UniversityofAlberta Libra in 1620 2660198 7 Curriculum Handbook Parents for Catholic School Version 2007-2008 Further information can be found at: http://www.education.gov.ab.ca Liberia EDUCATION Ex LlBRIS Universitatis Albertensis I Curriculum GRADE Handbook Parents for Catholic School Version 2007-2008 This Curriculum Handbook provides parents with information about the Grade 7 curriculum. It includes: • selected learning outcomes for each subject area from the provincial curriculum • links to the Alberta Education Web site where more information can be found • information on a personal and career development and planning for senior high school • a feedback form. Alberta Education This document, along with most Alberta Education documents, can be found on the Web site at http://wvyw.education.gov.ab.ca . Parent documents referenced in this handbook, along with most Alberta Education documents, are available for purchase from: Learning Resources Centre 12360 - 142 Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5L 4X9 Telephone: 780-427-2767 Toll-free: 310-0000 (inside Alberta) Fax: 780-422-9750 Internet: http://www.lrc.education.gov.ab.ca Telephone numbers ofbranches referred to in this handbook can be reached, toll-free inside Alberta, by dialling 310-0000. Curriculum Branch Learning and Teaching Resources Branch Telephone: 780^27-2984 Telephone: 780-427-2984 Fax: 780-422-3745 Fax: 780^22-0576 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Distributed Learning Resources Branch Learning Technologies Branch Telephone: 780-674-5350 Telephone: 780^15-8528 Fax: 780-674-6561 Fax: 780^122-9157 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] • For information about LearnAlberta.ca First Nations, Metis and Inuit Services Telephone: 780-415-8528 Telephone: 780-415-9300 Fax: 780-422-9157 Fax: 780-415-9306 E-mail: LearnAlberta.Contact@edc. E-mail: [email protected] gov.ab.ca French Language Services Branch Special Programs Branch Telephone: 780-427-2940 Telephone: 780^22-6326 Fax: 780-422-1947 Fax: 780-422-2039 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Learner Assessment Telephone: 780^427-0010 Fax: 780-422-4200 E-mail: [email protected] ISSN 1483-1724 Copyright©2007, the Crown in RightofAlberta, as represented by the MinisterofEducation. Alberta Education, 10044- 108Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 5E6. Permission isgiven by thecopyright owner to reproduce this handbook foreducational purposesand on a nonprofit basis. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA Catholic Curriculum Handbook for Parents: Grad TABLE OF CONTENTS v Message from the Minister of Education vi Letter from Bishop Frederick Henry Introduction 1 1 Finding Information 2 Helping YourChild at Home 3 Grade 7 3 Overview 5 Religious Education 10 Required Subject Areas 10 English Language Arts 13 Mathematics 15 Science 19 Social Studies 23 Information and Communication Lechnology 25 Physical Education 28 Health and Life Skills 30 Optional Subject Areas 30 Career and Technology Studies 31 Fine and Performing Arts 33 Languages 40 Environmental and Outdoor Education 41 Ethics 42 Locally Developed Courses 43 Information for Parents 43 Learning in Alberta 44 School Councils 44 School Fees and Fundraising 45 School Choice 46 Information about Curriculum — 46 Curriculum Content Deciding What Students Should Learn — 47 Curriculum Development Who Is Involved in the Process? 47 Ensuring Curriculum Is Current 47 Planning Curriculum Changes 48 Revising Curriculum 48 Implementing Curriculum 49 Aboriginal Education 50 Daily Physical Activity IV CatholicCurriculumHandbookforParents: Grade7 51 Personal and Career Development 52 Supports for Learning 52 English as a Second Language 52 Special Education Needs 54 Distributed Learning 54 Digital Resources to Support Curriculum Outcomes 55 Assessment 55 Assessing Student Achievement 56 Planning for Senior High School 57 Feedback Form Catholic Curriculum Handbook for Parents: Gra Message from the Minister of Education The parent's role in today's education system is important to the child's current and future success. It is not always easy for parents to connect to what a child is learning in the classroom. The curriculum cannot always be the central focus with today's busy households and the extracurricular activities pursued by our Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. To connect you with what your child is learning in school. Alberta Education created the Curriculum Handbooks for Parents series. This handy reference tool will assist you in following your child's programs of study. One of the special attributes of Alberta's curriculum is that it is the same for every student at every grade level in every corner ofthe province. I am confident this handbook will provide the opportunity for you to become more engaged in Alberta's curriculum and answer any questions you may have on what your child is learning. I hope this publication will also serve to create an open dialogue between you and your child on curriculum outcomes and expectations. Use this handbook as a window into your child's education and see why Alberta's curriculum is producing the best students in the world. If you have any questions about the content of the handbook, do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher(s). I wish you and your family a successful and enjoyable school year. Ron Liepert Minister of Education VI ©Alberta Education, 2007 CatholicCurriculumHandbookforParents: Grade7 Dear Parents and Guardians: On behalfofthe Catholic Bishops of Alberta, I wish to express my appreciation to the Government ofAlberta and Alberta Education for providing you this updated Kindergarten to Grade 12 Curriculum Handbooks for Parents. You, parents, are the first and primary educators ofyour children especially with