasted amount of time required to complete each week's lesson:

Students should spend a minimum of 3 hrs per week on Science lessons and activities.

Description of student evaluations, quizzes, and tests:

Students are required to submit a variety of assignments for marking. These include research projects, experiment write-ups, crossword puzzles, unit tests, etc.

Labs and Written Assignments: 75%
Tests: 25%

Summary of course content and activities:

Grade 7 provides a comprehensive examination of Canadian history preceding and following Confederation. The concept of intercultural contact is introduced through an examination of migration and immigration.

Philosophy statement for and/or behind teaching this course:

Canada has a strong Christian history that we will explore as we learned about how Canada became Canada.

Major course goals:

The two main goals of this class are to learn about the important people, places, and events in Canada’s history before and after confederation.

Pre-requisite(s):

none.

Materials and resources provided by NSA, purchased by student, and/or recommended:

Provided by NSA:

• Our Canada textbook.

Forecasted amount of time required to complete each week's lesson:

Students should spend a minimum of six hours a week on this class.

Description of student evaluations, quizzes, and tests:

• Assignments – 70%
• Quizzes/ tests – 30%

Summary of Course Content and Activities:

Bible 7 is a yearlong in-depth study about the book of Acts.  The overarching theme of the book of Acts is the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Apostles as they spread the Gospel throughout Israel and into Africa, Asia, and Europe.  As students traverse the pages of Acts, they will encounter key people as the Gospel begins to spread from a local cluster of Christ-followers to larger gatherings of people that eventually become churches.  Students will research and create specific “resumes” for individuals, and they will also have the opportunity to “be creative” with explaining historical happenings.  The final project has students identify three Bible characters from the book of Acts who could potentially be church planters and has them plan and initiate video job interviews for those three candidates.

Philosophy Statement:

Acts 1:8 is the key verse for this course: “But you will receive power when the Holy spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the Earth.”  Students will understand that the current Church came into being by followers of Christ who were empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel to those who had never heard of Jesus, teaching them and making them disciples of the Son of God (Matthew 28:18-20).

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Materials:

• Bible (ESV is preferred, but the NASB, KJV, NKJV, or NIV₁₉₈₄ will also work).
• PC computer (not an Apple, Chromebook, or iPad).
• Internet access, printer, and a scanner.
• Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint).
• Google Docs.

Forecasted Amount of Time:

3 hours per week.

Evaluation:

Assignments – 60%

Quizzes – 20%

Final Project – 20%

Summary of Course Content and Activities:

Through participation in this course, students will acquire a variety of skills related to both movement and physical activity; understand and appreciate the health benefits of living an active lifestyle as they both experience and participate in physical activity; learn the importance of interacting positively with others, both in the context of teamwork and sportsmanship; and assume responsibility for leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

Philosophy Statement:

In Luke 2:52, Scripture tells us that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”  Just as Jesus had to learn and mature physically, students also need to grow into their own physical stature and learn social skills in order to cope with the daily happenings in our lives.  In order to process life’s experiences correctly, we need to develop a biblical worldview, which is part of the content of this course.

Prerequisites:

Students taking HPE 7 are presumed to have reached the acceptable standard in Physical Education & Wellness 6 (PEW 6).

Materials:

• PC computer (not an Apple, Chromebook, or iPad).
• Internet access, printer, and a scanner.
• Microsoft Office 365 (provided to NorthStar students if you don’t currently own it).
• Bible (ESV, NIV₁₉₈₄, KJV, NKJV, NASB).

Forecasted Amount of Time:

2-4 hours per week.

Evaluation:

Assignments (Health) – 50%
Monthly Physical Activity Logs (PE) – 50%

INTRO TO CODING (GR. 7-9)

Summary of course content and activities:

In Intro to Coding, students will explore block-based programming code as well as program with Scratch.  We may also explore Python. Coding allows students to use their creativity and problem-solving skills. Students will program a virtual Ferris Wheel or program a virtual robot. This class will take 2-3 hours a week and has 12 lessons. No coding experience is needed but this class is also good for those with some previous coding experience. 

LEARNING WITH MINECRAFT (GR. 7-9)

Summary of course content and activities:

Learning with Minecraft is a 12 lesson option course that will take a minimum of 2 hours per week. Students who enjoy playing the game will want to spend more time building, however! Students will use Minecraft to recreate scenes from poetry or books, create models in Minecraft to represent actual buildings like the Eiffel Tower, they will also learn to take screenshots and screen videos. One of the assignments is showing the parents the Minecraft world they create and explaining why Minecraft is a great way to learn. There are more challenges that students will have and badges that they can earn.
 

TECH TOOLS (GR. 7-9)

Summary of course content and activities:

10+ Apps Every Student Needs will cover the following:

• Digital Citizenship: Appropriately using digital technology like cell phones, computers, and websites.
• Word Clouds: A great tool to summarize information or pick out important ideas.
• Screen Captures: How to use screen capture software on your computer.
• Online tools for bibliography creation.
• Google slide.
• Web page design (2 weeks).
• Meme-making: So much fun!
• Making comic strips.
• Making timelines.
• Study tools: Things like how to build a jeopardy game.
• Piktochart: Infographics, reports, and presentations.

This is a 12-week course and will require about 2-3 hours per week.

Summary of course content and activities:

In this Foods course, students will explore basic food and kitchen safety, Canada's Food Guide, making nutritious snacks, planning meals and cooking basic meals. Students will learn some baking skills and develop a heritage food meal. They will be expected to complete several assignments and assessments as well as two projects.  No previous cooking or baking skills are required.

Summary of course content and activities:

In Music, students will start with setting a baseline of musical ability.  During the semester, they will be completing practice logs and sending in video performances. They will also learn to complete musical critiques and do some research on a musical instrument and career.  They will be submitting samples of their theory learning and evidence of music appreciation.  In order to be successful in this course, students should already be or plan to be involved in some type of regular music lessons. 

Summary of course content and activities:

In Outdoor Education, students will explore outdoor safety, proper outdoor clothing,  fire building and safety, bear safety, shelter building, identifying animal tracks, ORV safety and environmental stewardship. They will be required to do some research and create some projects.  They will also need to have opportunities to try new outdoor activities and plan and execute a day trip such as a hike or canoe trip.  No previous outdoor experience is required.