Grade 7 Language Arts
Course Outline 2016-2017
Mrs. Janice Carsell-Michaud
E-mail: [email protected]
Blog: [email protected]/jcarsell
“Not only does the English Language borrow words from other languages, it sometimes chases
them down dark alleys, hits them over the head, and goes through their pockets.”
- Anonymous
Grade 7 Language Arts Curriculum
The aim of the Language Arts program is to enable students to understand and appreciate language and to use
it confidently, competently, and artistically in a variety of situations for communication, personal satisfaction,
and learning.
The general learning outcomes outlined in the Grade Seven Language Arts Program of Studies (curriculum) will
be achieved through a variety of listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing outcomes.
The general learning outcomes will be achieved through:
a) exploring thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences
b) comprehending and responding personally and critically to oral, print, and other media text
c) managing ideas and information
d) enhancing clarity and artistry of communication
e) respecting, supporting, and collaborating with others
Within each strand, students will be provided with the following opportunities:
 develop reading strategies through exposure to fiction, non-fiction, short stories, and novels
 refine their writing abilities for specific purposes and audiences by creating responses, letters, stories,
as well as expository and descriptive paragraphs, poetry, and reflections
 write with clarity by incorporating appropriate writing conventions
 interpret and respond to film and other media
 listen critically to stories and film
 display an understanding of literary elements related to the short story, poetry, the novel, conventions,
and speech
 research using a number of reference materials including the Internet
 develop their communication skills through group and individual presentations
 reflect on their learning through meta-cognition activities (i.e., demonstrating how you know what you
know)
 develop an appreciation and habit for life-long reading
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Each general outcome from the curriculum includes specific learning objectives that students need to achieve
by the end of the Grade Seven year. The specific learning objectives will be demonstrated through a variety of
units throughout the school year. Specific learning goals for each unit will be obtained directly from the
program of studies (POS) and assessments will be supported using material/resources based on the following
Grade Seven course outline:
UNITS
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Resource/Terminology Use
Sentence Structure
Paragraph Writing (descriptive, narrative, persuasive, and expository writing)
The Short Story – reading and writing
Poetry
Reading Strategies (finding the main idea, recalling facts and details, understanding sequence,
recognizing cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, making predictions, finding word meaning in
context, drawing conclusions and making inferences, distinguishing between fact and opinion,
identifying author’s purpose, interpreting figurative language and summarizing)
 Book Clubs/Novel Studies
 Film Studies
 Media Literacy
Current Alberta English Language Arts Curriculum:
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mychildslearning/grade7_ela.html
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Grade 7 Social Studies
Course Outline 2016-2017
Mrs. Janice Carsell-Michaud
E-mail: [email protected]
Blog: [email protected]/jcarsell
Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the
world's ills, misery, ignorance, and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can
work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a
generation.
- Robert Kennedy
Grade 7 Social Studies Curriculum
Canada: Origins, Histories and Movement of Peoples
Overview:
Grade 7 students will explore the origins, histories and movement of peoples who forged the
foundations of Canadian Confederation. They will examine how the political, demographic, economic and
social changes that have occurred since Confederation have influenced ways in which contemporary Canada
has evolved.
Topics of Study:
General Outcome 7.1: Toward Confederation
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the distinct roles of, and the relationships
among, the Aboriginal, French and British peoples in forging the foundations of Canadian Confederation.
Topics include:
 Diverse Peoples (First Nations, European Explorers, Early European Colonies, The Fur Trade)
 War and British Conquest
 The United States Breaks Away
 The Great Migration
 The Push for Democracy and Confederation
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General Outcome 7.2: Following Confederation: Canadian Expansions
Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the political, demographic, economic
and social changes that have occurred since Confederation have presented challenges and opportunities for
individuals and communities.
Topics include:
 The Métis Rise Up
 Western Expansion
 The National Policy
 Citizenship in an Evolving Society
Local and Current Affairs
In order to allow opportunities for students to engage in current affairs, issues and concerns of a local,
provincial, national or international nature, the Program of Studies provides the flexibility to include these
topics with the time allotted for Social Studies. Throughout the year, we will take some time in class to
explore and discuss events that are happening in the news or on social media to develop an awareness of
what’s going on in the world. Students are encouraged to discuss with their family members what they read
about or hear that is significant to Canadians.
Approximate Timeline:
7.1 Toward Confederation: September to January
7.2 Following Confederation: January to June
Local and current affairs will be incorporated into our studies throughout the year as various issues arise.
Current Alberta Social Studies Curriculum:
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mychildslearning/grade7_social.html
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Assessment for Language Arts and Social Studies:
Assessment involves two significant components: ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING which drives the curriculum
and is more diagnostic in nature (pre assessment and taps into prior knowledge), and ASSESSMENT OF
LEARNING which is assessment in a more formal and final format. Assessment in the Language Arts and Social
Studies classrooms incorporates both elements through the use of formal and informal measures. Teachers
use teacher and student generated rubrics, checklists, observations, written assessments, performance tasks,
group presentations, questioning, and discussion to determine growth. Students are expected to reflect on
their learning through meta-cognitive activities. Being a capable, connected, and contributing learner is
essential in all learning and assessment of learning for all students.
