Seventh Grade
Humanities
The Seventh Grade uses a humanities model by combining history topics with literature at appropriate levels for the student. The Seventh Grade humanities themes are Constructing Identities.
Pollyanna (Racial Literacy Curriculum)
To encourage kindness, bravery, and empathy when exploring and better understanding the cultural and racial diversity of local and global communities.
To develop more inclusive and positive perspective of self, others, and the larger world in regard to race, ethnicity, and culture.
To analyze history and other social assertions that fabricate myths of innate racial superiority, in order to dispel myopic, discriminatory perspectives of race.
To analyze race as a primary institution of the United States.
To critique the biological fallacy of race, while simultaneously unpacking its social truths.
The underlying goal of the curriculum is to build bridges and connections––for all students to recognize similarities among their peers along lines of race, while also celebrating perceived differences.
Seventh Grade Theme: What is Race?--How Science, Society, and the Media (Mis)represent Race
Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.
Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.
As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.
Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.
Math
Pre-Algebra class is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in mathematical concepts and skills that will prepare them for studying algebra. Building on prior knowledge, this course emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective study habits. Students will explore a range of topics such as the Number System, Expressions and Equations, Functions, Geometry, Statistics, and Probability through engaging lessons, collaborative activities, and real-world applications.
Science
Seventh Grade Science is designed for students to meet the Next Generation Science Standards by practicing methods for exploring and investigating the world around us. Students will complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems that simulate concepts and situations, allowing them to build content knowledge and technical skills to prepare them for HS sciences better. Some units of study include medicine, the human body system, and interactions of life. Students participate in the annual George Washington Carver Science Fair.
Highlights
Declamation
All Lower Grade and Upper Grade students gain experience and confidence speaking publicly at monthly Declamations in front of their classmates in the Alumni Theater.
Students challenge themselves to master and declaim celebrated works of poetry and prose, including speeches, sonnets, excerpts from novels, plays and songs, and self-written works.
In the Upper Grade students work to hone their declaiming skills, focusing on poise and appearance, dramatization, eye contact, voice and articulation, and pacing, as SPS faculty provides feedback on the performances and decides on one winner each month.
Mini Courses
These happen every trimester. Some of the mini courses we have offered in the past are Leadership In Action, Drama, Health, Coding, Design Thinking and more.