7th Grade

General Studies Curriculum

English Language Arts
Students continue to develop and enrich all of the language arts in seventh grade. Writing mechanics and grammar are emphasized. Students read selections from the literature book and also read Seedfolks and create an original chapter to add to the book. In class a novel is read, this year it was True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Monthly book reports are required.

Science
Physical science. An introduction to the physical sciences, including basic concepts of chemistry and physics. The course is taught through a variety of means, including lab work.

Social Studies
This is the first half of American history. The course begins with geography of the Western Hemisphere and continues with research of Native American Indian groups. A research paper will be required. A chronological and topical study of American history continues with exploration, settlement, colonization, the American Revolution, The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the administrations of the early Presidents. The Jewish experience in American colonial times is included.

Spanish
Students are given an introduction to the Spanish language. Vocabulary and conversational Spanish are emphasized. This is the first year of a two-year study preparing students to take the New York State Spanish Proficiency exam.

Math
Students in the Math 7 program will work along the guidelines of the new state standards set forth by New York State for 7th graders. Topics taught include decimals, integers and fractions, exponents, equations and inequalities, proportion, percents, as well as properties of geometric shapes, measurement, and a study of probability and statistics.

Judaic Studies

Rabbinics 7
This year the 7th graders are learning "Mostly Mishnah," starting with Mishnah Brachot. In addition to learning to read, translate and understand the concepts presented in each mishnah, they are challenged to think about what this ancient rabbinic text might have to say to them. This means they have to understand what it was trying to say in its own day, to get inside the Rabbinic world-view.

Along the way we occasionally get pulled into fascinating discussions of God, Torah, Judaism, belief, practice ... things that 7th graders love to argue and challenge authority about, and this "authority figure" loves to give them room to do so, in order to help them find their own Jewish answers.