Grade Seven Curriculum Picks
Note: These Grade Seven Picks can be purchased from Homeschool Canada (order using the HCOS Curriculum Order Form). Some options may also be available to borrow from the Learning Commons Search Portal and/or via the OverDrive virtual eBook library.
Vendor websites are pick-and-choose and some optional or alternate suggestions may be listed, so select your items with care.
Overview Of Grade 7 Curriculum Picks
Here is an overview of the curriculum picks that we suggest for Grade 7. Please note that some subjects provide more than one option. For more information about the curriculum, please refer to the information under Detailed Information for Grade 7 Curriculum Picks.
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English Language Arts
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Mathematics
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Science
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Social Studies
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Bible/Christian Studies |
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Optional Resources (not detailed below)
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Detailed Information for Grade 7 Curriculum Picks
Note from Curriculum Consultant: In the middle school years (grades 7 - 9), academic standards begin to increase in preparation for high school. Teachers/parents/students may also notice that the resources begin to shift towards more independent student work and that the role of the parent may begin to shift to more of a coach/facilitator. This is a healthy and necessary shift that is not without its challenges. One way I have tried to mitigate the challenges is to recommend resources in the same series for these grades so that students can gain a level of confidence with them over time. It is reasonable to expect that grade seven could be a bit of a learning curve for families as they navigate increasing expectations.
English Language Arts
Select one of the following writing programs (A or B), in addition to two novel studies listed below these options.
Option A: Writing Strands Intermediate 1
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Type of Resource: Workbook Description: Writing Strands Intermediate 1 will help your junior high/high school student learn about effective paragraphs, descriptive writing, narrative voice, and tense usage, as well as how to analyze plots in literature. It explores the art of writing effectively—and creatively! In this comprehensive course, students will discover how to structure a story, utilize topic sentences, organize information, craft written descriptions, explore voice and character position, and more. This is a hybrid course that combines reading and writing into one course. Worksheets add structure to reading assignments chosen by the teacher/parent. Students will rotate writing and reading assignments each week—thus also learning to write through literature because good readers make good writers! Additionally, the Bible is used as the literature base for teaching how narrative voice can be used to form captivating pieces of literature.
Other Optional or Supplementary Resources Table of Contents: and PDF Samples
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Option B: Essentials in Writing 7 Student Book and Video Component (Choose Stream Online or DVD)
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Type of Resource: Homes education curriculum Description: a homeschool writing curriculum that teaches middle school students proper grammar, how to properly write meaningful sentences, and implement mechanics. Students learn to use the writing process for narrative/descriptive/expository/ persuasive writing, how to use effective writing techniques, and much more. The step-by-step approach allows students to focus on small, daily assignments, so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Level 7 includes a textbook/workbook and contains a video component. Lesson-by-lesson video instruction is provided via streaming or DVD. These lessons are essential to the program and must be used in conjunction with the textbook/workbook combo book. Note that additional workbooks may be purchased if there are additional students in the family taking the course. Other Optional or Supplementary Resources |
Novels
Note from Curriculum Consultant: Alternate novels can be chosen. The ones below are cross-curricular historical fiction selections set in ancient history, the era of study in Socials Studies grade 7. Some students may wish to complete 3 or more novels/novel studies. Good options can be found at Progeny Press or Classroom Complete Press.
Novel #1: Bronze Bow with Progeny Press Study Guide
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Type of Resource: Novel and workbook Description: Angry and vengeful at the death of his parents, Daniel bar Jamin joins an outlaw Zealot band pledging to all he can to rid the land of the hated Romans. Daniel meets Joel and Malthace, two young people with a similar desire to see their land free of the Romans. The three of them make a pact to fight together for God's victory. Then Daniel learns his grandmother has died and finds he must leave the mountain to care for his sister, Leah. He is torn between the responsibility he feels toward his sister and his hatred against the Romans. To support himself and his sister, Daniel takes over a blacksmith shop belonging to his friend, Simon, who has left town to follow a travelling teacher named Jesus. Daniel begins to wonder if Jesus is the leader they have all been hoping for, the one who will lead them against the Romans. But Jesus is teaching a very different message from the one Daniel wants to hear. |
Novel #2: The Golden Goblet with Progeny Press Study Guide
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Type of Resource: Novel and workbook Description: Ranofer dreams of following in his father's footsteps as a goldsmith, but when he is suddenly orphaned, he struggles under the abusive control of a half-brother. When he stumbles across tomb robbers, Ranofer is swept into danger, mystery, and intrigue, but he never loses sight of his dream. This exciting coming-of-age mystery brings Ancient Egypt to life. |
Math
Select one of the following math programs (A or B) below
Jump Math has not been included as a "Pick" in the middle school grades because the workbooks themselves often do not provide sufficient instruction for most students to adequately learn new and increasingly more difficult concepts. Families who have had good success with this program may wish to continue, however.
Option A: Dynamic Classroom BC Grade 7
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Type of Resource: Workbook Description: aligned to BC's curriculum
Other Optional or Supplementary Resources |
Option B: Singapore Dimensions Math 6A and 6B Textbooks and Teacher's Guides
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Type of Resource: Home education/classroom curriculum Description: The program emphasizes problem-solving and empowers students to think mathematically, both inside and outside the classroom. Pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, data analysis, probability, and some advanced math topics are included in this rigorous series. The series follows the principles outlined in the Singapore mathematics framework, including the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) Approach, bar modelling, and more. In the Dimensions Math program, concepts are introduced and explained in a new format with vibrant imagery, all with the progression and scope that has defined Singapore math. Components
Components Samples
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Science
Exploring Creation with General Science Textbook, Solutions and Test Manual, and Student Notebook
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Type of Resource: Home Education Curriculum
Description: Specifically designed to be the first course taken during junior high, it was created to give middle school students an understanding of the basic world that surrounds them each day of their lives so that they can appreciate the real-world relevance of scientific inquiry and the beauty of creation. This course covers a wide range of branches of science while making the connections between each. There is a large component of Earth Science (modules include astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, earth study, geology, paleontology, and environmental science) to give students a great foundation of that broad field of study. Students will learn what science is and, in a detailed and engaging way, how to utilize the proper scientific method. This course has many hands-on science experiments that can be completed with household materials. |
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Other Optional or Supplementary Resources Table of Contents and PDF Sample Pages Additional Support |
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Social Studies
Ancient Civilizations and the Bible Essentials Pack
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Type of Resource: Home education curriculum Key Features:
The Essentials Pack includes: Teacher Guide, Student Manual, What in the World Volume 1 CD Set, Test Kit, Rubric Set, Quick-Start Guide and Basic Lesson Plan
Other Optional or Supplementary Resources
PDF Samples
Additional Support: Video Introduction (highly recommended) |
Bible/Christian Studies
Who Is My Neighbor?
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Type of Resource: Home education curriculum Description: Who Is My Neighbor? And Why Does He Need Me? helps students understand what it means to be salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-14). This study will encourage students to develop a Christlike servant attitude based on biblical truths taught in this third book in the What We Believe series. This book covers the following concepts,
Other Optional or Supplementary Resources
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