7th Grade - Kitah Zayin - כיתה ז

General Studies

Language Arts
Students continue to develop writing and thinking skills in seventh grade. They create a variety of written assignments including essays, poems and a mini-research paper. Organization, mechanics, and grammar are emphasized. Students read and discuss prose and poetry selections from the literature book as well as other sources. Students also read Seedfolks and create an original chapter to add to the book. In addition, seventh graders read a class novel such as True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Monthly book reports are required.

Math
Students in the Math 7 program work along the guidelines of the New York state standards for 7th grade mathematics. Topics taught include decimals, integers and fractions, exponents, equations and inequalities, proportion, and percents, as well as properties of geometric shapes, measurement, and a study of probability and statistics.
Students ready to accelerate may be placed in Math 7A. This course moves at a faster pace and includes concepts from 8th grade math. Students taking Math 7A begin high school Algebra in 8th grade.

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 is 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.

Science
This course is an introduction to the physical sciences. The students develop an appreciation of the basic concepts of chemistry and physics through a variety of means which include class discussions, hands-on activities, and labs. Students are also challenged to use skills such as observing, predicting, measuring, hypothesizing, etc. to achieve a better understanding of the concepts.

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.

Judaic Studies

Hebrew - עברית
The NETA Hebrew curriculum continues to be linguistically sequential; texts and tasks increase in length and complexity as the student’s Hebrew improves. The curriculum consists of four levels. Lessons are centered on themes of interest to students, ranging from computers and sports to friendship and freedom. Each theme is presented from three perspectives: Jewish tradition, modern Israeli culture and general world knowledge, including art, science, mathematics, literature and philosophy. Each unit of study incorporates art, music, prose, poetry, news articles and Jewish texts, in layers of language ranging from biblical Hebrew to current scientific Hebrew terminology and common colloquialisms.

Chumash (Bible) - חומש
In Chumash, we focus our attention on the book Vayikra (Leviticus) and D'varim (Deuteronomy). In studying Vayikra, the students learn about the schedule of Korbanot (offerings) that are prescribed to B'nei Yisrael in the desert. We also spend several months covering pasuk (chapter) 19, which contains many of the Torah's mitzvoth (commandments). The in depth learning of these mitzvot provides the students with an understanding and knowledge of many of the most important mitzvot in the Torah. Additionally, the seventh grade studies the book of D'varim, which reiterates much of the previous four books of the Torah and serves as a prologue to B'nei Yisrael's entry into the Land of Israel.

Mishna - משנה
Jewish identity and practice are rooted primarily in Torah Sheb'al Peh, which is itself presented and detailed in the Mishnah, related Tannaitic texts, and Amoraic and Talmudic texts. Kitah Zavin continues the steps of a fully integrated curriculum for the study of Torah Sheb'al Peh using the V'Shinantam curriculum.

Jewish History
In Jewish history, the students learn about the preeminent men and women of the time period covering the rise of Islam through the Inquistion to life in the Americas. Jewish life and achievements are studied in depth and in context with the concurrent world history. Most importantly, trends in Jewish history are examined, discussed, and debated as primary sources are introduced. Jewish history comes alive for the students by creating a Jewish museum, reflecting their studies. Knowing who we are is inextricably linked to knowing who we were.

Prayer- תפילה
The focus of the prayer curriculum is to strengthen prayer skills, as well as the understanding of the t’filot. T’filah experiences include communal prayer blended with more intensive learning of the prayers directed by the teacher. Students develop the skills to lead prayer and read Torah.

Chesed Project
Seventh graders visit the kindergarten one period each week to join in academic, sports, or curricular activities. The buddies make it possible for the kindergarten students to have a special friend to help in challenging endeavors. Buddies also have opportunities to plan holiday programming together.

Additional Curricular Activities

Library and Information Center
Our Library Information Center is truly a learning center for the entire school community. Staffed by a New York State certified library media specialist, it is home to both flexible and scheduled library and computer classes, as well as casual use. The spacious facility includes a collection of Judaic and general studies books, both to support the school curriculum and students’ individual reading interests. The Library Information Center houses a computer lab to accommodate whole-class, small group and individual use.

The Library Information Center prepares students to be lifelong learners. It affords the students opportunities to find information from many sources; provides the students with electronic access to information; acts as a link to other libraries; assists in the research process locating current research information; collaborates with teachers to plan, teach, and evaluate instruction; and develops systems to help provide access to internet resources.

Physical Education
Bet Shraga is fortunate to have a large, well equipped gymnasium, as well as an extensive outdoor play yard including three separate playing fields. During their two weekly classes of PE, students have opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate exercises, team sports, gymnastics, and physically challenging games that develop a sense of teamwork.

Art
Art classes emphasize good drawing technique, learning about the elements of art and using the principles of art, practicing shading and using values to emphasize realism, and gaining a sense of art history and aesthetics. Middle school students learn about art in ancient cultures such as cave painting, aboriginal bark painting, x-ray painting, Egyptian tomb painting, Greek vase painting, Roman mosaics, medieval gargoyles, Gothic rose windows and Renaissance linear perspective. Judaic art lessons consist of wood burned challah trays and silk painted challah covers. The works and movements of Pop artist, Andy Warhol, and Op artist, Bridget Rilley, are studied by creating linoleum prints and drawings. Middle school students add to the beauty of the school’s hallways with group mural projects.