Grade 7-8

General Overview

Language

The Language Arts program at Lumen Veritatis Academy is an in depth look at all aspects of Literacy which include Oral Communication, Writing, Media Literacy and Reading.  It is an essential part of the curriculum and we highly focus on the ability of our students to use their knowledge and skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing to understand, critically analyse, and communicate a broad range of information and ideas from and about their multicultural and multimedia environment.

The Excellence in Writing program includes integration of spelling rules, formal grammar, research skills, diction and complex sentence structures. Students are introduced to various kinds of functional and creative writing which includes essays and research papers in which they are required to create an outline and rough draft with editing leading to a final draft. Note taking and organizational skill building using the computer and written notes is essential for success. Students read, analyze, review and critique their written work.

Reading focuses on exposure to a variety of texts from diverse cultures, including literary and informational texts. Literature Studies includes myths, novels, poetry and drama. The emphasis is on comprehension and assimilation of detail in order to present understanding and opinion.

Listening and Oral expression are also emphasized as important skills to develop through frequent oral presentations or poetry recitation.

Mathematics

The mathematics program at Lumen Veritatis is made up of four blocks or components; Number Sense and Numeration, Measurement, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Patterning and Algebra, and Data Management and Probability.  Concepts are inter-related and students are encouraged to apply knowledge from one section of numeracy to another.

In grade 7, students learn about multiple fundamental concepts including fractions, decimals, percentage, measurement conversion, and graph/data management.  They also calculate properties of area, perimeter, and volume for various two and three-dimensional objects.  With whole numbers, they solidify their knowledge of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, applying operations to larger numbers and integers. In this program, students are encouraged to communicate and apply their knowledge in different ways, using theory and practice to retain their knowledge of unit concepts.

In grade 8, students learn about multiple fundamental concepts including fractions, decimals, percentage, measurement conversion, and graphs/data management.  They also calculate properties of area, perimeter, and volume for various two and three-dimensional objects, including circles and cylinders.  With whole numbers, they solidify their knowledge of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, applying operations to larger numbers and integers program.

Science & Technology

Grade 7

Science for Grade 7 is divided into four strands namely: Interactions in the Environment, Heat as Energy, Pure Substances and Mixtures, and Form and Function.

Grade 8

Science for Grade 8 is divided into four strands namely: Cells, Systems in Action, Fluids/Water Systems, and Mechanical Efficiency.

Through technological problem solving, students develop the ability to design solutions to problems. Students create models of new devices or new processes to help address human needs and desires, as well as new knowledge about those devices or processes. When engaged in technological problem solving, students are given opportunities to be creative in their thinking, rather than merely to find a prescribed answer. Critical aspects of technological problem solving are: careful planning; purposeful selection of tools and materials; testing, retesting, and modifications of a product or process; communicating about the solution; and recommending of changes or improvements. Students are engaged in learning about how science impacts the natural world and life as we know it.  Through hands-on discovery, experimentation and investigations, students work on developing different skill sets such as problem solving, inquiry, communication, critical and creative thinking.

In the intermediate grades, students further develop their knowledge of the Scientific Method, utilizing it as a tool for investigation. They practise identifying problems and possible solutions, observing and drawing conclusions. Students make appropriate records of procedures, observations and conclusions. Teaching strategies include guided lessons, discussion, experimentation, individual and/or small group work, and note taking.

Social Studies (Grade 7)

In the History strand of social studies, students discover the major features of early colonial life in Canada, and how the French and British fought to achieve ownership of the land. Students will investigate major events and influences of battles and changes on the different peoples of Canada, and determine how certain individuals and events shaped the expansion of our nation.  Moreover, they will discuss social justice values, morals, and implications of actions taken by several leaders.  Using a variety of resources and tools, students are able to investigate the significance of the era, and determine how early European Settlement shaped Canada’s past society.

In the grade 7 geography program, students will focus on Canada’s landscape and the importance of proper resource management to the future and current society.  Students will identify natural resources valuable to our nation, investigate the effects of human activity on the environment, and identify the five themes of geography.  They will determine how past decisions have affected today’s global society, and consider how resource management methods are significant for the future.  They will use maps, graphics, and print materials to present information about their findings.

History (Grade 8)

In history, students will explore the major features of early colonial life in Canada, and how the nation grew by expanding towards the North-West. Students will investigate the causes of various rebellions, the establishment of Canadian treaties, the development of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the effects that such events and changes had on the different peoples of Canada.  They will also determine how certain individuals and events shaped the expansion of our nation.  Moreover, they will discuss social justice values, morals, and implications of actions taken by several leaders.  Using a variety of resources and tools, students are able to investigate the significance of the era, and determine how early European Settlement shaped Canada’s past society.

Geography (Grade 8)

In the grade 8 geography program, students learn about global patterns of economic and communal development.  Students investigate and describe Canada’s economy, in comparison to other world economies and methods of trade, as well as migration patterns across the globe.  They determine how cultures combine, and how movement (as well as technology) across the world, has made us into an international community.

Health and Physical Education – Intermediate

The Health and Physical Education curriculum’s major areas of knowledge and skills are organized around four strands:

Healthy eating includes healthy eating, food choices, and health problems

Personal safety and injury prevention include impacts of harassment/bullying, and benefits/dangers of technology

Growth and development include development of interpersonal skills, communicating with opposite genders, sources of social and emotional support

Substance use, addictions, and related behaviours include body image, positive self-esteem, mental and emotional pressures, implications of substance abuse, and the importance of positive mental health

These strands combine the living skills in a Catholic perspective (e.g., personal, interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, goal-setting, organizational, time-management, problem-solving, and decision making skills) that all students require.

The Arts – Intermediate

The Arts Curriculum allows students to learn the different elements of Visual Arts, Music and Drama.  They are given opportunities to create, present, perform, reflect and analyse while enhancing their skills and knowledge of the Arts.

Visual Art

In the visual arts program, students will produce works in a variety of traditional two- and three-dimensional forms, as well as multimedia art that communicate feelings, ideas, and understandings of different art forms.  They will display these art forms in productions presented to different audiences for specific religious events.  Moreover, students will be able to identify the different art styles, and techniques from the past and present, and their sociocultural and historical contexts.

Music

In Music, students learn the different elements of music through singing, listening, chants, rhymes and poems.  In the intermediate grades students begin to identify beats and notations as well as create simple rhythms and tempos.   They are also given different opportunities to play with different instruments and make their own music.   In Grades 7 and 8, students consolidate their prior music learning through a variety of opportunities for listening, performing, and creating. In Grade 7, students begin to apply their musical knowledge.  They reflect on their strengths and begin to create as well as interpret, and analyze.  They reflect on the role of music in their lives and the ways in which music has changed in response to a variety of historical, cultural, and other influences. In Grade 8, students perform in a variety of ensembles and use musical knowledge, musicianship, and creative abilities to create musical works for specific purposes. They develop their own learning profile and apply this knowledge to their work in the music classroom.

Drama

In Drama, students are engaged in taking on different roles in short plays, Readers Theatre, storytelling activities and role playing.  Students learn to act in small and large groups, while learning about role playing, taking on different fictional and non-fictional characters, movement and using their voice for self-expression. In grades 7 and 8 continue to focus on role play and the development of believable characters as foundational components of both process drama and theatre performance. In addition to role/character, they incorporate the elements of relationship, time and place, tension, focus, and emphasis in drama works they create, and apply their knowledge of the elements in analysing drama works. At this level, an issues-based focus encourages students to deepen their capacity for empathy and for critical analysis of issues.