7th Grade Curriculum

English

English 7 students continue to develop proficiency in academic reading and writing while becoming more passionate readers. Classes read and discuss selected texts together to develop the habits of mind necessary for close reading and literary analysis, focusing on six signposts that help readers recognize and think deeply about significant moments in literary works. In addition, each student will develop fluency and engagement with books by reading a large number of self-selected texts at an individually appropriate and increasing text complexity level.

Seventh grade students will learn to write a structured academic paragraph organized around a topic sentence, properly cited text evidence, and analytical commentary. They will also explore fiction and poetry through creative writing. Students will also use free-writing and informal journal responses to build writing fluency and develop critical thinking. Grammar instruction will occur during the writing process, and will focus on areas of weakness exhibited by each student.

Vocabulary enrichment is an integral part of the curriculum. Students will be introduced to challenging words from each shared text prior to reading, and will be formally assessed on mastering those words.

Math

The seventh grade math curriculum continues to prepare students for the shift to more advanced mathematical topics while enhancing their basic knowledge of algebra, measurement, geometry, data analysis and statistics, and arithmetic. These skills are applied to more complex mathematical studies and observations. Complex word problems and deductive and inductive reasoning skills are enforced. Logic and patterning are strongly emphasized through mathematical puzzles and games. Manipulatives help to enhance knowledge of real-life applications while appropriate technological tools help to strengthen understanding.

Topics explored are aligned with the Grade 7 Common Core Standards and include:

  • The Number System: Operations and Problem Solving with Rational Numbers
  • Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Tables, Equations, Graphs; Unit Rates; Applying Percents
  • Expressions and Equations: Rewriting Expressions; Solving Equations and Inequalities
  • Geometry - Modeling Geometric Figures: Scale Drawings, Cross Sections and Angle Pairs
  • Geometry: Circumference, Area and Volume
  • Statistics and Probability: Populations and Sampling
  • Probability and Simulations: Theoretical and Experimental Probability, Compound Events

AOSR has designed the Grade 7 math course to be offered in a heterogeneous setting (a mixed-ability class) and with the goal of preparing Grade 7 students for Algebra in Grade 8. This strong survey course, based on Grade 7 Common Core Standards, includes student-driven extension opportunities (in-class projects and online learning).

In Grade 8, students will take either Pre-Algebra or Algebra.

Science

The emphasis of the 7th grade science course is to investigate and explore the Earth’s processes. Within the NGSS framework, students will explore topics such as Earth History, Natural Resources, Meteorology and Astronomy. Students will apply the fundamental laws and properties of physics and chemistry to laboratory experiments, research projects, and presentations. At the end of this course, students should be able to understand the connections between Earth’s processes and the physical nature of the world around us. Students will continue to develop their skills in scientific inquiry as they engage in the practices of a scientist and engineer.

Course Outline:

  • Astronomy
  • Earth’s History
  • Natural Disasters
  • Weather and Climate
  • Climate Change

Social Studies (Geography)

In this class, we will examine geography from a wide variety of perspectives: physical human, economic and political. In addition to learning about the different kinds of maps and how to read and interpret them, we will examine how geography impacts populations and world events. Specifically, we will look at how geography affects population growth, migration, globalization, resource depletion and preservation, land use, social and ethnic integration, economic development, and the interaction among states. We begin our study by traveling through the continent of Africa, and from there we move to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Latin America and finally, to North America.

World Languages

Students at AOSR have an opportunity to take up to two world languages in Middle School. Students are highly encouraged to take Italian language classes with the option to choose between Spanish and French, as well.

Our teachers understand that each student joins the AOSR multicultural community with varying levels of language due to their previous studies, host country or languages spoken at home. The AOSR World Language department evaluates each student’s written and verbal ability to then devise an individual course combination for their study of Italian, French and Spanish.

Students with previous background in a language will undergo a placement assessment and then be enrolled in the appropriate level for their continued growth. For this reason, all languages levels, apart from the Native Italian classes, contain students from the different middle school grades.

For a complete listing of all MS world languages available, please download the full MS program of studies PDF below.

Physical Education and Health

Students will improve upon intermediate level sport-specific skills for individual, dual, and team sports. They will learn the basic offensive and defensive strategies and engage in activities which develop and maintain cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and flexibility. Appropriate standardized physical fitness tests and measurements will be administered.

The health portion of the course is devoted to introducing the students to various topics to lead them to make healthy decisions within their lives. Units of instruction will include the following: local health services, products and information; environmental and external factors affecting health; family and emotional health; sport injury prevention and safety; nutrition, hygiene and diet; maintaining and promoting personal health; prevention and control of disease; substance use and abuse; and concepts of growth and development.

Exploratory Cycle

ArtThis course extends the skills introduced in sixth grade art classes. The two-dimensional drawing and painting will be explored as they continue to develop their knowledge of the elements of art as well as their appreciation of art works. They will build on their knowledge of the elements of art and study the principles of design. They will learn to apply both to their art projects. Increased art vocabulary and multi-cultural emphasis and exposure to a variety of cultures are emphasized.

Technology (Pre-Engineering)- Students will explore concepts and tools used by engineers to solve problems. Students will apply these concepts to design and build an electric car to race.

Drama - Students will learn about theater, gain skills as performers, and stretch out their creative talents. The class will work on building an imaginatively-rich and supportive environment, a space where all members can feel good about taking the creative risks that are an essential part of the making of art and an artistic lifestyle. Students will then use these developed skills to create a performance project to share with other middle school students. In the past, final performance projects for the 7th Grade have included Shakespeare studies in correspondence with the annual Shakespeare festival.

Concert Band

This course will give ensemble performance opportunities to beginner and intermediate instrumentalists and will include music selections from classical and popular repertoire . The instruments offered include: flute, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone and percussion. Beginner students will choose a band instrument to commence their musical journey. Intermediate students’ abilities will be assessed and given assignments based on their level. The Middle School Band will perform at school events and concerts. Instruments can be purchased or will be available to rent in the beginning of the school year.

Choir

In this performance based ensemble, students focus on healthy tone production, posture, breath control, and diction. The instructor will assess each student’s vocal range to determine the proper voice part: soprano, alto, or baritone. The choir will sing music of varying styles, languages and time periods. Students will have the opportunity to perform at school and community events.

Support Classes

Focused Academic Support classes are offered in math and writing to enhance skills necessary in all subject areas.

The Resource class is a targeted support program. Students must qualify for the program through the referral process.