Seventh Grade

List of 10 items.

• Electives

  All Saints’ students in grades seven and eight choose an elective class which meets twice a week. The elective program gives students an opportunity to explore an area that interests them, or to try something new. Topics vary from year to year depending on student interest and teaching staff. Typically, classes include areas such as music, art, journalism, creative writing, math, technology, and physical education. Grades earned are calculated in the students’ GPAs.

• English

  Students read works from a wide variety of genres and begin to understand how the themes in literature apply to us, connecting humankind. Literature selections reflect the themes of early America, coming of age, cultural diversity, folklore and myth, and others. Writing instruction emphasizes literary analysis and the five-paragraph essay form. Students continue to build upon their knowledge and use of 6 + 1 Traits® of Writing and they expand their knowledge of grammar and the mechanics of writing. Vocabulary study is based on Greek and Latin roots.

• Math

  In grade seven, All Saints’ offers four math classes: a two-year Pre-Algebra class that will continue into grade eight, Pre-Algebra in preparation for taking Algebra in grade eight, Advanced Pre-Algebra that will lead to Honors Algebra in grade eight, and Honors Algebra. Two-year Pre-Algebra is designed for students who will benefit from having extra time to study computation and pre-algebra. By taking two years to cover this material, students will have an opportunity to study pre-algebra in depth and will be well prepared for high school algebra. Pre-Algebra provides an opportunity for review and practice of some of the more complex computational skills while focusing on the abstract mathematical thinking and reasoning processes taught in pre-algebra. Advanced Pre-Algebra requires students to be ready for advanced reasoning, but allows time to review and practice the more complex skills. Honors Algebra is a fast-paced class designed for students who have developed advanced mathematical reasoning and have mastered pre-algebra. It is the equivalent of a high school honors level, first-year Algebra course.

• P.E. and Athletics

  Physical Education

  All Saints’ recognizes that instruction in physical fitness and health is a necessary part of the education and well-being of the whole child. Students participate in P.E. three times weekly. The principal standards of the P.E. curriculum are:

  • The use of a variety of basic and advanced movement forms
  • The use of movement concepts and principles in the development of motor skills
  • Understanding the benefits and costs associated with participation in physical activity
  • Understanding how to monitor and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness
  • Understanding the social and personal responsibility associated with participation in physical activity

  Participation in the Presidential Physical Fitness Test provides a yearly evaluation of a student’s progress. The test measures cardiovascular fitness, upper and lower body strength, as well as flexibility and agility.

  
  P.E. and athletic facilities include The Carl G. Carlozzi gym, a recently redesigned playing field, baseball diamond, and sports courts.

  
  Athletics

  The athletic department offers a competitive but inclusive team sports program for middle school students in sixth through eighth grades who wish to participate. The focus of the program is learning the fundamentals of each sport, practicing teamwork, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Because of All Saints’ emphasis on academics, frequency of practices and games are monitored carefully and teams do not play during final exams.

  
  All Saints’ teams compete in the Catholic Youth Athletic Association (CYAA). The varsity boys’ teams have won 14 CYAA championships over the past 10 years, including the football championship for the last three years. The girls’ varsity volleyball team has consistently been one of the top teams in the league and the State middle school champion or runner-up for the past four years.

  
  Boys play flag football, basketball, and baseball. Girls play volleyball, softball, and basketball. Students in fourth and fifth grades can participate in these sports through the after-school intramural program coached by varsity players and assisted by the coaching staff. Sixth grade students have their own teams and play other sixth grade teams in the CYAA. Everyone participates; there are no cuts. Students in seventh and eighth grades try out and are placed on the varsity or junior varsity team based on ability.
  
  

  At graduation, students who have lettered in five or more varsity sports are inducted into the All Saints’ Athletic Hall of Fame.

   

• Religion and Life Skills

  The curriculum at All Saints’ includes a religion and life skills class. Middle school students attend twice weekly. Religion faculty present the class from a Judaic/Christian perspective; at the same time, the program acknowledges and honors the many other religious traditions that our students and families bring to the All Saints’ community. This diversity gives students and faculty the opportunity to discuss religion and faith with all of the depth, beauty, and mystery that the subject warrants.

