Seventh Grade American Studies
This interdisciplinary course focuses on common themes surrounding the American Dream, to deepen students' understanding of American history, literature, and culture while strengthening skills traditionally taught in each discipline. Through historic events and literary voices of the twentieth century, students examine how the American dream has been tested, defended, and redefined. Throughout the course, students learn to be conscious of the ways our notions of unity and diversity have evolved into a broader understanding of the motto "E Pluribus Unum" ("Out of Many, One").
Seventh Grade English
Emphasizes grammar, writing, vocabulary, and discussion skills, all grounded in literature and reflected in assignments that prod students to think critically and voice their own opinions. Through journal responses, creative pieces, and formal essays, students learn to organize, develop, and support their ideas. Along with more traditional assignments, students are given opportunities for class debates and projects, such as creating a Wikispace, conducting family interviews, and writing song lyrics. Students choose from a collection of WWII memoirs and contemporary novels for two units in the spring. Course texts: The Giver; Voyage; To Kill a Mockingbird; Rocket Boys; Unsettling America (poetry); Growing up Ethnic in America (short stories); Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar, Grade 7.
Seventh Grade History
Begins with the foundations of American rights and responsibilities as expressed in the Constitution. With this ideal as our guide, students examine the promises and challenges of the American Dream in the twentieth century. Students explore how our nation grew stronger through immigration, the Great Depression, war, and the voices of black Americans, women, and youth. This will lead to the understanding that during the twentieth century America established itself as a world power whose adherence to its ideals continues to be tested by domestic and global forces. Throughout the year, reading comprehension, directed research, note-taking, synthesis of information, and written and oral expression are emphasized. The culmination of these skills is the history research paper, in which students spend two structured months investigating a topic of their choice and writing a persuasive thesis-driven paper. In addition to learning from secondary sources such as Joy Hakim's A History of Us, students will also appreciate first-hand accounts provided by Freedom's Children and engaging primary source selections.