Grade 7 Overview

Seventh Grade Curriculum

The middle school years represent the biggest growth period in a child's life, other than birth to two. It is a period of many "firsts," including having more than one teacher, changing classes, and assuming more responsibility for learning and additional homework.

In order to provide for a smooth transition from grade to grade during this time, teachers, administrators, and support personnel are invested in providing a safe and healthy school environment which is imperative for the growth and development of each child. Our middle schools are staffed with teachers who are experts at teaching young adolescents. They use instructional methods that prepare all students to achieve high standards and a variety of assessment methods for students to demonstrate what they know and understand. By working in partnership with each student and his/her parents, every child is involved in rich and successful learning experiences that support student learning, healthy development and the Mission Statement of the Newington Public Schools.

The following information about the middle school curriculum describes the student's journey through the middle school years, grades 5 through 8. Based on State and National Standards, the middle school curriculum provides a comprehensive, diverse and challenging curriculum to meet the learning needs of all students.

This curriculum overview articulates by content area and grade level what students will know and understand (concepts) and what they will be able to do (skills) as a result of what they know and understand. As you view this middle school curriculum brochure, read it "looking through the eyes of the learner" to frame a picture of the blend of high expectations and exciting learning experiences.


Language Arts

CONCEPTS
Students will know and understand that:

  • a common set of elements is utilized in different genres (fiction and nonfiction)

  • various strategies can be used to decode and comprehend text

  • good readers use a variety of before, during and after reading strategies to construct meaning

  • vocabulary is expanded by actively reading a variety of genres

  • authors write with a variety of sentence structures

  • different types and styles of writing are used to communicate

  • rules govern standard English which leads to effective written and spoken communication


SKILLS
As a result of what students know and understand, they will be able to:

  • become independent and critical lifelong readers

  • respond and evaluate literature both literally and critically

  • understand and appreciate that society influences authors and readers, and in turn, literature influences society

  • choose precise language to communicate

  • write in a variety of genres while giving consideration to a specific audience or task

  • speak, write and present ideas effectively


Math
CONCEPTS
Using a variety of tools, strategies, and technology, students will know and understand that:

  • the ability to estimate and compute accurately is necessary for solving many real-world problems

  • real-world data can be collected, represented and analyzed in a variety of ways

  • it is important to be able to understand and manipulate the geometry that exists in our world

  • measurement is an important aspect of daily living

  • understanding and representing patterns and relationships is essential to solving problems in a variety of situations


SKILLS
As a result of what students know and understand, and by working with real-world problems through an inquiry-based approach, they will be able to:

  • estimate and perform computations with fractions, decimals, proportions, and percents

  • use powers of ten and positive exponents to compare very large numbers and express them in scientific notation

  • solve problems with positive and negative numbers (integers)

  • describe, classify and measure various 2- and 3-dimensional geometric shapes according to their properties

  • calculate area and perimeter of triangles, trapezoids, rectangles, squares, and parallelograms

  • calculate the area and circumference of circles

  • collect, organize, and interpret data

  • explore algebraic concepts including reading, writing and evaluating variables, algebraic expressions, and equations

  • solve problems involving probability, fairness, expected outcomes, and predictions


Science
CONCEPTS
Students will know and understand that:

  • organisms are living things comprised of cells and groups of cells that work together to form tissues and organs that are specialized for particular body functions

  • the human body is composed of major systems that have differing functions, but all of the systems work together to maintain homeostasis

  • organisms have systems that function in reproduction and growth, which are dependent on factors such as complexity and environmental constraints

  • Earth’s materials, including water, cycle through Earth’s systems and are driven by gravity and energy from the Sun

  • unequal heating of Earth’s surface results in patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that result in climatic and weather patterns

  • energy (kinetic, potential, thermal) can be transferred from one object or system to another


SKILLS
As a result of what students know and understand, they will be able to:

  • ask questions and define problems

  • develop and use models

  • plan and carry out investigations

  • analyze and interpret data

  • use mathematics and computational thinking

  • construct explanations and design solutions

  • engage in argument from evidence

  • obtain, evaluate, and communicate information


Social Studies
CONCEPTS
Students will know and understand that:

