Seventh Grade

This course instills foundational skills for students to become critical thinkers and excellent communicators. Students learn to convincingly state a claim and support their thinking through the use of textual evidence. In that spirit, we read a variety of novels, poems, essays, and other works of contemporary non-fiction throughout the year. Students engage in increasingly complex short- and long-form writing assignments to reinforce sentence and paragraph structure and develop their essay-writing skills. In addition, students have the opportunity to experience collaborative projects, seminars, debates, and individual presentations to hone their oral communication skills and to engage with differing perspectives while defending their own.

OBJECTIVES

• Constructing and evaluating plausible arguments (theses) using literary evidence.
• Writing a well structured paragraph response using textual evidence.
• Writing a well structured and well supported essay.
• Using a variety of documents to develop critical thinking skills necessary to analyze point of view, context, and bias, and to understand and interpret information.
• Understanding diversity of interpretation through analysis of context, point of view, and frame of reference.
• Considering human commonalities and differences.
• Exploring claims of universal standards in relation to culturally diverse ideas.
• Exploring the relevance of a variety of prose and the connections to contemporary developments and to oneself.
• Recognizing and understanding literary devices and incorporating them appropriately into writing.
• Developing vocabulary through reading, writing, and online applications.

READING

• Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
• Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
• A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

All Seventh Graders take a pre-algebra course in Seventh Grade. As students move into a formal study of algebra, they are required to think more abstractly and use flexibility to apply concepts to multi-step equations. Middle School students do this at different developmental points, so we provide instruction at two different paces, and there is additional differentiation within the small groups. In Seventh Grade, students study integers, decimals, fractions, proportions, percent, solving for x, and basic geometry.

Seventh Grade Science is full of new discoveries and hard work.  The class focuses on cells, genetics, evolution, microorganisms, and the human body. Seventh Graders explore the structure and function of a cell and how it can maintain homeostasis, as well as how plant and animal cells are similar and different. They finish the first semester with an introduction to heredity, starting with mitosis and meiosis and ending with DNA and protein synthesis. Students create impressive 3D cell models and explain the makeup of a cell, the transport of material across the cell membrane, and cell division.

Students write lab reports as well as more creative pieces to demonstrate not only their understanding of scientific content, but also their ability to use scientific thinking to assess a problem or investigate an area of interest. The remainder of the school year the Seventh Graders study cutting edge genetic research, evolution, plants, and the human body. They investigate a select few human body systems and then become experts on a system, writing and presenting their first science-based research paper — a deeper look at a disease affecting one system in the human body.

This course instills the foundational skills needed for students to become critical thinkers who communicate their ideas with acuity and confidence through oral and written mediums. Students learn to approach history through a critical lens, utilizing the historical thinking skills of contextualization, sourcing, close reading, and corroboration. Students practice convincingly stating a claim and supporting their thinking through the use of textual evidence. As we delve into the history of the last five 500 years throughout the year, we read a variety of historical primary and secondary sources and other works of contemporary fiction and non-fiction. Students engage in increasingly complex short and long form writing assignments to reinforce sentence and paragraph structure while also developing essay writing skills.  In addition, students have the opportunity to engage in collaborative projects, seminars, debates, and individual presentations to hone their oral communication skills and engage with differing perspectives while defending their own.

Seventh Graders most often enroll in Spanish II or French II, where they become more adept in their language of choice. More of the class content, including instructions, is delivered in the target language. Students develop understanding of verb tenses by focusing on present progressive, preterit, and reflexives. They learn about direct and indirect objects and demonstrative adjectives. Students read and write more complex texts.

Each assignment in Seventh Grade Art class gives students an opportunity to explore the different concepts and benchmarks associated with their grade level. Students are introduced to sculpting in soapstone. They use files, rasps and chisels to carve into a solid block of stone. The process is physically demanding, but satisfying as each student creates a unique sculpture. Students conclude the semester working on costumes, props, and sets for the play.

Students work collaboratively on long-term performance and recording projects.  This is a “no experience required course” that asks students to step out of their comfort zones and try new things.  At the heart of this course is a hands-on, active approach to getting students excited about playing instruments and performing and recording together as a group. All students will try out a variety of contemporary instruments including but not limited to drums, bass, guitar, piano, organ, percussion, and vocals. Students learn arrangement and rehearsal skills while also building vocabulary that will help them communicate in diverse musical situations. They will also cover the fundamentals of multi-track recording and learn about the processes involved in modern recording studios. Students are expected to be helpful and respectful of others in the room, engage in each project with a positive attitude, be flexible and adaptable if they’re asked to try something that new, participate in performances as required, and above all, enjoy making music.

The fall semester focuses on filmmaking, as students learn basic film techniques and practice their editing skills using iMovie. They work in groups to film a music video and make a short suspense film, also trying their hand at creating promotional trailers. Their works are screened for an appreciative audience at the Middle School Filmfest.

Spring semester is devoted to production of the big spring musical at the Wheeler Opera House.

Seventh Graders build their skills in traditional team sports: volleyball, basketball, soccer, handball, and hockey, with a focus on development of strategy and fair play. They are also introduced to ultimate frisbee and other non-traditional sports and games. In preparation for their winter hut trip, Seventh Graders practice ski touring with climbing skins and telemark skiing. In Middle School, students ski in multi-grade groups with teachers as chaperones; we ski every Friday from mid-January until March break.

Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade students participate in the fall backpacking trips in small groups that venture out into the backcountry for peak climbs or point-to-point expeditions. These multi-grade groups develop bonds among grade levels and build community in the Middle School. The fall trips give students essential lifetime skills in backpacking, the most accessible of mountain sports. Seventh Graders’ second Outdoor Ed trip of the year is a hut trip in midwinter. They ski in to the Sangree Froelicher Hut at 11,650 feet above sea level, and spend four days studying snow science, writing in their Outdoor Ed journals, and enjoying all the classic ski touring traditions.
In the spring, Seventh Graders head West to the desert for a multi-sport smorgasbord of hiking, rock climbing, and canyoneering.

In the school’s Buddy Grades program, Seventh Graders are buddies with the Third Graders, and the two enjoy a wide variety of activities together. Highlights of the Seventh Grade year include National History Day, when the students create interactive projects to display at a competitive forum, and the four-day ski touring trip to a backcountry hut. Many Seventh Graders are getting involved with more demanding activities outside of school, and they learn a lot about time management. 

The Aspen Country Day School Middle School Advisory Program matches each student with an advisor who serves as a mentor and advocate. This faculty member acts as the facilitator of communication between home and school for any issues related to a student’s Middle School experience. In addition to daily meetings, advisories meet throughout the week for academic coaching and relationship and community building.

Working with a small group of approximately ten advisees throughout the year, advisors help students incorporate each of the Aspen Country Day School graduate outcomes into their daily lives. The advisory program promotes healthy relationships, academic progress, and solid communication between home and school. Overall student wellness is a team effort, and the intention at Aspen Country Day School is for all students to experience a supportive community where they are known and loved. With this foundation, they become prepared to foster and contribute to the common good.

Middle Schoolers are issued a Chromebook, which serves as an academic tool throughout Middle School. Students access online text books, teacher blogs, videos, TED talks, primary sources, and other resources to curate the information necessary to participate in the curriculum in each class. They also use technology to create presentations which may include Lucidchart, films, blogs, podcasts, or original TED Talks.