Grade 7 Curriculum









Language Arts (English)

Literature

  • Recognize how great literature addresses timeless issues of universal concern
  • Understand key literary elements, including plot, theme, setting, character, poetic devices, and figures of speech
  • Understand and be able to use selected vocabulary words found in several great short stories
  • Appreciate what makes an effective literary work
  • Be able to analyze literature and develop and elaborate upon sound opinions about literary works after close study of The Pearl
  • Recognize connections among great literature, Jewish values, and personal moral behavior

Writing

  • Use the writing process to produce effectively crafted creative compositions: show rather than tell a story through dialogue and descriptive details; develop an interesting lead
  • Write cohesive, unified, coherent paragraphs: write more complex and varied sentences; maintain verb tenses; avoid run-on sentences
  • Use correct punctuation, including commas after dependent clauses and in compound sentences
  • Understand important writing conventions, e.g. using quotations correctly
  • Write properly formatted expository papers with introduction, thesis statement, body, conclusion
  • Write an essay, using a prompt, for a standardized or essay test
  • Express personal ideas and feelings in writing journals and letters
  • Grammar: identify the eight parts of speech; diagram simple sentences

Mathematics

Pre-Algebra with emphasis on problem solving and applications

  • Solve problems using powers, roots, positive and negative exponents, proportions, scale, ratios, density, factorials, similar figures, Euler paths and circuits, triangular inequality, logarithmic scales, signed numbers, union and intersection of sets
  • Solve equations using inverse operations, absolute values, roots, substitution, order of operations; solve and graph inequalities
  • Recognize the natural, whole, rational, irrational, real, imaginary, and complex number systems and how they relate to each other
  • Recognize and solve problems using classic number patterns: Fibonacci sequence, Pascal’s triangle, figurative numbers
  • Derive and use Pythagorean Theorem, Sierpinski’s Triangle
  • Use scientific notation; compute to significant digits
  • Draw and interpret graphs: coordinate, circle, histogram, scatterplot, box and whisker, stem-and-leaf; calculate outliers
  • Identify and apply properties of parallel lines, perpendicular lines, adjacent angles, vertical angles, corresponding angles, interior and exterior angles, various quadrilaterals
  • Compute surface area and volume of prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, spheres, and hemispheres
  • Represent sets by listing or set-builder notation; use subsets, intersection, and union to solve problems; represent solutions with Venn diagrams
  • Recognize and extend geometric, numeric, iterative patterns
  • Use a scientific calculator
  • Use vertex matrix to represent geometric figures

Tanakh

Study selections from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, I Kings, Jonah, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah

  • Identify characteristics of a prophet according to the Tanakh
  • Understand the complexity of being a prophet; understand the prophet as advocate for social change
  • Understand the split in the nation and the formation of the two kingdoms
  • Understand the significance of each prophet’s message in its time

Hebrew

  • Write essays and stories in Hebrew
  • Read short stories and chapter books in Hebrew.
  • Use the computer to search for information, prepare a report and present it to the class in Hebrew.
  • Learn about holidays and special events.
  • Study Zionism and pre-state modern Israel from different sources (documents, stories, fables, letters).
  • Study the roots of one’s family, and show the connection to the history of the Jewish people.
  • Connect with Israeli students from The Reali School in Haifa, exchange ideas and personal letters.
  • Strengthen Hebrew language skills by deepening the understanding of grammar, widening vocabulary, and practicing conversation, reading and writing in Hebrew.

Torah She’b’al Peh (Oral Torah)

  • Study in havrutah (with partners)
  • Understand the traditional and historical views of the origins of the Torah She'b'al Peh
  • Understand the relationship between the written law and the oral law
  • Recognize that rabbinic literature deals with relevant issues
  • Understand that halakhah is influenced by history and that it develops over time
  • Understand that communities differ in their practice
  • Understand the purpose of midrash
  • Deepen understanding of halakhah and aggadah

Tefillot (Prayers)

Twenty-five minute teaching sessions follow the daily recitation of Tefillot on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Seventh graders rotate through three topics (approximately 28 sessions each): Parashat Hashavua, halakhah and meaning of prayers, and manhigut (leadership) and b’nei-mitzvah.

