The focus of the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards in English Language Arts is to prepare students to be college- and career-ready. The English curriculum includes five major strands: reading, writing, listening, speaking and language standards. Students will read short stories, novels, plays, poetry and non-fiction. Emphasis is placed on finding meaning in text through close analysis and research. Each student is expected to read in class and at home. Reading selections often become the basis for writing tasks. All students will write arguments, informational/explanatory texts, and narratives. Students will practice the writing process, which includes prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. In particular, seventh-grade students will be working on complex sentence structures, vocabulary, spelling, connotations, capitalization, and figures of speech. Regularly assigned homework enables students to reinforce their classroom learning.

Students in this course demonstrate performance and interest in reading and writing that is above grade level. They must have strong analytical and inferential critical thinking skills. The course requires students to read and analyze rigorous complex text within the classroom and independently. Students should be self-motivated, enjoy digging deeper into their learning, and be very proficient readers. The classwork involves both collaborative and independent projects that can be quite challenging. It is recommended that students maintain a course average of a B or higher throughout the course. The seventh and eighth grade programs are designed to help students successfully transition to Honors classes in high school.

Social Studies 7 follows the New York State Social Studies Framework for Instruction and is part one of a two-year course on the history of the United States. The two-year sequence makes references to the history of New York and the United States as it relates to units of study. In addition to increased content knowledge of the people, places, and events in American history, instruction will focus on the ability to communicate accurately, make appropriate decisions, initiate action, use critical thinking skills, understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and work cooperatively with others.

The curriculum embeds the New York State Next Generation Standards for Literacy and expects students to read and write at high levels. Students will participate in the following units of study:

• Unit One: Geography & Native American Cultures
• Unit Two: Exploration & European Colonial Development
• Unit Three: A Nation is Created - The American Revolution
• Unit Four: Experiments in Government-The Constitution and Levels and Branches of Government
• Unit Five: Westward Expansion
• Unit Six: Sectionalism, Slavery & Causes of Civil War

Students selected for this course demonstrate above grade level performance and interest in the content and skills associated with social studies. An increase in academic expectations including homework, outside reading, and more complex writing assignments are part of this curriculum. Students must possess proficient critical thinking skills, such as inferential analysis, and making connections well beyond a literal level. A high level of independent learning is required. It is recommended that students in the enriched program maintain a course average of a B or higher.

The New York State of Civic Readiness (NYSSCR) is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in their Social Studies coursework and demonstrated civic engagement. Having this special designation on a transcript and diploma signifies the following demonstrated domains: civic knowledge, skills/actions, mindsets, and experiences. Any student who is interested in going beyond the standard curriculum in civics education can apply. High School counselors and social studies teachers will assist students who are eligible to apply for the NYSSCR once they have completed the Global History and Geography course and passed that Regents. In addition to graduation requirements in Social Studies, students have a choice of completing more in-depth studies and civic engagement to meet requirements.

This course will focus upon the study of the US Government and Active Citizenship. Throughout the year, we will work towards the completion of the Middle School Civil Capstone Project. This final performance task will help students earn a point towards the Seal of Civic Readiness recognition upon graduation. Our units of study include: y Foundations of US Government y Civic Learning y Civic Readiness y Civic Engagement Not only will we be studying the role of an active citizen within the US, but we will also study current events, people, and places. While this course is centered around citizenship, it will also concentrate on developing student analytical and writing skills. Throughout the year we will be learning in many different formats to help students be the most successful.

The curriculum for all seventh-grade students is aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards for math. Instructional time will focus on four critical areas:

1. developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships;
2. developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations;
3. solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume;
4. drawing inferences about populations based on samples and develop, use and evaluate Probability models.

The following concepts are taught:

• ratios and proportional relationships
• the number system
• expressions and equations
• geometry
• statistics and probability

Students selected for seventh-grade Accelerated Math complete both Math 7 and Math 8 curricula in a single year. Therefore, students recommended for this course must demonstrate above grade level performance and motivation. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be recommended to take Algebra IR while in the eighth grade. Students are expected to continue taking advanced math courses through twelfth grade. This track allows students the ability to take college level classes such as AP Calculus and/or AP Statistics. It’s recommended that students in the accelerated math program maintain a course average of a B or higher.

The areas of study in seventh-grade science include a combination of living environment and physical setting concepts. Students will explore human organ systems and homeostasis; photosynthesis and cellular respiration; properties of matter; classes of matter; as well as periodic table and atoms. The class and lab experiences will teach students concepts and skills that will prepare them for the comprehensive Intermediate Level Science Test given in the spring of their eighth-grade year. There are four state mandated laboratory investigations in grades 6-8 that will be assessed on this test as well.

Students selected for this course demonstrate above grade level performance. The course develops skills and concepts of living environment and physical setting using activities that follow the New York State curriculum. Students who are successful in this course will be recommended to take Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents course while in eighth grade. It is recommended that students in the accelerated program maintain an average of a B or higher.

The physical education program is aligned with the New York State Learning Standards in Physical Education. Students participate in a variety of individual and team activities in a co- educational setting. Individual lifetime activities such as ping- pong, yoga, tennis, weight training, and bicycling are introduced. Students participate in modified lead-up team activities in soccer, football, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, and softball.

Through participation in these physical education activities students will:

• acquire the basic knowledge and fundamental skills necessary to participate in a variety of healthy activities;
• understand and appreciate the benefits of maintaining a healthful lifestyle;
• understand how to evaluate and access resources in their community to pursue a healthy and active life;
• demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior through physical activity; and
• increase their understanding and acceptance of differences among people.

Fitnessgram is a comprehensive educational reporting tool used to assess physical fitness and physical activity levels for children. This assessment is performed in the fall and spring of each year. It measures and evaluates four health related fitness areas that include the student’s cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance.

This elective class provides the skills and supports students’ needs to build their confidence and increase their knowledge around fitness and wellness. Achievement through Movement will provide students with the opportunity to focus on fitness in a smaller setting and work directly with their teacher to set fitness goals and track progress in meeting those goals. The class meets every other day for 43 minutes and is in addition to the already scheduled PE class. Students are recommended for this course by their counselor and PE teacher.

(40 weeks/ every other day/43 minutes)

Digital Art is an enrichment course aligned with New York State Learnings Standards in The Arts. The course focuses on the following units of study: Introduction of Digital Arts, Graphic Design, Creative, Design and Animation. The course builds on the knowledge and skills developed in sixth grade art and introduces more advanced concepts and techniques. Additionally, students will have opportunities for self- directed and choice-based projects based on their areas of interest.

Voice Class is an enriched opportunity for students enrolled in Chorus. Students are recommended for this class by the Chorus teachers based on their participation, performance, and achievements in 6th grade chorus. Voice Class is taken in addition to the chorus ensemble and allows students to focus on their own voice development. Students are offered opportunities to perform, explore, and workshop their songs in the class through solos and small group ensembles. Students work on music literacy, gaining confidence, stage presence, putting together a piece for presentation, and exploring different styles of repertoire for the middle school singing voice.