regards to education in the faith. By ensuring that the Gospel is truly lived in the context ofyour family and in the life ofour schools and communities you are a powerful witness for your children. The role ofthe parents is vital in providing the best possible education for our children. When you enroll your children in a Catholic school you can be assured ofour support in your role. I encourage you to work closely with the school byjoining your local school councils or parent groups. You can assist young men and women, boys and girls, to understand themselves as moral persons living the way ofChrist through the experience and teaching ofthe Catholic Church. Be a strong voice forthe Catholic identity ofour schools. In this way, you will share in the central mission ofthe Church, which is to proclaim Jesus and his Gospel in the world today and, in so doing, hand on our faith to our children. We commend Alberta Education for providing these updated Curriculum Handbooks for Parents. They provide a comprehensive presentation ofthe content and expectations ofthe Religious Education program approved by the Canadian Conference ofCatholic Bishops. May their use be a source ofgrowth in faith, hope and love in all ofour communities throughout Alberta. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Bishop Frederick Henry Diocese ofCalgary Education Liasion, Alberta Conference ofCatholic Bishops Catholic Curriculum Handbook for Parents: Grad Introduction — Students learn in a variety ofenvironments in their homes, Web site linksforfurther information schools and communities. Parents, teachers and community are provided throughoutthe members form a partnership to assist this learning. handbook. When parents know whatchildren are studying at school, they can provide better home support for their children's learning. The Curriculum Handbooksfor Parents are designed to assist parents in participating in their child's education by fostering an understanding of what students learn at each grade level. Finding Information Parents can find information about the curriculum and learning resources in a number of ways: • Contact teachers or school administrators. • Curriculum Handbooks contain selected outcomes foreach http://www.education.qov.ab.ca/k 12/ curriculum/parent.asp subject area from the Alberta programs ofstudy. They provide a more detailed picture ofeach year. This Curriculum Handbook is one of a set from Kindergarten to senior high school produced in general and Catholic versions and in French. They are available on the Alberta Education Web site or for purchase from the LRC. http://www.education,gov,ab.ca/k 12/ • Curriculum Summaries for each grade level provide a brief curriculum/parent.asp overview ofeach year. The summaries are available on the Alberta Education Web site. http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k 12/ • In Alberta, the provincial curriculum is organized into curriculum/bvSubiect/ Programs of Study. They contain learning outcomes for each subject area from Kindergarten to Grade 12. They are legal documents that outline why the educational program is offered, what students are expected to learn and thebasic principles about how students are to achieve the required knowledge, skills and attitudes. School authorities use the Programs of Study toensure that students meet provincial standards ofachievement. However, they have flexibility to decidehow to teach the curriculum and the order in which it is taught. They are available on the Alberta Education Web site or for purchase from the LRC. ©Alberta Education, 2007 CatholicCurriculumHandbookforParents: Grade7 http;//www.education.qov.ab.ca/lrdb The Authorized Resources Database on the Alberta Education Web site lists Alberta authorized student and teacher resources, most of which are available for purchase from the LRC. http://www.education,gov,ab.ca The Alberta Education Web site contains information on learning from the early years to adulthood. Helping Your Child at Home Here are some important pointers for you to help your child learn. • Be positive and encouraging in your approach to learning. It will help your child feel confident and enthusiastic about success. • Talk to yourchild about schoolwork and help with homework when you can. • Help yourchild set realistic goals and discuss progress in an encouraging way. • Connect yourchild's schoolwork with everyday life and use these opportunities for problem solving in everyday situations. • Keep in touch with teachers about your child's progress, including successes and achievements, notjust concerns. The following resources may help you. Check yourchild's school for availability. • Make School Workfor You: A ResourceforJuniorand Senior Higli These resources are availablefor Students Who Want to BeMore Successful Learners—Information purchase from the Learning Resources Centre (LRC). Order online at on knowing yourself, getting organized, making every class http://www.lrc.education.qov.ab.ca count, test taking, presenting learning, getting along with others and staying motivated. TheParent Adimntage: Helping Children Become More Successful — Learners at Homeand School, Grades 1-9 Strategies parents can use to help their child improve organizational, reading, writing, spelling, mathematical, test taking and project skills at the grades 1-9 levels. Working Together in Mathematics Education- -Ways parents can http://www.education.qov.ab.ca/parents/math support student learning in mathematics. prbk.pdf — LearnAlberta.ca Web site Online multimedia learning http://www.learnalberta.ca resources that directly relate to the Alberta programs of study. — TELUS ILearn Web site An education/business partnership http://www.2learn.ca/' that provides Internet in-service, support and information for Alberta teachers, students and parents.