Seventh Grade Curriculum

Carden Arbor View School is dedicated to providing an outstanding Middle School learning experience. Middle school students' days are spent with several teachers, each of whom is experienced in his or her subject area and trained in the Carden method of teaching. Students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades have a challenging eight period day, consisting of six core subjects and two center subject classes. To meet individual student needs better we provide additional faculty for small group instruction in English and math classes. Supporting this rich and diverse program is a teacher who serves as an advisor to a group of seven to eight Middle school students. These teacher advisors meet with their individual group of students daily to provide guidance and support in achieving school success.

All Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in after school sports, drama, yearbook, and Student Council. Carden Arbor View School students are expected to take an active role in the life of the school by taking advantage of one or more of these opportunities.

Literature: Five periods per week

There is an emphasis on classical literature which has been selected to expand students' historical knowledge and teach an appreciation of different styles of writing. Composition skills are refined further through writing exercises emphasizing character analysis, and vocabulary is strengthened through developing mental images of words.

Textbooks: Aeneid, Treasure Island, Man Without a Country, A Christmas Carol, A Dog of Flanders

Spelling: Five periods per week

Emphasis is placed on the mastery of Carden Controls and their importance in the accurate pronunciation and spelling of words. Key word, title, and outlining are also stressed. Exercises in word analysis, vocabulary development, and analogies are presented to develop reading, writing, and language skills.

Latin is taught in the seventh grade as an extension of spelling and grammar. Knowledge of Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes enhance dramatically the acquisition of a strong vocabulary as well as the ability to ascertain the meaning of new words.

Textbooks: Carden Spelling Book 7, Vocabulary from Classical Roots ö B, Analogies I, French is Fun

English Grammar: Five periods a week

Mastery of basic skills of sentence structure, grammar, and the development of coherent, clear, and concise paragraphs is emphasized. Further attention is given to the development of vocabulary as it relates to reading, writing, and speaking.

Textbooks: Warrinerâs English Grammar and Composition, 2nd Course-Rev. 1998, Vocabulary Builder, Book 5

U. S. History: Five periods a week

Students will trace the development of the significant political, economic, and social events from our European background to about 1900. Students will analyze these events in terms of their relevance to the world and to contemporary issues and problems so that they may begin to apply the past to the present. For example, they will compare the Articles of Confederation to the United Nations. Students are also taught to appreciate that articles, editorials, newscasters, and historians may report historical facts from particular frames of reference. This enables the students to see that the same facts can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the writers or speaker as a frame of reference. Moreover, students will see how to identify these frames of reference in current times through analyzing political cartoons, news broadcasts, and newspaper headlines.

Textbooks: USA: The Unfolding Story of America, USA: Readings, Documents and Activities (workbook of primary resources).

Math: Five periods a week

The seventh grade math curriculum builds upon the sixth with more advanced work with fractions, percents, and types of numbers. Particular emphasis is placed upon more advanced algebraic equations, number factoring, geometry, and ratios and proportions. Problems presented in this course require more problem solving and thinking skills than were expected in sixth grade math.

Textbooks: Transition Math by Scott Foresman

Life Science: Five periods a week

Students will learn about diverse living organisms, why we study them, and how the information gained relates to people's lives today.

The National Geographic unit assists students in understanding different eating patterns. The students e-mail other schools and use the compiled data in a compare and contrast evaluation.

Further course work includes studies of cells, genetics, animal classifications, and systems of the human body.

Textbook: Life Science by Scott Foresman, What Are We Eating by National Geographic

Physical Education: Three periods a week

Emphasis is placed on physical fitness activities, major muscle group recognition and their relationship with various physical activities, individual skill development, and participation in team games.

Students change to physical education wear for most activities. See uniform information for current physical education dress.

Latin: Five periods a week

Life Skills: Five periods a week - third trimester

The purpose of Life Skills is to provide students the opportunity to explore and develop successful communication skills, positive decision-making skills, media literacy, and a positive self-concept. We believe that assisting students in developing strong communication skills is supportive of the Carden philosophy of respecting others and ourselves. The ability to recognize and avoid the pressure of peers and media are crucial in making positive decisions.

We will provide a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for discussion groups and activities. We will use videos, role playing, and guest speakers as a part of our presentations. We encourage parental support by asking parents to be available to their children to discuss topics that concern them.

Computers: Three periods a week in second trimester

Students will continue to perfect keyboarding skills while learning to format outlines, tables with headings, report formats, and footnotes. Student projects will include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, spread sheets, and Internet activities. Students will also start beginning lessons in PhotoShop using Apple iMacs. Click here to view computer classes.

Music : Three periods a week in the first trimester

This class is designed to give students a greater understanding and appreciation of music. The different eras of music are studied and analyzed with emphasis on musical styles and forms. Students study styles of music from other cultures and from the U.S.

Art:

Students will learn about different types of art including: Egyptian, Asian, African, impressionism, and pop art. Students will continue to develop their drawing and painting skills. An emphasis is placed on exploring the elements of art (live, form, color, texture, value, and space) and projects include completion of a three-dimensional project.

Outdoor Education:

Seventh grade students travel to French Canada for five days of foreign fun! We begin in the city of Montreal, the second largest French speaking city in the world. Next we travel to Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We encourage you to learn more about our curriculum by grade level:

• Back to main curriculum page
• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Seventh Grade
• Eighth Grade
• Outdoor Education
• Athletics
• Computers
• Art
• Back to main curriculum page

If you are not familiar with Miss Carden and the Carden Method, we encourage you to review the information we have prepared.