7th Grade

The seventh grade art curriculum offers a comprehensive exploration of diverse artistic media, focusing on drawing, painting, and ceramics. Over the course of two semesters, students engage in a structured development of skills, dedicating one semester to enhancing proficiency in drawing and painting, and the other to the art of ceramics.

Within the ceramics component, students delve into fundamental concepts of utilizing the electric potter's wheel. Emphasis is placed on mastering essential techniques such as centering, opening, pulling up the walls, shaping, and trimming. Upon reaching the leather-hard stage, students are encouraged to incorporate hand-built handles into their creations. Following this stage, the pieces undergo a bisque firing process, paving the way for students to select from a diverse array of vibrant glazes.

In addition to technical skills, students are instructed on employing eyelash yarn to create intricate patterns on their ceramic pieces. Moreover, they are educated on the critical considerations of color and pattern in surface design. Beyond manual expertise, students acquire a specialized vocabulary integral to the field of ceramic art. This comprehensive approach ensures a multifaceted learning experience, fostering both technical proficiency and conceptual understanding in the realm of ceramics.

Seventh grade English stresses the development of clear, effective writing with particular emphasis on the need for active voice, correct sentence structure, and well-organized paragraphs. Style is further refined through exercises that teach students to use stronger, more descriptive verbs, and to avoid informal language in their writing. Frequent writing assignments constitute the core of the curriculum. These assignments include expository, persuasive, and narrative essays as well as many timed essays. Students work with patience and understand the benefits of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and finalizing. Past assignments are frequently reviewed to see the trends in each student’s writing. In addition, students complete reflections responding to these assignments. Also, students and teachers continue to communicate using Google Documents throughout the writing process, which allows for teachers and students to share editing and revision ideas before publishing writing samples. Students present their work, and particular assignments focus on the development of clear and articulate speaking ability.

Student writing includes mastery of various elements of grammar in seventh grade. Grammar lessons begin with a review of all the parts of speech. Furthermore, compound and complex sentences are examined and emphasized so as to guide students toward a smoother and more sophisticated writing style and to give them the means for avoiding the run-on sentence and sentence fragments. By this point in their careers, students have mastered identifying prepositional phrases, so they are introduced to participial, gerund, infinitive, and appositive phrases, and they are expected to use these to enhance their writing. A seventh grade English student strives to communicate clearly through effective writing, articulate speaking, logical thinking, and independent and cooperative learning.
 

The seventh grade design and technology curriculum provides students with a project-based learning approach. The year begins with design class, and the students participate in a weekly design course that re-introduces them to the 3-D design process, which follows an investigate, brainstorm, plan, build, test and present sequence. Students are placed in teams to identify opportunities to affect their experience of the physical world. The teams collaborate in the conception, execution, and evaluation of 3-D design projects. Teams create and deliver a multimedia presentation of their final products.

Technology class is held twice per week during the second semester. The students work in teams and begin semester-long building projects that reinforce what is taught in the design class. The students take the analog projects and apply a variety of technologies to them. They build cardboard cars, games, and other three-dimensional projects, then add servos, motors, LED lights, and other sensors. The students later enhance their programming skills through Scratch and other online coding sites. Programming, design, and digital tools are used to support the design-thinking philosophy taught throughout the class. 

Digital citizenship is a continuing topic for discussion. Students complete an extensive unit on online safety which covers personal safety, cyberbullying, computer security, intellectual property, online shopping, and social networking.

The seventh grade history class is a continuation of where sixth grade students ended their journey of the fall of the Roman Empire. Using historical content from their textbook, The Medieval World and Beyond, copyright 2019 (in print and online), and outside resources, seventh grade students study several civilizations beginning with Europe during the Medieval Times, continuing with a focus on Medieval Islam, Imperial China, Japan, and Latin America, and culminating with the European Renaissance. Students also examine the current political and geographical boundaries of the regions mentioned above. This modern view acts as a bridge between the Medieval time period and what is happening in our current world. Students utilize several tools to show what they know including projects, quizzes, tests, homework, essays, and a final exam at the end of the school year. Students sharpen their note-taking skills using the Cornell method of taking notes while strengthening their historical vocabulary and enhancing their study skills for tests. Students leave the classroom with historical content, human and physical geography, and a civic duty to make the world a better place.

Seventh grade students advance their library and research skills over the course of the school year as they continue to conduct various research projects and engage with self-selected fiction and non-fiction texts for pleasure reading. Students read freely-chosen books that reflect their individual interests and support their growth into young adulthood. Students are introduced to media literacy and learn how to evaluate media, news, and literary content critically. Students continue to learn about digital footprints, and copyright law; the seventh graders are exposed to strategies for using technology safely and responsibly within the ever-changing digital landscape. Seventh graders continue to use APA and MLA style conventions to cite sources and create bibliographies. The students also continue to build skills related to summarizing, note-taking, and crafting original arguments based on reliable sources with current information.

