Seventh Grade

Why Seventh Grade at Friends Academy?

By seventh grade, students have typically earned more responsibility, giving them new opportunities beyond their sixth grade experience. They are still deeply supported by the Middle School’s dedicated faculty, who create comfortable classroom settings that welcome collaboration and idea-sharing. For new students who have just completed public elementary school, seventh grade is an excellent chance to start fresh at Friends Academy to prepare for secondary school after eighth grade.

Academically, seventh graders start to spread their wings and learn about the world – from interdisciplinary language arts/social studies readings about world history and cultures, to hands-on science labs that explore the earth and space. These academic programs, along with pre-algebra in accelerated math classes, help students broaden their perspectives, challenge their knowledge, and examine ideas beyond their comfort zone.

Seventh grade is a pivotal year for students’ social and emotional growth, and the Middle School’s close-knit setting strikes a balance between continued support and growing autonomy. This includes regular feedback on academic skills, work patterns, and interpersonal behaviors so students continue to understand themselves as learners and people through changes. Seventh graders are also asked to think beyond themselves during weekly service learning, when students volunteer with local community organizations aimed at bettering our world.

“Thank you FA for all of the wonderful years of learning that you have provided and the opportunities offered. We are beyond blessed to have FA as the foundation for [our child’s] education.”

Parent of a seventh grade student

Seventh Grade Curriculum

Families can keep track of their child’s academic progress and assignments in seventh grade via regular online updates from teachers. (See an example.)

Language Arts

• Refine ability to analyze and summarize complex information by crafting a variety of compositions, including narratives and persuasive essays.
• Use textual evidence to support claims, both during class discussions and in writing.
• Enhance understanding of different perspectives by exploring a variety of texts that connect literature to cultural and historical events in the Middle East, China, and South Africa (see Social Studies curriculum).

Mathematics

• Develop a foundation in pre-algebra skills that will support learning throughout high school and college.
• Topics include integers, order of operations, algebraic expressions, one- and two-step equations, proportions, percents, probability, geometry, and linear equations.

Social Studies

• Explore the cultural, political, and social developments that shaped the Middle East, China, and South Africa – including the origins of major world religions, the role of influential leaders, and the era of apartheid.
• Make connections between historical events and contemporary issues to foster a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and human rights, and enable students to contribute to an interconnected global society.

Science

• Explore various aspects of earth science, including space systems, earth’s history and changing surface, and weather systems and climate change.
• Examine the interdependence of science, engineering, and technology within the context of earth science.
• Build claims and employ scientific reasoning using data, observations, simulations, and problem-solving activities.
• Enhance understanding of energy transfer, cause and effect, and feedback between interconnected systems.

World Languages

• Spanish: Further develop Spanish vocabulary skills, particularly present tense and its conjugations and a deeper exploration of adjectives; Explore the rich tapestry of cultures in Spanish-speaking countries, focusing on Ecuador.
• Latin: Continue to learn Latin root words and grammatical structures; Examine ancient texts to explore the intellectual and religious history of the ancient Roman era, culminating in a series of essays about philosophical issues.

Art

• Use and develop powers of observation, memory, and imagination as springboards to create artwork.
• Introduce general concepts and basic techniques of drawing and design through units on still life, landscape, and portraiture.
• Develop personal narratives and sequential artwork, including long-form comics and graphic novels.
• Learn about the concepts of realism, abstraction, non-representation, and collaboration.

Music

• Study harmony and chord progressions, developing an understanding of how harmony resembles a language.
• Using GarageBand, begin to recognize the tendencies and purposes of chords while also challenging conventions and embracing unique forms of expression.
• Hone music reading skills and gain a deeper appreciation for reverb, compression, automation, equalization, panning, and volume control.

Physical Education & Health

• Promote physical movement and motor skill competency through activities including soccer, handball, basketball, volleyball, kickball, and ultimate frisbee.
• Practice skills such as communication, following the rules of the game, proper form and technique, spacing and body positioning, and team strategizing.

Service Learning

• Take part in a rotation of off-campus service opportunities to expose students to different ways they can contribute to the larger community.
• Off-campus service opportunities include volunteering at farms, youth-centered nonprofits, assisted living facilities, special education schools, and more.