2012-2013 Middle School Program Guide 9

IV. GRADE 7 PROGRAM

Grade 7 ProgramOur Grade 7 program continues the work that began in Grade 6. No longer new to the middle school world, students are given greater responsibility and they see an increase in expectations. At the same time, they are surrounded by Faculty who have developed a program that ensures success for these adolescents. A contin-ued focus on developing writing, reading, and study skills drives this program. Through grade-sponsored community service, grade level meetings, and advi-sory discussions, students are given the tools to show greater empathy for others and to come together as a more unified class that focuses on setting and achiev-ing both individual and collective goals. By the end of the year, students are prepared with the skills and self-confidence necessary for success in the coming years.

ENGLISH – REFLECTIONS OF SELFAND HISTORICAL CONNECTIONSThis course is designed to provide students with expo-sure to literacy genres that are thematically linked to the History syllabus. Rites of passage, conflicts and challenges, and the search for self are the main themes on which individualized and collaborative learning are based. Frequent writing assignments help students develop coherent and articulate expository essays. Editing skills are directly linked to instruction in grammar and punctuation as well as sentence and paragraph development. Students develop personal vocabulary through a formalized program, along with contextual vocabulary. Technology skills are integrat-ed throughout the syllabus.

Resources:“English Workshop, Second Course,” Elvier“Vocabulary Workshop,” Shostak“Little Worlds,” by Guthrie and Page“Literature, Silver,” by Bowler, et al“My Brother Sam Is Dead,” by Coller and Collier“Soldier’s Heart,” by Paulson“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by Shakespeare

MATH – TRANSITIONING FROM CONCRETE TOABSTRACTThe Math Program works to prepare students for more complicated courses in their future. It also works to help students see that math is more than just a series of rules to apply in narrow contexts. As John Paulos wrote in his book, “A Mathematician Reads the News- paper,” we work to leave our students “with a greater appreciation of the role of mathematics in under- standing social issues and with a keener skepticism of its uses, nonuses, misuses, and abuses.”

Grade 7 is the grade most marked by different devel- opmental thinking stages among students. Some students are not quite ready for the abstraction of thought required by algebra; some are almost there; and some are becoming proficient at abstraction. Consequently, our courses have two major goals, with variations in instruction: finishing arithmetic with the goal of introducing abstraction and pre-algebra, and applying arithmetic skills to simple one- and two-variable equations and other contexts.

Texts:“Middle School Math, Course 2”“Pre-Algebra”

HISTORY – EARLY UNITED STATES HISTORY TO THE CIVIL WARAmerican History tells the story of dynamic struggle among diverse and often competing groups. Students will: demonstrate critical thought; develop their skills of oral and written expression; examine the explora- tion and colonization of America, the struggle for independence, the formation of the U.S. government, the reality and repercussions of slavery, industrial de- velopment, and the push westward that led to conflict and ultimately Civil War. The Prentice Hall text, “America: History of Our Nation” and other selected resources guide students on this journey, as they learn that anything we appreciate today, anything about this country that is decent, is that way because people worked together to create it.

Texts:“America: History of Our Nation”various primary and secondary resources

2012-2013 Middle School Program Guide 10

IV. GRADE 7 PROGRAM

SCIENCE – EXPLORING THE WEB OF LIFEThe course begins with the study of the living cell as the foundation of life and culminates with in-depth investigation of the complexities of human organ sys- tems and their independence. Heredity and genetics are discussed, and each human system is explored in depth. Students become familiar with the components of the systems and thoroughly understand the mecha- nisms of each system of the body. Students then un- derstand the interdependency of the human systems and comprehend how different environmental influ- ences affect these systems.

There are hands-on interactions with models in the class that resemble some of the systems functions, as well as laboratory and field explorations that enhance understanding of the human body. Students continue to develop their knowledge of the scientific method and how to apply theory and hypothesis to the learn- ing process.

Texts:“Cells,” Prentice Hall“Heredity,” Prentice Hall“Animals,” Prentice Hall“Human Biology,” Prentice Hall

MODERN LANGUAGEStudents continue to practice oral communication skills by using the target language in class as often as possible, creating skits and giving oral presentations. Listening activities are designed to practice and devel- op listening comprehension skills in real life content. Students continue to develop their writing ability by adding more details to sentence structures and the future tense is introduce. Basic grammar notions are taught and complement the necessary foundation for writing skills.

Students continue to learn about the culture of French or Spanish speaking countries to acquire knowledge and understanding of other cultures.

Spanish Texts: “Spanish: Exprésate 1,” textbook and writing activities book

French Texts: “Allez, viens!” Level 1 and workbooks