​​Seventh grade literature discussions and assignments help students work to mastery with images, themes, structure, elements of plot, conflict, point of view, characterization, and style. Assigned reading includes an anthology of short stories, nonfiction, plays, poetry, and novels. In the past, several all-class novels included The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, and Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Students use their reading skills to lead and participate in literary discussions around a Harkness table, which encourages student-led conversations facilitated by teachers; these discussions help students uncover a deeper and more personal understanding of the texts. Students respond in writing multiple times a week, and assignments emphasize literary analysis with the use of quotations from the text, creativity, organization and support of ideas, clarity of style, use of accurate and appropriate vocabulary, and the importance of proofreading and editing. A seventh grade literature student reads with purpose, looking for various plot elements, characterization, and themes. He or she also can write a comprehensive response-to-literature essay, complete with an introduction, effective body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Algebra 1A

In seventh grade, all students study Algebra I. The curriculum is designed to be a one or two-year study that is rigorous and builds a strong foundation for future mathematics courses. The Algebra curriculum is quite thorough, with equal emphasis on technique and problem-solving skills. Specific topics covered in the Algebra 1A course include: order of operations; variable expressions; linear equations and inequalities; ratios, rates, and proportions; absolute value; functions, patterns, and function analysis; linear functions and absolute value functions; and systems of equations and inequalities. In addition to skill acquisition, applications and projects help students analyze real-world problems using mathematical techniques. The focus of the algebra curriculum is problem-based learning, and students are encouraged to develop multiple strategies to solve problems. Mental math, applying number sense, and the use of bar models continue to be used as problem-solving strategies and to validate the correctness of answers. Strong emphasis is placed on “why” techniques work in addition to “how” they work. The Algebra course uses the Algebra 1 Common Core (Savvas) textbook.

Algebra 1

In seventh grade, all students study Algebra I. The curriculum is designed to be a one or two-year study that is rigorous and builds a strong foundation for future mathematics courses. The Algebra curriculum is quite thorough, with equal emphasis on technique and problem-solving skills. The one-year Algebra course is rigorous and fast paced. Specific topics of the first semester include: order of operations; variable expressions; linear equations and inequalities; ratios, rates, and proportions; absolute value; functions, patterns, and function analysis; linear functions and absolute value functions; and systems of equations and inequalities. In the second semester, topics of study include: exponents and exponential functions; polynomials and factoring; quadratic functions and equations; radical expressions and equations; rational expressions and functions; and data analysis and probability. In addition, the use of algebra in geometry is explored, and students are introduced to some topics typically covered in Algebra ІІ. The focus of the algebra curriculum is problem-based learning, and students are encouraged to develop multiple strategies to solve problems. Mental math, applying number sense, and the use of bar models continue to be used as problem-solving strategies and as ways to validate the correctness of answers. Strong emphasis is placed on “why” techniques work in addition to “how” they work. The algebra course uses the Algebra 1 Common Core (Savvas) textbook.

Seventh grade students meet with their music teacher once a week. In the seventh grade, the emphasis is on drama and musical theater, which involves improvisation games, short scene work, and onstage performing in a variety of settings. Students are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity. Working in a non-critical environment that fosters peer support and group cooperation is stressed. In preparation for their eighth grade musical, an overview of musical theater is presented. This includes an exploration of theatrical elements beyond acting such as lighting, set design, audio, directing, and costume design. Utilizing these various elements, students work on producing a musical scene from a Broadway show for their classmates. In addition, students perform for the school community during the year in two major music performances.

The purpose of the program in the fifth through eighth grade is to involve the student in more highly organized games and activities, emphasizing an expanded understanding of movement. Units are structured so that students will apply previously acquired knowledge and refined motor skills to more specific sport and team activities. Social attitudes such as sportsmanship, good judgment, and self-control are also promoted at this age level. Students are expected to demonstrate a sincere effort to participate, a respect for rules and officials, teamwork and sportsmanship, and an understanding of skills, techniques, concepts and strategies of sport activities. Motor skills and ball skills are further refined to apply to sport activities. The relationship between rules of the game and the restrictions they place upon movement are explained and explored. Physical and motor fitness are emphasized as life-long goals that enhance a student’s health and well-being. Social and emotional concepts that are discussed are the proper attitude toward competition and how it relates to both victory and defeat. Developing a respect for all ability levels, responsibility for the use of equipment and facilities, respecting the rules and the decisions of officials are all points of emphasis.

Fifth grade students participate in a puberty education program. This program includes group discussion, videos, and handouts designed to explain the physical and emotional changes which all boys and girls can expect to undergo during this period of life. The goal is to present puberty in a positive way, demystifying a process that can be puzzling and confusing to youngsters. Parents may preview the materials before they are presented to the students.

In fifth and sixth grade, sport-related skills, activities, and games may include: cooperative educational games, recreational games, flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, rhythmic gymnastics, softball, wiffle ball, volleyball, field hockey, team handball, fitness activities, fitness testing, and track and field.

