7th Grade Curriculum
Lewis and Clark Module
Exploration is not only part of every society; it is one of the basic attributes of human nature. Study of past exploration enables students to learn from the experience of others by recognizing their contributions, as well as the dangers they faced. The Lewis and Clark Expedition is appropriate because of the importance it played in history.
The book Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie; The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell by Kristiana Gregory is incorporated into the unit.
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
- Identify major events of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- Compare maps from Lewis and Clark’s time to modern day maps.
- Identify obstacles that were encountered on the trail.
- Prepare a journal of life on the trail.
- Identify the route Lewis and Clark took.
Assessment
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final 3D projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final 3D virtual world projects are showcased in Wilostarius and are archived to document progress and student growth.
WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These include:
- Daily assignments
- A 3D Exhibit based on the expedition
- A 3D trail map and expedition world
- A final book project
Module Resources
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose
Seaman: The Dog Who Explored the West With Lewis and Clark (A Peachtree Junior Publication) by Gail Langer Karwoski
Civil War Module
This WiloStar3D virtual world homeschooling module starts with events leading up to the Civil War. It continues through the Civil War looking at the life and times during the war. Students look at the economic, social, and cultural differences between the North and South and how events after the Compromise of 1850 and the Dred Scott decision impacted sectional differences, southern justification for secession, the presidential leadership of Buchanan and Lincoln during the secession crisis.
This module also looks at the different groups of people shaped the Civil War and the effects of divided loyalties.
Objectives:
- The students will explain how the Kansas-Nebraska Act destroyed hopes for sectional peace.
- The students will explain reactions to John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry.
- The students will analyze the effects of the surrender of Fort Sumter.
- The students will relate the strengths and weaknesses of the Union and the Confederacy to the overall war strategy and objectives.
- The students will describe the contributions of African-Americans on both sides during the Civil War.
- The students will describe the impact of the war on the home front in the North and South.
Assessment
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolio at the end of the school year to document progress and student grow.
WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These include
- Daily Assignments
- Pre-civil war online quiz
- Mini-web on a Civil War battle
- Build a battlefield in Wilostarius
Virtual World Builders
In this fun beginning WiloStar3D virtual world online homeschooling class, students learn how to build and manipulate objects in Wilostarius, our online 3D learning world. Students learn how to create objects, build simple structures, add commands and execute actions. Students create their own student housing sector to showcase their skills as part of the course completion.
Topics covered in 3D Programming 1 include:
- Starting an object
- Moving an object
- Changing an object
- Assigning actions to objects
- Simple triggers
- Simple commands
- Simple animation commands
- Simple behavior commands
- Simple special commands
Builder’s Academy 101 offers everything kids need to build their own 3D castles and houses. In this 3D course children can embark on a fun-filled adventure that covers these areas:
- The fundamentals of 3D building and combining shapes in a three dimensional environment
- Utilizing tools to build a fantasy world of their own making
- Enjoying hours of fun after camp interacting in Wiloworlds playing with their creations and socializing with new friends
This unique program takes your child on an adventure they’ll never forget! Children not only explore the 3D worlds that already exist within WiloStarius (castle and house templates), but they can also construct their own unique models from the tools provided. Any objects and buildings children create may be accessed at home as well!
3D building combines fun experimentation and exploration with engaging learning experiences. In addition, children acquire an understanding of the way things are built and learn to follow clear instructions, building good listening skills.
Everyone dreams of building their own fantasy world. Now your dreams can come true!
Electricity Module
This module on electricity will introduce students to terms used for electricity and people that had an impact on electricity. There are many hands on experiments to complete. Their final project is to use their knowledge from the unit and invent something that uses electricity.
Module Objectives:
- The students will be able to explain the difference between conductors and insulators.
- The students will be able to define static electricity.
- The students will be able to describe an electromagnet.
- The students will understand magnetic circuits.
- The students will be able to describe and recognize a simple parallel circuit.
