The curriculum for Grades 7 and 8 is both rich and challenging in content. The emphasis is on science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies. Music, painting, recitation, drama and drawing will help to deepen the subject matter. In addition to the main lesson blocks, students will have daily classes in mathematics and language arts. Novel studies enhance the topics studied. Music classes emphasize the playing of the alto recorder, in addition to a weekly choir class. There are three P.E. classes per week, offering students a thorough encounter with many team sports.
Language Arts
In seventh grade, students are guided in their growing ability to read critically. They keep reading logs on books and write several book reports, in which emphasis is placed on plot summarization, character development, and theme analysis. The class also works on skills in note-taking and preparing outlines. Short writing assignments aim to strengthen the mechanics of writing, development of varied and complex sentence structure, organization and development of paragraphs, transitions, and sequencing. Writing for science main lessons emphasizes precision and clarity of expression. Students study poetry, beginning an exploration of meter and rhyme schemes. Research skills are introduced at this time, and children write longer research papers. Vocabulary, spelling and grammar are taught to help strengthen the mechanics of writing.
Students in grade eight are introduced to Shakespeare. They select independent reading, keep reading logs, and write several book reports. Discussion, writing assignments, and quizzes require recall of textual detail, theme and character analysis, and literary style. Making an outline, note taking, writing a research paper (citing sources and making a bibliography), paraphrasing, summarizing, essay writing, are all addressed. Grammar studies are supplemented with exercises from workbooks and vocabulary is developed through literature as well as through workbook assignments.
Mathematics
Algebra is introduced in seventh grade. Students work with signed numbers, polynomials, the “golden rule” (do to one side what you do to the other), and the “unwrapping” principle (solving equations systematically). Math classes cover powers and roots, ratio and proportion, metric measurement, the order of operations, signed numbers and the four rules, factoring, graphic representation of data, and work with variables, expressions and equations. Problems of geometric measurement – perimeter, area and volume- are solved through algebraic equations. Textbooks are used to support the math lesson (Saxon 8/7).
In geometry, seventh grade students explore basic geometric constructions, the pentagon, the spiral and the Golden Mean. The class studies the Fibonacci series of numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem. Students also learn perspective drawing and create geometric drawings, carefully constructed, using geometric instruments.
For grade eight students the focus is on algebra, including linear equations, manipulating polynomials, and performing operations on negative and positive numbers. All previously introduced concepts are reviewed at a more advanced level. Textbook: Saxon Algebra 1/2 .
September: The Italian Renaissance
October: Human Physiology
November: Geography of North, Middle and South America
December: Geometry including the Pythagorean Theorem, the spiral and the Golden Mean
January: Physics
February: Class Play Production
March - April: The Age of Revolution
April - May: Organic Chemistry
May - June: Part Two of Canadian History
Language Arts
In seventh grade, students are guided in their growing ability to read critically. They keep reading logs on books and write several book reports, in which emphasis is placed on plot summarization, character development, and theme analysis. The class also works on skills in note-taking and preparing outlines. Short writing assignments aim to strengthen the mechanics of writing, development of varied and complex sentence structure, organization and development of paragraphs, transitions, and sequencing. Writing for science main lessons emphasizes precision and clarity of expression. Students study poetry, beginning an exploration of meter and rhyme schemes. Research skills are introduced at this time, and children write longer research papers. Vocabulary, spelling and grammar are taught to help strengthen the mechanics of writing.
Students in grade eight are introduced to Shakespeare. They select independent reading, keep reading logs, and write several book reports. Discussion, writing assignments, and quizzes require recall of textual detail, theme and character analysis, and literary style. Making an outline, note taking, writing a research paper (citing sources and making a bibliography), paraphrasing, summarizing, essay writing, are all addressed. Grammar studies are supplemented with exercises from workbooks and vocabulary is developed through literature as well as through workbook assignments.
Mathematics
Algebra is introduced in seventh grade. Students work with signed numbers, polynomials, the “golden rule” (do to one side what you do to the other), and the “unwrapping” principle (solving equations systematically). Math classes cover powers and roots, ratio and proportion, metric measurement, the order of operations, signed numbers and the four rules, factoring, graphic representation of data, and work with variables, expressions and equations. Problems of geometric measurement – perimeter, area and volume- are solved through algebraic equations. Textbooks are used to support the math lesson (Saxon 8/7).
In geometry, seventh grade students explore basic geometric constructions, the pentagon, the spiral and the Golden Mean. The class studies the Fibonacci series of numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem. Students also learn perspective drawing and create geometric drawings, carefully constructed, using geometric instruments.
For grade eight students the focus is on algebra, including linear equations, manipulating polynomials, and performing operations on negative and positive numbers. All previously introduced concepts are reviewed at a more advanced level. Textbook: Saxon Algebra 1/2 .
September: The Italian Renaissance
October: Human Physiology
November: Geography of North, Middle and South America
December: Geometry including the Pythagorean Theorem, the spiral and the Golden Mean
January: Physics
February: Class Play Production
March - April: The Age of Revolution
April - May: Organic Chemistry
May - June: Part Two of Canadian History