Academics

Artist as Teacher

Middle School art teacher Martin Delabano's piece, Family Portrait: 1963, is installed at the Center for Creative Connections (C3) at the Dallas Museum of Art. His piece is used as inspiration for visitors to create works of art. Look for it the next time you're at the DMA!

Caruth Photo Exhibition

Conversation

Each spring, Dallas philanthropist W.W. Caruth, III visits St. John’s, bringing exotic photographs and tales of his extensive travels. From a camel fair in India to Carnivale in Venice, he charms students with his stories, pictures and presence.

"The Conversation" by William Caruth above

Seventh Grade Academic Program

Language Arts

In seventh grade English students read short stories, historical fiction, science fiction, realistic fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. While connecting the texts and the real world, students paraphrase, evaluate, and summarize information to analyze the differences between fact and opinion and to detect bias. In addition, students analyze conflict, identify imagery and symbolism, evaluate point of view, analyze figurative language, and identify elements of poetry. Students analyze the meanings of complex words by using their knowledge of roots and affixes. They will work collaboratively on a variety of projects.

In grade seven writing lab students develop skills in various formats, including expressive and informational pieces and business letters. They continue to explain, inform, entertain, and describe through writing as well as begin to persuade and analyze. They revise work using collaboration, conferencing, and self-evaluation; they edit for language conventions such as syntax and word usage. Students will respond to texts both orally and in writing, listen for meaning in conversations and discussions, and effectively summarize them. Students ask questions to investigate a topic, access information from a variety of sources, and conduct independent research, summarizing the information they gather on various projects. Daily warm-up activities allow for mini grammar lessons, the use of higher level thinking skills, and to review previous objectives. Mini-lessons incorporate actual student writing and focus on fluency and conventions.

Math

Seventh grade pre-algebra helps students transition from the concrete concepts of arithmetic to the abstract concepts of algebra and geometry. The course integrates these three areas while making connections to probability, statistics, and the use of technology. The topics covered include operations of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers, measurement, patterns, variables, linear equations, angles, polygons, graphing, and problem solving. This course provides opportunities for students to individually and cooperatively visualize, discuss, and demonstrate mathematical concepts.

Science

Seventh grade science is an integrated science course which introduces the principles of physical, chemical, earth, and life sciences and how they relate to each other. Units include matter, forces and motion, work, machines and energy, life sciences, and introduction to the human body. Students conduct experiments, collect and analyze and retain information, create models, and give oral presentations.

Social Studies

Seventh Grade Social Studies students examine diverse areas in terms of political power, economic influence, social organization, cultural ideas, and religious practices in each civilization explored. It begins with the study of Islam and the three non-Arab Muslim empires. The influential role of religion in society is emphasized. The Ottoman Empire in North Africa bridges our study to Early Africa Civilizations. Geography, culture and economics guide us through this section. Students then leap into an abbreviated look at China and Japan. Comparing the two allows for an appreciation of the each empire. Feudal societies in Asia connect to the Middle Ages in Europe. Religion is a strong thread all the way to the Reformation. The overriding desire for change lays the foundation for the Scientific Revolution. And revolutionary ideas about philosophy, society, and politics usher in the Age of Enlightenment. Studying these changes allows the student to better understand the current world situation.