Published author? Yes, you. Write and illustrate your own professionally-bound picture book for your young (and admiring) reading buddy in kindergarten.
Quis linguam latinam mortuam dicit? That’s the Latin class motto.
Who says Latin’s a dead language?
Build a robot? Become an engineer as you collaborate to solve real-world problems.
Talent? You’ve got it and you’re proud to share it in the end-of-year Talent Show.
Research? Not only do you write a major research paper in history about a significant person of the 20th century, you present the person in character, in costume and in a period party for your classmates.
Community? Build it from the ground up when you start the year with an overnight canoe trip.
This is you? On stage? In Twelfth Night? Yes! “But be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Students explore themes of societies and our roles within them, with a special focus on social justice and our responsibility to make a difference. Students refine their writing, analytical reading and presentation skills. Texts include The Outsiders, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Giver, Twelfth Night, other texts for individualized literature study, Membean / NoRedInk for personalized vocabulary and grammar study.
Distinguishing features: Book discussion groups, Book Buddy project with Primary Circle students
Social Studies
7th grade focuses on United States history, beginning with historical thinking skills and an in-depth study of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Building on this foundation, the course uses a thematic approach to study 20th century issues such as immigration and civil rights.
Distinguishing features: Simulations, research paper, heritage lunch, field trip to Philadelphia, primary source personal history projects using iMovie and Book Creator.
Math
Using an integrated math approach, students master beginning Algebra topics including patterns, functions and systems of equations, geometry, probability, statistics, scientific notation, and exponents. iPad and print texts include Big Ideas Math.
Distinguishing features: instruction targeted to a student’s comfort level with math and facility with abstraction, Math Lab, coding/computer programming
Science
With a hands-on, inquiry-based approach developed at Berkeley, 7th graders explore topics including forces and motion, population, ecosystems, and astronomy. iPad-based texts include Science Education for Public Understanding Program.
Distinguishing features: Individual and group lab research, field-based study using our forest, lake and farm, robotics and engineering
World Languages
7th graders choose among introductory-level courses in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin) or Latin. Each language focuses study on developing language and communication skills, and deepening understanding of culture.
Distinguishing features: Spanish QR code scavenger hunt, Latin plays, dumpling making
Arts & Music
All students take both art and music. Band, Strings and Chorus are year-long, performance-based classes. Half-year electives include include Music Elements, Studio Art, Sculpture, Theater Design, and Film. Students who do not take a performance-based music class must take the music elective.
Distinguishing features: Vocal and instrumental concerts, Shakespeare, all-Middle School musical
Athletics, Co-Curriculars & Health
All 7th graders play three seasons of inter-scholastic sports, dance, or play rehearsal. Practices are during the school day, and students generally have one to two after-school competitions each week. Decisions, a weekly character-education class, helps students explore realms of social / emotional learning including self-awareness, peer relations, and healthy life habits.
Quakerism & Service Learning
All students participate in weekly Meeting for Worship. 7th graders focus their service learning through our Think, Care, Act curriculum which helps students identify a concern about which they feel passionate and complete 10 hours of service.
