The seventh grade Language Arts experience focuses on furthering key skills in literature, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. Emphasis on the relationship between the four components of Language Arts allows for age-appropriate development that places boys on an equipped trajectory towards rigorous Upper School English expectations. At the conclusion of the program, each student should be able to comprehend and dissect appropriate literature of various genres, examine sentence structures as well as functions of words and phrases, memorize and correctly use new vocabulary, and create a strongly organized and edited expository three-paragraph essay of literary analysis as well as assorted creative compositions.

In this course, students become proficient at the skills they will need for success in Grade 8 Algebra I: operating with integers, exploring algebraic expressions, and solving simple equations. They firmly establish the relationship among number sets and become comfortable making decisions when operating in the rationals. The students apply their skills to word-problem settings and real-life geometry. In addition, students continue their computer awareness by participating in a two-week PYTHON programming unit.

The seventh grade history course revolves around the central ideal upon which the United States was founded, “...that all men are created equal...” Those six words from the Declaration of Independence provide a theme and checkpoint for students as they progress through different time periods in American history. In addition, the course is designed so that events are studied largely in the context of the people who helped shape them. Course content is used for continued development of each student’s reading, writing, note-taking, and research skills.

This course begins by defining what it means to be living, focusing on life at the cellular level. Students make their own slides of Elodea, an aquatic plant, for use in identification of organelles within the cell. This identification continues throughout the year when viewing slides of cells. The boys begin learning the proper technique involved in scientific sketching and labeling. Sketching is used throughout the year in all units of Life Science.

Students will engage in a dialogue project, a poster project, iPad presentations, and brief writing assignments. These activities provide a creative vehicle for using the vocabulary and structures reinforced daily through verb and vocabulary assignments, workbook exercises, and worksheets. This work also fosters an exploration of French- or Spanish- speaking cultures. Classes are instructed in the target language.

Talk II is a yearlong course, meeting three times a cycle, for groups of approximately eight students with a teacher-facilitator. The curriculum’s general objective is to encourage students to develop positive human values and to become constructive participants in their communities. Specifics include: group dynamics; self-concept development; parent- child interaction; relationships; discrimination and prejudice; the decision-making process; substance abuse prevention; human development; and school issues.

In General Music, students will be exposed to a variety of music styles, including jazz, classical, and non-western music. We will learn how to analyze rudimentary song forms and will work with software programs such as Finale Notepad to create individual compositions.

The emphasis of the sixth and seventh grade Instrumental Music programs is to build a strong base of music-reading and appreciation through instrumental study. Students are expected to perform notation as a result of individual and group practice. They will also have opportunities to perform styles of music from various time periods and cultures.

Seventh grade art students will increase and enhance their critical thinking skills through close observations of the visual world in which they live. Students are encouraged to document their observations with the use of a camera from a personal device of choice and utilize those images as a reference for their artwork. We will continue to build skills in articulation by expressing ideas and perspectives verbally, in written form, and through the interpretation and creation of art.

In addition to learning about the elements and principles of design, the seventh graders learn many practical applications of math, including geometry, addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication of mixed fractions. In exploring the function of the design, students make calculations and decisions about issues of form versus function. Safety is also a big component of the Design and Woodworking curriculum; the students watch short instructional videos on the various machine tools used in the shop.

The seventh grade leadership course operates under the central assumption that everyone can be a leader. Students develop a personal definition of leadership and identify opportunities to demonstrate leadership and discern the variety of ways people lead. They learn to work with others on a team, identify productive approaches to problem solving and conflict resolution, and feel confident to act as a leader in everyday situations.

This course exposes students to the exciting challenges of speaking in front of peers and adults. Students learn the important traits of a good speaker and watch and analyze examples of famous and effective speeches. They speak on a variety of topics throughout the course. The course culminates with a formal presentation of a persuasive speech in front of both peers and adults.

Seventh graders participate in a three-trimester sports program, as students elect one of the sports alternatives each trimester. They receive daily instruction and game competition as a member of an intramural or interscholastic team.

The following athletic choices are available for seventh graders during the three seasons:

FALL: Tackle Football*, Flag Football+, Soccer*+, Tennis+, Cross Country*, Water Polo*, Pre-test for physical fitness

WINTER: Basketball*+, Wrestling*, Swimming*, Polar Bears+, Squash* (off campus, fee involved)

SPRING: Lacrosse*, Baseball*+, Track and Field*, Tennis*, Volleyball+, Post-testing for physical fitness