Academics

English Language Arts

English Language Arts incorporates the integration of reading, study of literature, study of informational text, writing, speaking, listening, and language. Through a comprehensive study of literature, students will deepen their understanding of the world around them and explore the intricacies of life through a focused examination of characterization. Writing projects of significance include the persuasive essay, a personal narrative, a literary analysis essay, and a research project. Emphasis is placed on mastering the structure of the five-paragraph essay and responding to essay prompts with evidence-based analysis. Promoting independent thinking is a core objective, achieved through the incorporation of expository and creative journaling. Fostering collaborative learning, our Reading Club Stations empower peer-led groups to select texts, create reading assignments, and establish weekly discussion topics. Our curriculum encompasses a diverse range of texts, including short stories, poetry, and longer works. Additionally, students will explore Greek mythology and engage with renowned poets such as Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings, Gwendolyn Brooks and Pat Mora.

Grade 7 Novels: The Westing Game (Ellen Raskin), The Giver (Lois Lowry), Where the Red Fern Grows (Wilson Rawls), The Book Thief (Markus Zusak)

Freckle English Language Arts is an online supplemental English program and is part of Renaissance’s Individualized Skills Practice for Literacy.  Students practice specific nonfiction, fiction, and grammar standards at their level. Freckle ELA provides differentiated instruction while addressing skills such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing conventions. Students answer reading comprehension questions and can even respond to writing prompts.  With student- and class-level insights, teachers can celebrate growth and know exactly what students are ready to learn next.

*The seventh and eighth graders will enhance their public speaking through analyzing a range of famous speeches, learning the elements of successful persuasive speaking and observing and noting speakers’ word choices and inflection. Students will also have opportunities to participate in expansive and comprehensive public speaking events through class speeches, church readings, and a Model UN conference.*

Math

enVision Mathematics is a math program that combines problem based learning with visual learning to deepen students’ conceptual understanding. The lessons start with problem based learning. Students will think critically about real-world math problems, evaluate options, collaborate and present solutions. This is followed by visual learning to solidify the underlying math concepts. In conclusion, the children have a better understanding of math ideas. This program has received top honors for supporting students at all levels.

Freckle Math is an online supplemental mathematics program designed by Renaissance to provide differentiated, skills-based math practice based on grade-level standards. Freckle provides self-paced practice that continuously adapts as students progress. Real-world lessons encourage students to solve fun, practical challenges with the skills they have learned. As students work, supports such as audio and hints guide them through their practice and help them solve problems without giving up. Additional math fact practice and inquiry-based resources help drive deeper understanding. As students practice independently, Freckle continuously adapts and provides content that fits the variety of ways they learn best.

Advanced Math

*Students have the opportunity to test into Advanced Math, placing them in a track to participate in Geometry during eighth grade. Specific criteria must be met for this consideration. Students in Advanced Math work across multi grade level standards to push their critical thinking and math skills to a high level. Understanding of concepts is deepened and mastered to ensure preparation for high school math in the later elementary years.*

History

The American Venture (Catholic Textbook Project) enables seventh and eighth grade students to explore the history of the United States from the first settlements to the mid-20th century.  Since history has the character of a story, it should be told as a story. The series draws students into the hopes and fears, the struggles and victories of men and women of past times told as a series of historically accurate stories. The American Venture provides students with the necessary standard historical knowledge, while also giving credit to the contributions of the Catholic Church in the unfolding of American History. The curriculum includes discussions of the U.S. and state constitutions, a civics treatment of the U.S. Constitution, and historical treatments of European, non-European, and Native American cultures in the United States.

Science

Pearson Science Explorer Textbook Series and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - Science are designed to guide the students in developing their cognitive understanding of the importance of science education in the complete learning process. Themes of Curiosity, Radical Imagination, and Innovation are hallmarks of science education for envisioning the educational development of our students and their future success in local high school curricula.  Content covered in seventh grade includes Measurement & Scientific Method, Cells, Photosynthesis, DNA, Replication, Genetics, Protein Synthesis & Genetic Disorders, Evolution, Taxonomy, Virus & Bacteria, Protist & Fungus, Plants, Sponge-Worm-Cnidarian, Arthropods-Mollusks-Echinoderms, Invertebrate Dissections and Microscopy Labs. STEM based learning teaching strategies are integrated into each chapter, with opportunities for group, independent, and differentiated projects.

