Seventh Grade

Seventh Grade Humanities is designed to help students develop strong critical thinking and literacy skills while simultaneously deepening their understanding of our world and its past. Humanities combines the traditional disciplines of English and history into a singular class that captures the social studies and English benchmarks through engaging thematic units based on core texts. Here is the curriculum for the three-year progression in Humanities including essential questions, core texts, and supplemental readings

Read more about “Why Humanities” in Middle School

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.

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.

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. As part of our intentional technology approach, Chromebooks are stored in laptop carts in the hallways and only brought out for specific assignments or classroom activities,