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Social Studies
Over the course of the year the 7th grade will be engaging in the use of primary
source documents and role playing to have an experiential historical experience. The
historical time period that we will focus on is 1789 to 1865. In the
first trimester the students will learn how to interpret primary source documents
and differentiate between primary and secondary sources using the ratification
of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and September 11th as examples. The
students will then experience life in 18th century Philadelphia through the
lens of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793.
In the second trimester we will shift gears and explore
the Louisiana Purchase and become explorers on the
Corps of Discovery led by Lewis and Clark. After
Lewis and Clark make their way back to St. Louis, the
students will embark on a new journey. In the
third trimester the journey will take us back to our
hometown of Philadelphia. The students will learn
about the Civil War through the eyes of slaves. They
will examine the role of Philadelphia as an abolitionist
city and a stop on the Underground Railroad.
The year will take us on many journeys. Social
studies will be an experience in connecting with history
because we are all part of history each and every minute
of every day.
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7th
Graders restoring the American Chestnut
Green Woods students will play a key role in introducing a blight resistant American Chestnut and restoring the northeastern forest. More...
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7th and 8th Grade Math
Instruction in our 7th and 8th grade math class is differentiated based on where the students are at the time. Math groups are fluid. Students practice critical thinking skills in both a whole-group and small-group instructional setting allowing them to work collaboratively to solve problems. Our goal is for all of our students to feel confident and yet challenged. Pre-Algebra Math instruction involves the study of a range of concepts from Equations and Inequalities to Set Theory and Discrete Math. The completion of the topics will vary with each of the student groups. Students in Algebra 1 utilize different forms of technology to learn the standards-based scope and sequence of Algebra 1. Topics explored in this class will range from Patterns in Algebra to Transformations of Functions. In Technology class, through the use of interactive websites, our students get to apply math concepts while also enhancing their technology skills.
Science
Our 7th Grade studies Life Science. We begin by learning about the smallest unit of life - cells. Then we discover how tiny bacteria and viruses cause major diseases. We'll learn how genes and DNA pass on the instructions for new life. Next we'll we learn about classification and taxonomy. There's a lot more to it than "animal, vegetable, or mineral!" During the 2nd Semester we'll learn about ecosystems and their interactions. We'll finish the year with human biology and learn, from the inside out, just how our bodies function. Seventh grade has two long-term projects: working with SCEE on the American Chestnut restoration project, and creating a field guide to the SCEE/Green Woods grounds. |
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Reading
Students will begin the semester by reading the award-winning novel Fever 1793. Fever is an integrated unit of study, which combines reading, vocabulary, comprehension and grammar along with social studies and science concepts. Reading assignments will be carried out at home and in class. Every student is expected to read a minimum of 20 minutes per evening. Additionally, poetry will also be covered extensively. Each student will be required to bring a typed copy of a favorite or self-written poem to share with the class.
Writing
To better understand the purposes for writing, students will study both narrative and expository texts. Later they will create a newspaper based on the historical fiction novel, Fever 1793. Students will increase their knowledge of Philadelphia and its importance in the early years of our nation by writing a biography of an important Philadelphian of that the era.
Social Studies
Seventh grade students will be transported back to 18th century Philadelphia to study this cultural, political, and economic time in the history of our great city. The focus begins with the ratification of the Bill of Rights moving forward through the societal roles of women and men, and free African Americans in the Post-Revolutionary era. Philadelphia was the first city to simultaneously hold local, state, and federal elections. This happened at virtually the same time as the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Students will study how the epidemic impacted all levels of government, as well as the development of our city. Students will create a technology-based map of the city, take on the role of one of the affected groups during the epidemic, and complete a biography of a chosen person. This is a much-anticipated unit for 7th graders during which we discover many new things about Philadelphia and its people.
Pre-Algebra and Algebra
In 7th Grade math we will be reviewing the key concepts from the past year and then move into the lessons that will focus on the Pennsylvania State Assessment Anchors for 7th and 8th grade.
The students will begin with the unit “Algebra Toolbox” and then begin to solve for unknowns in one and two step equations. They will also learn the beginning keystrokes for utilizing their TI-84 calculators. We purchased some great software for use in the classroom!
Life Science
7th Grade begins the year by learning about the basic building blocks of life: cells. Once we’ve learned about basic cell structure and function, we’re ready to investigate heredity, genetics and DNA. Then we’ll learn about bacteria, which include both some of the nastiest and the most beneficial of unicellular organisms. We’ll also investigate other pathogens (including viruses), and disease vectors. By wintertime we’ll be ready for Taxonomy, Classification, and the multi-cellular Kingdoms of life.
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