Discovery Education Techbook digital textbook series, aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards. These resources are used to further curiosity and enhance learning of content taught from the core program.

Religion

*Religion is infused across all disciplines at Holy Cross Academy. The school community meets together to worship monthly, weekly class masses as well as seasonal prayer services. There are also scheduled opportunities for students to attend Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and the Sacrament of Penance. Students may also elect to be an altar server and join our Christian Youth Organization (7th-12th grades).

Word of Life centers on an initial proclamation of the gospel message. The curriculum is firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture and the history of salvation. Students will be immersed in the historical reality of God’s entering time and inviting all people into communion with Him. The Word of Life series has been strategically developed to present the fullness of the faith in a way that can resonate with students today. Students will be presented with practical situations and concrete examples of virtuous and holy character. The Word of Life series teaches students the truth about their identity, dignity, and purpose. Additionally, the curriculum not only prepares students for liturgical celebration but also equips them for ongoing reflection following their participation in liturgy and the sacraments.

Growing with God Safe and Sacred is a program that offers a practical and systematic approach to child safety, social development and emotional development. Students are taught to see themselves and others as children of God inherently deserving of respect and care.

Spanish

Realidades Digital Edition is a widely recognized and respected language curriculum, which provides standards-based instruction that seamlessly integrates vocabulary, grammar, communication, culture, and digital learning.  This balanced approach is built upon the principles of backward design with assessment aligned with instruction. The program features many resources for differentiated instruction that are available in print or online. The digital courseware, realidades.com, offers a powerful online learning system for middle school as well as high school Spanish programs. Along with holidays and culture related to the Spanish-speaking world, topics of study in the seventh grade include Greetings & Introductions, Numbers, Time, Parts of the Body, The Calendar, The Classroom, Question Words, Weather and Seasons, Likes and Dislikes, Personality Traits, and The School Day. Grammar topics include Adjectives, Articles, Word Order, Expressing Agreement and Disagreement, Subject Pronouns, Infinitives and Present Tense -ar Verb Conjugation. Students also study a variety of prayers and saints interweaving the Catholic faith in a culturally authentic way. Additionally, students explore the geography of the Spanish-speaking world using multiple resources, including text and online maps.

Specials

Students meet for 60 minute class periods in the following special subject areas:

Art
The standards for seventh grade Visual Arts use the elements of art and principles of design as a framework to investigate a variety of experiences and concepts. Students will understand the factors that distinguish artistic styles and the role of art in culture; students will determine how artists convey meaning through the use of forms, media and symbols. Students will begin to evaluate the effects of various influences on the visual arts. Emphasis is placed on the artistic process including idea development, production and reflection to achieve a final piece of art.

Gym
Seventh grade Physical Education addresses the needs of all students through diversified skill development and activities designed to implement locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative, non-manipulative skills, with and without equipment. Seventh grade students typically are put into different invasive types of games to get them thinking and working together cooperatively with other classmates. The goal of our physical education program is to involve the body in developing lifetime skills necessary for individual and team sports.

Music
The Middle School Music Education program for seventh graders is designed to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded musical education. It aims to deepen students’ understanding of music through theory, history, performance, composition, and appreciation of various musical styles and cultures. This curriculum supports students in their musical growth and exploration. Materials for this curriculum include sheet music, musical instruments, audio recordings, music software, and technology for recording.

STEM
PLTW curriculum utilized in our STEM program is designed to empower students to thrive in an evolving world and focuses on connections to a variety of  New Jersey State Learning Standards for Computer Science, Math and English Language Arts. Holy Cross Academy partners with PLTW to offer a hands-on, project-based approach to learning for students in Grades K-8. The program incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) skills needed for future success. Seventh grade students engage in PLTW’s Gateway program, with topics that include Flight & Space, Computer Science for Innovators & Makers, and Medical Detectives. In addition to PLTW programs, students work on a variety of technology-based skills such as Google Tools for Education and Coding, all while incorporating and taking the Catholic values that we use in our real world with us into the digital world.