Grade Seven Curriculum Picks
Picks can be purchased from Anchor Academic (using your PO#) or from one of our comprehensive vendors. Other options, such as borrowing from the Learning Commons Search Portal or Sora virtual eBook library or purchasing from our Used Bookstore, may also be available.
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 |
Life Science:
Chemistry
Physics
Earth 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
Option A: Lightning Literature Gr 7 Student Workbook, Student Guide and Teacher's Guide with poetry book and readers
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Type of Resource: Home Education Curriculum Lightning Literature Grade 7 Scope and Sequence |
Option B: Essentials in Writing 7; Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare with Progeny Press Study Guide; The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw with Progeny Press Study Guide (or alternate); another novel and novel study or stories as per interest/goals of the student.
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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 |
Option C: Writing Strands by Master Books Intermediate 1 (or level as per placement test results), with reading assigned by the teacher/parent according to the goals/interests of the student.
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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.
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Novels
Note from Curriculum Consultant: These novels are suggestions only and are cross-curricular historical fiction selections set in ancient history (the time period of study in Social Studies for grade 7 students). Alternate options are available at Progeny Press, Total Language Plus, or Classroom Complete Press.
Novel #1: Bronze Bow and Progeny Press Study GuideType 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. Table of Contents and PDF Sample Pages
Novel #2: The Golden Goblet with Progeny Press Study GuideType 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. Table of Contents and PDF Sample Pages
Novel #3: Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGrawType of Resource: Novel Description: This compelling story of adventure, romance, and intrigue, set in ancient Egypt, was written by the three-time Newbery Honor and Edgar Award winning author Eloise Jarvis McGraw.
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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
Some science standards for Grades 7 - 9 are addressed when both Apologia’s Exploring Creation with General Science and Exploring Creation with Physical Science are used in Grades 7 - 9. See this spreadsheet for correlations.
Life Science
Building Blocks in Life Science by Gary Parker (Master Books)
Note from Curriculum Consultant: This resource is aimed at a high school audience. Students may need support working through the content.
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Type of Resource: Home Education Curriculum Available in the Learning Commons Description: Teachers and students will find clear biological answers proving science and Scripture fit together to honour the Creator. This dynamic educational resource helps young people not only learn science from a biblical perspective but also helps them know how to defend their faith in the process. Covers in-depth topics such as genes and Genesis, the role of natural selection, embryonic development, DNA, and the magnificent origins of life. Powerfully refutes the evolutionary worldview that life simply evolved by chance over millions of years--Provides exceptional insights and clarity to patterns of order in living things, including the promise of healing and new birth in Christ. Offers a fill-in-the-blank or short answer study page at the end of each chapter so students may test their comprehension. Helps students know how to defend their faith scientifically.
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Chemistry
Exploring Creation with Physical Science - Apologia (Modules 1-2)
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Type of Resource: Home education curriculum Available in the Learning Commons Description: Middle school students are taught the methods they will need to succeed in high school science courses. Using a conversational tone, we present challenging science concepts and thought-provoking experiments in an easily navigated, personalized format to help students methodically learn, self-check, and master difficult concepts before moving on. We also keep science relevant. Additional online materials are available through a book extras portal so that students can see science in action.
Table of Contents and PDF Sample Pages
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Thames & Kosmos Crystal Growing Activity Kit
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Type of Resource: Science Experiment Kit Description: Experiment with four chemically different crystals with different properties, including potassium alum crystals that form regular octahedrons, rapidly growing sodium sulphate crystals, long needle-shaped sodium acetate crystals, and plaster. Measure how the crystallization of solids out of a solution and the dissolution of crystals back into the solution affect the temperature of the solution. Learn about the energy of crystallization. Investigate solutions, crystallization, and the chemistry of crystal growing. A full-colour, 32-page experiment manual guides your experiments in crystal chemistry.
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Physics
Note from Curriculum Consultant: the resources recommended in this Physics section are lower-level. Please consider using alternate resources outlined in our Middle School Science Correlations to fully address standards and/or consult with your support teacher.
What Is Electromagnetism? by Lionel Sandner
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Type of Resource: Nonfiction book Available in the Learning Commons Description: This engaging title explains that electromagnetism is the combined power of electricity and magnetism. Detailed images, clearly written text, and opportunities for hands-on learning combine to teach readers the core concepts of electromagnetism and their many applications in everyday life - from watching television to using a computer. Readers will learn how to build an electromagnet and perform tests to understand how to increase its strength.
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Renewable Energy (Build It Yourself): Discover the Fuel of the Future by Joshua Sneideman
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Type of Resource: Nonfiction book Available in the Learning Commons Description: Readers learn how we will power our world tomorrow, in 20 years, and even in 50 years, with various renewable energy sources, including solar, biofuel, geothermal, and fluid energy. Includes hands-on activities, encouraging students to explore, experiment, and engage with the content.
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Earth Science
Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science (Module 6)
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Type of Resource: Home Education Curriculum Description: This resource was created to give middle school students an understanding of the basic world that surrounds them each day 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. A large component of Earth Science (modules include astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, earth study, geology, paleontology, and environmental science) gives students a great foundation for 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.
Other Optional or Supplementary Resources |
Climate Change by Shelley Tanaka, Revised Edition
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Type of Resource: Nonfiction book Available in the Learning Commons Description: This revised and updated edition includes the most recent scientific findings while addressing the main issues. What is happening, and how did we get here? What is the basic science behind climate change? What is going to happen in the future? And most importantly, why is it so hard to accept what is happening, and what can we do about it? Charts, maps, a glossary, an index and suggestions for further reading accompany the text.
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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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