7th Grade Curriculum and Homeschool Learning Objectives

On this page, we will help you learn what seventh graders are expected to learn and what 7th grade homeschool curriculum will help them most to succeed this year and prepare them for more advanced learning later.

You are homeschooling your child because you want more control over what they learn, how they learn, and how much they enjoy the process of learning. If you have been homeschooling since earlier grades, you will see your seventh grader be challenged to a greater degree this year. If you are just now starting to homeschool, you may need to do some special bridge work to make sure they easily adjust from what they were learning in public school to what you will be giving them in your homeschool.

Every state has guidelines regarding the objectives for seventh graders to learn, but that is just a starting point when designing your curriculum. Regardless of the resources you are using or what your theories on homeschooling may be, the following lists will help you see what seventh graders should be learning.

General Academic Objectives

As they go through seventh grade, homeschool students should work on gaining a deeper understanding of science. Instead of simply memorizing pieces of information, students will learn to gather data, go through the scientific method and then use this information as they write reports and ask questions.

In language arts, seventh grade students will learn to express deeper meanings through writing. They will be expected to learn harder vocabulary words, and read and write content that is deeper and more difficult to understand than what they have been exposed to in the past.

As seventh grade students work on math, they will build on what has come before as they work to stay ahead of the curve. As they go throughout middle school, their math classes will build a solid foundation for what they are about to attempt in high school math.

Seventh Grade Skills

As you homeschool your seventh grader, it will be especially important to help him or her develop study skills and time management skills. In general, you will be helping your student build on what they have learned to this point, but you will also be adding building blocks for topics yet to come. Learning how to study and manage time well is vitally important as their subjects get more complex.

Students academic performance at this point is starting to position them for the academic track they will following in high school. Their academic pathway will have a long term impact as students progress through high school. Because you are homeschooling your child, you can keep a closer eye on the progress he or she is making.

While middle school curriculums can differ somewhat from state to state, below are some of the general content objectives which most seventh graders will be expected to know:

Reading/Language Arts Objectives:

• Work with more advanced vocabulary
• Continue to learn grammar skills and rules of punctuation
• Write on a daily basis and explore the expression of feelings on paper
• Work on comprehension of more difficult texts
• Summarize, analyze and critique texts

Seventh Grade Mathematics Objectives:

• Continue using math in the everyday world to solve problems
• Solidify understanding of algebra concepts
• Introduce basic geometry concepts, or solidify the knowledge if already introduced
• Advanced skills in graphing
• Understand exponents and scientific notation
• Apply problem solving and critical thinking to mathematical problems
• Continue working with word problems with all mathematical operations

Science Objectives:

• Create experiments to learn about the natural environment, weather, etc.
• Learn to grow simple seeds and sprouts
• Learn about life spans of animals

Social Studies Objectives:

• Continue U.S. history from sixth grade objectives
• Continue to explore history and culture of other people around the globe
• Learn about history of special populations (women’s history, African American history, etc.)

Outside the Classroom

Seventh grade is also a time when students begin to express more interest in activities other than just academic subjects. Whether their interests follow music, sports, the arts or any number of other areas, as a homeschooler, you will not have the built-in infrastructure of teams, bands, etc. It is vitally important that you find other ways for your child to express himself or herself outside the classroom.

You can often find local sports leagues for your kids, and many communities also foster youth music groups such as orchestras or bands. Look into these opportunities for your seventh grader. You may also be able to find a local homeschool group that gets together to provide some of these opportunities as well. Some of these groups even organize field trips for kids to be able to experience local attractions or businesses that may provide an outlet for their interests. You can even take on the organizing role if there is a particular place your child would like to go.

Basic Tips for Teaching Seventh Grade:

• Seventh graders should focus on building their vocabulary and working to comprehend complex texts, rather than focusing on the mechanics of reading. Give your child vocabulary words that will really challenge them, regardless of their reading level. Take advantage of your ability to individualize your lesson plans.
• Rather than choosing multiple choice answers to prove comprehension during reading, seventh graders should be able to vocalize what they have read. Have your child work on summarizing and discussing what they are reading to ensure they are getting everything they should out of the text.
• Your children will now have a lot of interests outside of their academic lessons. Try to be creative when planning lessons. Pull those outside interests into their schooling, so they are more interested in what they are learning.
• Encourage your seventh grader to relate their social studies and science lessons to their own lives. Have discussions about how things have changed since particular periods of time.
• Seventh graders should have access to basic equipment for experiments, including microscopes. There may be ways to share this equipment with local organizations if you cannot purchase it for your home school.

Where They Are and Where They’re Going

The average seventh grader is right at the state between childish goofiness and mature behavior. They are spirited and enthusiastic, but can also exercise self-control and stay still for longer periods of time. They develop a growing sense of intuition and insight into themselves and others. They may actually become less moody and more good-natured around adults. They are more and more self-reliant and self-centered, and are curious but not ready for long-term planning ideas. They also want to be like their peers. Keep these characteristics in mind as you prepare your homeschool lessons.

Your child is also learning how to be independent as he or she undergoes many changes. You can help them learn to deal with the changes as they transition to adolescence. You can also work on their interpersonal skills and help them adjust to peer pressure and develop their own interests, abilities and responsibility.

Highest-Rated Complete 7th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Options:

	Alpha Omega Switched on Schoolhouse — Seventh graders can be very independent using this program that also teaches them to manage their work using the built-in lesson and assignment planner.
	Alpha Omega LifePacs –This comprehensive mastery learning program can easily be used as an independent curriculum as middle schoolers learn to manage their own time effectively.
	Sonlight — Sonlight’s core options for 7th graders integrate history, English and language arts into one great program.

Science Favorite:

Apologia Science — Middle school programs through Apologia are a great way to prepare your student for more difficult high-school science.

Top Math Choices:

	RightStart Mathematics – We’ve used this in our household and love it. Read the review to learn more!
	Saxon Math 87 — A great math program to teach middle school math concepts. (The second number in Saxon Math 87 indicated for what grade level that the book is recommended.)
	Teaching Textbooks — For the child who is less enthusiastic about math, this is a great option. We would suggest the package that includes both the CD-Rom AND the worksheets for best results.

Looking for the best home school curriculum choices? Here is a list of our top 50 picks by subject.

General Homeschooling Information

Home Education Magazine
Home Education Magazine is a bimonthly publication that offers deep interviews, articles, columns and stories about the ups and downs of homeschooling your children.

Homeschool Central
The Homeschool Central publication offers valuable resources to homeschooling families, especially those who might be looking for a support group in their area.

Home School Legal Defense Association
This nonprofit advocacy association gives a legal perspective to parents who want to homeschool their children. They provide important information on each state’s homeschooling guidelines. If you need to know more about homeschooling legal issues in your state, you can also look at the “My State” page of their website.

National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)
If you need statistics and facts about homeschooling, NHERI is your one-stop shop for success.

Classical Homeschooling

Classical Homeschooling Magazine
This free online publication focuses its pages on the basics of classical homeschooling, including the Great Books movement, the Socratic Method and poetic knowledge.

“The Well-Trained Mind,” by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
Susan Wise Bauer is a home educator and literature professor who, along with her mother, wrote this detailed guide to homeschooling in the classical tradition.

We know that seventh grade can be a confusing time for your child. As adolescence gets closer (or has already started), they are figuring out who they are as people. Some of this confusion can spill over into the classroom, but with the objectives and resources provided above, you should have a good road map for what you want to accomplish during your child’s seventh grade year. This plan will serve you well – a clear set of objectives eliminates many of the distractions that can come your way. Be sure to visit our site again for more resources!