7th Grade Literacy

Course Description:  In 7th Grade Literacy the focus is on the following standards:  Oral Expression and Listening, Reading for All Purposes, and Writing and Communication. We practice and build the skills necessary for students to read, write, access, produce, and present information, and to be effective listeners and communicators. 

We begin with the study of the narrative genre in both reading and writing. We read a variety of narrative pieces to explore and understand the elements of fiction and their connections to one another. A big project at this time is to produce an original work of fiction in the form of an illustrated children’s book which presents the elements required in a narrative and demonstrates grasp of grammar, usage, and mechanics. We write daily in response to our reading and discuss and analyze connections between stories and real life and the ways literature represents the human experience.

Along with fiction, we read works from other genres including descriptive, persuasive and informational texts, essays, and a selection of poetry. Students read independently each day from self-selected materials and participate in book talks and conferences about their reading. 7th grade students write informational and persuasive texts of various lengths and craft presentations and engage in discussions to demonstrate knowledge and understanding. Students strengthen word knowledge and build vocabulary, become more adept using figurative language, and extend their thinking through reading, writing, and presenting. Throughout the year, we hone students’ proficiency in grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

Nancy Hauer - Literacy
970-665-7686   [email protected]



Kirsten Clancy -  Literacy
970-665-7921. [email protected]

7th Grade Math

Course Description: In 7th Grade Social Studies we focus on the appearance and development of civilizations from across Africa, Europe, and Asia from ancient times until roughly 1500 AD. Recurring topics and themes include:

1. the importance of natural resources, location, and access to trade routes. 

2. the important role that stability plays in the development of civilization, as well as the components that lead to stability.

3. the development of culture, governments, belief systems, and technology.

4. the impact of different cultures bumping into one another and beginning the process of assimilation.

Civilizations we focus on include Ancient River Valley Civilizations (Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China), Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe, Enlightenment Europe, pre-Colonial Africa, and Islamic Arabia.

We also add in a large portion of the basics of modern economics as well as a healthy dose of modern current events. 

 Laura Van Deusen - Math 
970-665-6772   [email protected]  
 



Grace Vaught-Smith - Math  
970-665-7937    [email protected]  

7th Grade Social Studies

Tatianna Mahan-Higgins  - Social Studies 
970-665-7685   tmahan-higgins@garfieldre2.net





Jackie Carter - Social Studies
970-665-7938      [email protected] 

7th Grade Science

Course Description: In 7th Grade Science we spend the year learning about organisms on our planet and how the structure of the Earth and events that have occurred have impacted life. We begin our year taking a closer look at the human body and the systems that make it remarkable. We further our investigation of life by studying the parts of cells, how cells grow, replicate, and heal and how organisms obtain the energy they need to survive. As the year progresses, we analyze how life on Earth has changed over time in response to outside forces. We take a closer look at the physical features and structure of the Earth and analyze possible causes and explanations. Finally, we prepare students for 8th grade science by taking a closer look at compounds and mixtures. 

Throughout the year emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills, making observations and inferring possible explanations, analyzing & gathering information, and combining acquired knowledge into non-fiction writing. 

Overall topics for the year include:s ~Human Body Structures & Functions ~Mitosis & The Cell Cycle ~Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration ~Biological Adaptations & Extinction Events ~The Rock Cycle & Composition of the Earth ~Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics ~Earth formations & events such as: Volcanoes, Mountains, & Earthquakes ~Elements, compounds & Mixtures

Mark Hunt - Science
970-665-7902   [email protected]   
 


Teodor Miu - Science  
970-665-7905   [email protected]