Assessment
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolio CD’s at the end of the school year to document progress and student growth.
WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These include:
- Daily assignments
- Hands on experiments
- Electricity Invention
Caves Module
The WiloStar3D online homeschooling virtual world caves module will introduce students to cave formations. They will learn about the different geologic structures in caves and take virtual tours of various caves. Students will look at how successive layers of sedimentary rock and the fossils contained within them can be used to confirm the age, history, and changing life forms of the Earth, and how this evidence is affected by the folding, breaking, and uplifting of layers. Students will also be introduced to cave art and learn about cave preservation.
Module Objectives:
- Students will describe cave formation.
- Students will identify cave features and their development.
- Students will identify ways to preserve caves.
- Students will describe cave art.
- Students will prepare their own cave art.
- Students will create a 3D interactive cave tour
Assessment
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolio at the end of the school year to document progress and student growth.
WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These include:
- Daily assignments
- Research on a cave
- Mini-web on a cave
- Cave art work
- Build a 3D virtual cave in Wilostarius
Module Resources
Limestone Caves (First Books – Earth & Sky Science) by Roy A. Gallant
Weather Module
This Wilostar3D virtual world homeschooling weather module introduces students to basic weather phenomena. They will learn about the different fronts and the weather associated with them. They build weather tools and learn to use them. Students also complete an in-depth study of hurricanes using actual hurricane data to prepare a newspaper. The students take on different roles such as hurricane specialist, natural hazards planner, and meteorologist to prepare the newspaper.
The students will also be reading Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson and completing activities based on the book.
Objectives
- Students will gain understanding of meteorology
- Students will identify and understand warm and cold fronts.
- Students will recognize weather associated with passing warm and cold fronts.
- Students will prepare a weather station for use.
- Students will gain an understanding of hurricanes.
- Students will learn about the dangers of hurricanes.
- Students will prepare a newspaper based on an actual hurricane.
- Students will understand how and where hurricanes form.
- Students will learn to track and prepare for a hurricane.
- Students will understand how hurricanes are named.
Assessment
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolio at the end of the school year to document progress and student growth.
WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These include:
Daily assignments
Hurricane Newspaper
Online Weather Quiz
Module Resources
Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest
Hurricane in History
Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones
1001 Questions Answered About Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Other Natural Air Disasters, by Barbara Tufty
Survival Module
Students read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and explore many of the science survival themes contained in the novel.What does it mean to survive? This WiloStar3D virtual world homeschooling unit will lead students to answer this question and will help them understand the various aspects needed for survival.
Objectives
- Describe what is needed for a community to survive.
- Looking at wants versus needs.
- What is needed for an individual to survive.
- Individual roles in the community and the need to preserve their environment so it can take care of them.
- Understand what it takes to survive in the wilderness.
- Proper first aid techniques.
Assessment
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the WiloStar3D site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the WiloStar3D site and are archived into personal student portfolio at the end of the school year to document progress and student grow. WiloStar3D teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-Gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These include:
- Survival 3D Virtual World Game
- 3D Survival Exhibit
- Hatchet Essay Test
Interactive Learning
WiloStar’s online virtual school program is designed to give students a healthy online learning environment where they can interact with their peers and teachers during the school day. Students have live class meetings and online study hall requirements.
Learning Accommodations
WiloStar believes in treating each student as an individual and respecting their unique needs. We are one of the very few virtual schools that make learning accommodations for students! Incoming students are given appropriate placement screening and an ILP is created.
Problem Solvers
WiloStar staff and faculty believes there is no problem that can’t be solved. The key here is communication. If a parent sees something is not working for the student there at home, they let us know and we mobilize to find ways to adapt the learning and find solutions that will help the student.
Stellar Support
The WiloStar Student Support team is at the ready to help with extra tutoring, counseling and tech support. For struggling students, we offer several strategies to help get back on track. For techincal issues, we have a skilled and dedicated team ready to help solve your issues.