  • geography affects the development of societies and cultures

  • in order to be successful, countries need to change and adapt over time

  • religious and cultural beliefs influence politics, culture, daily life, and relations among people

  • a desire for self-determination and equality can drive people into conflict

  • scarcity of resources leads to conflict and inequality

  • conflict and cooperation shape and transform culture, society, political states, and geopolitics


SKILLS  
As a result of what students know and understand, they will be able to:

  • determine the kinds of sources helpful in answering questions, taking into consideration multiple points of view

  • evaluate the credibility of sources

  • develop claims and counterclaims while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both

  • construct arguments using claims and evidence from multiple sources

  • construct maps to represent and explain the pattern of cultural and environmental characteristics of our world

  • use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics

  • analyze the ways in which cultural and environmental characteristics vary among various regions of the world

  • use questions about historically significant people or events to explain the impact on a region

  • engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly


ENCORE CLASSES

CONCEPTS
Students will know and understand that: In order to be well rounded, it is essential to engage in learning experiences in the areas of art, STEM, health/wellness, library/media, music, wellness, and instructional technology.


SKILLS  
As a result of what students know and understand, they will be able to: Demonstrate their learning through projects, activities, discussions, and performances in the Encore classes.


STEM

S.T.E.M. education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy.

In seventh grade, students will study Green Energy and understand how these technologies have a less minimal impact on the environment and are far more beneficial to the environment than fossil fuels that produce harmful side effects as a byproduct of their usage. Students will use the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT building & programming materials to focus on constructing green energy structures and measuring their efficiencies.


Art

The sixth-eighth grade art curriculum provides opportunities for students to broaden special art interests and continue the process of transforming personal experiences into art forms.

Seventh grade activities include:

●  drawing/perspective

●  subtractive sculpture

●  crafts/enamel design

●  study of significant arts and art style

●  computer-aided-design


The opening of the Town-wide Art Show is held the last week of April on the third floor of Town Hall. Student work remains on display through May. The Permanent Art collection showcases one selection of student work from each of Newington's seven schools. This artwork is hung permanently on the third floor of the Town Hall.


Wellness

A healthy body and mind maximize children's ability to learn. The Wellness experience centers on the development and wellness of the child. During all four years, students prepare for and participate in the State Physical Fitness tests. Throwing and catching, kicking, striking, movement, and team building concepts are taught through team sports. These include volleyball, badminton, basketball, hockey, and team handball. Additional activities are educational gymnastics, archery, dance, lifetime activities and cooperative games. The Wellness program also empowers students with the knowledge to make responsible decisions about their behaviors. This is done through the discussion of a variety of issues facing adolescents including substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. Students will learn how to maintain a strong mind and healthy body through disease prevention and stress and anger management.


Music

All students participate in General Music each year. All students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to participate in performing groups including chorus, band, and orchestra. Students in grade 7, who choose to participate in chorus, band, or orchestra meet one or two times per week during activity period. Small group instrumental lessons are available to students for ½ hour per week. Concerts throughout the year showcase the accomplishments of each ensemble.

The General Music curriculum seeks to develop within students a medium for self-expression and a life-long love of music.


Areas of study in seventh grade include:

  • performance skills in guitar and keyboard

  • music theory and sight reading skills


Library Media

The library media program provides instruction, resources, and services to assist students in becoming critical thinkers and problem solvers in the pursuit and use of ideas and information. The library media program strives to ensure that all students have the skills and opportunity to access, evaluate and use information effectively and responsibly. Direct instruction in the steps and process to conduct research is provided in grades 5, 6, and 7 during the twenty-five-day Encore cycle rotation.


Students learn how to use critical thinking and research skills to identify, locate, evaluate, use, apply and communicate ideas effectively and responsibly. Students also learn Internet safety, note taking techniques, citation guidelines, and presentation skills integrating the use of technology.


The library program supports academic and recreational reading for students in grades 5-8.


Educational Technology

Seventh graders will have one 52-day cycle of educational technology. Students will explore the many tools associated with the planning and editing process in video production with a focus on understanding the primary components of an informational video. A variety of web tools, apps, and editing programs may be used to help collaborate on developing a public service announcement as their final project.