Grade Seven

List of 11 items.

• Mathematics

  In seventh grade, most students are placed into either Pre-Algebra or Pre-Algebra Advanced. After Pre-Algebra, students take Algebra I Part 1, Algebra I, Algebra 1 Advanced, or Extended Topics in Algebra and Geometry (ETAG). Following coursework in algebra, students take Geometry or Geometry Advanced, which is then followed by Algebra II, depending on prior mathematics coursework, standardized testing, and/or teacher recommendation.

  
  

  Based on a student’s ability to work independently and persevere with problems, along with his or her past mathematical performance, he or she is placed into one of our Upper School math courses. We recognize that students at this age develop at different rates and appreciate that there is more than one path through the math curriculum; for that reason, we conduct careful student placement in the spring of each year to ensure that each student is appropriately challenged.

  
  Click here to see detailed descriptions for all Upper School math course offerings.

• English 7

  Seventh grade English stresses the development of writing skills with particular emphasis on well-structured paragraphs and more abstract thinking and writing. Writing with precision is emphasized and practiced through frequent composition assignments. Students focus on identifying and understanding the elements of grammar in their own writing. In the study of literature, students begin to identify themes and their relationship to life experiences as well as examples of figurative language. Students study vocabulary in order to develop a more sophisticated written and spoken command of English.

  
  

  Students build reading comprehension and analytical skills through their reading. The year begins with an in-depth study of poetry, including poems from Czeslaw Milosz’s international anthology A Book of Luminous Things. Students also read a wide selection of novels, some of which are connected to the Ancient World Cultures curriculum. Examples from recent years include Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo, Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds, Samurai’s Garden by Gail Tsukiyama, The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz, They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

  
  

  Students may also read a range of short stories.  By focusing on plot, setting, irony, theme, and character, all students are able to take notes and produce discussion questions in unique ways. After mastering the fundamental elements of story and structure, students move on to more contemporary and diverse forms of literary expression.

  
  

  Throughout the year, seventh graders review and expand their grammar skills, with a focus on using parts of speech correctly, varying sentence beginnings, formalizing language, and using proper punctuation and capitalization. Students also explore sentence structure and learn to  identify sentence elements such as subjects, predicates, and direct and indirect objects. As with all grades in the Upper School, seventh graders participate in the Upper School Speech Contest and the Scull Essay contest.

• Ancient World Cultures

  Seventh Grade Ancient World Cultures is a comprehensive study of seven different ancient civilizations, each of which made significant contributions to the growth and development of culture around the world. Students study the prehistoric tribes of Ethiopia and the first formal civilization of Mesopotamia; then students explore the cultures, economies, and governments of ancient Egypt, India, Greece, Rome, and China. The year culminates with an in-depth look at the Inca, Aztec, and Mayan peoples of Latin America, focusing on how they laid the cultural foundations for the modern civilizations throughout the region. In addition to looking at the cultural universals of each civilization, students learn the basic geography of each region and explore advancements in art, religion, literature, and architecture. Students practice note-taking, critical thinking, debate, analytical writing, and historical research through class discussions, short essays, and other project-based assessments.

• Life Science 7

  Upper School science practices have been adopted from the National Resource Council’s A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas (2012) and build on the practices from the Lower School. Students who demonstrate success in upper school science courses will be able to:

  • Ask questions and define problems
  • Construct explanations and design solutions
  • Plan and carry out investigations
  • Analyze and interpret data
  • Use mathematics and computational thinking to solve problems
  • Develop and use models
  • Participate in evidence-based arguments
  • Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

  
  

  Life Science introduces students to the basic principles of biology and health science. Students learn to classify living organisms and begin to study relationships between humans and other animals on Earth. They study cell structure and function, and they learn the structure and function of organs and organ systems within the human body. Students learn principles of genetics and explore how genetic variations of traits in a population increase a species’ probability of survival. Students study the anatomy of the human body, and they also study the biology of the natural world with an in-depth look at our local water systems. Films, microscope slides, computer simulations, laboratory exercises, and outdoor activities complement the text and help students to build upon the analytical skills acquired in lower grades. Throughout the year, students produce independent projects that develop problem-solving skills they will use in future science courses.

• World Languages

  Upon entering the Upper School, students select a world language to study. Students choose from French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Latin. Placement in all levels is based upon the student’s prior experience in the language, teacher recommendations, and a placement test.
  
  

  Click here to see a detailed list of all Upper School world language course offerings.

• Music

  The music faculty is committed to the concept of "learning by doing" and recognizes the value of performance in every student’s experience. Each year, Upper School students choose a music course from options that include bass or treble chorale, bells, string ensemble, band, and music exploration. The courses extend the theory and performance skills developed in the Lower School, but students new to Fay will also find that they can succeed in a beginning-level ensemble with little or no previous musical experience. Click here to see a complete list of music offerings.

• Art 7

  The seventh grade program is designed to develop students’ motor skills, social skills, and visual literacy. Students participate in interdisciplinary and multicultural projects, learn about art history, and take advantage of resources within the school and community. Students learn about the proper care and use of materials and are encouraged to respect the work of others. Students have regular opportunities to practice and refine their drawing skills. Projects include painting, collage, sculpture, printmaking, cut paper, ceramics, and other two- and three-dimensional works. Exhibit opportunities exist in the larger community, our online gallery, and the School.
  
  Students who successfully complete the seventh grade art program will be able to use media and tools appropriately, maintain a clean and productive workspace, and demonstrate understanding of the following concepts:
  
  - Facial proportions
  - Shade and gradient with pencil
  - Two-point perspective
  - Ceramic mask-making
  - Principles of linocut

• Drama 7

  Seventh grade drama is a year-long course in which students pursue a holistic exploration of theater arts. As students participate in units on acting, directing, design, and playmaking, they develop an appreciation for the collaborative nature of the theater and an understanding of each essential component of a successful theatrical production.

• Creators Class

  In seventh grade, Creators Class takes place in Fay's Center for Creativity & Design twice per rotation. The course is designed to build each student's creative confidence and focuses on the following themes:

  • Design thinking, an empathy-based problem solving mindset and process, to help students identify problems and generate solutions
  • Basic electronics, to do basic programming of circuit boards
  • Digital fabrication, to design and build 2D and 3D objects using the school's laser cutter, vinyl cutter, and 3D printing technologies

  
  

  Through a series of hands-on design briefs, students practice identifying problems and designing and iterating solutions.

• Wellness 7

  Topics in seventh grade Wellness classes include identity, accepting others’ differences, stereotyping, bullying prevention and response, mindfulness, conflict resolution, boundaries, stress management, and substance use and abuse through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Wellness classes allow students to feel comfortable exploring challenging topics in a way most relevant to their experiences, focusing on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

• Athletics

  The athletics program takes place every day following academic classes. All students in grades seven through nine are required to participate daily in all three terms. Students choose from an array of interscholastic sports and intramural activities (one per term). Students may try out for competitive interscholastic teams or join an intramural team or activity. However, all students are required to participate in at least one interscholastic sports team each year.
  
  Click here for the complete list of athletic options.