Interscholastic athletics are introduced in the fifth grade for girls’ basketball and in the sixth grade for students who desire a higher level of competition in flag football, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. Teams at the fifth and sixth grade levels have a no-cut policy. All students that have attended practices and complied with team rules are given an opportunity to play in games. Teams practice during class and/or after school. Contests are with other private schools in the area.

The seventh and eighth grade students continue to participate in some of the same activities from earlier years, such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, flag football, dance, recreational games, team handball, and fitness activities. Additional physical education activities that require a higher level of skill refinement are included in the seventh and eighth grade curriculum. These activities may include: badminton, pickleball, fitness walking/running, strength-training activities, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, lacrosse, pilates/yoga, speedminton, tennis, step aerobics, street hockey, and unicycle.

The interscholastic program in the seventh and eighth grade is designed for students who are capable of and desire a higher level of competition in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Teams are cut to a workable number of players based upon skill ability, attitude, and coachability. Practice takes place after school and teams play a six-to-eight game schedule against public and private schools in the area.

In seventh grade, students attend science class four times per week. Students begin the year with a life science unit by studying biology and the diversity of living things. Scientific inquiry continues to be the core foundation during labs, class activities, and group discussions, where students develop a stronger understanding of the nature of science and foster the ability to think and act as a scientist. 

Activities include testing yeast cells to determine whether they are considered living things, observing a mini-pond ecosystem of microbiological diversity, investigating the kingdoms of life in greater detail, and locating the stomata cells on plants. The semester concludes with a virtual and hands-on frog dissection lab. In the second semester, the seventh grade curriculum continues to incorporate the underlying principles of biology while turning its focus to physical science and analyzing the interaction of matter through motion and time. The major physical science concepts covered during the latter part of the year include force and energy, gravity and falling objects, forces in fluids, and simple machines. As a culminating activity, seventh graders integrate these physical science concepts into the designing, building, and launching of Rube Goldberg machines. 

By collaborating with the math and technology departments, seventh grade students use a variety of technology resources to demonstrate their understanding of content. In conjunction with student-based inquiry, a lecture/discussion piece with note-taking strategies is employed to bring a complete understanding of the specific concept that is being investigated. This connection between inquiry-based lab work and textbook readings creates a solid foundation, not only of the individual concepts, but of how the biological and physical sciences are interrelated.
 

Latin 

Latin 7 builds on the skills begun in the previous year of study. The students' understanding of Latin grammar deepens as they learn two additional tenses, (the last case (dative), personal pronouns, and the degrees of adjectives. Students continue to learn through comprehensible input reading strategies (listening, reading, writing and speaking in Latin) and more traditional grammar instruction. During this year, students learn more about Roman daily life and major events in early Roman history. Students participate in a variety of classroom activities and projects, including reenactments, such as a Roman wedding or election. During the course of the year students also go on a field trip to enrich their knowledge of Roman material culture, mythology, and/or daily life. Starting this year, students take the National Latin Exam Intro to Latin, for which students can win awards. Students can continue to participate in JCL, our local Latin club and attend both SCRAM and the State Convention. Every other year students will have the opportunity to enrich their experience by attending a trip to Italy to explore Pompeii and Roman ruins. On this trip one guardian is required to accompany their student/s. 

Mandarin 

This course is intended for students who have completed Mandarin 6 in sixth grade. Students continue to learn fundamental vocabularies and sentence structure that enable them to communicate topics including sports, foods, school, personal hobbies, and daily routines at home. Students are encouraged to speak frequently in class, developing confidence in their ability to communicate in Chinese and engage in cultural topics. We also read several Chinese books together from our Mandarin Chinese Library. In this course, the instructions and learning activities are primarily conducted in Mandarin Chinese. Throughout the year, students will celebrate various fun Chinese holidays and festivals, attend an annual field trip, and explore the beautiful Chinese culture through paintings, calligraphies, artifacts and authentic Chinese food.

Spanish 

Much of the class is conducted in Spanish in order to further reinforce and build listening comprehension and conversational skills. Lessons in pronunciation and spelling deal with accent marks, stress, sound discrimination, spelling rules, and enunciation.

The following categories of vocabulary words are taught: extend invitations, talk on the phone, express feelings, say where you are coming from, say what just happened, talk about sports, express preferences, say what you know, make comparisons, describe the weather, discuss clothing and accessories, state an opinion, describe how you feel, say what is happening, identify places, give addresses, choose transportation, request directions, give instructions, talk about shopping, make purchases, talk about giving gifts, bargain, order food, request the check, talk about food, describe daily routine, the house, and chores. Grammar studies include: regular ar, er, ir and irregular verbs in multiple tenses, use of ser vs. estar, prepositions, possessive adjectives, personal a, pronouns (object of a preposition, direct object, and indirect object), idiomatic expressions with tener, prepositions of location, and affirmative and negative commands. The study of Hispanic culture pays special attention to Spain, Mexico, and Ecuador, and includes folklore, food, music, dress, traditions, geography, and history. This is enriched by the use of games, songs, skits, a pen pal exchange, instructional videos and computer projects.