Grade 7

ical and abstract level. Literature, including novels, short stories and poems, is the core of the curriculum. The literary works revolve around a central theme of voice with a focus on those voices that go unheard. Complemented by the social studies curriculum, students ground their understanding of what it means to have a voice within a historical framework as they study slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Holocaust. Students study the evolution of voice, both welcomed and suppressed, as they discover their own voice through class discussion and in writing. Building on their grade 5 language skills foundation, grade 6 students learn how to use textual analysis to support their ideas. Written assignments include both expository essays and creative projects, all of which are developed through successive drafts. The grade 6 English program also continues to emphasize the study of language mechanics, grammar, and vocabulary development. Texts include the novels Chains, The Devil’s Arithmetic, White Bird, Walk Two Moons, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon as well as selected poems and short stories.

French and Spanish

In grade 6, students continue to focus on the four essential language skills introduced in the fifth grade: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. The students are also introduced to progressively more complex grammatical structures in order to help them develop more sophisticated oral expression. Students strengthen their reading and comprehension skills through authentic primary texts, and regular listening exercises help students improve their ability to understand the spoken language. Students learn the vocabulary needed to talk about daily life at home, with friends, and at school. Directed cultural studies are integrated throughout the year to foster global citizenry.

Mathematics

The grade 6 mathematics program includes an intensive review and extension of whole and rational numbers. Concepts previously covered are now applied to a higher level of skill mastery, and applications in real world situations are emphasized. Students explore different ways of expressing numerical data and are introduced to integers, variable expressions, equations and inequalities, and the coordinate plane. Problem-solving skills are honed throughout the program as students build toward stronger mathematical reasoning and abstract thinking. Other concepts include statistics and solid geometry. Mathematics (Honors) In addition to the grade 6 mathematics curriculum, students deepen their foundational knowledge of algebra by solving multi-step equations and inequalities. The honors program stresses the real life application of math and emphasizes abstract thinking as students learn to apply newly acquired skills in novel problem solving situations.

Religion

The grade 6 program begins with the study of God’s continuing covenant with human beings as realized in Jesus Christ and the Church. The course consists of a reflective study of the life and teachings of Jesus based on the gospels. Through discussions and activities, students examine how Jesus’s message is applicable and can help them when facing challenges or making moral decisions. Students also explore the different religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam by comparing prayers, beliefs, and expressions of love to Catholic traditions. As students research and learn about other faiths, they grow in empathy and gain understanding of common themes, including a love for humanity and the dignity of all people.

Science

The grade 6 science program examines foundational concepts of Earth and space. In the first semester, students focus on the study of space. Motion of astronomical bodies, along with the concept of gravity, are examined. Recent advances in the ongoing search for understanding of the complexities of the universe are integrated into this part of the course. In the second semester, students start with an introduction to chemistry. Their studies of atomic structure, elements, and the Periodic Table culminate in an Element Project, where they research and model chemical elements and present them to the class. Following this, students focus on the study of the Earth and its dynamic processes. Topics include rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Handson experiences coupled with experimental procedures and techniques are provided through laboratory explorations and classroom demonstrations. Ethical considerations involving pertinent and timely topics such as climate change and conflict resources are discussed and addressed throughout the academic year. A field trip to the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History serves to reinforce understanding of the composition of stars and galaxies, the life cycles of stars, and the history and vastness of the universe.

Progress? Or Progress! Evaluating change

The grade 6 social studies curriculum continues to advance students in the method of inquiry and introduces the skill of evaluating change. In the fall, students create a personal history, interviewing relatives and reflecting on what makes for significant turning points, as they function as historians of their own lives. Students then spend the year investigating three major patterns behind why and how change happens in history: trade, slavery, and leadership. The first unit examines the Silk Road, including its resources and its role in East Asia. Students draw conclusions about the extent to which trade fosters cultural exchange and benefits societies. They build on their analysis of trade routes by examining the history of slavery in West Africa. Students explore the extent to which slavery changed over time in the Trans-Saharan and Atlantic trade routes, and they think critically about who did and did not benefit from these trade systems. Finally, students evaluate whether individuals can advance change. They research a famous speech, perform a selection of it to the class, and analyze the extent to which the historical figure who authored the speech had an impact on history. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of activities designed to enrich the curriculum, including map making, debates, and creative as well as research writing. Within each unit, students explore topics with an eye to both critical thinking and ethical problem solving.

Library

Continuing to enforce the concept of stories as windows and mirrors into the lives and cultures of others, the librarian regularly presents book talks introducing new acquisitions and thematically related titles. Students select books for independent reading based on their interests, with encouragement from the librarian to read a wide variety of genres. Discussions continue to focus on intellectual property, plagiarism, and copyright laws. Skills reinforced include searching for print resources in the library, using keywords to find articles in online subscription databases, and citing primary and secondary sources in NoodleTools. The library complements the grade 6 curriculum by curating both print and electronic resources needed for specific research projects, as well as demonstrating how to closely examine online sources for reliable information. Students hone their library skills through use of the patron catalog, recognizing call numbers, and locating materials on the shelves.

