William Mendenhall Middle School

7th Grade Core - Honors

English Language Arts/History-Social Science

 The 7th Grade Core curriculum is standards based and taught in a two-period block, which blends the content of English and history-social science, reinforcing the reading, writing, and analytical-cognitive skills necessary for both. Skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening--as delineated in the Common Core English/Language Arts State Standard--are taught in the context of literature, non-fiction, and medieval history studies as outlined in the History-Social Science Framework.

 The English Language Arts curriculum includes reading comprehension, literary analysis, and instruction in several standards-based writing types, including summary, narrative, expository and argumentative. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based inquiry and critical thinking skills. Language arts skills are acquired through a variety of experiences, such as reading, listening, responding, public speaking, dramatic presentations, simulations, meaningful writing, and collaborative group discussion. Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar are also included in the course of instruction.

 The History-Social Science curriculum includes analysis and determination of central ideas of primary and secondary sources, integration of visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps), and distinguishing among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. Focus includes the fall of the Roman Empire to the Age of Reason in the beginning of the 18th century, and includes instruction on the Roman Empire; Medieval Europe; the rise of Islam; Medieval Africa, Japan, and China; Mesoamerica; Europe during the Renaissance; the Reformation and Scientific Revolution, the Age of Exploration, and the Age of Reason.

 In addition to the 7th Grade Core course description, Honors Core includes the following:

• Study is at greater depth and complexity, in accordance with grade-level standards.  
• Students are expected to be able to work well both independently and collaboratively
• Students work more independently.
• Pacing is quicker.
• Required course reading is more often done as homework, rather than during class.
• Writing is expected to be more sophisticated (stronger vocabulary, more complex and varied sentence structure, greater depth of thought and analysis) and more extensively researched, including the use of primary sources.
• Assigned readings may be at a higher level of difficulty.
• Students are exposed to critical reading strategies and are challenged to develop organizational skills as well as foundational academic habits.
• Homework typically requires students to think critically and synthesize the material that they learned in class. As a result, homework generally takes longer.
• Grammar techniques are more sophisticated and complex.
• More choice is given to students regarding the focus of projects/essays designed to show a synthesis of their learning.