How to be a Successful Grade 7 Student:
 Come to class on time. Students who attend class on a regular basis have much greater success.
 Be prepared. Bring your binder, pen, pencil, eraser, and highlighter with you every day.
 Get involved in class. Language Arts and Social Studies are not spectator sports! Be an active listener.
Ask questions. Chances are that others will learn more when your questions are answered.
 Take effective notes. Be neat, accurate and well organized. Write down key ideas and examples that
are presented. Include a title and date at the top of each page.
 Practice, practice, practice. Review your notes and take time to do the assigned work soon after it has
been explained.
 Read, write and share what we’re doing in class.
 Make friends in class. Classmates can make great study partners, lend you notes when you are away
and help if you are struggling.
 Get help. If you are having trouble with a topic talk to your teacher. Extra help is always available!
 Make connections between what you learn in class with applications in the real world
 Never give up!
 Assignments, quizzes, and exams measure the process and understanding of curriculum objectives. All
assignments need to be handed into the subject area teacher. Arrangements need to be made to
complete missed assignments, quizzes, and exams. When a student is absent, it is his/her
responsibility to check with their teachers or peers, find out what work was missed, and check the
Classroom Blog and/or Google Classroom for posted updates.
Bring Your Own Device
Students are encouraged to bring their own recommended device to class. Students are responsible for taking
care of the device, using it responsibly, charging it at home and storing it safely. PHONES OR IPODS ARE NOT
SUITABLE DEVICES. If students choose not to purchase and bring their own device, then a school laptop will
be available.
Recommended criteria for device:
 Connects to Wi-Fi
 Can word process (i.e., has a keyboard)
 Has at least a 6-hour battery life
 Able to integrate images, video and sound
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Using Google Classroom
Students will be expected to use Google Drive to keep their notes, assignments and assessments organized.
They will also use Google Classroom to hand in many of their assessments. At the start of the year, students
will use their device to create folders for Language Arts and Social Studies based on the outcomes in the Grade
7 Language Arts and Social Studies programs.
Parental and Guardian Support
Involvement by parents and guardians in the academic lives of their children plays a significant and essential
role in student success. Parental support provides the foundation for the development of a life-long learner.
Listed below are some suggestions to assist your child with their learning and growth in Language Arts:
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encourage and provide opportunities for the reading of a wide range of materials
discuss and model the importance of a growing vocabulary
share opinions and ask for feedback on literature, film, and music
ask your child to discuss how the kinds of materials they are reading assists their ability to analyze and
interpret
provide opportunities for meaningful writing activities such as notes or a thank you to others; letters to
family member or perhaps a business letter to a community paper or business
make connections between the literature and life learning
listen to the news and discuss the impact this event has on others
read the newspaper either in print or electronic format
Communication between parents, students and teachers:
 Grade 7 blog: use the class updates link on the Graminia website and click on Blog and Social Media
Links and go to Mrs. CM’s classroom blog
 Students and parents can sign up for text messages sent on the Remind App. In September, directions
on how to sign up will be posted on the classroom blog.
 Report card progress will be communicated using the following descriptors:
 Exemplary - applies new concepts in a wide variety of learning situations, has in-depth
understanding and uses skills and strategies independently
 Proficient - applies new concepts in most learning situations, has a thorough understanding
and uses skills and strategies with little support
 Approaching - applies new concepts in some learning situations, has a general understanding
and uses skills and strategies with moderate support
 Beginning - rarely applies new concepts and has limited or incomplete understanding and
consistently requires high levels of support
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Contact Information:
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Graminia School
(780) 963 – 5035
Graminia School website
http://www.psd70.ab.ca/schools/graminia/Pages/Default.aspx
*To access the class blog, go to the above website and click on Blog and Social Media Links (on
right side) or go to www.psdblogs.ca/jcarsell
LA/SS 7, 7 PE, 7B Health
Mrs. Carsell-Michaud ([email protected])
MA/SC 7, 7 PE, 7A Health
Mr. Inglehart ([email protected])
Have a successful and memorable year in Grade 7!
Mrs. CM
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2016-2017 Grade 7 Parent Contact Information
Please return this page as soon as possible to Mrs. Carsell-Michaud. Thank you!
 We have read through the Language Arts Course Outline handout.
 We have read through the Social Studies Course Outline handout.
Student Name:
Student Signature:
Parent/Guardian Name(s):
Parent/Guardian Signature(s):
Home Phone #
Work Phone #
Parent/Guardian Email Address
Grade 7 LA and Social Studies Course Outlines – J. Carsell-Michaud
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