Art

The focus of the 6th grade art program is two- and threedimensional design. Students begin the year with a study of how patterns and textures are revealed in nature. They examine repeating patterns in vegetation and wildlife, examining objects such as snake skin and zebra skins. Working from an “inspiration sheet” of images they compiled, students create their own creature that features unique patterns and textures using oil pastels. The 3D unit has students use paper to create a maquette. Students learn the importance of precise measurement, and how shapes come together to create the 3D object. Once the project is completed, students use the same maquette and process to design a 3D original bag using clay. As they create the bag they learn the importance of precision and planning as well as how to problem solve. The final project, a linoleum reduction print, has the students illustrate an image that expresses a personal challenge and includes a depiction of how to overcome the challenge. Students create a first draft of line illustration before they carve and print.

Drama

Sixth grade drama compliments the English and Social Studies curriculum with a focus on how dramas, speeches, and poems have been used to affect change. Students read and perform scenes from The Diary of Anne Frank, and examine how Anne and other characters use their voice to convey the human condition and experience during the Holocaust. They also learn about how tone, word choice, eye contact, facial expressions and gestures can impact a message in drama and speech. Students watch and analyze several important historical speeches, and listen to poets who discuss change. The final project has students choose a famous speech excerpt or poem that they research and perform for the class.

Music

Music in grade 6 continues work on vocal skills, with the added focus on part singing, composition and improvisation. Musical content examines and explores World Music. Units covered include African drumming, Japanese folk songs, and traditional instrumental music from India. Students devote significant time to improvisation through drumming and singing. In addition, students research and present projects that examine a song’s historical background and connection to geography. Violin and flute are offered once a cycle as an elective.

Physical Education

The goals of the Middle School physical education program are overall physical fitness, growth in motor abilities and coordination, increased understanding of game rules and basic game strategies. Units in volleyball, soccer, basketball, badminton, track, softball, lacrosse and swimming will be offered as electives to all Middle School students. Classes in dance, fitness and yoga concepts are also integrated into the program. Students will have the additional opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports teams.

English

Students in grade 7 explore issues of social justice as they examine literature in which characters are faced with moral or ethical dilemmas. Students investigate how gender, race, social class, and heritage impact the decisions and the moral development of characters. They develop an understanding of how language is used to convey meaning, imagery, and tone as they analyze poetry and literature. During their study of literary devices, students examine the author’s intent, point of view, style, and technique. Students continue to learn vocabulary, build on their knowledge of grammar, and hone their expository writing skills. Writing instruction focuses on developing arguments with strong thesis statements and strong textual evidence. Students learn to cultivate brevity, unity, and precision in their writing, and to develop effective strategies for prewriting, drafting, and revision. Texts, chosen to complement the social studies curriculum, include excerpts from Greek mythology, Antigone, The House on Mango Street, Brown Girl Dreaming, Flying Lessons, and Nowhere Boy as well as selected poems and short stories.

Mathematics, Pre-Algebra

This course includes an extensive study of numerical operations within the set of integers and rational numbers. Students apply mathematical principles to simplify algebraic expressions, solve algebraic equations and inequalities, and graph linear functions. Problem solving is an essential skill emphasized throughout the year. Other concepts include probability, proportions, percent, geometry, and irrational numbers. Students collaborate and develop their analytical and critical-thinking skills through projects. Project-based learning supplements the textbook for visualizing and applying mathematical concepts. Additionally, students build rules to represent functions as they learn to make higher level abstractions from computational patterns, and develop a greater awareness of number sense in preparation for the formal study of algebra.

Mathematics, Pre-Algebra (Honors) This course is accelerated and it includes all topics covered in the pre-algebra course and select topics in algebra. In addition to the pre-algebra topics, students graph linear inequalities and solve systems of equations; they also work with trigonometric ratios, radical expressions, and polynomial expressions. This course is driven by content, and smaller projects are designed to enhance learning. The challenge in this course is to move quickly toward an inquiry-based style of learning that lays the groundwork for and develops students' algebraic thinking.

Algebra I (Honors) This course covers a full year of algebra, which prepares students for Geometry in grade 8 and Algebra II in grade 9. It provides a challenge for students who wish to pursue a more rigorous study of the material. Students in this section must demonstrate strong algebraic thinking skills and must possess a solid understanding of rational numbers, operations with rational numbers, and linear equations. Topics covered include recognizing and developing patterns using tables, graphs, and equations. In addition, students explore operations on algebraic expressions—including polynomial, rational, and radical expressions. Students solve equations and inequalities of various sorts, such as linear, absolute-value, quadratic, rational, and radical. They also use equations, graphs, and tables to model linear and quadratic relationships through real-life word problem situations.

Religion: Church History, Tradition and Social Justice

The grade 7 religion course explores the origin and growth of the Church from the earliest apostolic community to the modern Church. As students learn about the Church community of the past, they examine the presence of God and how their daily life today celebrates His presence. Using the principles of Catholic social teaching, students learn to create a more just world as they read church documents, watch videos, and discuss current events. Student discussions focus on the moral dilemmas presented in situations and our responsibility to help. They are encouraged to participate in hands-on service projects coordinated by the Middle School service team. The course focuses on Convent of the Sacred Heart's Goal III: Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to a social awareness which impels to action.