  
  Middle school students study the Bible from a historical, cultural, and geographical aspect. In addition to Jesus Christ, they look at other biblical figures including St. Paul and the Prophets, and how they are relevant to today’s society. Classes are conducted in an environment that is academically rigorous and existentially probing. Questions and thoughtful discussion are always encouraged. Eighth grade students embark on a year-long study of world religions that includes Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Eastern religions such as Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto, as time allows.

  
  Students explore principles of leadership and character education continues to be emphasized. The classroom provides a place where students can discuss and deal with their everyday experiences. Questions about drugs and alcohol are addressed and discussion of basic body awareness is conducted in appropriate gender groups.

• Science

  The study of life science in grade seven offers students a look at the living world around them and how it is different and similar to homo-sapiens. Topics include: what is life, what life needs and why; cells and how they lay the basis of life; how the environment affects us; how organisms change over time; and how our bodies work, and how we can help them work better.

• Social Studies

  Students begin the first part of a two-year journey through the history of western civilization. They begin by discussing what a civilization is, followed by in-depth studies of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. For each civilization, students will be looking at and comparing elements of government, religion, culture, economics, geography, and everyday life, and how ancient civilizations helped shape the world we live in today.

• Spanish

  Students in seventh grade attend Spanish class daily. All language skills: listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing are integrated into the curriculum.   At the end of the seventh grade year, the students will have completed more than the first semester of a high school Spanish course. Classroom activities include writing projects, oral presentations, skits, and team/partner work that weaves in the culture of the Spanish speaking world. The program includes the use of technology: the textbook is available online and iPads are utilized to enhance their language learning experience.  Communication both in oral and written form is emphasized.  Classes are differentiated so that students’ needs can be met with success. Classes are differentiated so that students’ needs can be met with success.  At the end of their eighth grade year, the students will have completed a year and a half of a high school Spanish course.

• Technology

  Design Thinking and Technology at All Saints'. provides students with a unique opportunity to use powerful digital technologies in a hands-on project-based environment. The middle school DreamLab houses a diverse array of equipment for 5th-8th graders during their studies at All Saints’.
  
  

  Every student can expect to get practical training in 3d modeling/printing, digital storytelling, graphic design, electronics, coding, and basic fabrication - all under the umbrella of design thinking.
  
  

  Design thinking follows a cyclical approach to problem solving that is centered on real people and their needs. We follow the model set forth from The d.school at Stanford University.

• Visual and Performing Arts

  Visual Arts
  

  The visual arts department at All Saints’ encourages students to explore the world, develop self expression and confidence, and communicate through art. Students at all grade levels are continuously challenged to grow creatively as they acquire a sequential knowledge of the elements and principles of art and an appreciation of art history. The program fosters the following beliefs:

  • Art is a visual means of self-expression.
  • We develop an “artist’s eye” through observation of the world around us and by continuing to create art.
  • Art class is a positive experience and the creative process is enjoyable and fulfilling.

  The art program in lower school lays the foundation for concepts and skills that will continue to be developed as students move into middle school. Students explore the elements of art: line, shape, color, texture, space, and value. Over time, they master a variety of artists’ tools including brushes, pen and ink, palette knives, linoleum blocks, wood, chalk, and charcoal. Artistic boundaries widen as students create both two- and three-dimensional artwork and are exposed to various mediums including paint, clay, sculpture, stitchery, papier-mâché, and drawing.

  
  Students travel through history with the Art Masterpiece program.  Grade seven studies inlude:  Modern art-Twentieth Century; artists include Picasso, Kandinsky, Dufy, Vlaminck, Klee, Rouault, Kirchner, Mondrian, Braque, Magritte, Chagall, Duchamp, Miro, Mar, Vasarely, and Modigliani.  Students incorporate many of the ideas, themes, and techniques they study in this program into their classroom work.

  
  Two highlights of the school year are Special Persons Day, an event that showcases the visual and performing art programs in tandem, and the Spring Art Show, a weeklong display that includes representative works from all projects at every grade level.

  
  Visual arts faculty bring over 50 years teaching experience to the classroom, and work tirelessly to help students achieve their full creative potential.
  
  Performing Arts
  

  Students in seventh grade can choose the Instrumental Ensemble elective with Dr. Rifkind or the Rock Band elective with Mr. Block.