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 composition and math classes. Supporting this rich and diverse program is a teacher who serves as an advisor to a group of ten to twelve Middle School students. These teacher advisors meet with their individual group of students to provide guidance and support in achieving school success.

All Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in after school sports, electives, 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:

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, A Christmas Carol, The Hobbit

Composition:

This class is a bookend to 6th grade Composition, with continued emphasis on developing the student's ear for idiomatically fluent written English as will as an eye for English that is grammatically correct. A unique element of this course is a 4-week section where students are alerted to what constitutes plagiarism as it applies to writing research papers, and how to avoid it by learning to paraphrase research material.

Textbooks: Composition Forms 7; also computer access during the section on plagiarism

English Grammar:

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: Warriner's English Grammar and Composition, 3rd Course 1998, Classical Roots Books A & C

U. S. History:

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) and Enjoying American History.

Math:

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:

Includes topics such as cells, plants and animals, heredity, human biology and health, and biodiversity. Science is taught utilizing a dynamic, hands-on approach that allows students to gain experience in using the scientific process. Additionally, Smartboard Technologies, class discussions, and online activities compliment lab experimentation.

Books, Materials and Resources

• Prentice Hall, Life Science
• PearsonSuccessNet

Projects and Experiments (click HERE for more info)

Physical Education:

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:

Students take Latin for the entire year. Latin gives the students a strong vocabulary base, helps with understanding grammar, and teaches them about ancient civilizations. Our class will focus on learning vocabulary, speaking Latin correctly, translating and writing in Latin, and studying highlights of Roman history and life.

Life Skills:

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:

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 :

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.