On Mondays and Thursdays there is a whole group service that includes Torah reading.

Science

Life Science

  • Understand how the structure of bones gives clues to their function
  • Understand the importance of calcium in producing strong bones
  • Understand that oxygen and food are used by a working muscle
  • Give examples of aerobic and non-aerobic exercises; understand why aerobic exercise is more beneficial for health
  • Focus the microscope and use it to estimate the size of an object
  • Grow microorganisms on agar filled petri plates; distinguish between mold and bacterial growth and between typical bacteria and fungi on microscope slides
  • List 4 signs of skin cancer; explain meaning of SPF numbers; describe 5 behaviors that would minimize risk of developing skin cancer
  • Identify the 6 main nutrients; know functions of each and what foods contain them
  • Trace path of food through digestive system; describe chemical and physical changes that occur in each structure; compare/contrast the structure/function of each organ
  • Trace path of a drop of blood throughout the body; describe the structural and functional differences between arteries, veins, and capillaries
  • Use knowledge of respiratory system to explain why smoking is dangerous
  • Understand puberty and the unique nature of male and female reproductive systems
  • Understand birth control and how it works; know what AIDS is, how it is transmitted, and how people can remain safe
  • Understand effects of alcohol; use the decision-making model to analyze a drug related situation

Social Studies

Themes: American Studies

  • Understand perspective, point of view, opinions, variety of types of sources
  • Create an accurate timeline using scale, intervals, and keys
  • Examine origins of slavery using diaries, primary documents, and text
  • Understand what propaganda is, and why it can be extremely influential
  • Read/discuss/answer questions on Common Sense by Thomas Paine
  • Understand the tensions between Loyalists and Patriots
  • Practice debating skills: develop an argument in favor of or against independence
  • Understand events leading to the revolution: French-Indian War, Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Navigation Act, Tea Act, Boston Tea Party
  • Use a primary source document to interpret strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
  • Use graphic organizer to summarize key compromises and decisions during the Constitutional Convention
  • Understand specific powers of each branch of government and how 3 branches balance power
  • Research all aspects of a Supreme Court case including importance, impact, historical context; write a 3-5 page research paper
  • Examine cases in which people are protected by the Bill of Rights
  • Understand how a chain of events can indirectly, as well as directly, impact history
  • Understand the process of building a nation

Fine Arts

Music

  • Explore the history of symphonic music
  • Learn basic keyboard and guitar skills

Art

Three-year cycle for grades 6, 7, 8:

  • Year 1: Linoleum block prints with Judaic theme
  • Year 2: Oil sticks on canvas with Hebrew and English quotes
  • Year 3: Silk painting on the theme of the 12 tribes, Hebrew zodiac

Throughout the program, students examine works by known artists.

Physical Education

Three-year cycle for grades 6, 7, 8:

  • History, rules/regulations, and skills work for flag football, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, floor and roller hockey, ultimate Frisbee; demonstrate skills necessary to play a regulation type game
  • Cardiovascular and resistance training: weight lifting, exercises for specific muscle groups; yoga-weight training, mile run, aerobic training; maintain workout logs – track heart rate

Social Competency

Schechter’s emphasis on Jewish values promotes derekh eretz, behavior that is respectful and considerate of others. The social competency program includes twenty lessons of programming to take place in havurah on topics that include group building, the importance of belonging, self esteem, problem solving, conflict resolution, friendship, peer pressure, similarity and differences.

Language Elective

Spanish

Elective Spanish course includes the study of Hispanic language and culture. Teaching tools include text, fine art, cooking, computer exercises, music, games, and video.

Seventh grade topics include general information about Hispanic countries, Sephardic roots. Grammar concepts include singular and plural nouns, definite and indefinite articles, first conjugation verbs, irregular verbs, adjective placement.

Independent Language Arts (ILA)

Students identify learning styles (auditory, visual, tactile, kinesthetic) and inventory their own organizational and academic strengths and weaknesses. They learn techniques to organize study space, plan work and free time, organize lockers and backpacks, keep an assignment book, set realistic goals, self-monitor, take tests.

Skills and concepts from English Language Arts are practiced and reinforced.

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